Friday, January 24, 2014

Winter

I really do love the winter. Snow is so beautiful, the world can be so quiet and still and there is a cold, pristine beauty that can be breathtaking. I love the crunch of the snow under boots and hearing the drips from melting icicles. I love watching my children explore in the snow, to grasp cold fistfuls of it, to dig and shovel, make foot prints, and use sticks to trace patterns and letters into a blank canvas. I love watching my baby girl eagerly walk with one foot on the path and the other on the crunchy bank of snow. I love the rosy cheeks and the excitement in their eyes. And then I love coming inside to get warm and drink hot cocoa


Recently....

....I have been so grateful for these two wonderful boys. They are best friends! I love to see them reading, working and playing together. I love hearing their sweet conversations with each other. I often catch them reading each other a story, or one helping the other put on a coat, getting breakfast for each other and making up after a fight.
 ....I have come to realize just how much I love having a daughter. Boys I knew I could handle but a girl? But she is the most amazing little one and now I can't even remember why I was so worried. I definitely see a little more drama and can't help but smile at this little face she makes when she doesn't get what she wants
 ...we have been doing lots of playing in the water and everyone loves it. Em loves holding objects filled with water up in the air and watching the water pour out. She loves seeing bubbles float down into the tub from the bubble maker and can soak the floor in two seconds flat with her enthusiasm.
 ...we have been able to get outside. Its been a pretty mild winter, and even though its been cold the sun has been out enough that we have been enjoying going on walks and watching beautiful sunsets.
                                     
 ...I have been soaking in as much of this face as I can
 ...and this face
 ...there have been lots of snuggles and stories with dad. The kids are so excited when Daddy comes home and wait for him anxiously each night.
 .... We have been busy building walls and knocking them down has become a favorite
 ....Quinn has been such a helpful big brother. Here he is helping James figure out the right answer for one of their math games.
 ...Emma has been taking in the world around her and watching everyone and everything outside