Grateful

Well, we got a foot of new snow overnight, and so far not any evidence of the existance of snowplows. I'm grateful that today is the first day of vacation and that Darrin has the option of saying "Today, I will work from home!" whenever he wants. And I'm grateful we have a nice, snug home. I'm thankful for our neighbor with a snowblower who always helps us out, even though I do feel somewhat guilty that our 80 year old neighbor does OUR walks! (Darrin did the driveway by hand this morning and it took him over an hour. Then our next door neighbor came to help with the walks.) And I'm thankful for the hot cocoa I'm drinking right now. Snow isn't so bad when you don't have to go out in it!
We do have plans to go to another Footnote-sponsored movie (National Treasure 2) this afternoon and are hoping the roads are clearer by then. And I am thankful we get to go - the older girls LOVED the first one and I hear this one is good, too!
Wednesday we more to be thankful for: Kyra was trying out for a part in "Seussical the Musical" that will be next semester at her school, and she was invited to callbacks. (She didn't get the part she wanted but will be in the chorus) When she was done, we picked her up and headed over to Jordan Commons to meet Grandpa Doug and see the movie "Enchanted". It was great - we all loved it, even Brynn, who went into full panic mode every time the evil stepmother came on the screen. She even screamed in terror a few times. But now she's all excited to talk about it and retell the best parts of the movie!
After the movie Darrin met us for dinner at Sweet Tomatoes. The girls LOVE going there - it is their very favorite restaurant. I really like it, too. Darrin not so much, but he comes with us anyway and is a good sport. A big THANKS to grandpa Doug for this fun outing for us!
Brynn's experience with the movie reminded me of her latest "book". She likes to "make books" during sacrament meeting, with me writing little prompts and her finishing the story and drawing pictures. Lately she even does covers and title pages! (I keep thinking one day she'll do an index) So this is the "book" she made last Sunday, before we took her to see "Enchanted".
Cover:

"Dog Story"

Title Page:

When Emily Went to See a Movie
By: Brynn


Once upon a time, there was a dog named Emily. One day Emily went on a trip and she got scared!


Because she went to see a movie and there was a scary part!


She was so scared that she turned around on her chair and then she screamed and ran away to her mommy.


Her mommy said "I love you" to help her feel better. And then, Emily was happy that the scary part was over.

(at this point, Brynn turns the tables and makes Darrin finish the sentences - but only with what Brynn says to write!)

And then, they lived happily ever after. The end.

(Emily's mom is the one wearing a dress.)

And yes, we got a babysitter for Brynn this afternoon. I think National Treasure 2 will be too intense for her!