The Fighter's

Imagination.  I love it!  And what I love even more...watching my girls start to use theirs. Check out this set up Ava came up with...using her own little thinker.  Lately she has been diving into the world of dolls....dressing them up, doing their hair, creating conversations between them...putting them to bed every night right beside her own bed.  Doug calls them creepy Ariel's.  Ha!  ...she made pillows out of rolled up socks, covered them up with her blankets and put her very own pj's on them to keep them warm.  She has since moved the bed down to the floor beside her bed, complete with pillow and blankets.  She is funny to watch...every night she has to make sure they are lying perfect distance apart and perfect height on the pillow:-)  ...and my favorite...a "closet" & "hangers" out of one of mom's wine glass charm racks.  See their little clothes hanging where wine charms usually hang at get togethers...  Keep u...

We have been cooped up this winter but the girls have been making themselves busy...playing princesses, dolls, coloring (LOTS of coloring), reading books, riding scooters in the basement (Ava held a scooter training class for Kate one day - I couldn't stop laughing!). They have even started to include Olivia. She runs around behind them...usually taking their stuff and pushing their buttons. But she has started to get the hang of playing with her big sisters...and when she's cooperating...Ava & Kate just eat her cuteness up! Loving this early sisterhood bonding. I keep telling Ava & Kate how lucky they are...not only are they sisters but they have their very best friends living right under the same roof with them. Permanent playmates (whether they like it or not:-)).  I absolutely love these pics of Ava & Olivia - the way Lou is looking at her big sis and visa versa!  Ava showing her the ropes on ring around the rosie.  And last but not least -...

What to do, what to do... When there is 18 inches of snow on the ground and temperatures are in the single digits, we've played with all the toys we can possibly play with...and just need a break?  Sisters, Popcorn & Movies. Sound perfect to me!

This is what I get to see outside my kitchen window. Those little munchkins make it a priceless view:-)

Ava & Kate were teaching Olivia how to play ring around the rosie.  Olivia thought it was the best thing ever! 

Starbucks coffee...and homemade pumpkin muffins.  Yum!! Happy Tuesday:-)

This weekend I am thankful for... my husband - my Love.  He is my best. my girls - who keep me hopping.  Tonight they were tackling each other and fighting over who got to sit on my lap.  Olivia got the best spot (she's tough!)...but I managed to fit all 3 (sort of):-) grammy - we had a great time at her house this weekend.  the girls love her dearly.  and i loved relaxing, drinking wine, sitting, chatting and listening to itunes with her and Doug last night:-).  she's pretty great. my nephew jet - he turned one yesterday...and tomorrow we get to go to his party!  He is seriously the smiliest, greatest little boy i know.  just love him to pieces!  my friends - got to catch up with a few different favorites down in Columbus from Thursday on. love my friends - they warm my heart and make life So. Much. Fun.!! 

These may be some of my favorite pictures of the girls.  Some of the photos are a little fuzzy (I was playing with camera settings).  But their facial expressions are priceless:-)  My favorite - Kate's eyes in the last picture.  She seemed to be saying - "enough mom"! Don't look so enthused Kate... Olivia and her sidekick Ellie.  Lately - she can't be without her trusty elephant. Olivia likes to make people kiss her elephant.  Here she is making Ava kiss Ellie.  Katelyn still looks very enthused:-) Olivia copying after her big sister Ava!  Kate is finally excited for the camera. Kate's eyes just crack me up here! 

Her sisters thought she "did her best" today and gave her the appropriate award. Way to go Lou:-)  

We're experimenting here in the Fighter home - working on changing taste buds.  Less of this stuff... And more of this stuff... My goal for our pantry and fridge this year is to try and get back to some of the basics.  We threw out most ( not all :-)) of our sugary, processed foods - and have been trying to fill the shelves with foods made from basic natural ingredients.  It's been fun!  The past few weekends I made my first loaves of yeast bread - tried two different recipes for honey wheat bread - the second batch (above) came out much better than the first!  All it took was a little bit of unbleached/whole wheat flour, honey, real butter, eggs, yeast, water, real sugar, some kneading and rising, an oven and whola!  I've also been doing homemade banana bread and muffins for breakfast, bought a waffle maker so we can make waffles from scratch (which has been fun for the girls), and tonight - I made my own pizza crust with homemade ...

Nothing more comforting than popsicles and snuggles with dad... What a week/weekend!  All four of us girls were sick - first with a nasty head cold...then Ava, Kate & Olivia came down with a stomach bug.  We were thankful when Doug returned from Arkansas to take care of us.    Here's to kleenex, buckets, popsicles, washing machines, movies on TV, PJ's, Motrin and some much needed down time to help make us better!!

Girls aren't letting their dad's basement renovations get in the way of their dance moves!  We pumped the music up in the playroom and here is what we got... Love this!  Olivia trying to do a turn like her big sisters! Ready to call it quits!  She was done with her tutu!