Then in a different container we mixed 1/4 cup borax with 1 cup water.
Then we took 1/4 cup of the borax mixture and added it to the glue mixture
--mixed and ended up with 'SLOP'. 
It is a very fun creation and after it is fully mixed-- with hands (we kneaded it like dough)-- it is no longer messy. It forms into whatever shape you would like--acts like a liquid, then suddenly like a solid, and provides hours of entertainment for little ones. ENJOY!
treasures that were lost under mounds of snow--finally found, shedding layers and feeling lighter than you have in months,
warnings to not pick up frozen dog poop, being amazed at the sight of a bug, 
excitement to see a patch of green grass, the joy of being able to pee outside because there are no snowsuits to remove, 
piles of dirty snow still mixed into the fun of bike riding, rollerskating, playing house in the woods, etc...
Looking forward to rain--instead of snow.
Oh the joys of March!
Another fun weekend in Boston.
I even saw my first sign of Spring!
--time to start planning the next one. (listen ladies--it won't happen unless you make it happen, and it is worth it to get some refueling time!)
My sister was here for the weekend. 
Despite the cold, I believe we all enjoyed the beach air. 
It is a form of therapy I cannot seem to find in any other place...
and when I leave I ache to go back for more.
and here we are with my mum--
and these are typical family pics. 
It was a fun time being all together.
It was a cold night but Ben convinced everyone to play a game of soccer--it was fun (I was able to just watch--and take pictures-- because of my choice of shoes that night)
It was great having Michelle in town. It was wonderful being all together as a family.
snow forts--the dangerous kind
igloos
snow women
and others that are just the right size
hot chocolate, cookies, snow cones, and of course--a limited amount of schooling.
I haven't posted much about school this year but it has still been going on. I have been trying to keep up and be more consistent--which has not been leaving me with much time for other things--like blogging. 
Hannah and Nora are starting to read. Emma will be finished her 1st grade Math next week and desperately wants to learn cursive.
I starting to look into what I would like to teach through the summer. Of course the summer is filled with fun--but learning is fun and 'schooling' does help the girls get along and be creative and it can take place at the beach, park, etc... I am planning on doing Science (I would just rather do it through the summer/fall), Art--(love to do art projects outside--rather than in the house), and I think I will also do 5 in a row (which does not require much time, unless I want it to).
Is anyone else thinking of continuing 'school like things' during the summer?
We booked a very nice hotel in Jersey City--5 
The girls enjoyed the indoor pool and we spent MANY hours 
It was cold. 
The excitement began to fade and thoughts of swimming invaded my girls minds. It was all they could think about. (Yes, they just got over a long sickness, did not sleep well the night before, were cold and just wanted to swim--they were not happy campers but we were determined to get out for a bit and see some of the city).
Three hours later...AFTER noisy subways,
the smell of pee in some and actual vomit 
and being a bit confused about where we are and how we get to where we want to go...
we FINALLY made it to Central Park. 
We ate a hotdog/soup. Attempted to warm the girls up.
Then the Smith part of the group--decided to head back to the hotel (after an entire morning spent getting to Central Park--to only turn back around again). We then saw the train we SHOULD have taken...took note for the next trip...and enjoyed swimming and relaxing the rest of our stay. Yes sometimes vacations-- with kids-- look just like that. We will probably look back and 
(On Sunday we drove in and saw a good amount of the city from the car--that was nice--warm, and much easier to enjoy--with the kids buckled into their seats, fast asleep. )