When you’re homeschooled, a snow day means you get your work done while there’s a winter storm going on outside.

However, you are motivated to get it done faster than usual so that you can join your friends playing outside in the snow.

For Molly, a snow day means romping through the powdery stuff, sniffing for buried treasures.

After a wrestling tournament in Oak Park last weekend, we visited a chicken and waffle restaurant for the first time. It was a combination we had never tried before, and we like it. We liked it so much that we made it the next day.

Who knew fried chicken with waffles and butter and syrup would taste so good together?

Another treat from the kitchen lately: Peter and his specialty coffee drinks.

Some of the more popular requests are caramel macchiato, almond joy mocha, and peppermint mocha. My favorite is just a plain cappuccino in the afternoon.

I was recently reminded–yet again–of how present experiences can unknowingly foreshadow and eventually play a part in future consequences.

Jake drove with some friends to the top of Pike’s Peak and shared this picture with us:

It was not his first time there. His first time was back in 2005 when we toured Colorado Springs, including the Air Force Academy, on a whim. We drove up that fourteener in the Volvo, which (by no small matter of fact) is still chugging along today!

We had enjoyed the adventure so much we drove up the mountain once more in 2006. This time Jeremy was around to enjoy the mountaintop experience.

Another picture Jake sent led me not only to admire the beauty of the mountain reservoir,

but also reminisce about our first time seeing it.

The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

For English class, Ruth was tasked with writing an autobiographical poem. She was to include adjectives about her personality and her appearance, as well as nouns naming things she enjoys.

Ruth
Active, Funny
Playful, Girly, Awesome, Blonde hair
Nature, Food, Friends, Dogs, Math
Happy

Yep. It’s a little window into her soul, I’d say. This morning she showed her “funny” side when she wrote what she is thankful for:

That’s Derek’s hamper, full of clothes. His roommates call it Mt. DJ because the mound perpetually towers in their room. Perhaps this is Ruth’s indirect way of telling Derek it’s time to do some laundry.

Ruth and I had some time to kill while the boys played at their friends’ house. What better activity for a couple of dog lovers than to visit the puppy store?

Ruth first picked out a shiba inu. It was cute, but way too hyper. It even made Ruth a little hesitant to get near, which is saying a lot.

Next we chose the german shepherd. Its floppy ears and soft hair made it difficult to say goodbye to him when it was time to go.

Nothing like a little mother-daughter bonding over dogs.

Wheaton Academy takes two weeks between semesters for what they call a winterim. Kids can take classes, go on trips, or work at an internship.

This year, Derek had the opportunity to intern at a charter school in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago called Moving Everest. He left the house at 6am to catch the train to Oak Park then rode the green line to the school every morning.

It was a great experience for him. He came home amazed at the impact the school has in a tough part of the city. It is giving kids a chance to thrive in life where they would otherwise have no chance.