Sad Winter

Last year we had one piddly snow.

This year has been about the same.

We've had plenty of cold days.

And plenty of rain on the warm days.

But hardly any snow.

I'm not asking to live like my Canadian relatives and have snow from September to June, no thank you.

But one or two decent snowstorms would be nice.

Instead we got about an inch.  And it lasted only a few hours before turning to slush.

The same thing happened last week and by the time the girls woke from their naps, the snow was gone.

This time, we didn't waste any time getting out the door, and it was a good thing too (since it didn't last long).

Eliza's first time in the snow (we missed it last year).  She wasn't sure at first, until Miriam showed her what to do.

I know the snowman  is a little creepy.  That's what happens when you use muddy rocks for his face.

It was pretty while it lasted!

Sleep

I did a post a year ago on the crazy ways Miriam falls asleep.  She was doing much better about staying in bed, and then she became afraid of the camera in her room and started hiding under her bed.  We found her a few times like this:

And then once or twice like this, light on and body spread on the floor.

Thankfully I think she has now gotten (mostly) over her fear of the camera.  However, she found the tub of baby blankets upstairs and decided to have a giant sleepover with her friends.

She really can be so organized.

Thankfully Eliza is still in the crib, so we haven't begun her falling asleep adventures yet.  Still, she is no less cute when asleep.  

It must have been an exhausting evening for her at the cousins' house.

Happy Heart Day

The Valentine's tradition in our family has become not to give gifts, but just to do something a little extra special for those you love.

It started with pink heart pancakes for breakfast.

Then a heart attack to Stan's car while he was at work.

Then making brownies with the junior chef. 

And finally a delicious dinner created by the master chef, Dad.  Sausages, garlic parmasean mashed potatoes and herbs du Provence asparagus.  Yum!

Seems like a lot of it involves food, but that's the fastest way to the heart in this family!

Cute

It's time again to document the cuteness that is my kids.

These are the moments to remember. 

Although there are still plenty of disputes, the girls are playing together a lot more.  Miriam especially likes to play with Eliza like she's another toy.

Ah, what a sweet big sister.

They do love their books.

Eliza likes Ramen.  A LOT.

She's also got attitude.  A LOT.

Movie night with best friend Anna.   

I think Eliza likes her too.

  

Eliza developing a fetish to try on everyone's shoes.

Sorting Skittles for letter "S" during Preschool.

They LOVE to dress up!  

I think what I really love is that they come up with this stuff on their own and I just chase them around occasionally with a camera trying to capture these snippets of their childhood.  Sure, when they're babies I posed them all the time.  But once they're mobile, it's all them.  In all their cuteness. 

Master Makeover

One of the things I have loved about being in our new house is the opportunity to make it our own.  It was like a blank slate, the walls were all a neutral color with nothing particularly customized. 

 I love to paint and got started right away with the half bath (no pictures).

Then I moved onto to master bathroom. We actually finished this project back in the Fall.

First we painted the walls a spa-like blue (inspired by our condo in Destin).

Then I refinished the cabinets, from a light antique stain to espresso.

I forgot to take before pics, but here's the after.

I really want to frame the mirrors, but I can't figure out how to work around that silly outlet on the mirror!

I also sewed a curtain for a little more privacy on the glass block window.

Next came the master bedroom.  This time I remembered to take "before" pictures.

Some new bedding, curtains and paint made for a dramatic change.

Many more projects yet to come!