Ellie's Silly Face

Really, does this photo need an explanation?
It's hysterical how Ellie makes this scrunched up face.
She does it all the time...not just when Corey does it to her. :)

Little Chefs

Santa brought Ethan and Izzy chef hats and aprons for Christmas. Izzy has use hers quite a bit with her toy kitchen, but I wasn't sure how Ethan felt about his.
I told the kids we were having a "Make Your Own Pizza" night for dinner and the next thing I know they are both adorned in the chef attire. They look good...I can't really say the same for the pizzas, but we had a good time.
When the pizzas were done and we were done eating Ethan said, "Let's definitely order out next time."

Waiting for Brother

I saw a quote a long time ago.
Long before I ever had a little girl.
It goes something like this:
A girls first love is her daddy;
her second love is her big brother.
This little girl adores her brother.
She is seriously lost without him during the day.
Maybe not lost, but certainly bored.
I walked past her room and there she stood at the window.
Shoes in hand.
"We need go get Etan."
"Daddy is picking up Ethan today, Iz."
"Oh."
She turns and stares out the window.
Just waiting for her brother...
For a moment anyway.

What Stops the Energizer Bunny?

Markers.
A coloring book.
Little Mermaid lap table.

Izzy is in a serious coloring phase right now. She will sit for at least an hour and color in complete silence to her hearts content.
She will only color with markers however. Crayons just don't cut it. Am I 100% okay with her having markers on my couch? Nope, but look how content and happy she looks. She is pretty good to only color on paper. Occasionally, she will say, "Momma, I need a wipe!" I know that means, "I colored on myself and need to wipe it off before you notice it." I love to see her so content and happy.

Waiting for Daddy to Come Home

I had the strangest desire to get the crayons out and color this evening. Oddly enough it happened at the exact moment I tend to loose my mind and my temper on a daily basis...right before Daddy gets home. So I dropped everything and embraced my inner child. I set the kids up to the table and grabbed the crayons, some paper and a few coloring books. Ethan colored Transformers. He is not a coloring book sort of kid. Give him a box of paper and it's amazing the images that come to be. His imagination astounds me. Izzy took a green marker to every eyeball in the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Book. I don't know why, but she loves to color eyes. She is the reason Dollar Store coloring books were created. Even Ellie joined in. I don't care how young or old you are, it brings pure joy to have uninterrupted parent-time. Heck, I am 32 and still crave those Mommy-Moments. SO, this is what we did while we waited for Daddy to come home today. That was much more enjoyable than loosing my mind.

I Love This Girl

There are certain relationship that develops within family bonds that goes beyond the necessary family connection. My relationship with Ashlee is one of those blessed connections. I enjoy her company. I can count on her in any situation. She loves my kids...and they adore her. She is one of the most giving people I know...she gets that from her mom.
Ashlee came over today for no particular reason and hung out with me most of the day. We talked and talked. I envy her young life, but certainly do no wish to relive it. I enjoy hearing about it though. ;)Ashlee is just a genuine person. I love her honesty and no-nonsense personality. She is truly a remarkable girl and I look forward to what the future will bring her. I hope it's glorious and magical...just what she deserves.

Cold. Wet. Lots of Laughs.

Danny called me last night and said we were meeting at Mom's and going sledding today. I was so excited. I love to see all the kids sledding. Of course, it has nothing to do with me getting on a sled and screaming down an ice hill at top speed...okay I like it!
So all my siblings were there and after a mild mental breakdown and some crying we finally made it.
We had a great time.
Corey mainly enjoyed to conversation and keeping track of Izzy.
The sled Izzy was playing on got down the hill some how and she experience her first snowy hill solo, hit a bump and flipped over. Once we knew she was okay it was hysterical. Needless to say, she didn't attempt any more hills the rest of the afternoon.
Ethan just enjoys being with his cousins and laughing. He always has fun with them. He actually went off the little jumps this year. He is getting more daring.




Ellie was a blast to take down the hill. She just giggled the entire time. She was so cute. Then I would lay her on the sled and pull her up the hill. She thought that was even funnier.
Good times were had by all. We were wet and cold, but couldn't stop laughing.
We continued our fun with Macaroni and Tomato Juice at Grandma Patti's...except for Ethan of course, he had his traditional Peanut Butter and Honey sandwich. ;) The men shoveled (then ATVed) the snow in the front yard into a big slide for the kids. I don't think it will melt until June. Good times!