the cold snap of 2019

Aside from the occasional inch or two of snow and temperature drop into the deep freeze - that started earlier than usual (middle of October) - our winter has been relatively mild.  Normally, we get a big snow dump late in November or maybe early in December, and we don't see the bare ground again until April. But on Sunday of this week we basically had no snow and the snowfall on Sunday evening was a welcome event.  I'm not sure why it kept us out of school on Monday - we have had far worse conditions with no cancellations - but it did.  With temps in the low teens, Monday was a great day for finally taking the sleds down the hill to the frozen pond.

On Monday afternoon we were notified there would be no school on Tuesday or Wednesday due to subzero temps.  I think -28 actual temp (-54 wind chill) was the coldest I noted.  

We stayed plenty busy though.  Brett still had speech on Monday and Tuesday afternoon and we ran errands while we were out.  Tuesday we had a Home Alone Marathon and popcorn day.  Did you know there are 5 Home Alone's with the first one coming out in 1990 and the last one in 2012?  We dumped the Legos out on the living room floor and were perfectly content to stay indoors.

By Wednesday, we still had Home Alone 4 and 5 to watch and the kids each chose a game to play.  Brett picked Uno Attack.  Reggie picked Monopoly, which we played to the bitter end, except for Brett, who lost interest.  And Lydia won. That afternoon we learned school was cancelled for Thursday, too.  Brett and Bryan had been planning to go to a Timberwolves game for a month and they ate at Culver's.  The rest of us ran errands - grocery store, library, Target, and Hardee's for dinner.  Never mind that it was 20 below.  

Thursday we finished Brett's science fair display and  played Lydia's game choice, PayDay.  In the afternoon, Papa and MeeMaw arrived for the weekend, and Lydia had piano lessons.  We had our one casualty from the cold. Our dishwasher, which is located in the bump-out of our kitchen, broke.

Friday was a preplanned teacher's workday.  The worst of the cold was over with temps above zero. Papa and MeeMaw took Brett and Lydia out on belated birthday dates.  Brett ate at Perkins and Lydia ate and Noodles.  They both picked crafts supplies - and video games!

Reggie had a wrestling tournament in the evening.  On Saturday, there was another tournament, and Brett had a homeschooler's science fair.  

It was a busy week and, though it feels like I lost a full week on the calendar, I am thankful.  Thankful for a warm home and reliable cars and a life situation where I don't have to choose between career and family.  Thankful for the time I got to spend with my kids and that they still want to do things with me.  

Thankful that tomorrow is Monday.