Jumping on the Kitty Cat!

Kevin got the "Kitty Cat" snowmobile running. The girls are not so sure about it, so it might just be in the barn for a while! Tessa thought it was concern about the speed, Ella liked it a little bit better, but the it was "too noisy", I am just too big for it (Clearly)...But they both LOVED being on the tractor with Daddy! Ella thought she would do some shopping while we were playing outside....that's our girls!!

Good Morning....

One of the many blessings of Tessa and Ella's personalities it that they both wake up happy. The fact that we are 2 for 2 with our kiddos being morning birds is exciting in itself... Now, the question is do they get this from Kevin or from Kimberly??? Hmmm? Actually, Kevin is the early bird, get out of bed, and seize the day personality in the house. Now, me on the other hand, once up, I am a morning person, but I sure enjoy the staying in bed a few minutes if the day allows, and waking up slowly, then, I am ready for what they day holds in store!

I can remember days of being home when I was young and easing into the day. There were many joys to that opportunity and waking up to just being able to be home for a while. We savor these mornings at our house. Kevin and I will look at each other and grin when we hear the pitter-patter of little feet charging in to wake us up. Both the girls love to come in and join us for some relaxation, cuddles and time for taking it easy! While Tessa holds on to her bear and Ella holds on to her blankey....we hold on to these moments and cherish them!

Pajamas

I see "Nothing" wrong with staying in your pajamas all day long, then taking a bath and putting on a clean pair. That is a good day at home, with the family! This is a good time in the winter!

Coffee and a Dear Friend!

I was so excited for my outing with my dear friend Cheri'. It had been too long since we had gone for coffee and had time to chat. The girls were not so sure about Mommy heading out for the evening. Tessa and I had a good discussion before I went about friendship. "Where are you going when Daddy comes home?, Out with Cheri' for dinner and coffee. What will you guys talk about? Just all kinds of things, it is always good to have some special friend time. Like when I get to play with Eva and Jaden, they are my friends? Yes, just like that, but as you get older, you spend time with friends by visiting and talking. Ella and are friends and sisters! Yes, so you get to be both sisters and friends! I am so glad to have a sister. Yes, I am glad you do too, I am glad that I have daughters and friends, some of them are like sisters to me! Thanks for the "Friend Time" Cheri' I enjoyed it and always treasure it!!

"Now I know my ABC's"

I couldn't help but be a proud Mommy! Tessa wrote her first complete list of her alphabet, and Ella sang her ABC song by herself this weekend. The both had that "Proud of themselves..twinkle in their eyes".

When Tessa did not know the exactly how to write a letter she would have me verbally explain it so that she could do it all on her own. There was certainly a sense of accomplishment for her, "we have been working on it Mommy, now I did it all by myself!"

Ella is such a singer, she learns this from Daddy and Tessa. She will just sing while she is playing. Twinkle Twinkle was her top hit, now she is moving on the the ABC song! When she is finished she claps and of course wants all of us to as well. Tessa is so supportive "Ella you did such a good job"...

To see as child succeed and celebrate is one of the joys of teaching. But it is even more valuable of an experience from the parent perspective. While you want to bottle every moment of their being little, part of the joy is seeing them grow as individuals! Way to go Tessa and Ella!

A Saturday Fairy Tale...

Tessa was at work crafting as she often does. I asked if I could help out, she said it was a "surprise project, I will let you know if I need anything Mommy". Ella and I continued playing as she was hard at work. She would come into the movie room and walk up to Kevin with a strip of paper, then dash off again. Then she came sprinting back in the room! The scene went some thing like this...

"Hello Daddy, I am a princess and I have found my prince, you are my prince. I made you this crown (it fit perfectly, because she had measured his head many times!). Now, I would like to know if you would marry me?" "Tessa, I am your Daddy and I am married to Mommy, but you can still be my princess." "Okay, but, come here" Then she had him walk her down her pretend aisle.... "I Love you Daddy"....

The innocent world of a four year old. A priceless "Fairy Tale World" It makes for special times at our house! One of the many joys to being the Daddy of girls....

He's Back!

Absence make the heart grow fonder... is how the saying goes.... I actually just like it best when Kevin in home! He was welcomed home with a running hug from his girls! The week went well, but it is always best when everyone is home. The girls were so excited they nearly bombarded him! As usual, he had the two of them (or maybe even the three of us), surrounding him for the night! So, yes absence make the heart grow fonder, but having a hubby like Kevin, makes for a fond heart, every day!

Its a dog's life....

Zion took a trip to the groomer. My Dad was her chauffeur (Thank you Dad). She came back very tired and very pretty. Tessa loved that she had on a bandanna. She told me...."Mommy, doesn't Zion look so cute in her Hersheychif (Handkerchief), so precious! Zion isn't ever to fond of the groomer, but I am fond of it. She smells so good, and there is less hair around.

As you can tell, Popsey even let her sit by him on the couch....where she is not supposed to be!

Zion is our version on Marley, but we love her, and she is "Our Puppy" and always will be!

Winter Warmth

Winter is here is full force, we have snow, cold...very cold, and wind. But we are SO thankful for the warmth of our home, the beauty of the country out our window and being able to just be home. There is such a value to those days where staying home, inside, is the best option. After church on Sunday that is what we did, stayed home, stayed warm and played. Then, we watched the New York Jets win a football game....it was a good day!

Here are our little "princesses", enjoying a warm day at home!

"Snow" much fun!

We all enjoyed our sledding time! The backyard has a hill that is just right for the girls! They giggled and had a fun time enjoying winter! The temperature was just right and the girls stayed warm! The smiles tell all, it was clearly a great family time had by all of us. Ella would not sit on Tessa, she wanted Tessa to sit on her going down the hill! They were laughing so hard at one point they couldn't stand up. Zion was so excited to have some outside playmates. Looking forward to some more sledding fun, we just keep getting more and more snow!....Hot chocolate when we went inside topped it all off. The girls were worn out!

Express Yourself!

We all have ways to express ourselves, sometimes it is quite clear how were feeling, the face tells all. Here are some recent photos of the girls making their most dramatic faces.... some were taken during a "living room dance party", the others were after they had finished eating their dinner.....the girls have the drama factor that is for sure....Dearest Kevin, we love you and your patience!

Busted...and proud!

Ella was caught, busted...call it what you want! She was not the slighted bit remorseful of her apparently well thought out plan....and clearly, she was so proud of eating outside of the kitchen...

She got a cookie, went to her Mommy and Daddy's room, got herself up on the bed and enjoyed herself a chocolate chip cookie! Tessa said "Mom, Dad come quick, look at Ella". We walked in and she was ALL SMILES! "Cookie", was all she could say! ....we had to smile right along with her! So typical Ella, so "Little Kevin!"

A Double Batch of Fun!

Two feet or more of snow has fallen this weekend, it is absolutely beautiful! The trees are snow covered and shining in the sun! We could not resist the joy of hanging around this morning, staying in jammies and enjoying family time!

We hope to go enjoy some sledding after the girls wake up from their naps! This morning we read a book about baking...Tessa suggested that we do some baking...that sounded like a great idea to me!

The girls baked up a double batch of cookies, we were warm, cozy and we had a laughter filled time! "Taste Mommy", was the saying of day! I am so thankful that the girls like to help and have so much fun in the kitchen with me. They can hardly wait for Daddy to come home so they can show him their surprise!

Giddy Up Cowgirl!

Tessa came flying out of her room last week in one of her many self designed outfits. She was going for the "western look", she got it! We had to laugh at the lasso that she created from one of my belts! It is always hard to imagine what she will come up with next! One thing is for sure, she will come up with something! Always creative, and always looking for the next best outfit, that's our girl!

Stop and Listen to the Music...

There are many opportunities to just stop and listen in life that we pass by without taking the time to enjoy it. One sound that the girls and I am are starting to appreciate more and more is listening to Kevin play the guitar. It is such a positive beautiful thing that he has brought to our house. I especially appreciate it because I certainly lack in the music department. I really have a great deal of love and appreciation for music, just not the talent...maybe some day. Kevin is humbly getting better and better at teaching himself the guitar. He bought himself a new guitar over Christmas. We had a date night, we went to Macy's ...new coat for Kim....then, we went to the guitar store a somewhat surprisingly, intriguing and really enjoyable time! The sound of an acoustic guitar is relaxing and therapeutic! I am so proud of my hubby, and I enjoy all that he does for us! Tessa is already starting to strum her pink guitar, Daddy is so proud!

Date Nights are always a special time!

A few reflections ...of right now...

Things I love about the girls "right now"on their walk of life...just to name a few!

• How they talk to one another as they are playing
• Seeing them with Kevin, such an amazing husband and daddy, I just love him!
• The reflection I noticed the other night when I was rocking Ella, holding our precious little one in my arms...awesome moments that I truly savor!
• Watching Tessa learn her numbers and letters, a little sponge
• "Mommy, Hold Me"
• Reading to the girls in bed, one in each arm, them rubbing my hair and snuggling in
• Silly, funny faces the girls make
• Having two sweet little helpers-putting laundry in their rooms, setting the table, sweeping
• The girls little feet when they are in their car seat

Tessa quotes:

• "Mommy, I am so hot feel like the sun, I am 105 degrees at least"
• "Let me help you Ella"
• "Two more books"
• "Can Daddy occupy Ella so we can play this game"
• "She looks familiar to me Mommy"
• "Can you read the decorations to this game" (directions....love it!)

Ella quotes:

• "Me do it Mommy"
• "dink please Mommy".
• "I hold it, I can dood it Mommy"
• "Luvs you, hold hair"
• "Watch sumting, Mr. Rogers"
• "Oh, KAY"...two long syllables

Every day a new adventure, full of many memories!