Snow Day...really?

I am not sure if I am annoyed by the weather people or the people who decided we did not have school today. Last night the highly-qualified weather man said to brace ourselves for the "worst ice storm in years." I was prepared to not have school, but not hoping for it. I got up at the usual time and got ready. Before I went to get Madelyn I stepped outside, and it was just wet, so I didn't even think it would be possible for school to be cancelled. My phone rang as I was coming down at 6:15, and it was the person ahead of me on the calling tree, calling to let me know school was cancelled. Great, no school! But, where is the ice? It is now 4:00 and there is still NO ICE!!!

I have enjoyed staying home and playing with Madelyn and getting to pick Jackson up from school. We even have his homework completed!

Brrr...

The weather is a bit frigid! I am hoping for a late-start day tomorrow, as we are suppose to have freezing rain tonight. I do not want the whole day off, because that would mean making it up sometime later! And now I am going to curl-up with a blanket and prepare for The Bachelor and John and Kate + 8.

Catching Up

I wish every weekend was a 3-day weekend! I could get so much accomplished and still have time to do something fun. We spent the weekend catching-up on some housework and rearranging furniture in our bedroom. It has made our room appear so much bigger!

A quick run-down of what's been happening:

*Madleyn is now rolling EVERYWHERE!

*I went to Bunco and rode on a 4-wheeler while carrying 4 people at once...so much fun!

*Bobby stayed home with Jackson 2 days last week. One day because Jackson had a lingering cough and the other because Jackson was out of school on Friday and I was not. They clearly had fun while the girls were out of the house!

*Clean, Clean, Clean. It is amazing how behind I feel on my housework after being a work for a week. Maybe I need to lower my standards and expectations...nah!

* Loving the Biggest Loser! I have loosely watched the show before, but I am totally into it this time.

* Oh, and I just realized I had not posted any pictures from Christmas...oops!

Madelyn- 5 months old

As I was typing this blog I heard a bit of commotion upstairs in the playroom. The next thing I know is...Jackson brings down a rocking giraffe toy Madelyn received for Christmas that we had not put together yet, completely assembled! There were several pieces to this toy, so it took a little thought in putting it together. We might possibly have a future engineer in the house.

Happy New Year!

What a blessed 2008 we have had here at the Callaway home! We hope that yours, too, has been full of joy. I consider this blog the journal I have always intended to have, so here is my journal post, of the top things I have been thankful for:

• good health (even if I did have my appendix removed), other than a few sniffles and coughs here and there, we are thankful for good health
• we are thankful for both of us having good jobs
• 2 wonderful children
• near and far we have friends and family that love and support us
• Jackson's enthusiasm for school and learning
• the happiness and laughter that fills our home daily

**and my personal favorite...being able to beat the boys in my home at Mario Kart :)

We pray that our 2009 is full of the same joy that 2008 gave us!

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

...and all through the house, Jackson's footsteps are pouncing around! I think I have made 12,000 trips upstairs to remind our excited little man that he needs to stay in bed. I love the excitement and anticipation of Santa's visit to our home. I can remember when I was a few years older than Jackson, wanting to sleep in the hallway so I could see Santa when he came down the chimney. If I remember correctly I actually made a palate on the floor, but by morning time I was in my bed, and never saw St. Nick. Oh, the magic that happens while we are snug in our bed.

We wish everyone a blessed Christmas and may we all remember the meaning of this special day!

Oops!

For those of you who carefully read our Christmas card, I have a correction to make. I am not sure how I missed it. Possibly it is due to the fact that I typed it all at 10:00pm on a school night! One of the statements on our card said, "spent the summer at the beach,"...I wish! It should have read, "spent the summer at the pool." I am not sure how many times have looked at it, and did not notice it until today. Anyways, we did not go to the beach this year, but possibly next year we will be able include that on our card...and it be true! And, since everyone wants to really just see a picture...

My friend Kristi summed up my feelings in one word....ahh...! Winter Break could not have come at a more needed time. It is time to catch-up at home and enjoy time with the fam! Here are a few highlights from the last few weeks.

We FINALLY were able to get a picture of Jackson with Santa. He is five-years-old and this is the first year he was willing to get close enough to capture a picture! We were going to go see the Santa in the mall, but Nordstrom had a Santa,and there was no line to wait in. It was time for Madelyn to eat, and she was all snug in here stroller, so we did not attempt getting a picture with here and Santa.

At school we were teaching Fairy Tales. My team decided to have a Fairy Tale parade. It was so much fun seeing the children dressed in their costumes. The teachers also had fun! From the left we have...The Gingerbread Man, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood (me), Peter Pan, The Frog Prince, a Princess, and The Big Bad Wolf from the 3 Little Pigs.

Last week we had our first freeze and ice storm. Our driveway and street was a sheet of solid ice. My school and Jackson's school was delayed 2 hours. Then at the last moment Jackson's school closed for the day! I had been calling my principal letting her know that it was much worse at my house, and she told me to just take my time and that I could bring Jackson with me if I needed to. So, Jackson was in Mrs. Callaways' class for a day.

And finally, our Christmas shopping is complete. I am not one of those smart people that have their shopping completed before Thanksgiving. I do, however, know what I am going to buy, I just choose to wait until the last week to get it. Hum, sounds a little like procrastinating; something I am pretty good at. I usually do my best work like that! Tomorrow, Jackson and I will be making cookies for Santa and a few other sweet yummys.

Madelyn had her 4 month check-up today. She weight 13lbs 10oz, and is 23 1/2 inches long. She has really blossomed in the last month. I love to hear her giggle when Jackson is doing something funny and silly.

Merry Christmas!