18 months

It's official Zach is a member of our primary's nursery.  Rich has gone in with him a few times to test the water and he seemed fine.  He usually acts bored and unresponsive around strangers.  My dad watched him during church over Christmas and he said Zach didn't make a peep for the hour and half they were together.  In fact he even changed a dirty diaper and my dad said he just laid there and "didn't move a muscle."  That made us all laugh.

I dropped him off at the door of his classroom (1/2 of the gym) before the girls and I went down to the primary room.  He seemed dazed, but fine.  An hour later as I walked my class to our room I saw Rich in priesthood- alone.  Good sign. 

I guess it was just after I saw Rich that they brought Zach to his daddy.  He had been doing well, but when the door was left ajar, he realized his mom and dad were not there and suddenly nursery just wasn't all that fun anymore. 

Rich tried to take him back in, but he was not fond of the idea.  At all.  I think we may have a fight next week.  I would not be surprised, since out of all of our children Trey is the ONLY one that remotely liked it.  We may be spending the next 19 months with our little buddy, just like we did with both sets of twins.  Crossing our fingers that is not the case.

Love you Zach.  Happy  1 1/2 years buddy!

Valentine Photo Shoot

Please...

BE MINE!

Love, Kaitlyn

Someday...

My house is going to look like this on Valentine's Day.  Count on it.

Springtime

You still might be a few weeks away, but I was reminded of your esquisite beauty when I saw tulips and daffodils for sale at the grocery store this morning.  I desperately needed some of your warmth, color and happiness in my life after months of ice, snow and freezing temperatures.  Spring, hurry.  I miss you.

Sick day

This little cutie is sick today.  It was a rough night and morning, but she's kept a smile on her face and a bowl by her side.

While it would have a busy day, instead we nestled safe and warm inside and let her rest.

My visiting teaching appointments that I had worked hard to schedule were completed by my partner.

Brynn watched movies on the portable DVD player next to her little bed set up and sipped Sprite. 

Kaitlyn made her a sweet card.

Zach didn't even pull her hair while she slept on the couch.  What a nice fella.

Brynn's been a trooper.  She made it to the toilet or bowl every time.  There were even a few times she told she had thrown up and showed me her clean bowl she had emptied in the toilet all by herself. In eleven and a half years of motherhood I've never had such a sweet and helpful sickie.

Now I've got my fingers crossed the rest of the bunch don't come down with something in the coming days.

I would break my heart (and theirs) to miss the Valentine's parties on Monday.

I love all my sweeties, but I have a extra soft spot in my heart when they are having a rough day.

Love you Brynn!

Quote of the day

I was busy cleaning up the boys' breakfast dishes when the girls came downstairs hungry. 

Kaitlyn wanted a bowl of Reese's Puff cereal.

"Brynn, what do you want for breakfast?" I inquired.

"Well,  I am not allergic to Eggos, but I am allergic to penguins.   So, I'll have an Eggo."

Good to know what she can and cannot eat.  

*Penguin made by Brynn at preschool last week.

Super Bowl XLV

Congrats to my Wisconsin brothers!  What a game! 
Go Packers! 

*Our FAVORITE commercial, hands down, was the Darth Vader car commerical.  Genius.  Oh, and I did laugh a lot about the Doritos crumbs bringing things back to life.  Very clever.

** Yes, the cupcakes were delicious too.

Sunday Snapshots

Pajama Day

Brynn's class had a P.J. day at school because they were learning about the letter 'P' this week.  She was so excited it was like Christmas again.  She picked out what she wanted to wear last night and laid it out on the floor.  She was giddy with excitement and it was the first thing she talked about when she woke up.  Kaitlyn was a trooper wearing her red Chapel shirt (once a month they have 'chapel' and they ask the kids to wear their preschool t-shirts) and watching Brynn pose for pictures.  I hope Kaitlyn has a similar day when her class gets to letter 'P' in a few weeks.

Wednesday is Brynn's share day and all the students bring in an item to show that starts with the letter of the week.  Most of the children bring in toys or a picture.  Brynn LOVES bringing in edible items that the class can enjoy after they all share what they brought.  She's brought in green gum, Hot Tamales, marshmallows and oranges slices.  This week was the letter 'P' so we popped popcorn and bagged it and she was ready to go.  Oh how this little girl loves to share!

Uh oh!

Just when I thought it was safe to turn around and draw a diagram explaining a total solar eclipse to Josh, Zach had a total surprise of his own.  Glad there were only 4 eggs and not a complete dozen!

BFFs

While Zach and I were looking through the racks of clearance winter items and coats the girls found their way to the display of shiny necklaces, bracelets and rings. They were glittery, colorful and 100% girly.

I had already decided that there was no way I was going to buy more jewelry for my little princesses, until I walked over and spied best friend necklaces that were absolutely perfect for twin sisters.

Right then I was caught up in a flashback of those gold half heart necklaces proudly worn by other middle student girls and you knew the missing half could be found around their best friend's neck.

Suddenly Brynn and Kaitlyn had to have a set of their own.

It was a hard decision between the heart set and the cupcake one, but in the end they agreed on the hearts. Pink for Brynn. Purple for Kaitlyn. Just like I had assigned their bottles and blankies when they were babies.

We purchased our items and as we left the store we stopped next to a bench so I could put the necklaces on.

Their eyes were big and their grins were wide as I fastened the precious gems.  They got close and touched each other's bedazzled hearts.

Brynn looked Kaitlyn straight in the eyes and declared, "Kaitlyn we are best friends forever and we now have special necklaces. We can never fights when we are wearing them." Then after a brief pause she finished her sentence, "Unless we take them off .  We could fight then."

The honest truth. They love and adored each other, but as siblings often do, tempers can flair, tears are shed and they need time apart. But after a little spat or squabble it doesn't take long until I find them tucked away together in some remote corner of the house lost in their magical land of make believe.

BFF: Best Friends Forever

Punxsutawney Phil

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!!

* Punxsutawney Phil emerged from a tree stump at dawn and, unusually, did not see his shadow, signaling that spring is just around the corner, according to tradition.  This prediction only happens about once every ten years. 

**  Going to Gobbler's Knob and witnessing this annual event in the western Pennsylvania town of Punxsutawney IS on my BUCKET LIST. 

Welcome February!

Sugar cookies, sweet treats, surprise packages filled with yummy goodies, class parties, conversation hearts, red and pink decor, Heart Day photo shoot, roses, darling crafts, Valentine's day, extra hugs and kisses, more sunlight, hints of spring, my birthday, only 28 days to enjoy one of my favorite months!

Sunday Snapshots

( Zach was sleeping and Trey was home teaching with Rich.)

Works of Love

These works of art were made by Brynn (above) and Kaitlyn (below) today at preschool for each other.  The bond they share is something that inspires and amazes me every single day.  What examples they are to their mother of endless love and enduring friendship.