Update

It is definitely wintertime in Buffalo. We have about a foot of snow and at least 3 feet where the snowplows have pushed snow back from the roads. Afton is loving it and lingers outside after she gets off the school bus. We actually got out of church early on Sunday because it was so snowy. Ryan had to speak in Niagara Falls and I was a little worried about him driving because the roads hadn't been plowed yet. However, he is so devoted and made his way there, only to find no speaking partner! We had a nice afternoon at home. Afton went to a friends house to decorate cookies for a couple of hours and had a great time. Luckily we have 4-wheel drive because I definitely needed it. Another mom had to be pushed out of the cul-de-sac. It's always so exciting around here.
Today was just another day of laundry, dishes, tea parties with Ella, and dressing up. Ella said, "Today I am a mermaid and a butterfly". She put on her mermaid halloween costume and then put on butterfly wings over that. Quite creative if you ask me. Then we each took turns singing happy birthday to each other and blowing out a plastic candle and pretend eating the plastic cupcake. She thought that was great and had a funny little smile each time I sang to her, like "oh, aren't you sweet to remember my birthday?".
Last night for Family Home Evening, we went to the Planetarium at the High School down the street. Afton has been several times with her school classes. She absolutely loves going. I saw a holiday show advertised and thought we should check it out. It is a tiny little room, but the show was great and both of the girls were totally into it. Afton loves learning about space and the planets and tells me new and interesting things all the time. She even checks out books at the library about the sun and the planets. She's a smartie, I'll tell you.
Ryan has been chosen for a mentoring program at work and it's pretty fantastic to be chosen. He's the only one from his sight and will be mentored by a guy at the corporate office who works in a different Honeywell business. I think Ry will make the most of it and it will be a great experience and hopefully he'll be able to set some good goals and move in the direction he's hoping to. Afton gets her smarts from her dad, that is for sure!
Tonight the YW in the ward had a service project. They volunteered to watch any children for 2 1/2 hours while the parents did Christmas shopping. I have never seen so many Mormons on time in my life! The babysitting began at 6pm and people were waiting in their cars 10 minutes before. Of course we took full advantage and finished up our shopping.
Tomorrow we start the work on our ceiling-taping and mudding. It really couldn't be a better time to start a big, messy project. Oh well, I'll feel better about not cleaning before my parents arrive on Thursday!
That's all for now. Good night and goodluck.