Back in the saddle again.

The holiday break is officially over. I started school this week and it is going to be a heavy quarter. Not too hard, just a lot of busy work/reading/organization. (Right up my alley!) I am happy to back and just need to get back into a schedule.The calendar is my best friend! The kids seem to be getting back into routines too. Liam has regressed a tad about going to preschool. Having two weeks off, being sick again and being home with me, has set him into crying jags when I drop him off. My poor baby!
Avin got his grade card, yea! He did great again. They want to test him again for the Horizons program. It is a program for children that are gifted in areas of Math and Reading. He participated last year, and did not want to go this year. But we really think he needs to go to keep him stimulated.
Devin got accepted to University of Toledo for next year. Wahoo! We are pretty dang proud of him. He is still going into Psychology and has looked into other schools for his graduate work. Will this be the Dreier's best year?

What did we do in a snow storm?

Living in Northwest Ohio you never are really sure if you are going to get the snow. Most of the time it hits Lake Erie and goes to Cleveland and Buffalo. However, we definitely got hit. We had a level 2 snow emergency, which left us home bound. I have to admit it was nice to be all cozy. So instead of looking at the downside of this, we joined in the wintry fun!

After my third time shoveling, (that counts as exercise, right?) I finally got smart and "hired" Avin to shovel. We got the kids all bundled up and walked down to our local park and went sledding. It was a blast! Brian pulled Lavinia and Liam on the sled which they loved. After a few times, going down the hill Liam was ready to go. Lavinia on the other hand is a big snow baby. Every time we went down she laughed so hard, jumped up and drudged up the hill for another turn. Avin is always ready for adventures. I did a snow angel, bringing back some more memories. The hardest part was walking back home while wet and cold. Hot chocolate anyone?

The kids also made sock puppets and had a puppet show. They set up Lavinia's dolls as the audience.

After dinner I decided to break out a 750 piece puzzle. I always remember my Papa and Gram doing puzzles during bad weather. I forgot how much I missed doing puzzles. Brian and I stayed up until 2 am doing it and then spent about 3 hours today. Just when I could not take it, and swore "there are pieces missing!" Another one would fit and the will to continue was born again.

Needless to say, Brian just found another one to put together. Hmmm.......

Calm Days

Just when I thought it was never going to come, the kids went back to school. Do you hear the rushing sigh escape from my mouth? I love these little people I call my own, but two weeks cooped up was enough! I think I have fulfilled my duty as a stay at home 24 for 7 parent. Not only am I happy, but the kids seem to enjoy being back into their normal schedules.
Yesterday Liam could not stop talking about the "clean mud" and the Jell-o they made in his classroom. Lavinia is happy at her usual social self. She has a love/hate relationship with a little girl in her room. Ask her who her favorite friend is, she will say Laila. Ask her who makes her day the hardest, you will get the same answer. Actually, they are so cute together. Yesterday, Laila gave her a "friendship ring."
I have two more weeks until I start back, so I hope to have alot accomplished before then. But until then I AM enjoying the sounds of silence.