Let It Snow!

4 kids have eagerly anticipated the first snow this year. Why? You may ask. Well, borrowing an idea from another blog, I decided to launch a new tradition. For weeks now four gifts have been wrapped and stored in our living room to be opened only on the first day that it snows. Everyone had to see the snow, and everyone had to agree that it was snow indeed! -not a difficult decision for four eager children. This morning we awoke to falling snow with very little accumulation. In fact it was gone by lunch time. Julia and Savannah ran around waking the boys and warning them to make sure to see the snow. They then awaited having the whole family together after school for the opening of the gifts. Our plan was to celebrate with Rice Krispie treats and hot chocolate, but I couldn't afford the ingredients today, and Zach and Savannah had to race off to a band concert anyway. So what did they find in the gifts? warm and cozy pajamas....and that is the planned gift every year if this tradition continues.

Since I had the camera out, I decided to try and get a good picture of the tree. I can't remember it ever being so pretty. We bought new ribbon this year, and I am amazed by the difference it makes. Of course the lights that would probably get me in trouble with a fire marshal help the look of the tree as well.

I also tried to get a good picture of Shiloh as the other pictures don't show off how much black she has on her. Shiloh really wants to be a good dog. Her potty training is going very well. However, Wyatt and Julia really struggle when her chewing instinct kicks in on them. She scares them when she starts that stuff, and they get excited, so she thinks it is a game. I worked with them today on just standing still and ignoring her so that they don't reward this behavior. For the most part, she is a good girl unless we fail to do what we should, such as get up in the middle of the night to let her out. She goes right away and comes right back when she goes out, but she does not know how to tell us she has to go, so that is our next lesson.

I have really been praying hard for a good, healthy dog. We were spoiled by having a dog like Bambi. She was neurotic about a few things, but she lived a long life and only saw the vet for regular check-ups until the very end. When she got loose, she stayed close to home and returned to us. Beagles tend to follow their noses, so I am praying that we are able to teach Shiloh to "go to her bed" when the doorbell rings and that she won't be a digger finding her way out of the fence. Shiloh is smart, so I am hoping she can deny her natural instincts and stay safe.

Savannah is quite attached, and we made a big mistake in getting our cat. The cat is evil and has really showed that this week, so you can see why I am working so hard and praying so hard for a good dog.