Winter Magic

 

I know I shouldn't be enjoying snow so much in mid-November (it could be a loooong winter).  But it has been magical and the kids have been so happy. And I'm still drinking my morning coffee on the porch swing!

This one has been praying for months for early snow -- you can blame her!

 They had a 2-hour delay today, and spent every minute of it enjoying this picture perfect snowfall.  

She was out at 7:30 working on a snowman.

 Coaxed her partner in crime out at 8.

 Singing & working together to figure out how to lift a giant snowball.

 

Ta da!  First snowman all by themselves.

Snowball fights & giggles.

A few minutes before school started at 10, I thew some lunches together and toasted them bagels to eat in the car, double checked that they'd changed out of their PJ's under their snowsuits (definitely hadn't brushed their hair or teeth), and dragged them away from their fun.  Such a sweet morning.

And these are hanging in my garage all tuned up and itching to be used...

In February when I'm desperate for sunshine, someone remind me of this 😬

Rest of October...

Honestly, October felt long.  We've erred on the side of too much work and not enough sleep, it's been hard to meet the kids emotional needs, and it was been grey and rainy approximately every.single.day.  This best thing about this blog is the chance to focus on all the wonderful things in our life!

I really like these kids.

 Look, blue sky!  We sat outside (I was wearing a coat and hat) and Alden said "This . is . the . life mom."  :)

 Have to work outside while I still can!

Homecoming! 🔥

Sunday snuggles

It takes a village

October weekends have been full of family & friends. 

Visit with cousins over Columbus day...

 ...after school movie time with the friends we carpool to preschool with...

...we had some bonus kids a few weekends ago...

...the next weekend our kids stayed with friends...

 

... last weekend cousin Nico came to visit, and I was so relaxed that I didn't take pictures. Oops!

I love that our kids are growing up as a part of this sweet tribe. 💜

Adara turned 7 (a month ago:)

Seven is old! She is just such a great kid: spunky and independent and intense and surprisingly sensitive as ever. I've been loving watching her learn to read, tie her shoes, care for younger kids. She takes her 1st grade school work so very seriously, and is always making elaborate plans for herself and the rest of us.  She craves the one on one time and special attention that can be hard to come by as the middle child. I picked her up from school on her birthday for a surprise date - haircut at the salon and lunch at Lucky's, and the next day was time with friends and a trip to the corn maze / pumpkin patch.

 

Special birthday present - inspired by her deep love of the Spirit series - horseback riding lessons!!