Gracie's new underwear

Puppet show

To the Gym

We are fortunate to live in a town that does much for their community. Not that we take advantage of it all. We have a community center right around the corner from our house. During the day, it is most always empty. Believe it or not, this is the first time we visited this winter. Julia joined us. It's been so cold and we've spent way too much time cooped up in the house, that it was great to see the kids run and play.

Two

A touch of Paige

I know, you were expecting a picture of Paige. I don't get a lot of those. But instead, would you settle for a few things that sum her up?
                      A song book, a kitty to snuggle with, a flute that never gets put away, a pretty journal...

A touch of Grace

All boy

Brrr

ten minutes

of snow on our eyelashes

cleaning off the cars with little mittens

chasing the cat through the drifts

catching a few snowflakes on our tongue

cold fingers... "go warm up now."

Getting things done

I just couldn't wait to share this. This has been floating around in my head for months. Coats and boots for eight people just don't fit on a 5 foot wall. We needed a system. What do you think? Oh, I am so excited I cant stand it! I love organization. I'm not saying that I am organized... it's just a goal.

I burned their names on their cubby. And Grace was very excited about it. "Are you writing my name? Oh, I love it! Are you writing, G-R-A-B-C?" 

After New Years, the tree comes down, the toys get put away, the cupboards get cleaned out, and projects get done. We spent an entire day color coding the Legos.

 And good timing. Papa and Aunt Kathy came over with the boy's Christmas present. (It was back ordered and didn't get here until after Christmas. Which worked out great. They were so excited to get a a bonus present) They have played and played and played with this set.

 Joshua's room got some attention this week, too. The toy box was cleaned out, the books reorganized and we took down the crib and brought in Jacob's toddler bed. He (and Grace) enjoyed jumping off it more than sleeping in it. He is asleep before he goes to bed, so this is not much of an adjustment for him.
good thing the kitty in her hand is only a toy

Love you!

Such a doll, she is.

Did I tell you we have an outdoor cat? Did I tell you the cat is indoor more than he is out? And, oh, did I mention that when he gets left in at night, he wakes up in the middle of the night and wants the whole house to get up with him? Grace always sleeps through the night and well into the morning.Kind of a lazy girl. I wont tell you who she takes after. But last night, at about 4, she woke up and crawled into bed with me. Which would have been ok, had she not brought her flashlight with her and tried to check out my eyeballs. And turn my light on cause she cant see her book. On our way back to her room, I tripped over the cat. Ah! The culprit. I tucked her back in bed and brought Shadow downstairs. I turned around, and there is Grace behind me.

"I'm just getting a snack."

No, I don't think so. Back to bed.

...again.

At about 5, I hear "ding, ding, ding- Hi! Push the letter button to check out some letters."

"Grace! Turn that off and go to sleep!" Paige lovingly directed  her.

At 6, she's back in bed with me. Finally, at 6:30, I found myself with my hand over her mouth, whispering in my sternest voice, "shut...up...and...go..to...sleep." And my obedient little child did.

This afternoon, when I got home from work, she wrapped both arms around my neck, planted one huge kiss on my cheek and said, "Mommy, I love you!"

 "And I love you. More than I did yesterday."

My boy

cat nap, anyone?

what happens when you leave the bathroom door open after you get Grace out of the tub. My  netti pot makes a great bath toy.

the girls got a knitting kit for Christmas. (excuse the boogies)

Wa-geee!

We LOVE vacuum cleaners in this house! Joshua has a strange fascination with them. While we were looking at Black Friday ads, he sat on my lap and passed over the toy section with little enthusiasm. But when we reached the page with a vacuum on it, he squealed! This is why this is our third vacuum in a year. (I've learned to keep my receipts)