Snow Day

I woke up at 5:23 to a text saying school had been canceled......it was a Snow Day. 

 I turned my 5:30 alarm off...and rolled over to go back to sleep. I heard the little a few minutes before 6...why can't they sleep in! Why oh why?????

My anger shifted quickly as I saw how excited they were to be home...off....

I realized quickly that the roads were fine...but we pretended they were not...and that the "blizzard" was forcing us to stay in...home...warm and cozy.

We started the day with Funfetti pancakes with whipped cream!

and the conversations flowed between my littles like the syrup on their pancakes....my heart was warm.

Jack Fischer needed a place to hang for the day so he arrived around 8....and then Colin came over.....

 and by lunch time this is what my basement looked like.......  :)

 The girls and I made a brownie cake.......

 We do love a good snow day!

Strep and Snow

The boys faded fast after their friends left from early release day. They were having fun and in the moment ...but when the fun ended...throats became sore....and fever and chills set in...

The next morning they felt terrible and so we headed to the doctor.

They were the proud owners of strep throat. No school Thursday or Friday for them.

 Friday we woke up to a snow day so SK got the day off too!

 It was an unexpected long weekend....and a much needed day to chill and relax. It was a couch and cocoa kind of day!

Winter Fun!

One of the best things about living in Kentucky is the change of  seasons! We are so lucky to get to enjoy them all! Winter is no exception.....If it snows the Hardy littles are out in it!

 and being out in the cold.....makes coming into hot chocolate and board games all the more sweeter...a game of Fibber anyone?

Dinner at the Patels

We gathered after Christmas for dinner at the Patel's! We had the best time together and the kids had a ball too!

Magically it started snowing as night fell! The kids were so excited....the girls tried their hardest to catch a snow flake!

They all just wanted to be out in it!

We drove home....and it was a beautiful drive for sure!

The morning brought even more beauty!

Everything looks so beautiful in a blanket of clean white snow!

Dreaming of a white day (day after) Christmas

We didn't get our white Christmas this year...but we were close...

 a little snow blew in right after for us to enjoy!

 It wasn't a mighty snow but we loved it just the same!

Weird WInter

This winter has been so weird....no snow...not cold....and not a snow day in sight. I am sending the kids to school with a hooded sweatshirt in the midst of winter and we are spending lots of time at the park!

 It has been so nice to get outside and get to know the Bullocks better...so maybe it was meant to be...Lila and Jaz have become fast friends!

I love it that these two have just hit it off!

a little touch of snow...

It snowed a wee bit today...but I loved every flake!

Seeing Jack in the snow today reminded me of him in the snow last year...he was so tiny. Although he is so much bigger now....he is still just a puppy and still so curious about the snow...he just runs and plays and loves every second of it!

Yes...we got our first glimpse of Winter today....and it was beautiful!

 It wasn't much but it was enough to make your slippers feel cozier....and the hot chocolate taste just a little bit sweeter...I just love that cozy feeling of having everyone in...all safe and warm while snow falls outside...ironically it just makes you feel warm all over!

Cold but warm

We woke up this Sunday morning to snow on the ground...winter had forgotten that it was officially sping and we were done with him.

 It was cold outside but the sun was shining on us....Jeremy had called and was coming home a day early.

 So our hearts were warm and we had spring inside the house anyway.....

 and fresh Krispy Kremes for breakfast!

 And a great cup of coffee in my Chi Omega owl mug which just makes me happy anyway!

 It was a wonderful morning.....and I love to watch my sleepy , morning kids, love on each other as the day begins..they are more snuggly....more cuddly....especially to each other.

and this morning Riggs slept in...cozy in his bed...and I was so happy for him.

 and altough Jeremy was still far away in India...he was getting ready to board a plane to come home. We had so many things to fill our hearts with warmth this morning...that the cold outside really didn't matter.

Hungry

I am hungry...so very hungry...for the sun......

 To be surrounded by warmth.....

 from the inside out.....

 To have bare feet....and piles of flip flops laying around at the ready.....I am so hungry for it.

It seems to me that is has been a long winter...and although I love the snow this year I won't be sad to see it go. I am ready to give up my winter coat as my out the door accessory and trade it in for my pool bag.  I am making plans for warmer days...vacation dates...summer camps...Easter dresses.....and even making plans for warmer days is a happy step in the right direction.

Today at least I can see the grass through the snow...

 And if you look closely..the signs of Spring...and the warmth to come are all around us...like my tulips peeking out...

 Spring clothes for the boys arriving in the mail...in fresh, fun, warm colors...that make me smile just opening them...

 Celebrating 100 days of school...which means spring is just around the corner..and the happiness of having outside recess is a gift the boys can have every day.....

 Spring shoes we yearn for..... and wear them out of the store even though it is too cold... because we can...it makes us happy....just looking down at them makes us feel warm inside for a moment....

Hold tight, friends...it's coming....it won't be long until you are warm again....