The Kassel Family Project Life 365

During John’s Holiday party at school today, he made a snowman.  He decided that he wanted Chippy to have a friend when he returns to the North Pole for the year.

The time has come to begin wrapping the multitude of presents.

Fortunately, I had some great help this year.  Chippy even arranged them under the Christmas tree!

I always love the first snowfall of the year, but I love it even more this year.  It is the first snowfall in our new house!

Our media closet is done…

…and we have new under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen along with fixed microwave lighting!

Thank you Andy!

The storm that was to bring freezing drizzle and ice to Columbia started earlier than expected at about 10:30 am.  Originally, temperatures were supposed to rise throughout the day making it just rain and not ice.  The ice was supposed to begin between 3 and 4.  That did not happen obviously.  Andy picked me up from work at 2 pm and we began the slow trek home, arriving at about 2:50 pm.  That was right about the time the kids’ bus would normally leave their school.  I expected some delays and buses did start leaving the school at 3:40.

However, at 4:45 pm, our kids were still at school with their bus showing no signs of arriving at the school.  So, I called the school to say that Andy would pick up Laura and John and he left in the truck.  Our street was treacherous at best, but the rest of the roads were okay.  Andy got home with the kids about 30 minutes later and this Mom gave them all big hugs.  I was so happy that we were all home and safe.  Both kids said that they were fine at school, but that they were a bit scared because it was getting so late.  The rest of this evening will be spent relaxing with my family.

It was the first Drama Club play of Laura’s last year at Ridgeway.  This year she was Alice #2 in Alice in Wonderland.

The play was quite cute!  I was amazed to be able to actually hear her say her lines.  She may mumble at home all the time, but she can really project on stage!  Great job kiddo!

Andy is being nominated for Sigma Chi’s Order of Constantine award.  The nomination packet includes letters of recommendation from other Sigma Chis and also requires a head shot photo.  Since Andy did not have a head shot photo, a high school friend of mine came by last night to take them.  She brought portable lighting and used our living room wall as the backdrop.

The photos turned out quite well with this one being my favorite.