Reflections on a Wintry Day

Ava Grace

Ava joined in the snowy fun by putting on a fleece hoodie and snuggling with mom on the couch!

One Snowy Day

Putting on the bibs!

There was some minor confusion on how a "carrot" was going to be used for the snowman's "nose." It all worked out in the end, though.

Julianna was completely thrilled with the concept of a snowball. And, following suit with her Aunt Jackie, her favorite part of the day was eating the snowball. Her snowball appetite seemed to be fueled by her OVERWHELMING fear of the snowman daddy was building. The more life-like the snowman became the faster she ate.

No kidding. She ate continuously.

More yummy snow!



This stuff is everywhere!

Walking does pose a slight problem. But I won't be deterred. Um Mom. A little help?

Seriously. They've got to market this stuff.

Saturday afternoon we got snow! Yep. A good five to six inches of fluffy wonderfulness. Julianna was in awe. Chad pronounced Sunday afternoon for snowman building. So as I got Julianna dressed, he began rolling the base. He started at the mailbox (aprox. 50 yards from our house) and began rolling. By the time he got to the front, the first of three layers was a good four feet wide and four feet tall! Then came the second layer. And boy do I WISH I could have gotten a decent photo of him hoisting that thing up! Finally, he added the head at which time we joked about the neighbors watching him build a snowman in his front yard all by himself. : ) At any rate, he decided that was a good time for Julianna to come out and help. Unfortunately, upon seeing the gigantic snowman she began to cry and scream, "No Toeman! No Toeman!" We tried to calm her and ease her fears by (you guessed it) letting her eat huge amounts of snow.

Miss Madison Turns One!

Madison eating her yummy, fudgy cake!

Better save some room for later.

Kimberlee, Maddie & Antaun

The very cute Elmo cake!

Julianna testing out each birthday horn.

Aunt Kimmy!

What's a party without some sweets!

Simple Pleasures & Grateful Hearts

Just after lunch today, Julianna asked if she could have some ice cream. As I sat trying to decided how I would tell her no I remembered how years ago mom would surprise me now and then and ask if I wanted some ice cream in my Rice Krispies. : ) Times were tight back then and ice cream any time of the day or week was a main event. And, Ice cream in the cereal was...well...pretty fantastic! So, as I looked at my little sweetie's very hopeful eyes I took out the small container, opened it, and got a little treat of my own. Just identifiable was a heart. I couldn't help but to stop and think about the small things in life that are sometimes really big things in disguise. You know those things? Memories, words, times that for some reason resonate for years to come. It reminded me of all the blessings I have, of a more innocent time in my own life, random acts of kindness and generosity, of my mom and all her special surprises, of this special time I have to raise my girls, and how I hope to create special memories for them. (Feel free to bust out a few choruses of Julie Andrews singing "These are a few of my favorite things" after reading this. You know you want to.)

Two Peas in a Pod, Two Bugs in a Rug

Chillin'

Contemplative

Julianna loves to hold Ava's hand. She says, "Luck mommy! Ava holting my hand!"

This is how we clap our hands when we sing "Ram Sam Sam" Ava!

Third verse, same as the first!

Julianna hates covers. She doesn't want them on her feet. She doesn't want them on her legs. So when she crawled into bed with dad last night and announced that she wanted to snuggle and wanted covers- we were shocked to say the least! She giggled and laughed the whole time. I love these pictures of Chad and his girls!

Ah. Friday night.

We tried in vain for hours, okay it was minutes, to get pictures with these three. It wasn't happening. Nope. Just look at that one eye peeking out of the covers. She's just taunting her mother now, isn't she? The kid would absolutely not sit up to take a picture! : )

Aboard Noah's Ark

Lots of action going on!

Jules with Aunt Nikki

I wasn't blogging at the end of October. Therefore, I never got to show you my very sweet little butterfly! : ) She loved the carnival games, the costumes, and the Tiger Jumping Pit (which she only watched the other kids jump around in because there were stitches just written all over that one!).

Julianna's "Favorite Book" List

Here are a list of our favorite books as of late!

• Ruby the Copycat
• The Little Mose, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear
• Piggy Wiglet
• Seven Silly Eaters
• The Remarkable Farkle McBride
• Her Majesty Aunt Essie
• Amazing Grace & Boundless Grace
• Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon
• On Market Street
• The Mitten
• Boomer's Big Surprise
• Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball
• God Gave Us You & God Gave Us Two
• On Morning Wings
• Zen Shorts
• Tickets to Ride
• I'm a Big Sister
• Giraffes Can't Dance
• Any Roger Priddy Book

Zucchini Bread!

A couple of you wanted this recipe...so I thought I would just post it on the blog! It's one of my favorites. I so wish Julsie could eat it with me. But, not yet. Maybe someday soon.

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees

2. In one bowl combine:

• 3 beaten eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups grated zucchini

3. In a separate bowl combine:

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/2 cup raisins

4. Combine the contents of both bowls, slowly adding the dry to the liquid.

5. Pour into 2 greased loaf pans and bake for 45 minutes.

This recipe can be halved if you like!

Pea-few!

Julianna continues to keep us smiling with all her new words and sayings. We LOVE this age and think she is just about the cutest kid in the entire world. : ) Every child should have someone who thinks they're the best. Don't you agree? : )

• "I heuh sumpin. You heuh sumpin?"
• "We go to Maddie's? That be so nice!!!" (or "That be so fun!!!" or "Be so fun!!!")
• "Ningle Bells, ningle bells, ningle, ningle, ningle bells!"
• "Sssshh." (putting her finger over her mouth and politely shushing me when I asked her if she's gone "poo-poo."
• "Pea-few" (when something smells bad, my personal favorite)
• "Baby Desus, Mae-ee, un Jo-fuff" (Baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
• "Hea-uh Ava cry. Waaaah Momma. I GO GET HUH!" (Hear Ava crying. Waaaah Momma. I'll go get her! : )
• "Rice Christmas Trees" (Rice Crispie Treats)
• "Farkle Mike" (Farkle McBride- one of her favorite books)
• "Un moe time" (One more time, said when she wants to kiss Ava again and again, when she wants another taste, when she wants to wrestle more, hear another song...okay she just says it A LOT! : )
• "Abc efg hij lmn p qrs tub wx y b!" (Rock on with your bad self you brilliant child! ; )