President Washington's Cookies

President's day started with a visit from General George Washington wearing his finest "blue coat"

 Actually, he invited the whole brigade, including Mrs. Washington who was the troop's supply line.

 There were a couple of sharp shooters among them!

They marched to the back of the fort to show off the impervious wall of snow that no "lobster back" could penetrate.

Next we brushed up on proper decorum by reading George Washington's book of rules. 

And then decided we better bake his favorite cookies.

Jaws manned the mixer and was the official taster.

I present to you, George Washington's Jumbals. 

They are a dense sugar cookie with orange zest. They are simply delicious. I have even more respect for the great George Washington now that I've snacked on his delicious cookies.

The kids made a banner to commemorate the occasion.

And that tenacious old General Washington held down the fort all day long.

The Third Commandment

Tadpole ran down to our room Sunday morning and exclaimed, "Mom! I looked out the window and nearly took the Lord's name in vain! There is so much snow!" It's true, it was a white out. No church! But plenty of rest for me!

 Abizella gave me the works at her You Spa, including a hot tub treatment with a massage!

I loved my fancy toes with gems!

Abizella asked what kind of hairstyle I wanted and I told her piggies. 

She told me I looked like I was 3 yrs. old.

Perfect. I was hoping to shave a few years off!

Meanwhile, there was no rest for the weary. The ox was in the mire. 

As soon as the snow stopped, our ever faithful Pops was back at it. His shoulders are going to be too thick to walk through a door way before this winter is over.

Abizella and I started a little sewing project that has been on the back burner for awhile, 

her pinky fuzzy robe.

Abizella is quite tenacious when it comes to fixing her sewing machine. She is an inspiration to me. After slogging through the first step I was ready to stuff the project in a sack an throw it into the dark recesses of the basement. But since Abz never gives up, neither did I. We actually got it about 70% done. We only need to hem it, fit the sleeves and sew on the pockets! 

Not even 8 ominous feet of snow looming behind us can stop us from finishing now!

The day turned out to be quite sunny and bright. Pops advised that I run out and take some pictures before dark. This is what is left of our house...

The kids have been warned against bobsledding off the roof, otherwise tracks would have already been made!

My Sweet Hearts

We had a busy Valentine's day lined up so Pops and I divided to conquer.

Pops took Abizella and Superkid to swim team and hit the dry cleaner and library as well. I took the littles to the grocery store, but took a pit stop on the way to grease the wheels.

We met back home to unload and dig out in time for the babysitter to come. This may not sound like a big deal, but with a blizzard on the way, the snow laden streets were jammed with panic shoppers. Did I tell you that I actually had to drive behind Walmart to find a place to park the car yesterday? It took Pops an hour to drive a mile. Insanity!

But we did get it all done and even made it on time to the Belmont Temple! We even had enough time to snap this picture. Which leaves me wondering, where is all of their snow?! We have about 4 more feet than them! The South Shore has been buried. We went to the temple to be with the Lynch family who was being sealed.

Afterwards we got a little jump on Chinese New Year and went to Mulan in Waltham. Yes, were pigs. We ordered enough for at least 2 more meals. It is just that good.

Then back home in time for Cupid to drop off some loving for our little sweethearts!

Cupid made a stealth get away considering all that snow out there!

It's official. We're having candy for dinner. I love all of my Valentines! I am happy for every single day I get to be with them!

Ice Dams and Super Pops!

It's ugly. 

Another mega blizzard was forecasted for the weekend. I left work early on Friday to see if we could do a little damage prevention before the next two feet of snow flew. Pops picked up some ice melt salt and Superkid and I loaded it into nylons to see if we could cut into the ice dams a bit. They are about 9 inches tall and wide. Turns out they are inpenetrable by salt, at least when the temperatures are sub-zero all the time.

The roof rake just wasn't cutting it. Pops grabbed the shovel and hopped up on the roof. 

The snow was high and heavy, probably about 4 feet deep.

Abizella was a hero too. She swam out to the back shed, heaved open the sliding door and found a cord for Pops to tether himself to the chimney.

As you can see, the fall danger was probably only 3 feet. Probably not fodder for AFV, but I'm happy he didn't fall!

What a great early Valentine's Day gift! Eat your hearts out ladies!

Meanwhile, Abz took advantage of some black diamond snow bank sledding.

Buried.

When the sky isn't dumping on us, we have to contend with Superkid...

And the "dump trucks". 

We are buried.

There must be dirt and sunshine somewhere because I found a little spring time cheer to warm us up!

Best Buds

With all this time off school Superkid and Abizella have cemented their sibling bond. 

They hardly spend a second apart.

Abizella has been bugging me to put the little brothers to bed early. I asked her why and she said that she and Superkid like to stay up late to talk. I asked what they talk about and she said, 

"Oh Mom, you wouldn't understand. It's brother-sister stuff." 

They talk themselves to sleep almost every non-school night.

I'm so happy they have each other!

Snow Swimming, Roof Jumping, Roof Raking and Other Adventures

Tuesday was another snow day. Our 6th.

This is Superkid. He took a little swim to the dining room window and tapped on the window.

I wasn't sure who was looking into the aquarium, him or me...

Until he flopped backwards and did the back stroke.

Pops did another lap in the driveway. 

Seriously, we are beyond out of places to put all this snow!

Our house is looking pretty cute in the snow. 

If you go back a few posts you can see how the trunk on the tree is disappearing.

I took a few spins with the shovel as well.

Hefting snow onto a snow bank a foot or so taller than you is serious stuff!

But I have to admit, I like being out in it.

The kids and I helped do an archaeological dig to find our neighbor's car and then they bounded across snow banks.

I heard some whooping an hollering, I went out back assuming kids were sledding, but couldn't find them. Then I saw two guilty little faces peaking over the side of the roof.

Turns out they had been doing a little of THIS!

Since they were up there, I thought I might as well put them to work. I grabbed the roof rake...

It's long!

And started pulling down some snow. Abizella and Superkid cleared the vents and sky lights.

And after a little snow came off the roof, the snow was over our heads!

We rounded out the day with a good show from what Jaws called the, "dump trucks"!