Penn State Chics Dig Nerds

 The children once again built an igloo.  This time, they finished it.  All three worked together on it with some assistance from a neighbor. They started Wednesday afternoon but were very disappointed when they had to stop because of darkness and youth group.  After zoom classes Thursday morning, they rushed back outside to finish it. They could all easily fit in.    After two straight afternoons of 40 degree temperatures and sunshine, the igloo collapsed this afternoon (Friday.)

 Here is the 2020 style igloo.  The children started to build an igloo after the snow softened slightly and was packable.  They used their round molds to make the bricks.  When they were building it, Natalee commented that the igloo was fitting for 2020 -- the bricks look like rolls of toilet paper! Unfortunately they ran out of daylight and time.  The children all had to leave for the Christmas play practice.  They never finished it that night and it caved in the next day. They built a big snowman, too:

 On the last day of our COVID-19 related hybrid school schedule, we took advantage of our last chance of the year to eat at the Ye Olde Dog House for lunch.  On the way home, I made the children smile for pictures at Greenwood Furnace State Park.   For some, you would have thought that this was torture. Next week they begin back to school full time since the county transmission rates have been low.

This past weekend, we had a much overhyped snow/ice storm here.  It started off as nice snow, but ended in ice.  There really wasn't much, but it was plenty to have fun on. The children had a lot of fun ice sledding.  They were very glad that they did not have school on Monday so that they could play all day.  In fact Natalee said multiple times that it "was a very fun day" and it "was one of the best days ever."  Even though I could not slide on the ice (it didn't work for me- and I don't like ice bumps), it was a day I would like to bottle up.  They all truly enjoyed playing with one another and there were hardly any arguments! On day 1 they made a bump on the sledding hill.  Then, it iced on top of it and really solidified for the next two days. Sunday afternoon and Monday saw a lot of sledding.  Here is a classic crash sequence - Natalee and Amie are on the sled: 1. They went slightly to the right of the bump. 2. Uhoh!...

Last weekend, we went camping at Hyner Run State Park in north central Pennsylvania.  The children ran nearby in the Little Loggers Trail Run.  This trail run is set up for 12 and under kids only.  It had rained a lot all week and had miserable night time temperatures, so we were a little nervous.  But, the weather cleared just in time!  It was perfect with days in the low 70's and nights around 53.  That's great camping weather in my opinion. The trail was a little less than perfect from all of the rain, but temperature wise, there were no complaints. After setting up camp at Hyner Run State Park, we drove up the mountain to Hyner View State Park.  This park has a great panoramic view.  The Susquehanna River looked very much like chocolate milk after last week's heavy rains. West Branch of the Susquehanna River The overlook at Hyner View was built by CCC men who were stationed at camps nearby.  (Hyner Run State Park was a camp) ...

This year all three children are swimming.  It has been a lot of fun!

A few weeks ago, the children had an art show at school. Now, the artwork has come home for us to decorate with. The new art teacher has done a lot of amazing projects. This first one of Amie's dinosaur in the city was also on display at a local coffee shop in February .  Amie's art represented the Kindergarten class at her school.  It was on display for the towns art walk. Amie also had this cow on display at the art show. I really like Brady’s night mountain reflection off of the lake. There are so many details! This is Brady’s, too This was Natalee’s art show entry. I like her howling wolf, too. I like the color and texture. This one wasn't actually in the art show, but I like it. One of my favorite art things this year has been all of the crazy collages they have been making at home. We've had a lady doing the Yoga tree pose on top of a vase.  We also have a picture of a chair sitting in a dessert with a goat head.  For Jesse's...

We had a great game of "Lava Monster" in our hotel room.  I love the games that they come up with.  It was quite the entertainment for a long time!  The Lava Monster was in the middle of the two beds.  The children tried to jump from bed to bed without the Lava Monster touching them.  If touched, they became the Lava Monster. Super Brady!

We didn't really have much time in the leaves this year.  But, they did get out and enjoy them a little bit.  I have quite a few pictures here, because I liked all of the character I could see in the photos. Skippy just observed all of the happenings.  Some of the pictures are blurry because of the time of night it was.  Blame it on the time change! Lets try to get a nice smiling picture....