January out my Window

Last week, I had spring fever. This week, the 20 cm of snow that got dumped on our little yard has put a significant chill in that fever! I was so looking forwward to getting out with Ava during these last few weeks I am home, going for walks in the stroller and splashing in some puddles. I certainly hope the snow melts just quickly enough to avoid devastating flood waters around Winnipeg and Southern Manitoba!

That is the forecast for the province - flood levels reaching those of 1979. Fargo and Grand Forks in North Dakota (just south of us) are experiencing a state of emergency due to the swelling Red. They are expecting a crest of anywhere from 41 to 44 feet, the highest ever recorded. I hope that not too many homes and businesses will be lost, and that all people are safe. I also hope that the flood conditions here will improve sooner rather than later, and that no further damage will be done.

As for us and our house - no real chance of flooding since we live a good distance from the river, but we will still have a lot of water in the yard once the snow starts really melting! Due to the fact that our yard is lower than our neighbour's, all of his run-off ends up in our yard, making everything very soggy and Earl very damp!

Ava is still struggling through her cold. It is a nasty one, requiring a lot of tissues which she hates. I hope that the runny nose will run away for good! Otherwise, she is starting to clap her hands quite often now, which is really cute to see! She also stands and lets go of her supports a lot more often, and today she even took a few steps with the aide of her walker from tante Joelle and oncle Kevin! I was very impressed and told her so, which got her beaming!

I hope that I will be able to get out and about with her in the coming days, we have been house-bound since Monday, so it will be nice to do something not inside!! Swimming might be an option if her cold dissipates, or perhaps a quick sleigh ride. Marc is working his stretch of four days and is smack in the middle of them. I am not looking forward to two more 12-hour days sans Papa!
I hope that once I'm back at work the long days won't be as noticeable for Ava and I. It is also much more fun to do things with Papa than just by ourselves.

The quiet week won't exist next week when Alix and Sam are staying with us during Spring Break for a few days. I have already told them to plan some activities so that they won't be playing video games the whole time! I am also planning on doing some cooking with Sam and some of the gifts he received for his birthday. I'm looking forward to eating some yummy creations!