When the Snow Boots leave Puddles in the Carpet

While the rest of the country seems to be experiencing a heat wave with higher than normal temperatures this winter, here in Colorado, it is snow as usual.
We have had a few snow days where schools have shut down, and if you know anything about Colorado weather, this is pretty exciting.  
I've really struggled as a mom in the past to make the most of winter. Blame it on my Southern roots, blame it on our lack of a fenced  backyard, blame it on the effort it takes to bundle up three little people who lose gloves, get cold, and refuse to walk, but making winter fun has always been a personal struggle of mine.
Winter is actually a favorite of mine, but having three kiddos all seven and under, and parenting alone as David works long hours, has made it feel like an Olympic sport. 
I want to be a mom who makes snow and cold magical and exciting- instead of whining about all the dripping snow boots scattered on my hardwood floors.
So this winter, I've given it a go!
It hasn't been perfect, but we have ventured out almost every day it has snowed {it sometimes snows everyday} and I have embraced the cold and the schlepping of supplies up and down the apartment stairs.
I've had wet coats hanging on the dining room chairs, icy boots leaving puddles of water in the carpet, and frozen mittens piled into my kitchen sink.
I've also had three smiling children with magic in their eyes, piled high on Daddy's lap, reliving our mountain adventures with gusto!
Embrace the seasons, mamas! The good news is that each season only lasts for so long. : )

Updates, 100 days, and Oatmeal

Life with three children ages six and under can be messy at times. And chaotic, even for the most organized mama, like me. I like to have things planned out, scheduled, organized, and clean. Something I am definitely learning during this season of motherhood is that sometimes it is what it is. And that joy can still be found  in the oatmeal on the floor and in the crayon drawings on the new train table. : )

To combat my wild schedule, I bit the bullet and ordered an Erin Condren Life Planner.

I have been window shopping her site for at least six months.

I had to persuade David that spending $65 on a planner was worth it, but I think he, too, understood my need to have a better way to keep track of the comings and goings.

Point in case:  I totally forgot a play date and didn't show up or call.

I've never done something like that before.

Thankfully, she currently has five kids at home and was so gracious and understanding!

{Sorry, Pamela! XOXOX}

An update on the kids:

At age two, Henry is starting to talk in small snippets of sentences.

He loves to brush other people's teeth, just not his own.

He loves oatmeal, yogurt, blueberry muffins, and cookies.

He could drink a full gallon of milk every. single. day. if we let him.

He sleeps through the night so hard that we often don't hear a peep from until at least 8:00 every morning, if not later.

He is a book worm already and enjoys trains, bugs, cars, and dinosaur books.

We read to him for 20 minutes every night and put him to bed fully awake.

He loves to gives hugs and kisses and put on other people's shoes.

He plays independently and rarely requires me to entertain him. 

He likes to mimic Harbor by sitting at the homework table with paper and crayons.

He loves to slide at the park, the bigger the better.

And he wants to touch all the dogs and point out all the airplanes he hears overhead.

He is a great cuddler and lays his head on your shoulder when you squeeze him.

When I rock him at nap time, my heart cries that he fills my entire lap now.

He has started yelling, "You!" when we say, "Love you!"

He is truly the apple of my eye!

Harbor, at age six, is in love with school.

He has only missed one day this entire year for sickness.

And he cried when he couldn't attend.

He is in the Gifted program and reading on a 2nd grade level.

He never has to be asked to finish his homework or complete his Math.

He aims to please and wants to be the best at everything.

He is honestly harder on himself than we are.

He loves to read Magic Tree House chapter books and play with Lego's.

He refuses to break his Lego's a part after finished, and we therefore have a huge 

and growing collection sitting on his dresser.

We still read to him at least 30 minutes every night, weekends included.

It is my favorite time of the day to be with him.

: )

He is a wonderful big brother and asks to hold Hollin almost daily.

He hates white milk but loves sweet tea.

He loves broccoli and wants to eat a salad at restaurants when we eat out.

He is such a big help to me.

When I see him in carpool line, my heart leaps each and every day.

He is quiet and reserved at home and I have to pry and work to get details about his day,

 but he is so sweet and such a good boy!

New potty training undies that we aren't quite ready to use, but still getting excited about! 

I recently had a girls' night with Harbor's teacher and two other moms as a local bakery.

The husbands kept all the kids so we could visit.  Hollin went with me since I exclusively breastfeed and we had a great time.  I got there at 7:30 p.m. and looked at the clock and realized it was 10:00!  I don't think I've had a late night like that since Hollin has been born.

I made cookies and brought them to the bakery for a little extra fun!

Valentines have been made and the kids just had their "100 days of school" party this week.

100 days smarter!

{I wish kindergarten could last forever!}

Despite living in Colorado and having an abundance of snow, school has only been cancelled once.

I bundled up the little ones for a quick photo shoot in the front yard.

I happen to love the snow, even though driving in it isn't the most fun.

And a dear friend of mine, Melissa, is starting a photography business

 and asked if the kids would model for her.  

We had a great time and I'm thankful to be in a few pictures as opposed to behind the lens.

As a side note, I'm knee deep in hair!  

I've hit the postpartum stage of losing it all and having baby bangs.

David recently remarked that I have a blonde halo around my forehead.

Ha!

I was tempted to decline being in the pictures, but I know the right thing is to be in them and just own this season, bald or not! 

: )

Hollin, at five months, is such a tiny little thing.

A sweet thing, but a dainty one!

She is almost six months, but just now coming out of three month clothing.

She is nursing exclusively and is a very laid back eater.

Compared to the boys, her latch is more relaxed, like we have all the time in the world.

And for her, I do!

: )

I plan of introducing cereal for the first time at six months.

She sleeps in a bassinet beside our bed and sleeps through the night most nights,

 occasionally waking to nurse once.

She has a beautiful white sleigh style crib and custom made bedding, monogrammed,

but I haven't the heart to put her in it, though I'm sure she is ready.

I just adore having her near me.

She babbles and smiles and will laugh out loud from time to time.

She loves to be held and snuggled and smiles at most anything.

She does, however, have a very serious face for strangers.

She cocks her eyebrows up and sets her mouth in a straight line.

No amount of baby talk can crack her serious face if she isn't sure about you.

: )

She enjoys bouncing in her jumper and having tummy time.

She cries seldom, but when she does, she really does!

She sounds like a car alarm with a slight pause in between yelps.

When she cries like that, all the boys, big and small, come running for her.

Her hair has a touch of red and her eyes are a deep blue.

I love her little face so!

What would I have missed had we only had two children?

Oh, Hollin! 

 You are mine and I am yours!