Week One: 1/2-1/8

The first week of 2017 and it was a fun one. The boys were out of school Monday and Tim was home so we opted to go to an early movie Monday morning - as in 9:15am! And there is an "Early Bird" movie rate believe it or not (cheaper than a matinee). The theater was packed. We went to see Star Wars 'Rogue One' and the boys loved it. After the movie, we did some cleaning and "to do" list things around the house. One of which was installing tile above the kitchen window. I did the tile a while back on the kitchen backsplash and we talked about adding it above the window. Tim needed to return the tile saw to his boss on Tuesday so that meant we had to get it done. It's installed but not grouted yet. 

Early Birds

Doesn't matter the movie time - got to have popcorn. 

We decided to add tile above the window in the kitchen too so that was a Monday afternoon project. 

Tuesday morning....oh, glorious Tuesday morning. I had been with the boys for TWELVE days and Tim was home for ten days. It was time for everyone to get back to normal routine - school and swim practice.

My first book of 2017. Picked it up Saturday at the library and finished it on Tuesday. It was pretty good. 

Throughout the week I started hearing rumblings about snow over the weekend - what?!! Eli had a swim meet in Greensboro Friday night, Saturday and Sunday. We had planned to drive back and forth each day (it's only an hour-ish each way) so that was stressing me out. On Thursday, I made a quick daytime grocery trip to pick up a few things in case it was as bad as they said it was going to be (like 8"-10"!). We finished Thursday with Scouts (Eli) and Swim (Cole). 

Grocery store shelves on Thursday. Can you tell that snow is coming?! It's a good thing I only needed a few things as I had made my regular run earlier in the week. 

Cole working on backstroke at Thursday night's practice. He hates backstroke - not sure why. I liked this picture because it shows him and his best swim bud Greyson. 

Friday, I spent the morning packing everything I could think of (I was worried about getting stuck in Greensboro for 3+ days) and picked Eli up early from school to head to the swim meet. They ended up canceling all after school activities so Tim picked Cole up early as well. Eli & I made it to Greensboro Aquatic Center with no problems. His warm up was at 3:45pm and the meet started at 5pm. The only thing I didn't like about the meet was that they did the distance events (500 and 1000 yard freestyle) before the 200 IM. So that meant Eli didn't swim until 7:30pm. Yes, 2-1/2 hours into the event for one swim. He did pretty well for that long of a wait. His best time is 2:54 and I think he said he came in at 2:57. He was fairly happy with his swim so that was good. I think the snow was a distraction to everyone.

During the meet, it started snowing and it was dark when we finished so Tim & I decided it was best that Eli & I stay in a hotel overnight. Eli was super excited since he'd never stayed in a "real" hotel before. We attempted to find dinner - tough b/c a lot of things were closing - and eventually ended up with Wendy's. Not my favorite but it had to suffice. 

Friday night at Greensboro Aquatic Center - let's do this! 

E12  H2  L2 - Eli's only event Friday night, the 200IM. 

Talking with Coach Billy. Eli was VERY interested in how you count laps for a swimmer during the longer distance events. 

He & his buddy Nick asked Nick's sister to help teach them so they didn't mess up. They wanted to help count for other swimmers. 

It was really sweet of them. They counted for one 500 yard swimmer and then counted the 1000 yard event for Nick's sister. 

Headed to their 200IM. Eli & Nick were in the same heat. 

Go Time!

Butterfly

Backstroke

Breaststroke

Freestyle

During the meet, it started snowing and it was dark when we finished so Tim & I decided it was best that Eli & I stay in a hotel overnight. Eli was super excited since he'd never stayed in a "real" hotel before. We attempted to find dinner - tough b/c a lot of things were closing - and eventually ended up with Wendy's. Not my favorite but it had to suffice. It was probably 9pm by the time we got to our hotel and we were tired. Eli loved seeing the room - "it's like an apartment" - and I showed him all the safety things I wanted him to know about staying in a hotel (looking at map on door, finding emergency exit and route, locking the door, etc). We Facetimed with Daddy & Cole, showing them the room and snow. We were lights out at 10pm and slept like champs. 

Eli's first real hotel stay - I don't count Great Wolf Lodge as "real". He was super excited. 

Hanging out playing Crossy Road on the Nook. 

The snow was coming down hard in Greensboro. 

Snow Snow and more Snow

Saturday morning, we woke up to a snow filled parking lot! Eli & I went downstairs and had breakfast - yay for hot breakfast. He enjoyed a waffle. Then it was time to figure out what our plan was going to be. We were trying to figure out if we were staying or going. When we got an email that Saturday's swim meet was cancelled, we decided to get home before the temps got too low and everything froze. It took me a little while to clean off my truck but we were cleared off and headed home by noon. Thankfully there weren't too many people on the road and I85 and I40 were in decent shape. I just made sure to drive slow (didn't break 50 mph too many times) and take my time. I was super careful because I just wanted to make it home safely. It only took us about 15-20 minutes longer than a regular drive but it sure felt like a LOT longer. 

Cole & Eli were SUPER happy to be back together and I was glad that we were all together too. I think Tim worries about me in bad weather and stuff - he's protective like that and I love it! The boys enjoyed some fun cold snow time and then it was hanging out inside again. With the super cold temps, I am very thankful for shelter and warmth. I cannot imagine being outside in these temps for an extended period of time. 

Our view Saturday morning. 

Eli's favorite part - being able to lay in bed and watch tv. Lots of tv. 

I love this picture. 

My truck before I started cleaning it off. There was at least 4-6" on my truck. 

Headed back to Raleigh. I was worried about getting stuck all weekend and we both wanted to be home with Daddy & Cole. 

We had a snow plow escort for a portion of I40. That was great!

Happy together in the snow. 

They're getting so big. Cole is wearing Eli's old jacket and we had to get Eli a bigger one! They both did a great job of layering up and didn't complain one bit about all the clothes. 

Cole trying to pull Henry up the hill on the sled. He was able to move Henry but decided it would be more fun to ride. 

Definitely more fun riding with Henry pulling. 

Family snow walk. It was definitely cold! 

Goofing off

Action shot of Eli sliding down. He was goofing off and then really fell on his bottom!

These two.....love them.

There are two boys in this pile. Someone tackled someone and they rolled around. Normal brother stuff. 

Eli thought it would be funny to do a flip into a pile of leaves and it was until he couldn't get out. But then that was pretty funny too!

Only one angel. 

My heart

Sunday morning.....still cold, still snowy and slush turned to ice. A great day to stay home - as if we had any other choice.  I don't think we can get out of our neighborhood. I was quite surprised that they still held Eli's swim meet today. We made the decision not to go since road conditions near us are bad and I was worried about getting out. I had some scary moments last year in ice so I turn into Nervous Nellie in this kind of stuff. (Oh yeah and that whole Tim totaled his truck on ice in March 2014 thing!) So we're home...hanging out....watching tv - the boys are loving it. And I got the robo-call that school's cancelled tomorrow so the boys are thrilled. I am mentally preparing myself for a few more days of togetherness at home.  😳 And by the way, it's supposed to be 70 degrees by Friday - North Carolina winters!