Let It Snow!

Since we only get snow once every couple of years, it's a big deal! The children were overjoyed yesterday when the first flakes began to drift down.

They ran outside right away...

I didn't get excited until it started sticking!

Altogether we've had about 2 inches - just enough to make memories for the kids!

Kaitlyn

Our little Kaity was looking cute yesterday so I thought I'd take a few minutes to get some good pictures of her.

I tried to keep her talking and laughing in an attempt to get more natural expressions. She is her mother's daughter and it's a family joke that I am not photogenic - my best pictures are when I'm not looking directly at the camera. I often see pics of myself and lament, "I look like such a dork in this picture!" To which Jeff's response is typically a knowing look which brings to mind the Lincoln quote, "There are no bad pictures; that's just how your face looks sometimes." But I digress.

My Papa used to always sing to her, "K-K-K-Kaity, beautiful Kaity, you're the only g-g-g-girl that I adore ..."

My Granny calls her Kaity-Kaity because she's double-sweet - so my uncle David calls her "Kuh".

Jeff and I call her Gracie when she's acting like Gracie Allen - "Say goodnight, Gracie."

And one without the glasses so you can actually see her pretty eyes ...

That's our Kaitlyn Grace!

Coloring Outside the Lines

Selah voluntarily wanted to share her crayons and coloring book with Lauryn. Who am I to say no to that?!

Selah dressed herself for church yesterday ...

Jeff went from "You're not letting her wear cowboy boots to church, are you?" to "Well, she's only 3 once," alarmingly fast. He's doomed, bless his heart.

Quality Time With Mommy

Eating sweet potatoes!

Moments like these will surely see me through her teenage years.

Sweetness.

Cheerio!

One of the joys of Selah's heart is tending to her baby sister. Anytime I'm about to see to one of Lauryn's needs, I hear, "Mommy, I can help you?" She "helps" me change diapers and get her dressed; she fetches things and entertains. Most of all, she likes to give her things to eat now that Lauryn is eating little bits here and there.

I have yet to set up the high chair, so I often feed Lauryn solid food while she's propped up in my lap like this:

She's wearing my favorite bib!

She loves Cheerios! I give them to her one at a time and it's oddly adorable watching her funny little expressions while she eats.

Lauryn is also learning how to drink water from a sippy cup. She's not so much a fan currently, but she'll get there. Selah loves to help with Lauryn's cup.

The (Partial) Soundtrack of My Life

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The Flying Truck Boat

Joe made a flying truck boat today with Lego:

When interviewed for this article, the designer and builder explained, "Well, I started out with the original design of a boat, but then I started to make it a plane. The plane didn't work out. So, I decided to make it a ... Flying Truck Boat!"

As he was emptying the dishwasher today, Joe, with all the sage insight a nine-year-old boy can muster, said with a nostalgic tone, "It feels good to be putting away baby spoons again. It reminds me of how old Selah is."

Baby Food!

I spent some time today making baby food for little miss! She ate some peas and I gave her a taste of sweet potato, too.

 

I posted about the baby food making process over on Barefoot in the Kitchen.

I think we're set for a while!

Advantage: Home School

One of the many advantages of homeschooling is that the kids can do their work anywhere - an advantage for me, not them! I remember loving doctor's appointments because it meant a day off school, but my kids have to take their work with them. Keeps 'em out of trouble. :)

At Pittard Academy, it's a privilege to get to do your work while sprawled on the living room floor, or snuggled on the couch in a blanket. To keep them focused I sometimes make them sit at the kitchen table:

But most of the time, this is what school looks like:

Selah announced this morning that she was going to draw a picture of me. She said, "You have legs. They're long. And you have feet." Here I am:

"I have a big head and little arms ... I'm not sure how well this plan was thought through." (Name that movie!)

The scribble-scrabble in the middle is where I'm holding Lauryn.

Sisters! Lauryn's expression is just hysterical to me. I don't know why I find it so amusing. I love her jowls.

Lauryn ~ 6 Months

I know all moms everywhere say this, but ... I can't believe it's been six months! Jinkies, where does the time go? I celebrated Lauryn's half-birthday a little early last night by giving her a little bit of potato - her first taste of big girl food. I think it's safe to say she's going to love potatoes as much as her Mama does! She is definitely ready for more, so we will be entering the bittersweet baby stage of table food. I love this stage, I really do - making baby food is a lot of fun for me - but it is a little sad that she's ready for this a lot sooner than I am! I guess that's true of almost every stage of childhood.
 

Always with the deer-in-the-headlights look!

"I love the sticker, Mommy, it's delicious!"

 Despite my best baby-talking and silly antics, this is the closest I got to a smile from her:

"The crazy lady with the silver rectangle is back!"

 

As you may have guessed from its tattered condition, the baby blanket Lauryn is on used to be mine. My dad's mother made it for Stuart, so it's pretty old. (Ha! Love you, Stu.)

Watchin' the Wheels Go 'Round & 'Round

After the "polar vortex" that hit us last week, we were all stoked to see the sun shining today! Daddy said to get those kids outside because it wouldn't last, so Mama kicked 'em out!

Selah got to play with her new little skates, and Joe and Kaity had fun with their roller blades.

Silly kids!

Also noteworthy today, I measured the kids' height and marked it on the wall. Compared to last January, Kaity has gotten 2 inches taller, Joe 2-1/2, and Selah has grown 4 inches! In just six months, Lauryn has grown 7 inches. :)

A Blanket Statement

For Christmas, Grammie and Bobba bought the kiddos their very own snuggly blankets. A friend of mine embroidered their names on the blankets and the kids are thrilled! 

Has anyone seen Lauryn around here?

Oh, my goodness ... Selah just came up to see what I was doing and here's her commentary whilst I looked over the pictures: "Hey, there's my hand! It's Joe ... and there's Kaity, and her blanket! Go up, Mommy! Go up ... it's ME! And my name on it! And there's Kaity and Joe and me, Selah-Bella!" Yeah, she's a little ... Selah-centric. (I can just hear my mom saying, "Gee, I wonder where she gets THAT from?!"

Cutest Baby Ever

Before we get to the main event, there's this:

Due to the crass commercialization of Christmas and the imagination of a three-year-old, Mary will now ride to Bethlehem on a My Little Pony. Pinkie Pie, specifically.

In other news ... adorable baby!

No matter how delirious with joy she is, what you see above is the expression I typically get when the camera makes an appearance. Silly baby.

Our little pink ewok:

Selah thoughtfully cooked up some milk for Lauryn to eat.