Snow Schedule

Growing up in a small town, when it snowed, we either had school or we didn't.  If it started snowing mid-day, we might get an early dismissal.  Living in the city now, we've discovered the "snow schedule."  That basically means starting later than normal with the hope that the roads will be clearer and traffic will be better.  The problem is that when every school in the city is on snow schedule, it just moves rush hour back by two hours. 

This past week, we had another 4 or 5 inches of snow that fell Tuesday afternoon and evening.  The kids school closed a couple hours early, so I was fortunate that my office had let us go home early to work from home as well.  Then, on Wednesday morning, I got up early in anticipation of slow traveling on the roads.  I watched the school closings scroll across the bottom of the news screen, and did not see our kids' daycare listed.  By 6:30, we were all piled in the car and driving only slightly slower than usual on the snowy roads.  I was on it, and I was going to be at work on time by 7:30. 

We arrived at the daycare downtown at 7:10, only 10 minutes after they open.  Something looked amiss.  There were tons of parking spots open on the street and in the lot across the street. There were no lights on in the building.  I paused, and took a good look around.  There wasn't one person to be seen.  I called Billy to see if he was still at home.  He was and looked at Facebook, and at approximately 6:30, the daycare had posted that they'd be on the "snow schedule" today.  The late start wasn't even posted before I left the house.

By that time, it was approximately 7:20.  I couldn't drop the kids off until 9:30.  I was more than a little perturbed.   I was going to be late to work.  So, I called my boss.  She kindly recommended that I bring them to work for the couple hours.  It was a brilliant idea.  I could feed them breakfast in the cafeteria and they could say hello to my coworkers.

I pulled away and headed to work.  I was going to make the most of this, but that didn't prevent me from being pretty frazzled.  In the parking garage, it was so weird to unload my kids with me in addition to my purse and computer.  Audrey was a little timid with the revolving door to exit the parking garage, and Barrett snuggled close to me while we walked from the garage to the front door in the frigid wind.  I let Audrey go first into the revolving door to enter the Bank; she moved reluctantly, which meant she wasn't quite all the way in the door when it turned.  Her boot got stuck.  One of the law enforcement officers had to pry the door, but she was freed and unharmed. I was too relieved that she wasn't injured to be embarrassed by the lobby full of people gawking at us as they waited to go through security. 

Once we made it through security, we dropped off our coats in my office and headed to the cafeteria. I was struck by how Barrett didn't know what to do on the elevator.  Audrey spent the first three years of her life living where elevators were part of our daily commute.  Barrett, however, rarely sees them. 

Once up in the cafeteria, Audrey chose what she wanted to eat and we ordered our food. Some kind coworkers  helped me get the food to a table, and Barrett shoved biscuits and gravy into his mouth while Audrey played with her waffle.  Some more coworkers stopped by and chatted while they ate.  I was starting to relax and get less frazzled.  We spent the next hour walking through the department where I work.  Barrett was extremely timid anytime we were talking to people.  However, as soon as we got into an empty elevator, hallway, or my office, he reverted back to his normal wild-man personality.  One of my coworkers gave him a little rubber duck, and initially he just smiled at her and held the duck tightly to his chest while he snuggled against me.  When we got to my office where it was just us, he was running around saying "squeak, squeak" and shoving the duck in his sister's face. 

After a bit more socializing and visiting with my coworkers, I was able to get them to school.  When I picked Audrey up from school later that day and asked her what she thought of my work, she responded with three things.  First, she was glad she wore the outfit she had on because so many people complimented her on it.  Second, my work has a big cafeteria with lots of good food.  And last, she liked coloring with highlighters in my office (at home she has to use her markers to draw) and was glad that I put the picture she made up on my desk.  I couldn't help but smile. 

Goodbye G

My father-in-law always says you shouldn't get sentimental about a car.  I always thought he was right to say that, until recently. 

Last week, we bought a 2011 Infiniti M37x from my parents.  Audrey was with them when the bought it, so my mom calls it Audrey's car.  I guess it was always meant to be.  When my parents dropped off the car Friday, my mom brought a few pictures of Audrey in the car the first day they had it.

The unfortunate part of buying the M is that it meant we said goodbye to the car that we've had since the first year we were married.  In January 2006, we bought our 2003 Infiniti G35 from my parents (notice any patterns here?), and it became Billy's car.  For the past 8 years, he has driven that car almost every day.  Today, we signed it over to a new owner, and we said goodbye to the G for good.  We said goodbye to the car that drove our baby girl home from the hospital.  We said goodbye to the car that got me to the hospital to deliver said baby.  We said goodbye to the car that, even at 11 years old, still felt cool to drive.  We said goodbye to a car that has taken us many miles across Missouri, Illinois, and even to Gulf Shores, Alabama for the Ballinger nuptials this past August.  As I sit here writing this, it is hard to believe it's been 8 years.  Time really does fly, just like that car.  Goodbye G...we will miss you!

Having Fun Indoors

The past few weeks have been frigid outside, so we've spent much of our time inside trying to stay warm.  Here are some of the fun things we've been doing to keep ourselves entertained.

The piano has been fixed, tuned, and sounds like it's brand new.  Both kids love to "play" it, but I think mommy and daddy are enjoying it just as much as they are. 

 

Barrett is growing into his toddler-ness, and as a result, frequently throws fits when he doesn't get what he wants.  Usually, he is mad because he wants mommy to hold him, and as much as I love to snuggle with my bubby, I realize that he needs to learn to play on his own.  Lately, I have felt the need to capture some of these tantrums in photos, because his facial expressions are just so funny.  Here is a classic series where he first tests the waters to see if he gets a reaction, then goes into full-on wailing, and then the classic pouty face when he realizes I am not going to submit to his whim. 

 



 

 For Audrey, we've been phasing out naps during the day, so on the weekends, while Barrett is napping, she gets some quiet play time.  She really seems to enjoy the opportunity to play her way, uninterrupted by her brother.  Her way usually involves princesses, fairies, babies and always lots of jewelry and other accessories. 

The Batman car that my brother and Laurenn got Barrett for Christmas gives the kids an opportunity to burn off some energy.  They push each other around on the tile floors.  More recently, they have also found it hilarious to take turns falling off the Bat car, or in Barrett's case, falling under it. 

We have also spent some time watching movies.  Audrey is on a big Mary Poppins kick, so we have probably watched that 3 times in just as many weeks.  Audrey watches the entire thing, completely engrossed.  She also enjoys singing the songs and dancing around like the Chimney Sweeps.  She has a hard time understanding some of the words, because of the accents, so I frequently find myself translating.  ("They are saying 'Step in Time,' not 'Steppie chime.') Barrett likes the idea of it, but his attention span only lasts about 10 minutes. He does really enjoy holding the remote while he's watching though. He can now say "remote" too.