January
It didn't take long to get back in the swing after New Year. Both Thomas and Chris started back at school and work respectively on 2nd Jan, and the pace picked up immediately. Before Mum left for the U.K, we squeezed in several cinema, theatre and shipping trips, including a first visit to the local theatre, punningly titled "Off Broad Street" (Broad Street is the main road through the middle of Hopewell). Chris and his Mum saw "Legends and Lies", an evening based on the songs of Harry Chapin. We also did an afternoon tour of some of the covered bridges of the Delaware Valley - not quite Madison County, but genuinely American.
One thing that has come back to haunt us is the scathing and sceptical tones we adopted last year, when everyone warned us about the New Jersey winters. We scoffed at the mild temperatures and the alarmist news stories of snow storms and blizzards. Well this year it struck with a vengeance, and for the third time we've had a full 4-5 inches of snow, and throughout December and January it has been b****dy freezing !!! Our gas bill for January was $198.58 - that's about £130 for ONE MONTH !
Thomas has been busy at school, what with Meatball Math Day, and visits to the pizza parlour (to teach fractions), and Princeton Hospital. He is developing so quickly, with his reading word lists, mastery of fractions and most importantly - his ability to ride a two wheel bike on his own without training wheels (of this he is most proud) - Now all it needs is for Dad to buy a bike too....
February
February was a pretty eventful month weather-wise!! After reporting on the bad weather we had over the last couple of months, February had the snow storm to beat all snow storms!! We started with another 4-5 inches on February 7th, Linda's birthday, and another day off school for Thomas (and a day at home for Chris) which lingered on the ground for just over a week. Then this weekend, we have had what has been described by the news as "Blizzard 2003".
We had plenty of warning from the weathermen, time to go grocery shopping, and stock up on batteries and candles in case of power cuts. The snow began on Sunday lunchtime and by the time we went to bed, we had 7 inches outside the front door. When we woke up in the morning it was over the threshold, had come in under the door and we had to push our way out to get onto the street. Several path clearing sessions took place throughout the day, the cars were beyond rescuing!! The snow ploughs and gritting lorries went up and down the streets at regular intervals, and neighbours with snow blowers cleared the corners.
