Best of Friends...Most Days!

 One good thing about slacking off so much on my blogging has been the ability to go back over the past few months and see what great friends your kids really are.  So, kids, here you go.  PROOF that you do, in fact, love each other!

Fort building

Playing Princess

Earning recognition at school

Teaching your baby sister the art of the "selfie."

Reading at the library...

And more reading at the library!

Tummy time

And bead time

Bedtime stories

And morning snuggles

Throwing a "party" for your brother
 (bc sometimes he just feels sad that he's the only boy and you want to make him feel better!)

 And more nighttime giggles and snuggles

Working together to build something--an incredible feat of compromise!

We have plenty of arguments (and I mean PLENTY).  But, at the end of the day (and sometimes beginning and middle too), these kids love each other and love that there are built-in playmates and best friends in each other!

Snow Princesses

 Kari had her friend, Sophia, over one afternoon and it was so warm we went outside and played!

More Britta

Well, hello there!  

Yes, I sure do love my Britta.  She always has a smile for all and that includes the camera!

Snow Day

Ah, the excitement of the Snow Day!  The night before, there are rumors of the approaching snow.  There is the elusive possibility of a day off of school.  You wait.  Sometimes, you get the call before you go to bed.  Other times, you wake up and your mom says, "School is cancelled!"  (In your mind, she's just as excited about this as you are too.)  Then, it's time for cartoons in pajamas, lounging all morning, and, if the weather cooperates, playing in the snow all afternoon!

 And....this is how Britta does snow days.  (Sure wish I could do the same!!!)

 Kari sure enjoys having her older sister and brother at home...but she also enjoys staying warm and cozy inside!

Juliana just loves to play (inside or out)!  She was so darn funny and completely absorbed in her play.


Snow days (for Mom) are nice in that I don't have to rush the big kids out the door in the morning and we can all just take it easy.  And, as long as I can keep the peace between everyone, the day is a lot of fun :-).

Britta at 4 Months

Britta.  What an absolute sweetheart of a baby!  She is so happy!  At four months she was all smiles and very excited to explore the wide world around her (basically, our house and yard, but it was all new to her)!  She was sleeping well at night, but still struggling with the naps (but, if I had to choose which I'd rather have her sleeping, I would take the nights, hands down.).  The pictures below are after yet another cat-nap!

Daddy loves doing his trick!

Isn't she SWEET?!!!

 ANDDDD....Britt'a biggest accomplishment of the month...finding her TOES!!!  Yep, big time stuff for this little girl.

Britta loves it when her siblings play with her and always has a smile for her big brother!

Frozen Swim Party

Kari wanted a dichotomy of a birthday party.  She wanted (what I'm sure every 5 yr old girl's party was this past year) a Frozen party.  But, she also wanted to swim in a very un-frozen pool (bc our girl, Kari, LOVES to swim).  So, we did both (bc it's a 5 yr old girl's party, so we can do that).  The timing for set up was pretty tight (the YMCA is a great place for a party, but they're not exactly the best at communicating with others in the building that a party is coming and they need time for set up!)  But, thanks to my mom and Harvey, we pulled it off!  (I had a very cranky/tired Britta with me so it was tough!)  The room looked super cute and Kari and her little friends had a great time!

 After dinner, cake, and presents, it was time to SWIM!!!  Of course, Daddy was the favorite pool toy for all kids!!

Poor Britta.  She was soooo tired that she finally passed out.

Grandma and Grandpa were also good sports and go in the water.  (Grandma changed after Juliana soaked her clothes.  hehehe.)

It was a fun little party for our big five year old!

Kari, enjoying a couple of her birthday gifts on a GORGEOUS January day!