Day 31/365

Swim lessons begin again!

Every Monday and Wednesday at 5:30.

Makes for a busy night, but the boys love it.

I hope to have Andrew swimming by summer!

Day 30/365

The glass slipper awaiting the princess.

The King of the castle has been a gem.  

Taking the little princess and princes out to play so preparations for the ball can continue.

Word has it, the Queen has been enjoying her royal crafting time.

Day 29/365

It's Birthday week!

Kaitlin's party is next Saturday. I'm crafting away.

Kaitlin's 3rd birthday photo banner hanging on the fireplace.

I love to look at these photos and see my little girl grow.

Day 28/365

Dan and the boys enjoyed some football in the backyard tonight before dinner.

Working on throwing spirals and catching & tucking the ball.

From the smiles on the boys' faces (including the biggest boy), I could tell it was time well spent.

Day 27/365

We enjoyed some much needed time outside in the SUNSHINE today!

Swinging, sliding, climbing, digging....

High of 55 -- one degree less than the record high.

A blissful break from the rain which returns this weekend.

Day 26/365

I make Dan crazy with my cups. It's not uncommon for me to have these three drinks going all at once during the day. I make a vanilla latte in the morning and might reheat it a few times before it's gone. A Diet Coke works itself in to the mix at lunch or in the afternoon, and the water just keeps going throughout the day and eventually ends up on my nightstand.

Just one of my many "quirks."

Day 25/365

Kaitlin's first night in her "Big Girl" Bed.
She did great! We told her the rule: Stay in bed until Mommy or Daddy come and get you. And she did it! So far so good!

Day 24/365

Instead of sleeping during nap time, Kaitlin decided that her skin was suffering from dryness during these winter months and a deep moisturizing with Mama's body butter was in order.

Day 23/365

Matthew woke up with a fever this morning.

We had some unexpected and welcome time together while Dan took the little ones to church.

"Narnia" on the family room sofa with my sweet sick boy.

Day 22/365

Kaitlin spends her last night in her crib.

A milestone that marks the passing of a precious time in our life.

It makes this sentimental Mama's heart ache a little.....

Day 21/365

Matthew is the epitome of dorky 7 year old "cool."
He calls his friends "bro." He's cool like that.
He was playing with Andrew's school tiles and created this hysterical (or so he thought) masterpiece.

Day 20/365

Matthew recited his first memory verse and chose fruit snacks from the "God is Sweet" jar. 
(What the boys call the jar).
Andrew was sad that he couldn't remember his verse.  We'll try again tomorrow. :)

Day 19/365

The results of some of my evening crafting....

English Crackers for Kaitlin's Princess party!  

Those tiny folds for the rosettes are time consuming, but oh so cute. 

Day 18/365

Is it Spring yet?

Day 17/365

Matthews 2 front teeth are coming in! And notice the second gap on the bottom?
He lost another tooth last week! He just insists on growing up.
Sigh.

Day 16/365

And so the crafting begins for Kaitlin's 3rd birthday ~ a "Princess" Party! :)
She sits happily next to me while I craft, chatting happily about her party. She is excited for "Gracie say Happy Birthday to me?" And keeps saying, "Thank you, Mama!"

Day 15/365

In spite of being down with the stomach flu 

Dan plays a game of "Creationary" (a Lego game) in bed with the boys on a lazy Saturday.  

Andrew came down with the flu hours later.

Day 14/365

Katie was SO happy that Andrew played "ballerina" with her.  

He wore the crown and she wore the "jewels" while they twirled to music in her bedroom.

Andrew is a sweet big brother.

Day 13/365

Snuggles on the sofa after "Dumbo" for Family movie night 

turn into tickles between Daddy and Andrew.

Day 12/365

The Bug mingles with the breakfast crumbs under the kitchen table on a lazy icy morning when school was canceled. {Hooray!!}

Day 11/365

After dinner Matthew said, "I want to do something fun with you Mama."
An air hockey tournament with the boys followed,
while a sweet husband did the dinner dishes.

Day 10/365

Andrew and I both love the "Llama Llama" books.
Funny stories about a Llama and his Mama.
Our special books that we read together with a laugh and a cuddle.
This was Andrew's choice for me to read at quiet time today.

Day 9/365

Our "Small Group" from church ~ our turn to host today.
I am blessed every 3 weeks by their conversation, laughs and fellowship.
I'm so grateful for these friendships.

Day 8/365

I am spending the day packing up Christmas decorations until next year.

A couple ornaments found during the After-Christmas sales.

A silver bell to commemorate our trips on "The Polar Express" and the boys' love (especially Matthew's) for the story.

And a yellow rose....to remember Dad and his yellow roses.

Day 7/365

My quiet time essentials.
Or preferences, really. Sometimes it's just squeezed in when I have time.
But my preference is: mid afternoon in the livingroom...
a fire, vanilla latte, my bibles, journal, and Bible Dictionary at hand.
15-20 short minutes.
A small but worthy and rewarding commitment.

Day 6/365

Andrew & Claire share a post-dinner hug.

They've been playing together since infancy and are like brother & sister.

All future potential beaus will have to get through Andrew first!

(My friend Shannon's family have been nomads this week travelling from fast food restaurant to fast food restaurant in search of a meal while their kitchen is being redone due to a leaking dishwasher.  We broke our no-social-plans-for-the-month-of-January to feed them a quick dinner in between homework and sending Hannah off to ballet.

Now back to our regularly scheduled "social fast".....)

Day 5/365

Matthew was awarded Super Bee today for Super Bee-havior!

A marked improvement from the week before winter break when he got a Fox Stop for something that was slightly horrifying and yet funny all at the same time. My back yard is nicely weed-free as a result. Kids will be kids....

I'm happy to welcome back my little rule follower. :)

PS. He chose the setting for this photo. Notice his Galactic Space Enforcer on display? Not by accident.

Day 4/365

The Bug, out for a chilly run, dressed like a cute little poof ball in her Christmas clothes from Nana.

PS. Diane, this photo was taken before our chat about the horizontal layout of the pages....thanks for the tip. :)

Day 3/365

Taking photos for Kaitlin's third birthday "Princess" party in our living room.

She was thrilled to get dressed up like a "princess."

This isn't the photo for her invitation, but I love her sweet face in this one.

She's getting a whole new crop of baby hair in--once again it looks like I've cut bangs.  ~All new hair!

Day 2/365

Winter break sadly comes to an end today. 
The cousins work on their homework together at the kitchen table while sneaking peeks at the football came.
Nothing like waiting until the last minute!

Day 1/365

Spoiled niece and nephews wearing their Christmas clothes from Uncle Mike & Aunt Michelle. 
Just before leaving for their house to celebrate New Year's Day with a Taco bar, some football, and fun with cousins!