Put a little love in your house.

I can't say this was my idea, but I did make a few minor modifications because of the supplies I had on hand.

We're enjoying this love on yet another snow day!


My goodness, my children love scissors!

Bo had some serious fun with the hole punch as well.

And now we get to enjoy this!

Long overdue

I'm at home tonight with Jack and Sadie while J and the big kids are at small group. Jack woke up from his nap with a fever so we're enjoying a quiet night at home and Sadie is enjoying an early bedtime since she only had one nap today!

I'm realizing that it's been too long since I posted an update on sweet Sadie and what's been going with her. We had our second follow up with the audiology clinic this past week. I sat in the testing booth with Sadie in my lap, completely overwhelmed. A mere five months ago, Sadie wasn't hearing anything. She was hardly even rolling over! And the testing this week confirmed that she is hearing normally. Normally. Seriously!

I watched her turn to sounds again and again. Every time she responded I got more and more emotional. I managed to hold it together for the most part, but there were a few moments where the tears spilled out of my eyes and the thankful prayers spilled from my overflowing heart. The change is just that noticeable and startling to me!

The girl is a moving maniac too! She's crawling everywhere, and I especially love her "fast crawl" when there's something she really wants! She loves her belly and when she can find it she loves to play with her belly button.

She had a ton of [supervised] fun the other day with one of the big kid's balloons. The knot on top was especially appealing.

She's also started wearing her hair in braids.

I'm not sure how she feels about having her hair fixed, but it sure is cute!

I just have to say again how thankful I am to all of you who email, call, text, and ask about Sadie on a regular basis. The prayers for this sweet girl are so appreciated and many of you have encouraged me in ways that you do not even know. Thanks for being a part of this journey with us!

This is why I shouldn't talk on the phone.

I'm gathering laundry and talking on the phone with my mother this morning and as I walk into the den, this is what I find.



Sadie!

Oh, is this not something I'm supposed to be doing?

Wait, are you sure you're talking to me? You mean this isn't okay?

Sorry about that mom.

Hot chocolate with fruit flavored marshmallows?

I can't say it would be my first choice, but the kids voted to put their fruit swirl marshmallows in the hot chocolate! The snow wasn't really suitable for building a snowman outside, so we settled for marshmallow snowmen made with toothpicks.

Yummy, I think.

Static Electricity

Bo is home from school again today. I was relieved to get the call last night that they were out. It's been so cold this week, and the thought of having to get everyone up and bundled and out the door by 7:45 AM...well, you can see why it was good news!

I let the kids go outside for a few minutes [it was 20 degrees] so they didn't last long. We settled for some hot chocolate and a science experiment while Sadie napped.

Bo had an at home science project that tested static electricity with some items of his choosing.

Rubbing the hair was the best part:

Will it stick to the flour?

Yes!

Once we'd tested our items, Bo spent some time recording some comments about the experiment. I'm still not completely convinced that I could successfully home school, but we had a great time!

Big sigh

Bo goes back to school tomorrow. I can't believe he's had over a week off of school!

No more late morning lounging in pajamas and reading books.

No more mid afternoon puzzles while the middles nap.

Sadie loves the puzzles too!

No more morning workouts in our pajamas.

I'm craving the routine that school offers, but not exactly looking forward to charging back into that routine. I've just been having too much fun with my babies who are not really babies any more...ahh!

More snow

Day three of snow.
Day three of no school.

We've eaten snow inside.

We've made our own little snowman friend outside.

We've eaten snow outside.

We've done the slippery slide.

And we've done our share of checking it out.

Next up on the agenda: a rousing game of Candyland while Sadie naps. I'm guessing school will be out again tomorrow in which case I'm going to have to get really creative with our activity situation and our meals!

Someone just hit fast forward again

I've often joked that with your first child it kind of feels like someone pushes fast forward on the DVD player of your life. With each subsequent child, or birthday for that matter, the speed of the fast forward just gets faster. Now, I not only have that happening with my kids, but with my siblings kiddos as well.

Like this little guy who is not so little anymore!

What's that, I'm one today?

That sounds good to me.

Will there be food?
Seriously, you should see this boy eat. It is so entertaining!

Happy birthday Bradford! We wish we were there having cake with you today :)

Snow!

Question: What are you up to today?

Answer:

This mess [in part] brought to you by:

Happy Birthday Aunt Sarah!

You're thirty and fabulous and we love you and your spunk and your precious kiddos! I am blessed to have you as a sister and a friend!