Hurray.

It's a snow day.

We are making tent forts and staying in our pajamas all day, YAY!

Just wish Tim were here to snuggle us.

"When I Was A Little Girl..."

Knowing full well that as The Little Girls get older they will ask me less and less for a story about my childhood, I feel pressure to make each request count. The problem is, I've had a terrible time of late recalling my childhood or stories I thought I'd never forget. Basically I have a bad memory. If I had time, I'd do some brain exercises like play Sudoku or watch Jeopardy but alas, I have three young children and little time to myself. My sister Deanna has an incredibly quick memory and she is a fantastic story-teller AND The Little Girls ADORE her. So when we get together she delights two sets of eager ears. I love watching their faces, the three of them, as Dee Dee tells with animation her tales of woe.

Daddy-Daughter Dance.

A group of Dads from Savannah's school decided they wanted to be more involved in school related activities but in their own way. So far they have organized two on-campus events; a pancake breakfast and Friday night's Daddy-Daughter Dance. I adore Tim for many things, but my favorite thing about him these last few years is how he puts his own inhabitions aside and shows The Little Girls a side of him that few adults get to see. He encourages them to break out of their shy shells and try something new. He took Savannah to that dance and while he was at it,

he danced around with her friends whose Dads were too uncomforable to be on the dance floor. Then he came home and taught some dance moves to Ivy who felt a little left out. The three of them did that crazy Chicken Polka Dance all night.

Cuddlebug.

Ivy has been teary this morning, sad about an upcoming trip Tim and I are taking. She says she'll be missing me terrible, especially my love. And when she gets to the part about missing her Daddy well, the tears spill. So we are spending quality snuggle time on the couch today, banking some of that love for when we won't be together.

Lately.

This last week has been very busy and so I am cramming quite a few days into this one post. We spent an afternoon at Jenkinson Lake (usually under snow this time of year), the water was tranquil and the air was sweet and cool.

We got a rare treat when Auntie Angela was in town and came for a sleepover (no photos-too busy catching up) the next morning we met up with Tim's parents for a Valentine's brunch.

Met up with Eva and baby Alexandra for some antiquing. This glitter-ized silver tea set was stunning and gave me inspiration to put glitter on something when I get some free creative time.

It snowed on Savannah's day off of school. So lovely.

The Little Girls made Chocolate Covered Strawberries for Valentines dinner's dessert.

The Goo enjoys newly introduced solids...and experimenting with projectile art on my white wood floors.

Jack came over for a play-day. Here he is waiting for "The Big Yellow...Bus." He is very good at reminding me not to forget to pick up Savannah.

LOVE.

The Little Girls and I received these beauties yesterday from Tim. And you know those little girls had tears in their eyes and kept saying how sweet and handsome it was of their Daddy to send us all flowers. It was the most romantic gift.

 Happy Valentines Day.

Afternoon Delight.

Jenny and I planned a little Valentines Party for The Little Girls and The Little Boys. She made these sweet little fondant cakes and perfect kid-friendly snacks. We made valentines, though the kids were more interested in playing together instead of sitting still and completing a creative project. I just adore this precious cousin time. The Three J's (Jared, Jenny, Jackson) are expecting a baby boy in June, I can't wait to meet him!

 

Proud Mama.

She's so little but has such big ideas. I just can't help myself, my pride cup runneth over. Every time she sits at the easel, I wait with excited anticipation to see what she comes up with next. And because I am going all out with my bragging, I didn't spell any of these words for her, she either sounded the words out or looked in one of her books for just the right spelling. She is reading!

 106 days into the school year and she is reading.

Oh and one more thing...She got an award at school from the Positive Action Committee. And because as a parent I always  wonder/worry if my child is behaving when out of my view/care, I felt reassured and couldn't have been more proud of her.

Perfect Timing.

A box of stickers fell on the floor this morning, it had been teetering on the sofa arm rather precariously waiting for the perfect blend of slight breeze and gravity to send it's contents scattering to the floor. Two Little Girls stepped over the mess multiple times and this busy Mama finally found time to gather up the pieces. Curiously I found this card stuck/fit perfectly in the bottom of the sticker box. My Mom sent this to me my Freshman year in college. I remember the rainy day it came to my dorm mailbox, I had just returned to campus after work. My Mom's timing was perfect, I hated my job and was struggling to keep up with my studies between classes and supporting myself. I was homesick and her words nurtured and reassured me. I carried the Hug book with me for weeks, it was my hope touchstone and a surrogate way to be with my Mom. This card is my surrogate hope touchstone today, her words picking up my pieces and are as relevant today as they were 16 years ago.

  

67.

Grandpa Dan had a birthday yesterday.

 I made a Lemon Meringue Pie for him (a tradition my Mom started many years ago), and we had a little tea party at the Ranch.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Mexican Chocolate Biscotti.

 

I'm having a hard time keeping the cookie jar full of these (the third batch this week is in the oven now!).

At 57 calories a piece, you would too. 

Recipe here.

The Fox And The Goo.

 

The Goo has this "thing" for foxes. His lovey fox (Sly Guy) he chose himself at 5 months old. I put it in his stroller as a way to keep him happy while in a toy store in Fort Bragg. When I thought he was through with it I tried to take it from his chubby hands but he held fast and firm to Sly Guy's floppy arm and gave me a sideways glance perfected only by his Dad, I knew then he was not going to be parted with this soft fuzzy. So now Sly Guy sleeps on the right side of Goo's bassinet while his blankie rests to the left or over his face. 

I wanted some artwork for Goo's nursery, he got this one for Christmas.
 

I don't know how she knew...I'm guessing her girls told her...but last Saturday I got this in the mail from Sharon The Great. For Grady's room, it's perfect.