Snow/Ice Storm Pax

Took some pictures early Thursday morning after Winter Storm Pax passed through. We were so fortunate to have power through almost the entire storm. It was only off a few times early Thursday morning. It left behind beautiful scenery in our yard.

 Each and every pine needle had a coating of ice.

Jack and the Beanstalk

Emy's been reading/playing this Jack and the Beanstalk app on the iPad. Last night she wanted to use the beads on one of Ella's bracelets as beans to grow a beanstalk. I gave her some dry lentils to plant instead. She went outside with Daddy and Ella and planted them. She was so excited that I knew I'd better come up with something for her to find in the morning.

 https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jack-beanstalk-by-nosy-crow/id796383629?mt=8

 The beanstalk grew into the house!

Fortunately, the Ikea leaves have been in the attic for several months, so Emy didn't recognize them as the ones that use to be in the playroom.

Giant footprints ("cloud dust")

Giant Hershey Kisses and giant hot chocolate :-)

 Emy, spotting the part of the beanstalk that had grown through the door

 She was so excited to see that the giant had been there!

Daddy brought her back out a few minutes later to pretend to climb the beanstalk. :-)

Kitchen Helpers

My girls love to "help" in the kitchen. Ella has learned enough now to actually take on some of her own tasks. I'm pretty careful with Emy, but before the meat and pan get too hot I let her chop it. :-)

Quality Control, a very important job!

Winter Birds

I love that we have so many birds in the winter! I'm a bit obsessed with them. :-) Sead says he wouldn't be surprised if I had them all named. LOL! I almost do. I know about how many of each are regularly out there.

Tufted Titmouse 

Two of them, I have 3 that visit every day. 

 A new arrival this week...

 Brown-headed Nuthatch

A small tree branch fell down in the backyard and the birds like to use it as lawn furniture. :-)

 Carolina Chickadee

Dark-eyed Junco

 Male Cardinal - I've had up to 7 of these on my back lawn at once! That's very unusual because they're extremely territorial.

Female Cardinal

I had an Eastern Towhee on the back deck last week too, but didn't have the camera handy.

Pierced Ears!

Ella got her ears pierced today! She's been asking to have it done for a few months now. I found out that the Cary branch of our doctor's office does piercing, so I felt confident to take her to have it done. She was so brave! She didn't even cry and within an hour said it didn't hurt at all anymore. Now we just need to take care of them, especially over the next 6 weeks.

A very pleased 6-year-old! :-)