Rain, Rain

We've been in a drought this summer. A Pennsylvania drought looks different than a California drought or a Utah drought. The grass is still mostly green, but it's not the vibrant green it usually is. We've had a few storms, but not as many as usual.

The storm we're having today feels like it's trying to make up for all the rain we've missed.

The youth activity for tonight was cancelled because roads are flooded.

I had to drive through the storm multiple times.

It felt biblical.

This picture doesn't do it justice.

It's Too Darn Hot*

Today is a stay-inside-with-the-curtains-closed-to-keep-the-heat-out-and-the-cool-in kind of day.

*Can you name the musical?

Bye Spring

The last day of spring was spent having s'mores at a campfire with friends after a rainy morning. We even got a double rainbow.

Feels Like Summer

We've had two exceptionally hot days in a row. It's supposed to get cold again over the weekend, so we tried to enjoy it while we could.

Welcome Spring

It warmed up enough to go on a walk over the weekend. It's cold again now, but for just a little bit, being outside was pleasant.

Drenched

We had three days of beautifully warm weather. 

And today it snowed.

But yesterday, it was still warm. Rain was expected right about the time I needed to pick Topher up from the bus. Sure enough, just as he ran from the bus to our van, fat raindrops started to fall. He asked if he could please run home while I drove next to him, even though it was raining. I would normally have said no, but on a whim I said yes.

He was soaking wet when we arrived, but so very happy, despite the look on his face in these pictures.

Warming Up

It finally warmed up today! For the first time in months there is no snow in our yard. The temperature was in the 30s when the kids left for school and in the high sixties by the time they got home. Topher changed into shorts and spent the afternoon playing in the backyard with his friends next door. I opened all the windows and let fresh air blow through my house.

It was glorious.

Just Enough Snow

Some parts of the east coast got historic levels of snow last night. There was a chance we would. But we didn't. And I'm really okay with that. The official total for our town was 7.8 inches, but I think we got closer to 5. It was still enough that Cooper and I went out and shoveled the sidewalk (me) and the driveway (Cooper) this morning. And Topher had some fun playing in it. 

Plus, the chance of the power going out was so high (the wind was pretty crazy) that we got a traditional snow day instead of the virtual instruction day we all expected. And it turns out we have enough educational hours that the district didn't add another day to the end of our school year. Free snow day!

School at Home

We have used up all of our snow days, so Tuesday was our first virtual instruction day. Drawing on their three years of virtual school, my kids were well-equipped for this mode of learning. Topher was new to it, but he was so excited to have a meeting with his class on his school-issued iPad. I took very few pictures of the day, but Cooper took this one of reading time. I'm so glad he captured this moment. 

Topher also did some PE and art.

Cooper, Phoebe, and Sophie also did school, but I wasn't watching over their shoulders, making sure it got done.

Mountains of Snow

Sunday's epic snowstorm was followed by a snow day on Monday. It was warm enough for Topher and Sophie to play outside for a bit. Cooper and Topher are in the first few pictures, though Topher is off in the distance and not as easy to see.

This is a good example of high the snow is piled in our yard. That's 6'3" Peter trying to remove Topher from the snow cliff. That tall snow hill was created by the boys shoveling the driveway.

Sophie didn't have much time outside, but she enjoyed it while she could.

And poor Phoebe, who loves the cold and snow, was stuck inside with a terrible head cold. That's why she's missing from all the pictures.

Timeline of a Snowy Day

Sunday

January 25, 2026

10:27am

11:32am

11:47am

12:05pm

12:08pm

12:12 pm

12:35pm

2:40pm

2:41pm

4:39pm

4:46pm

4:47pm

5:01pm

5:41 pm

5:52pm

9:01pm

9:30pm

Snowpocalypse

I realized I forgot to buy bananas yesterday. Phoebe and I went to the store today. The bread, meat, and produce were seriously cleared out.

We are fully stocked with water and food. Now we wait to see how much snow this storm will bring.