Winter Mornings

Winter can seem long.....

when you are in a house under 900 square feet, but we are thankful for our little home

Here are some of the things we do to pass the time when Daddy is at work:

We sings songs, 

say our prayers,

 help Mommy in the kitchen with baking and cooking,

help with the laundry,

decorate the walls with stickers,

read lots and lots of books,

puzzles

AND 

Tease Percy with spray bottles.  We actually were painting the snow with our fun washable paint mixed with water.  It didn't come out very blue, but we had fun painting our snowman.

Coffee!  It's a must for mommy so she stays alert.  You never know what the day can bring.

Kisses and hugs....lots of kisses and hugs

Playing outside if the weather is nice.  Magdalene, for some reason, thought our candy cane decorations seemed tasty.  

Getting the mail is good exercise!

Watching God's beauty when we're outside.  

And dreaming of going to the park

Playing with window crayons.  Tobias loves to draw and color on the window, and the best part, they are washable!  

Rediscovering old toys.  We brought our easel back into the house, and the kids had fun with it all morning.  We plan on using the easel for "school time" as well.  

Having fun with presents from Christmas.  

Thomas...train track....and Tobias wishes Daddy were with us.  Daddy always sets up the train track just right for Tobias.

Tobias looks so much like Jordan in this picture so I had to post it.  I think this is the first time that son looks like father.  

Playing with magnets

Playing with Philomena

And most importantly, we pray throughout the morning.  This morning we brought baby Jesus down for our morning prayers.  We specifically prayed for our guardian's help with obeying Mommy.  

The kids have been really good about including Philomena in their play time, but they are not so kind to Percy.  I don't even have to kick out Percy from the living room anymore, because the kids remind Percy he has to go back into the kitchen.  Philomena is really loving Percy time though. She smiles when she sees him.

Say Goodbye....Three Times!

Helena, my sister, came to visit over her Christmas break.  It was wonderful to have some family around!  She tended to Magdalene and Tobias so I could take my time waking up in the morning.  That was wonderful!  The best memory I have of the trip is Magdalene's reaction to hearing that Bear (her nickname) was leaving.  I didn't mention anything to the kids the day we were dropping her off, because she always seems to have a happy and positive attitude.  The last time my mom visited, she said, "That's okay.  Because grooown UPS come baaack!"  Yes, she sang that.  She takes after her mother, tias, Vavo, and Grandma Marian on that one.  We like to sing all the time.

We took Bear to Chucky Cheese that morning, and Daddy was able to join us.  We had a great time playing the games.  I then mentioned we would be heading to the airport to drop off Bear.  She immediately had a sad reaction.  No smile.  No song.  Eventually Helena scooped her up in her arms and talked to her.   I had never seen her react that way when one of my family members comes to visit.  I have a feeling that this will only be the beginning of tearful goodbyes for the kids now.  My heart ached at that moment.  I felt so sad.

Magdalene was expressing what I was having a hard time with as well.  You would think that saying goodbye should be easy for me.  I have been saying goodbye for some time now.  We moved away from our extended family when I was nine.  Let's just say...we were all very close.  But I learned to adapt and cherish the visits in the summertime.  In all honesty, I believe it allowed my own family to grow closer to each other.  Living far away from my parents is not easy as well.  Knowing that my children will not get to visit their grandparents on the weekends is hard for me.  But you learn to adapt, pray harder, and move on.  But saying goodbye to my sisters....well, I haven't gotten used to that one.  And I am not sure if I ever will.

So when Magdalene reacted so seriously and with sad emotion, I held it together and remembered that I must be strong and happy.

Well....I guess our Good Lord took pity on me, because we never had to say goodbye that day.  Flying that day was out of the question.  Yes!  I knew I loved winter for a reason!  Then the second time I was dropping Helena off, once again, her flight couldn't take off.  It was like music to my ears.  Helena even joked around and said that I couldn't mention her staying anymore in the rosary intentions.  Helena stayed for about three weeks!!!!  Magpie and Tobias loved playing with you, Bear!   Cinnabuns loved having you rock her to sleep.  Jordan and I miss our Duck Dynasty partner.

And I miss my true friend.....my kindred spirit....my sister.

Love you, Helena.

Here are a few pictures of the visit:

 Jordan relaxing while trying to put Tobias to sleep.  Naptime with Tobias is brutal!

 "Can I trade my dump truck so I can hold baby Jesus?"   "Can I give my block?"

 Happy parents of three children under three with a live-in nanny.

 Welcome to Duck Dynasty from my sisters

 Magdalene got tap shoes, an apron, and such.  She was excited!

 Everything is Thomas at this house now.

 Daddy babysat while Helena and I watched Catching Fire in Charles City.

 Cinnabuns drinking chicken broth!

 Jordan's gift this year was going rabbit hunting with him.  I was nervous.  I had a loaded gun.  And I prayed a rabbit wouldn't come my way.

 "What do you mean...Bear is leaving?"

 "Well, Tia Brenda better come here soon then."

 "You're kidding, right Momy? Bear wouldn't leave me.  She's my protector from the guy next to me."

 Group shot!

 Rested parents

 Magdalene showing some skills

 And helping Daddy pump the air mattress for Bear after we found out about her flight.

 "Yes, Bear is staying!"

 "Let's partay!"

Being goofy with Philomena

Mommy & Daughter Hair Day

My hair has grown very long these days.  I was determined to keep it long.  Actually, I like it long.  But then Helena came to visit, and she said that I needed some style.  I started to have a difficult time with that....but why?  I was starting to become too attached to my long hair.  Well, it was time to let it go then!  Therefore, we made a fun day of it.  Magdalene needed her hair cut as well so we had a fun day!

Helena and I were amazed by how easy it was for Magdalene to get her hair cut.

The hair stylist asked us which one would like to go first, and before we knew it, Magdalene ran to the swivel chair to get her hair cut.  We mentioned she would get a princess hair cut, and she was beaming!

 "Goodbye hair!"  She actually said this while the lady was cutting her hair.

 What a cutie!  If you know the American Girl Dolls, my sister and I believe Magdalene looks a lot like Kit.

Mommy and Magdalene sharing our first haircut together.  I love spending time with you, Magdalene.  You may be growing fast, but more importantly, you are growing into the such a kind and loving little girl.

Breakfast....and Baby Mena Joins Us!!

We made some special treats for the feast of St. Nicholas.  Daddy showed Magdalene and Tobias how he used to eat those treats as a breakfast cereal.  The kids were excited!  We called the treats Crispy Crosses.  

 Now Philomena  didn't get a chance to eat Crispy Crosses, but she did enjoy eating some bananas.

 Don't mind the paint peeling in the background.  I decided to take that paint off, because it always chips!  Now I'm going to use a chalkboard paint so the kids can do something fun in the kitchen while I cook.

Yes, you are absolutely adorable!!!

Vavo's Box of Fun Clothes!

We have three models showing the wonderful treasures Vavo sent us.  We thank you tremendously!  Mommy and Daddy love all the fun things to wear.