Love of Snow

We received an early Valentine's Day present this year... a record 12+ inches of snow! That day I woke up, checked my weather clock and said to Keith, "Looks like they changed the forecast to just snow rather than rain first and then snow." Moments later I walked into the other room, looked out the window and saw a yard blanketed in white and fresh snow falling heavily on top. If you remember, I was excited for the kids back in December when our neighborhood brought in snow for our Christmas festival. Then, the kids experienced a little bit of "real" snow on Christmas Eve. But this time, it was enough snow to set records, lose your toys in, and make snowmen that would make my friends up north proud. Madison made a beautiful snow princess as she gazed at the large falling snowflakes.

I knew that the snow doesn't fall for long around here and, in fact, it usually turns to rain before you get the chance to really enjoy it. So, after breakfast I quickly bundled up the kids and we headed outside to play. This time it was less about discovery and being awestruck and more about straight up having fun. The kids were pros at playing with the snow this time around, eating it and making snowballs right away.

Unlike their other snow experiences, the kids got to enjoy trudging through the thick snow.


We started making a snowman early because I was sure that rain would be on its way soon. (Actually, it never did rain but rather snowed for more than 24 hours straight!) Hayden got cold and went inside while Payson and Madison helped me roll the first ball for the base of the snowman. I couldn't believe how perfect the snow was for building a snowman. All you had to do was make a small ball, roll it around on the ground and the snow stuck perfectly! By this time the other two were also cold and ready for a break (thanks to extra-thin mittens we hardly ever need to wear), so I finished up while they watched from inside. We happened to have Chocolate "Coal" left from a stocking gag gift that I used for his eyes and mouth. Then, I cut fresh limbs from a bush that needed trimming anyway for his arms, and finally, I had to call on a neighbor for the carrot to complete our perfect, traditional snowman. Oh yeah, and we put a toy cell phone in his hand to give him an updated look!

After the kids took a great nap (they played hard that morning!), we went back out to play in the snow a second time. Here's Payson posing next to his new friend.

The kids helped pack more snow onto the snowman giving him a nice lump on his back. For some reason Madison thought she needed to walk all the way out into the middle of the backyard to get more snow rather than just pick some up from around the snowman.

Here's a video of the kids in action. Watch for Madison coming in from way out in the yard with more snow, Madison saying "Whoa, big!", Hayden eating snow and Payson saying that the snow is "new." Too cute!

One morning while I was getting ready in my bathroom, the kids decided to lay their blankets down and have story time with each other.

The kids love playing on Mommy and Daddy's bed. It's just too much fun!

Payson sporting my Uggs while playing with the bathtub water faucet. He is not going to be happy with this picture some day!

Since the kids love to play with the bathtub faucet, I decided to let them play at the kitchen sink with their own play spoons and cups so they could "clean" like Mommy does (all the while learning pouring and measuring skills as well).

It was a huge hit with all of them. I love this shot of Madison with her tongue out as she reaches towards the water to fill up her cup.

The kids received a few belated birthday gifts including a wooden high chair, crib and train set. They are all big hits and Madison especially likes singing "Rockabye Baby" as she rocks her baby doll. As Keith was putting together the new crib, Madison told him "I like cribs" in her adorable little voice.

For Valentine's Day, Keith and I gave each of the kids a backpack filled with a few small toys. They were so excited to have a backpack just like Dora!
Payson immediately wanted to wear his. Doesn't he look so grown up? It's like he's ready for his first day of school!

Party Time!

We've already celebrated lots of birthdays this month along with a Super Bowl party and Valentine's Day festivities. First off was my niece's 5th birthday party. Here the kids are lined up ready to hit their first pinata!

Avery's party theme was Strawberry Shortcake and Hayden took a swing at the big red strawberry with some help from Dad. Madison loved taking her turn and Payson refused, dropping down onto his tummy in protest when we requested that he take a turn. He's always hesitant about new things.

The kids painted their very first pottery at the party and it, although messy, was not as bad as I had anticipated. Here is Madison painting her cupcake purple.

As always, the kids had a blast playing with their cousins' toys. Hayden especially loved the Mickey Mouse light chaser. She was walking around the room turning it on for anyone who would watch while exclaiming "Whoa!" really loudly and dramatically. So cute!

The kids attended their first Super Bowl party and they especially loved all of the junk food! The chips and queso were a big hit. Madison sat at the table in an adult chair unbuckled, no less, for nearly 45 minutes enjoying her party food. It sure was a nice break for me!

Up next was a Valentine's playdate that we hosted at our house. I baked a variety of heart-shaped sugar cookies for the kids to decorate. The activity was a big hit, and the only problem I encountered was when my kids got upset that someone else was sitting in their seat!

Madison is so patient when she decorates cookies. Although I have to remind her to pick up a small handful of sprinkles instead of dumping the whole bowl over her cookies, she is so tidy and calculated in her decorating.

Grandma's birthday was the following day so we decorated the leftover cookies with cousins Avery and Addison. This is really a great activity to do with this age range. They get such a kick out of the icing, sprinkles and taste tests!

All five kids playing peek-a-boo on the couch.

For the first time I dabbled in decorating with fondant. I decorated Grandma's birthday cupcakes with daisies handmade from fondant and had lots of fun with it! This time around I bought ready-made fondant but next time I just might try making it from scratch.

I haven't posted the links for my Dallas Morning News Moms Blog posts in months! I guess after a busy end of the year and lots of December blogging I have been unintentionally neglecting my blog this year. That and being simply exhausted from caring for three kids going through the Terrible Two's full force! So, here are my posts through January:

When toys invade: Teaching your kids to tidy up

Jessica: Traveling with triplets through the (not-so) terrible two's

Jessica's holiday traditions in triplicate: What are yours?

Jessica: What moms of multiples are thankful for