Frozen

paid $5.33

Indeed! How I wish this week hadn't been this cold. Hubby and I could've enjoyed some time outside instead of being couch potatoes all day long.

We went out once and even I wanted to go home right away (which rarely happens). Almost skipped getting the cheap chocolates (thankfully I didn't!)

The extra freezer downstairs should remind me to stock up on meat and other favorite food so when it gets too cold I don't have to force myself to go out there and shop.

We didn't actually have to go out but hubby wanted to check out something at the mall and the store I usually go to happens to be in the vicinity plus I reminded hubby that he was craving for steamed buns so we kinda had to go to the Filipino store. Wrong move though, the steamed buns were expensive (never again!)

So hubby went to get his game, got my cheap chocolates, gel and lip balm. Steamed buns (check) but wait, my other favorite supermarket is just around the corner! Picked up Filipino sausages that were on sale and some dumplings too! Talk about unnecessary spending (ugh).

I know, we should've stayed at home. Anyway, that was the first and last trip outside for the whole week. Or maybe not, if I could convince hubby to go out today, I have a few last minute deals to purchase and then some first day deals to get my hands on tomorrow.

But all these can wait I guess. Cold weather messing up my grocery shopping (again!)

Advice to self? STOCK UP big time and when the weather tells you it's too cold to venture out? LISTEN! :D

After School Fun

After coming home from school, I couldn't stop the kids from playing in the snow despite the cold weather. A year has passed and the kids still can't get enough of the snow. Less than 10 minutes into playing and I called them to get inside. Wet clothes discarded, it was time for snacks and a little chit chat over what happened in school. A little playtime, some rest and we're back doing his assignment, this time he's making cards for his teachers. His eagerness didn't last long though with only one card accomplished today. It's okay, who loves assignments anyway?

When the Sun is not Enough

It's too cold at -26 but very sunny, I'm torn between walking to school or getting a cab. If it weren't for the cold temperature it would be fun to walk, roads are not wet with puddles unlike last week, pavements are just partially covered  with powdery snow except those that are not shoveled.

Fooled by the sunny weather out there, Lei and I walked. I knew it wasn't a good idea the moment Lei asked to be carried after only walking a half  block. What's worse was, we had to walk back and with 2 kids getting restless, I suddenly missed the tricycles and pedicabs in the Philippines :D

Winter Fun at Sugar Bowl

Lance and Lei on their way up

We finally brought the kids sledding yesterday and this time they went down the steeper side of the hill at Sugar Bowl. Last year both the kids were still afraid to go sledding as it was their first time to experience such. Over the summer Lance had been anticipating for snow so he could go sledding. Since it was too cold to go when the snow first started, Mark improvised so they could go sledding in our front yard. For weeks we maintained the snow covering our stairs which we discovered was a bad idea since the snow hardened and we really had a hard time cleaning up. I guess no more sledding at home after that and besides that's what the Sugar Bowl is for.

Alex, Lance & Mac

We headed there around lunch time and met up with Alex (Lance's bestfriend). The good thing was, we had the Sugar Bowl all to ourselves. The kids had so much fun including Lei who went down all by herself several times but we had to get her at the bottom since it was a long walk back to the top. I told her to just sled down the lower hill but according to her it was too low. Really a Tapang in the true sense of the word!

brave little girl

Winter Challenge #3: Driving and Walking Safely

Winter '09

Mark had the car tires changed to winter tires yesterday, expensive but all worth it. The car kept sliding the other day and my heart literally stopped on our way home because of this, I would rather stay home than go out. It is so dangerous out there in this weather, whether you are driving or walking. I should know because I slipped on my way home from school. I now have an ugly bruise on the left knee but thank God, nothing worse happened as I was carrying Lei at that time. Beautiful as it maybe, snow has its ugly side too.

Winter Challenge #2: Staying Warm

Layers of clothing, winter jackets, boots and gloves plus ample time to get prepared before heading out are just some of the hassles during winter but necessary to keep oneself warm, especially when you have kids who are so eager to go and play in the snow. The hassle doesn't stop there though, it also comes the moment they go inside the house.

Winter Fun

The kids have been dying to go sledding, one reason why they've been waiting for snow but we couldn't go yesterday because our car was going through some winter makeover. Since the kids won't accept any excuses, Mark improvised. Armed with their new sleds, they went sledding on our very own front yard!

OC-ness

kids wearing winter clothes and some photo op before going to school

When you are a mom and it's winter, your priority is to keep your kids warm especially when they are outside. What's my OC-ness got to do with it? Well, I'm the type of person who wants everything in order, ready and I'm always on time. I hate being late, I'd rather wait because I'm too early. Since Lance's class starts at 12:20pm and the walk to school is about 10-15mins, we usually leave the house at exactly 12noon reaching school anywhere between 12:10-12:15pm. I start to prepare him at exactly 11:20am, and we're all dressed up and ready to go at quarter to 12.

Winter's changed this however. Early in the morning, I already prepare their snow suits, gloves, bonnets, and jackets. When you are OC, you'd hate to grab things at the last minute, especially these winter clothes and other stuff. It would be such a waste of time and I know from a fact that when you don't prepare things ahead of time, you are bound to forget something. This is what I've been telling my husband about, I just hope the kids will take after me when it comes to being prepared, organized and punctual.

Winter Challenge #1: Walking to School

I couldn't sleep last night as I anticipate for the snow, not because I'm excited this time but I want to know how high it would be and would it be possible to walk to school. True enough when we woke up in the morning, it was still snowing plus it was windy. I wanted to call a cab but the kids want to walk and out of curiosity too, I wanted to try and see if it's possible to walk 5 blocks on a snowy day. Well, we did it, we just have to leave a bit early because of Lei's frequent stops along the way. She was too excited and wanted to play, at least she didn't get tired except on our way home. I was breathless by the time we arrived home, I was perspiring too on a cold, snowy day not because of the long walk but because I had a hard time pulling the wagon. I brought it just in case Lei got tired from walking and I wouldn't want to carry her but I guess it will be easier for me to carry her instead. So tomorrow, either I call a cab or the three of us will just have to walk again (note: leave the wagon at home).

Here comes the Snow!

We are not yet done raking up the leaves and now here comes the snow! It is such a beauty though but I am not looking forward to having a lot of snow this year because it's about a kilometer walk to Lance's school, with my youngest Leila in tow, not to mention the freezing temperature. Oh I ain't complaining, snow brings out the kid in me, I have always wanted to experience it and now it's here...Welcome to Winter Wonderland again!