Here We Go Again

After tickling the kids mercilessly this morning until they BEGGED me to let them get out of bed and get ready for school, I started opening the blinds in the house to let the wonderful sunshine in. And that's when it happened. I said a bad word (well, not really. But it does make this story more dramatic, doesn't it?). There was snow. Everywhere. More and more of that yucky white stuff that I despise. Even Abigail was not happy about it, and she is one of those crazies that like snow.


There was not supposed to be snow today!!! Where are the weather people?!? I want some answers!! I was expecting warm sunshine today. Short sleeves and riding bikes. Instead, I am accosted by this mess. Even the cookies that I had to put on the back porch because I burned them so badly last night are covered.



It was just yesterday that I was thinking about bringing in our little snowman from the flower beds because he was going to melt. But, it is still February, after all. I guess he still has a few more days to enjoy the outside. But, as of Harrison's birthday on Sunday, Mr. Snowman will have worn out his welcome.


We do have some hope of getting out of this rut. Every few days we are lucky enough to have a glimpse of the summer to come. On those days, we celebrate by wearing our dress up clothes outside, leaving the snaps to our pants undone, and having ice cream picnics in the front yard.




It will come. I know it will. The snow will melt and we will have summer. The bad times never last, and after we have made it through them we can really, REALLY enjoy the good. I can take the snow for a little bit longer. It will just make the summer that much sweeter.
It makes me think of you, mom. We just have to get through this last snowstorm, and then we will have many, many, many more wonderful summers together. Filled with ice cream picnics on your back porch, walks to get the mail, and watching hummingbirds from the kitchen windows. I can't wait.

Grandma Had a Heart Attack!!!

Our grandma had been gone for a little bit, and the kids were missing her terribly. When she came home they decided it would be fun to give her a heart attack to welcome her back.







So we broke out all the craft junk and got to work. These kids have mad crafting skills. They had a purpose. They were driven. They weren't going to stop until they collapsed. We lost count of all the hearts we made, but Harrison was convinced that it was over 100,000.


This is one of my favorites. It's a picture of Harrison holding Grandma's hand. He even drew her glasses.

The next morning, after a proper cleanup from the fire department, a HAZMAT team, and the Board of Health, we headed out to Grandma's and Papa's. They were out running some errands and had no idea what we were up to (insert an evil laugh here).






Thank heavens the weather cooperated with us, right? But, the heart attack was not completely covered by the snow before Grandma could see it, which was good. The snow did not last and had melted the next morning. So, all in the neighborhood were able to see how our Grandma is WAY better than anybody else's Grandma. Too bad that we are completely incapable of making enough hearts to show Grandma how much we love her. There isn't enough craft junk in the world to do that.
We love you Grandma. More than we could ever say.

Fancy Bums

You know those diaper covers that little girls wear?



The ones with ruffles all over the bottom? We call them fancy bums.



He's going to hate that name when he gets to High School.

My Arch Nemesis

Hello Laundry. We meet again.




I have succumbed to your powers in the past. I have been overwhelmed at the size and force of your numbers.



My attempts at defeating you in previous encounters have been thwarted by your partners in crime; the rummaging children, the multiple clothes changers, and the husband who can't tell a Leah shirt from an Abigail shirt.



But not today. Today, I have found the strength to wash, dry, fold, and put away 6 peoples laundry. Today, I will convince my children with every last "hooray for you!", "aren't you so helpful!", and promise of sprinkles on ice cream to get them to hang up their shirts and put their pants in their drawers. Today, I will have an EMPTY laundry room, and I will SLEEP WELL tonight!!!!

I will be victorious this time, laundry. Today, I will be Supermom. Until we meet again next week....

The Lean In

Everytime I need to carry Hudson anywhere (for a diaper change, to get in his high chair, etc) my lips are glued to his chubby cherub cheeks. I slobber all over him all the way down the hall. Sometimes the response is not so favorable. I get a grumpy fuss and the push away. But today was my favorite reaction. The lean in. I kiss, kiss, kiss and then pull away. He grins and leans those delectable, chewable cheeks right back to me for more. And repeat, and repeat. These are the times that I beg myself to burn into my brain, so that I can always remeber what he is like when so little and loving. When mommy is funny and magically knows everything, and her kisses are not just endured, but actually searched out and leaned into.

The Cabin in the Woods

John-Erik told me that this weekend we had been invited to our friend Ryan's cabin. A cabin? In the mountains? Where the snow is? To me, that sounded like my version of H-E-double hockey sticks. Heaven is a sunny beach with warm sand and seagulls attacking my lunch. That place where the naughty kids go is not hot; it is very, very cold with lots of snow.

Hudson's feelings on all the snow

But we were more than pleasantly surprised. The cabin was a fantastic place full of 60s warmth and happiness. It was a sunny and beautiful day, and the cabin was so sweet and inviting. Plus, the view was spectacular.


Then, the 2 bigguns, dad, and Ryan took off to sledding (Leah "does not yike" sledding. She's got too much of her mama in her). So much fun. Nobody broke any bones, and everyone was happy walking back in the door. SUCCESS!!













After consuming about a year's worth of hot chocolate, we just relaxed, soaked up the sun, and immensely enjoyed the company of each other. No distractions, just us and the kids to focus on. What could be better?






Thanks, Ryan. It was wonderful.