A White Christmas???

Yesterday the boys and I spent the afternoon at the park enjoying the beautiful 78 degree weather.  Today, we are standing in the kitchen watching it snow.  With any lucky, we will have a "White Christmas" this year.  Hopefully, I will have snow pictures to post later today.

Architects in Training

I have always "loved" Gingerbread Houses and use to dream of creating an entire Gingerbread village like the ones I had seen in magazines growing up. Unfortunately, when I was young, Gingerbread houses did not come in boxes 'complete with everything you need". Now all you have to do is walk into any store during the "Holiday Season" (between July and December) and pick a kit ready to decorate. The last few years, the boys and I have chosen a kit that comes pre-assembled, but this year we chose to branch out. Isaac spied the cutest house in a really cute house shaped box. The box makes it clear that everything you need is included to build this wonderful house. I think the makers of the kit forgot to include a large dose of patience. We followed the directions (at least the ones we read) exactly, yet the roof of our house kept slipping off. After re-attaching the roof for the 29^th time, Isaac looks at the house and kindly points out that the wall has completely collapsed into the house. I now have to remove the roof in order to straighten the wall. We finally managed to get the roof re-attached and begin to cover the house with candy. Now, my wonderful bonding activity becomes a battle between two boys who both take after their mom and have strong opinions.

After I lost my patience (not included in kit) and threatened to throw the whole thing in the garbage, they finally managed to compromise and build a beautiful candy covered, crooked roof house fit for any Gingerbread Boy. Next year, we buy the Gingerbread House already decorated at the bakery.

Train Trip

Each year the kindergarten classes make a trip to see the model train display at Santa Fe Depot.  Several years ago, a group of volunteers saved the old depot from destruction and now have several model trains on display year-round.  I always forget what a neat place this really is.  The kids love seeing all the models and can even turn the trains on and off.  It is also neat to hear the history of the railroad in San Angelo and realize how much that changed this town in the early 1900's.  Daniel's class did a great job following directions and representing our school.  The local news station was also there interviewing the volunteers and took a few minutes to talk to some of out students.  It was a really great field trip.

Field Trip

Isaac's class took a field trip to our local Christmas Tree Farm.  We have been several times over the last few years.  It is a really neat place, but a little different from the tree farms around Mississippi.  In the semi-desert climate, we cannot grow typical Christmas trees, but instead have Afgan Pines.  They are pretty, but just not my idea of a Christmas tree.  They do have Norfolk pines for sale and make beautiful wreaths.  They also treat the kids so well.  We had a hayride around the farm, got to decorate Christmas trees, pet alpacas, and ended with bonfires and smores.  The kids had a great time despite the fridge tempertures.

Seriously???

Yesterday the forecast called for sunny and tempertures in the 70's.  We woke to fog, drizzle, and tempertures below freezing.  When it finally cleared around 2 o'clock the tempertures rose to 73 and a dust storm blew in and blocked the sunshine.  This morning the sky is clear and the temperture is 23 with a wind chill of 17.  I guess if you don't like the weather here, don't worry it will change in the next 12 hours anyway.

UIL Spelling

Isaac did a wonderful job representing his school in the UIL spelling test.  He was given a list of 600 words to study and for the last several weeks we have worked on those words every morning and afternoon.  Isaac worked really hard and did a great job learning the words.  He placed 2nd in the competition.  We are so proud of him. 

Snow in Texas????

Wow!  This morning we woke up to a beautiful winter wonderland.  When we went to bed last night the forecast called for a 60% chance of snow flurries with accumulations of less than 1 inch.  Being in West Texas, I didn't really expect to see anything, but we were pleasantly surprised this morning.  According to the National Weather Service we actually had 2.2 inches.  The kids had a delayed school start and were able to get outside and enjoy the winter wonderland this morning.  They had a blast throwing snowballs and going down the slide and landing in a pile of snow.  After a few minutes, they came to the door freezing and were ready to come inside and enjoy the warmth of the house.  By noon, the snow was quickly melting, but the memories will last forever.