Those dreadful words....

As most of you mom's understand, it is quite a process to get children ready to play in the snow. The many layers that need to fit just right, the gloves that need to fit every finger in a separate hole, the mittens that just won't stay on, the feeling of being too puffy and the need to constantly adjust, snow in the boots, hat slipping off...and when you have more than one child having those issues, it is quite an adventure, BUT the thing you just dread to hear after just making it out the door is...."MOMMY, I GOTTA GO POTTY!!!" and then mommy says, "That is why I told you to go before we put your snowsuit on."
Yes, I know... it comes with the package...

Mary Poppins always said it best....

"You've got to grind grind grind at that grindstone... though childhood slips like sand through a sieve... and all too soon they've up and grown and then they've flown and then its to late to give....just that spoon full of sugar to help the medicine go down, the medicine go down, the medicine go down, just that spoon full of sugar to help that medicine go down, in the most delightful way..."

Comfort

There is so much beauty in slow, comforting, days. I ache to capture it and to hold onto it for a few minutes longer because I know as the seasons change so will these special moments. ...moments filled with comforting laughter, moments of quiet, the smells of comfort food cooking-- that will linger in our memory for years to come. Don't try to rush by it and fill the moment with something else, JUST ENJOY!

Caught in the act

Yum! Nothing like fresh fallen snow from your sister's hat!

miles to go before I sleep

The girls and I are finishing up our last 5 in a Row book, Robert Frost--Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening with Illustrations by Susan Jeffers. We are on our 2nd day with the book and it is snowing today, there is a layer of ice on top of the snow so we decided to go for one of our snow hikes (with the ice it helps for the kids to not sink down with every step). (Emma took my picture above as we were ready to go)

"Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though,
He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow.My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lakeThe darkest evening of the year.He gives his harness bells a shakeTo ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound's the sweep. Of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are lovely, dark and deep,But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep."
--Robert Frost

Walk slower

Still don't have time for a real post.
Winter is coming to an end so quickly--don't want to miss it. We have been cuddling up and enjoying Robert Frost, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, Illustrated by Susan Jeffers. This book is set up wonderfully for kids and a great way to get them enjoying 'adult' poetry. Check it out here.

Too busy.
Be back soon

What can I say...

early morning walks in a gloomy, quiet, fog.
smell of rain
noisy street drains at work
laughter love of adventure and freedom to enjoy
when streams become rivers
Slow down...enjoy the small gifts God gives you today!

Beautiful February

Don't miss it, it will be gone quicker than you think.

Love Thursday

Much love to all of you!

Snow days filled with love

Another wonderful snow day. I love to hear the cheers when I tell the girls we don't have to go anywhere and we can just stay home. They have been busy filling up each others 'love mailboxes' with special notes.
Today was a great day to cuddle up and enjoy the weather.
Hope you were able to SLOW down and do the same.