walking in a winter wonderland

There’s nothing quite like a stunning winter day, bright warm coats and a really good camera.   These are just a few of my favorite pictures from our cold family photo shoot….

(February 2013)

 

“daddy will you carry me?”

  

“Daddy carry me?” she signed.  

Our family was trekking into a winter wonderland on campus for some photos.  We hadn’t gotten very far from our car when this request came.

His arms were full of camera equipment, and he shook his head no.   She wailed….."I want daddy to carry me!”  I ran to take the camera and the new fancy pants lenses so his arms could hold something even more precious.  As they walked ahead, I was able to snap some quick photos capturing this sweet little moment. 

She’s 5 and a half now…. How much longer she will want her daddy to carry her?   How many more times will she be able to close her eyes, throw her arms around his neck and enjoy a trek through the snow without getting her boots wet?  I don’t know….it’s one of those things that will stop happening at some point.  But on this day, on this snow covered trail, daddy picked her up and everything was right in her world. 

 

                  Source of picture

100 days of school

 

100 days of school.

  100 plastic buttons. 

Awesome buttons, scored at a garage sale for $2.

I probably have 200 of them, which is A.LOT. 

I just *knew* they’d come in handy one of these days! 

Brian got a new camera lens and can take really awesome pictures.  

Who knew that pictures of buttons could look so cool……

Kaylee is wearing an eye patch 3 hours per day to try to remedy her Amblyopia.   She doesn’t mind it at all, and it seems to be working. 

Happy Buttons…Happy 100th day of school.

my supergirl

Why I read to my kids

When I was pregnant with Gracie, I remember a sweet lady (Mrs. Nutt) telling me how great it was to have three kids close together; she loved reading books to them all together. 
I love reading.  It’s one of my preferred entertainment and relaxation activities.   There are so many good reasons to read to kids;  many good quotes about reading;  more books that I’ll ever have time to read.  Right?  Right.
But the real reason why I read to my kids everyday…..is so that there’s only one voice  (my voice) to listen to.   It’s the best way to give my ears a rest from the chatter of a full house.  When it gets too crazy in the house, I yell for everyone to go pick a book out and meet at the couch.   





It’s not always comfortable, depending on who’s tugging at my clothes or jumping over my head to get the best couch position. 
But it’s quiet (er).
Yes, Mrs. Nutt.  I too love reading to my three kids.

“No more jumping on the bed!”

Normally, that’s what Brian would say, but on this day he got a new camera lenses and wanted to see if it could catch the girls in motion.   

Kaylee signing “I really love you”.

Right now Gracie’s bed is on the floor, making it a sweet spot to land.

 

 

Surprisingly, this jumping on the bed episode ended with smiles all around.

The sisterhood of dora underpants

“Hey Grace!”  I yelled.  “You got something in the mail today!”

I threw her the package of brand new Dora underpants, intended to encourage her potty training goal.  She grabbed them and went to find Kaylee.   Together they pulled them out one by one and exclaimed over the different designs.

Another reason why I’m so glad to have two girls….

First Day of School 2012

Joshua started 2nd grade.  He has the same classmates as last year, but a new teacher.

Kaylee started half day kindergarten and is home by 11am every day.

Bus stop buddies.

Watching the “big yellow monster” , as she playfully calls it.  She’s been waiting 2 years for this day, when she can join Joshua to be whisked away to school.  (Check out those eyelashes!)

Mr. Snyder the bus driver.

 

 

Both kids have had a great first month of school!    Grace still misses her sis in the mornings, but has my full attention everyday for a few hours.

Band-Aid mustache

 

 

Unicorn party

What a gorgeous little 5 year old I have living in my house!

Little Miss K is totally into unicorns, so a unicorn birthday party was requested.   (How did she get to be 5 when I still feel like I’m 27?)  

We printed off unicorn coloring sheets ( there are over 100 choices in google images.  whoa.) and the little girls decorated our living room with colorful images.

Then they colored a paper which I rolled up and taped to a headband.  UNICORN HORNS!  Oh yeah.

They all got a “mane” too…  LOL.   I secretly thought it was kinda lame, but no one complained and some of them even wanted to take the mane and headband home.  

 

A very awkward accessory, for sure.

Kaylee and a pre-school friend, Abby.

Instead of cake and ice cream, I had them each decorate a unicorn “cone” with frosting and M&M’s.  I scooped some ice cream inside for our treat.  This was the one part of the party that Joshua was willing to participate!

Uno is pretty popular at our house right now.  He played with his 2 best girlfriends, Tori and Julia. 

Grammy gave Kaylee a gorgeous fairy book…something to treasure, for sure.

Grandma and Grandpa came over later too to celebrate our sweetie. 

Happy Birthday Kaylee!