IT’S A-FALLIN’!

  TRICK… OR TREAT?

Treat! Eight inches of fresh has fallen in the last two days with several more on the way tomorrow, and just days after we’d been sleeveless-fishing, hiking and having wine by the river after dinner. Boys continue to trod off to school in their new uniform-sport shorts and t-shirts (ugh!) despite readings on the thermostat of 10 degrees. Everyone getting a big kick out of snowball fights at recess and I’m excited about the prospect of doing a little cross country skiing tomorrow. Rumor has it the mountain may even be open soon for those willing to hike up there and snatch a run. We’ll see…In the meantime, battling the boys to wear something semi-appropriate to school.                    

The silver lining on this blast of cold air is being driven inside to nest. Desk clear, slow cooker perculating, fire in the fireplace—we dived into winter with two bootless feet. No looking back and no complaints as it seems the whole country enjoyed a nice long spring and summer.  It has been a busy month: Montana for Peter’s birthday, hunting season underway (boys observing it by shooting anything that moves with their BBguns,) Boise for Peter’s first USTA tournament, parent visiting day at school, teacher conferences. Whitney over the moon after being asked to compete on the gymnastics team (sorry, Jon Benet, not a-happening… turn 8 first!) and Luke has started hockey so the familiar smells are wafting from the mudroom. We continue to be wildly enthusiastic about experiential learning. Everyone came home from school today on their soapboxes about the topic of the day: healthy food. Luke tried to throw away the chips in the cabinet, but when I suggested the tostito queso dip might have a few not-so-beneficial ingredients as well, he said “I don’t care mom, it’s toooo good.” Bob the science teacher brought another snake to school so he’s now Whitney’s triple hero. Not so happy about the abundance of slithering reptiles he’s finding on the streets but it seems to keep my daughter excited about class.

Last weekend 1,500 sheep trailed down Main Street just a block from our house,  headed down to their summer pastures. We cleaned the garage and attempted to pull out the cold weather gear, etc. Seems we all knew the storms were a-coming. Ross keeps saying he “wants big snow this winter” (be careful what you wish for!)