The Fighter's

"Spread Love everywhere you go.  Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."                                                                                                                      -Mother Theresa 3 of my Loves on Valentines day...so cheerful:-) I got to volunteer in Ava's class for the party.  Here is the crew - so adorable!

A beautiful run through crazy snow piles (thankfully I did not slip and fall...almost...but I managed to stay on my two feet)!  I love the crunch of snow and ice under my feet.  Some of my favorite Napa wine... A cozy night making homemade chocolate covered popcorn.  YUM!

Tuesdays are an off day for me - and I love them!  My Tuesdays always include a whole day of one on one time with this girl...and they usually include what has come to be our favorite Tuesday lunch during this cold winter...broccoli cheese soup from Panera.  Yum! And today we experimented with the craft we're bringing in for Ava's Valentine party.  Mason jars covered in hearts - to make cute little candle holders.  Simple but fun.  Olivia was a great helper!

This winter has been incredible.  Record cold temps - and record snow fall!  This has become a regular site... But at least the girls are making memories with all the weather and snow... And I love love love my view from my kitchen window...my favorite viewing spot in the whole wide world. And it is beautiful to say the very least....(no...we have not gotten all our lights down and it's February.  Don't judge!). And then you have grandpa's who try and build a skating rink in their backyard for grand kids to enjoy.  Love it! And through the cold and snow...this girl is still thinking sun and beach...napping in her sundress when it's 0 degrees outside:-)

Girls had fun making a fort (and a mess!)...

Great time tonight at a fundraiser for the girls' school - went with fellow parents from our neighborhood.  So much fun!  Pics from a photo booth below...wardrobe from photo booth as well...Doug does not own a fur or a crown:-)

Olivia somehow always gets talked into sleeping on the floor in her own bedroom - when her and her sisters have a "sleep over".  Ava and Kate usually call dibs on the 2 beds (in Olivia's room), often initially met with resistance from Olivia...but somehow little Lou gets talked into sleeping on the floor.  We came home tonight to find her like this (during another sister sleepover)...sweet little sis. But... this is how Olivia gets them back....Ava's journal writing - a short incriminating piece about her little sis.  Hahahahaha!  Love it!

Every once in a while I like to sneak out with some one on one time with each of my girls.  Today - Ava and I went to the nail salon and had pedicures and it was so much fun.  Look at that smile on my girl's face.  Love her.  And love precious time with them.

The wintery snow days (17 for the girls this Winter!) put my balancing act of working from home/keeping the girls entertained to test!  Usually they're in school on my work days - but Old Man Winter has thrown those arrangements to the wayside!  Not going to lie - it has been tough!  Lots of early mornings/late nights/working on days off to stay up to speed with tasks.  Some bribing during conference calls (to stay out of mommy's office)...but we have been managing and doing quite well.  And I am thankful to have the opportunity to work from home...I can't imagine how hard it has been for parents to find alternative childcare or take time away from their personal time off to manage children out of their normal school routine.  Winter of 2014 has been beautiful - but brutal in some respects!  But we are making the most of it and know it's a time that is filled with lots of warmness that won't ever be forgotten.  Here is my little office buddy this morning.  I think s

We work out inside!  My view from the treadmill today.  Girls were rotating through the horse, trampoline and exercise ball stations the whole time I ran on the treadmill.  And we did this all while watching Gilligan's Island.  Love my little workout buddies:-)  And it felt good to get some pent up energy out!

Building motors and light bulbs on a cold snowy day.  She loves this stuff.  And I love her!

Here was the first day of our 2014 Winter adventure.  This January - our town would hit records for cold and snow.  42 inches in January (normal is 11) and an average ( average) temperature of 16 (normal is 25.5). On this very first snow day (first of 17!) the girls decided to wrap their littlest sister up as a Christmas present... And I made cozy, yummy chicken fried rice.  Perfect for a snowy cold day! And some good words to warm the heart (Ava made this at Sunday school over the weekend).  Always a nice reminder!

Second graders still get tuckered out sometimes too.  Had to snap a shot because it's a rare occurrence anymore that 1) Ava takes a nap and 2) that she falls asleep somewhere other than her own bed.  Love my sweet bean:-) And sweet Kate fell asleep on the way home from school...

The girls saw the movie "Frozen" this month and since then it has been a Frozen Frenzy.  Braids in hair, lots of dancing, gloves on hands, whimsical costumes.  The girls were at it again - singing the Frozen soundtrack at the top of their lungs and dancing to their hearts content.  After that - some snuggles with dad before bed.  I love Winter!!