"Hip" Chick: Nine Degree Wind Chill

On the ninth day of spica, my true love gave to me:

A nine degree windchill...

We awoke to a white frozen tundra yesterday. An ice storm moved through the area overnight, closing schools and offices. Lost power and downed trees were a problem for many in the region, but we were snug little bugs inside our home. We knew the storm was coming and let Hip Chick stay up very late the night prior to ensure an exhausted girl overnight. She also awoke very late (an ice storm miracle!), but was an energetic, caged animal upon awakening. What to do?

Mani-pedi time! After breakfast and a little time in her desk, I offered to paint Hip Chick's toenails. She panicked a bit once I sat her in the bathroom. She has become a bit sensitive about her feet over the past year and a miniscule brush of shimmery paint carried the fear factor of a cockroach for her. Instead, she requested I paint her fingernails, as one of her teachers has pretty red nails- although, she requested blue for herself.

One may assume that painting nails or feet of a child in a giant cast may be easy. If so, I beg you to reconsider your fallacy. I liken the experience to catching flies with chopsticks, a la Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid.

Despite the excitable, ever-animated target, Mommy got the job done. Alas, this did not pass enough time. Creative problem-solving says...

Hip Chick was given the opportunity to paint Mommy's fingernails, too!

Spectacular.

We celebrated with rainbow cookies.

And watched a special on the galaxy. She enjoyed learning about Earth, but informed us that her favorite planet is Jupiter.

Daddy dressed her up like a hockey player and let her hit our "backyard" with a hockey stick.

We finished the afternoon with a little craft time and made the felt snowman pictured up top. Temperatures failed to rise much, so we will see what wintery mischief we can create today.

And so...