Let it SNOW!

December 11 has been an unbelievable day here in Mandeville. One that made everyone smile, bundle up and then go Christmas shopping! 3" of snow in our little neighborhood! It started falling heavy just before 7:00 a.m. Our doorbell rang at 7:15. The ringer was our neighbor, Meghan (she catches the bus with Ellie). She awarded me a snowball, a smile, and 'Merry Christmas' greetings. Reluctantly, the kids all loaded the busses and went to class. I'm certain that our three, accustomed to the 'mountain factor' in Franklin County which kept them home when snowflakes fell, were totally in shock. By 9:00, most parents had gotten the 'unofficial word' that the students were 'excused'. Busses wouldn't run until regular time, but kids were all finding a way home and there were no penalties. Did we use all our 'weather days' during hurricane season? I don't know. I encountered long lines at all 3 schools to sign the kids out, but nobody...no nobody...complained. These folks (me included!) were psyched! No real snow in 6 years here! Many of these kids had never seen snow that they can remember. Video cameras out...cell phone photo ops everywhere. The bayou was WHITE!

So, yes, laugh now...I locked the Armada into 4WD at 9:30 and ventured out of the driveway to fetch the 'chillen'. Realizing that our serious snow gear was still in TN, as were our sleds (which were of no use anyway because there are no hills!) we layered up, grabbed the dog, and tried to find snow fun in Mandeville. We soon discovered that the lakefront was BARE! No snow at all but whitecaps like crazy coming from the south. I think I have some weather lessons to learn. It was very strange, but the snow started about 3 blocks north of the lake. Heavy snow from all the moist air made for great snowmen, but apparently the slightly warmer air off the lake chased the flakes away from lakefront neighborhoods while ours was covered (remember...I'm from TN and I locked 'em in!)

Such fun. Snowmen (actually two...the first suffered a violent ending which then resulted in a bloody lipped neighborhood kid courtesy of Zeke. Go Zeke!). Ferns inside. Christmas shopping and crawfish etouffee by the fire tonight and more freezing temperatures to come. I feel like I'm living in a seafood version of Gatlinburg!

We'll be home in TN soon for the holidays and then travling on to OH for some long awaited family time. Like most everyone, we can't wait to see all our friends and family as we travel this month. We are WAY overdue on some fronts!

By the way, many have asked how Ellie Grace did at the AAU Cross Country Nationals last week. Here's the deal. 8 South Louisiana Roadrunners up against about 90 more fast chicks from all over (California, Delaware, Nevada to name a few). It was cold as could be in Decatur, Alabama on Saturday morning. Grandparents from TN were there to watch their first cross country event. Anxiety was high. Ellie finished late in the pack, but her time was her personal best. A 2-mile run in 15:45 in under 40 degree weather is braggin' rights in my book! It was definitely an event to remember!

Of course, after leaving Decatur we slipped up to TN for the end of the Cowan parade and then came in under the radar at Sewanee for the Festival of Lessons and Carols. Upstairs heat's not working well at the Winchester house, so kids were happy to be snuggled up at grandparents and friends' homes for the evening. Yes, we are glad the price of gas has decided to show mercy on us this month as we drive back and forth. Between our wonderful week home at Thanksgiving and the recent visit, rumor is (go ahead and put it the rumor on local radio) that we're back in town!

This weekend holds many holiday parties (imagine that...),our first lacrosse game, neighborhood Secret Santa exchange (this has been WAY too much fun with alot of 'ding-dong ditch' played by the kids), and a bit of Advent celebration at our new church home. Nutcracker practices fill the week and we hope to see grandparents here as Ellie has more personality/costume changes than Sybil! Let's hope her makeup artist (mom) gets the hairbun, lips, and eyes just right or I'm sure someone will be at the whipping post! I'm getting hives already!