Kaiser Snow Day

Definitely the funniest of the stupid names for the storm! But whatever you called it, it was a doozy.

We couldn't even open the front door!

Cheverly was buried in 24 inches of snow at noon yesterday, so the final total is probably around 27 inches.

Up and down our street around 2 p.m.

While the rest of us curled up for nap time, Kev bundled up and set off to start digging us out.

The side yard before and after the shoveling

After nearly two hours, he had made it from the back door to the front door and had uncovered the front walk.

The kids were itching to get outside (being stuck in the house was already driving us all crazy). It's a kick every time to see how much they love the snow. It gives Kev great hope to make them skiers one day.

At best the snow was shoulder-high on Stevie.

We almost lost Sabrina in the back yard. She charged straight from the steps into the snow bank...and got stuck. She didn't seem to mind too much. Stevie went to rescue/join her, but seemed perplexed.

After a good warm-up bath, the kids enjoyed hot chocolate and Vanilla Wafers.

They're predicting more snow on Wednesday and then again on Sunday. Kev and I have plans to go to the Bahamas this weekend (sans kids!!) and I will track down a sled and dog team if I have to to get down there. If we get "trapped" in the Bahamas, so be it.

Creatively Challenged

Yes, another week has gone by between posts. Bad Jess. I apologize, but I just haven't been inspired lately. I've been doing some free-lance web work and have started writing and I think these have sucked the creative energy I usually channel into the blog.

Or maybe I'm just a big slacker. *shrug*

One thing is certain: there are people who need a Sabrina & Stephen fix and I am always happy to oblige.

Some random updates on development:

Stevie can now go up and down stairs all by himself. He's trying to do it by walking, but is still much more secure crawling. He's really started to understand and respond to language. He goes to the stairs or to his highchair when I say it's bed-time or dinner-time. He will identify and bring toys when asked (sometimes). He nods emphatically and says "yes" or "no" when given choices. His vocabulary still sounds pretty muddled but he manages "mama" "da" (for daddy) and "ba" (which he uses for bye-bye, bottle, book, and blackberry). Occasionally a word or phrase will come out crystal clear though, and Kev and I will be looking around trying to figure out who said it. One day when Kevin was leaving for work Stevie waved and said "Bye-Bye Daddy!" clear as a bell. It was awesome.

Sabrina's speech is still frustrating for all of us. She talks just fine around me and she's now consistently talking at school, but she still uses a lot of gibberish around Kev and when she gets excited/is showing off.

I feel like a broken record with her lately. I have to repeat everything at least half-a-dozen times and even then I often have to physically separate her from whatever she's doing to get her attention. She has an incredibly active imagination, but it's a struggle to get her to focus (unless Sesame Street is on, then she focuses on nothing else). ADHD or just a normal three-year-old?

The kids have loved the recent snow. Stevie's completely gotten over his distaste of the cold and wet and now the biggest problem I have is getting them back inside before their fingers and toes fall off.

Here are some pictures from last Saturday's beginning snow fall, but it's become a daily ritual this week.

Stevie refuses to put is thumbs in thumbs of his mittens. He's getting pretty adept at holding on to things regardless.

Say How'd Ya Do and Shake Hands

From one of the car rides during the holidays. Unedited but SUPER cute. This is why we keep them. :)

I Thought That My Home Was My Castle

Years ago, my mom asked my advice (and my sisters') about getting a pink princess castle for our little cousin Bailey. It was something we would have LOVED to have had as kids and we were all a bit jealous that mom didn't get one for us. Well, Bailey isn't so little anymore and she thought that Sabrina might love to have a princess castle of her own. She was right!

The kids and I played in it a lot on Friday, but nothing compared to Saturday when Daddy joined the fun. He was quickly crowned King of the Castle.

In a bloodless overthrow (the "Cuteness Coup"), Stephen usurps power by distracting Kev with a kiss and stealing the crown.

And ever the princess, Sabrina found her Prince Charming.

Still Alive!

Yes, it's been almost two weeks since we've posted. We're still alive. No more trips to the ER, no craziness, just normal life...or rather the craziness of our normal lives (but no ER).

Princess Sabrina

Here are some dress-up pictures from play-time in the basement with Kev. Sabrina dressed herself, then dressed up Stevie...such a good big sister :)

that Stevie...so hot right now...