Valentine's Day Round II and III

Round II. . . started with a trip to Barnes and Nobel where the girls were able to spend their Valentine's gift cards from Grammy and Papa. They enjoyed playing trains and looking at books. These were the treats they came home with.

Round III included the Charlotte and her family and was the wrap up to our holiday. We made homemade heart pizzas which the girls enjoyed.


I couldn't do a V-day post without a picture of Adeline's valentines. Due to the snow, the parties took place a week late. We had been sick which left me scrambling last minute to come up with something. My 9:00 pm trip to CVS (the night before the party) sparked some ideas when I came across the giraffe treat bags. Little did I know that web clip art and white card stock could end up looking so cute. Her treats tug at my heart strings because Adeline was a "giraffe bed preemie" (i.e. the smallest and sickest) and look at her now. Passing out her treats, strong, healthy and cute as ever three years later.

Valentine's Day Round I

The table. . .

The giving. . .

The chocolate which unfortunately preceded the pink heart pancakes!

The new Snuggie for the work from home daddy who complains of being cold. . .

Feelin' the Love

Digging Out

I am sure everyone who blogs in the NE is posting pictures similar to the ones below. However, I have even more impressive news than just the incredibly deep snow. Miss Adeline fell in love with the snow this evening! It has always been a sensory struggle in the past, but tonight, something clicked. Oddly, enough Adeline was the last to come in tonight after spending about two hours outside while Alex shoveled. She climbed big hills of snow, made an impressive snow angel (can't believe it), and when asked to come in she replied, "No, I play snow." I am more than thrilled and look forward to the fun days ahead.

So here are some pictures of our impressive snow. Adeline insisted on bringing some snow inside which the girls tried to turn into to snowmen, only to be disappointed by how hard it was.

On the Outside. . .

a blizzard was raging!  Even weather.com used the word "blizzard" underneath the picture of snowflakes.  I didn't really get what it meant this morning.  I went out to help Alex shovel and it was rather pleasant.  Adeline stayed in while the other two girls came out to play and make snowmen.  Savannah and Lila enjoyed being covered by the snow we were scooping off the driveway.  I ended up burrying them from the chest down which they thought was really funny.  After a solid hour of shoveling, we were ready to go in but not before Lila got her bike out to ride.  Only my Miss Grace wouldn't be stopped by the snow.

Soon after we came in, the white-out conditions rolled in.   The snow fell heavy and the winds were whipping which pulled Alex outside once again to shovel an additional six inches off the drive again.  By the end of the evening, all of our windows look like this - even without screens in.  I guess that is how one tells they are in a true blizzard.  Wish us luck on the digging out in the morning!!

On the Inside. . .

we were well fed and warm today.  The girls found many activities to engage in while I sat and refereed.  I was surprised at how content they were to hang at home.  I even let them skip their naps because they were playing so nicely, using their manners, and giving me space at times.


Here are some pictures of some rare "doll time" in our house.  The girls love their Bunnies (the name of their dolls) but do not play baby dolls.  I was surprised to see them get everything out and go to town.  While going through the doll clothes, we found a couple of preemie outfits.  Most noteworthy, is the onesie Lila is holding.  Adeline wore it until she SIX months old.  Hard to believe.

Since it was our first blizzard, I felt the need to make our food somewhat special.  For lunch, we had snowflake sandwiches, snowman juice (milk), snowman skewers, and snowman rice cakes.  The girls ate more PB and J than ever before.  I guess the snowflake shape made all the difference.  They were thrilled to decorate their snowmen rice cakes and stuffed themselves until they couldn't take one more bite.

Good Bye My Little Binki Girl

As much as Alex and I have ignored Lila's decision to not use a binki, I think it is our new reality. At first, we doubted her decision and now we are plain surprised by it. I haven't said anything to Lila because I don't want to draw attention to something she is deciding to do very quietly. It has been well over 48 hours since she has not mentioned or used her Binki which makes me think I may never see my sweet girl's face with a binki again. I am thrilled but at the same time sad. Her binki was such a part of her. Lila was always so stubborn about her binkis too. She would only take an ORANGE binki for most of the past year. We had to look high and low to replace them when she would tell us, "It's not working." I guess they all aren't working for her anymore. She is growing up and I celebrate and mourn it at the same time.

The last picture I have of my Lila Grace with her Binki.