Fun Food Weekend

All continues to be well for A^4.  We are sending good thoughts to all of our family and friends and

can't wait to be able to give everyone a hug.

We all had Presidents Day off and Amy surprised the kids by agreeing to play Roblox with them.  The kids are always asking us to play with them in their Roblox games.  Amy is certain that the kids were not expecting Amy to be so SLOW at moving in the games (understanding which key makes your character do which move...hahaha).   Ayson also requested Broccoli Cheddar Cheese soup so we also made a big batch of soup - Ayson helped cut the cheese.  

Last week, the kids lost electronics for not doing their chores from the night before - so they both broke out long forgotten toys/coloring to keep themselves occupied.  :)

Ayson's creation - a robot (surprise!)

After dinner another night, Ayson made himself a vanilla mug cake and searched for a recipe on his own.  He had only one (fixable) mistake: 3 Tablespoons of flour instead of the 3 cups that he started to add :)

He added so many green sprinkles that it turned the entire cake green - but he gave his creation a thumbs up!4

On Friday, Amy went to Grandma Collene's for a Girls Only sleep over - "Dear Camp" :)

It was great to relax and catch up with Grandma, Auntie Fran, and Auntie Julie :)

On Sunday, the kiddos wanted to make a Valentines treat  - so we made vanilla and chocolate cupcakes!

Filling the tins and sampling the batter

Our neighbors, the Anthony's had given as a decorating kit that was once Gianna's - so we were able to make pretty designs on our cupcakes!

Ayson and his "artistic" expression while frosting a cupcake.

Ta Da!

Ugh.  That is a ton of frosting

Hahaha.  Amy warned Addie that eating all of that frosting would give her a sugar rush and then she would not feel good.  Undeterred, as noted by the below picture, Addie had to rest for a bit before she finished frosting the rest of the cupcakes

Our finished master pieces!

Ayson trying to figure out how to put back together a toy that is supposed to break a part and then be re-built.  He was starting to get frustrated but then how a tutorial on YouTube...

Success!  LOOK at that smile!

Holy Smokes, We've Got Snow!

The kids had a short week with two snow days, thanks to the Nor'easter!  We played outside everyday and went to bed early each night!  We hope that all of our friends are staying warm, happy, and healthy!

 

Tuesday afternoon - you can see the fresh snow on top of the "Snow Pit"

They had so much fun!

Adam measured 19 inches Wednesday morning and it continued to snow ALL day 

Kids in the snowbank

SO much powdery snow!

QUEEN of Mulberry Mountain!

Don't fall off!

Gorgeous Thursday afternoon

Snowman time :)

Ayson won the "no cavity" contest for January from the Dentist and he received a $10 gift card from Target.  Thank you, Dr Goodwin!

Now, WHAT to spend the moolah on!!!

Addie created a Clemson themed football player in school

Gorgeous Saturday morning cross country ski in the orchard!

The Optimist Club Winter Fest was on Saturday afternoon and the kids had a blast!  Free food and hot chocolate.

Sleigh ride, anyone?

The kids went sledding, viewed the ice sculptures, and participated in broom ball.

Snow play date on Sunday for Addie while Ayson made new friends when he went with Adam to cut fire wood. 

Addie needed a quick cat nap after we got home :)

Snow Fun and the Symphony in our Living Room

A week of snow fun with the kiddos going outside during gym class to go sledding.  Amy was able to go snow shoeing and cross county skiing in the afternoons after work.  Adam is making great progress on the rec room in the basement and has been cutting firewood for next year.  Amy watched another inspiring interview with a Clemson University Professor (and Master Teacher), Drew Lanham, and Amy decided that regardless of the in person restrictions due to the pandemic, that she could still give presentations to the elementary school classes and be a mentor to others interested science.  SO, both Amy and Adam offered to mentor students at the high school and Amy is working on making her "in class" presentations virtual :)  On Saturday night, we attended a virtual performance of the Syracuse orchestra, Symohoria, in collaboration with CirqOvation -  an Entertainment Company founded by our neighbors, Heather and Josh. 

Amy wearing a new shirt that her neighbor, Denise, gave to Amy - because the blowing dandelions reminded Denise of Amy and the family :)  

Ayson decided he wanted to eat an MRE instead of chicken wings or steak for dinner 

Ayson holding up the dessert - a pop tart!

Yes, he likes it!

The MRE had a self heating unit that only required 30 ml of water to activate the heat in order to cook his spaghetti dinner - it tasted like Chef Boyardee :)

Addie wanted her nails painted blue:)

Cat naps: comfy

Cat naps: questionable

On Saturday, Ayson started to build a snow fort AND Addie wanted to go outside and play.  Usually, w have to coax Addie to go outside!

Addie making it "snow"

Addie's fort

Working on Ayson's fort

We made GREAT progress!

Addie received a letter and stickers from her friend Mikhan.  Now Addie needs to determine what she wants to write in response!

Pretty stickers!

The Saturday night show was CirqOvation's FIRST performance in 10 months.  We are sending good thoughts to all that work in the Entertainment industry and we are looking forward to live events!!!

Josh jumping rope while on a unicycle

Insane!

Heather, with a flower on her head - she uses a whip to cut the flower from the stem!

Flying

Amy did not catch a picture of it, but Heather was suspended by her neck with a harness that was attached to Josh's neck - incredible!

On Sunday, we added a roof to Ayson's snow fort.  We are supposed to get more snow this next week so the kids will have fun in the snow:)

Hi Family!

Working on Addie's fort!