No School!

I got the call this morning that school was cancelled due to single digit temperatures. Everett was thrilled. I was too. Not only did this mean that we did not have to venture out in the freezing weather, but I love having him home. Well around 9 am we were all going a little stir crazy. We're on our third day of not going out at all and there is only so much you can do to entertain. Thankfully our friends came to our rescue and came over for a play date! Always fun. 

The children having their morning snack (Thatcher Reid was asleep). 

 Ellie's "silly" face.

 Sibling sandwich! Proof that despite their bickering-mostly from being stir crazy and LOTS of time together-they do love each other. A lot. 

Snow!

We had a downpour of snow yesterday afternoon. I quickly put the boys coats on and hurried them outside to enjoy. They had a ball, but Thatcher Reid wanted to join too!

 I LOVE the look at Everett's face. And Hampy's smushed nose. 

 And off they go!

Babies At Play

They say play is children's work and mine do play like it is their job……

Playing dress-up

Dinosaur parade

 We ignore age restrictions on puzzles when it comes to Hampton. Sometimes he works diligently until it is complete and sometimes he works on it bit by bit, playing in between, until completed. Either way-I'm impressed. 

 Not sure what this pose is other than to say-it's totally Everett.

 And I'm one proud mama because he read his first complete book this week! He picked it out himself at Target-Biscuit Goes to School. He needed help with a couple of words, but was able to "sound it out" or use context clues for the others. 

 Oh Eleanor. You march to the beat of your own drum. She is just "busy" all day long. 

 iPad time. 

 Tea party with her babies Sam and Stella. 

 Hampton and Sam. 

 And Thatcher's "why aren't you holding me!?!" face. 

Mama's Boy

Oh my sweet Thatcher Reid. He is the sweetest, cuddliest, most snuggly little baby. But oh is he attached to me. He screams when I am out of his sight. There could be a room full of enticing toys, but in my lap, in my arms, is where he wants to be. He becomes jealous if I give more attention to another. And if I have to put him down, he crawls around chasing me crying until I pick him up once again. Needless to say, I am exhausted. I know this is just a phase, but my is it an exhausting one. I know he'll  one day become a rowdy 5 year old and then I'll have to beckon him to come snuggle me. So, I guess I am just trying to enjoy it while it lasts because this too shall pass. 

Beach Babes

Here are a few pictures of our trip to Charleston, SC that we took at the end of the summer. It was a 2-day quick trip, but our children's first time seeing the beach. We had so much fun! 

The Dynamic Duo

Little Builders

I am always amazed what my little builders can create with Legos. It's astounding! They can play with these for hours. A few weeks ago we learned that Legos is Danish for "play well." That they do! 

One on One with Hampton

Thatcher has been particularly clingy, fussy, needy lately. Basically he just wants me to hold him constantly. And I happily (mostly) oblige. However, this leads to being limited with what I can do with the "big" kids. It's hard to play trains, play dough, etc with a baby crying on your hip. So when it is nap time I am trying to invest more time where I can. Since Hampton no longer naps (except when everyone naps on Sundays) this is a perfect opportunity for me to have one on one time with him. Here is an example of what we did today:

Playing in the ball pit. 

Lots and lots of puzzles!

 The barn play dough is always a hit!

 Craft projects. The picture on the left is Hampton and mommy. The picture on the right is Hampton's shapes train. He is so creative!

 And of course playing trains. No day of Hampton's is complete without hours and hours of train table play. Best investment ever. 

 Hampton of course was super happy when his buddy came home from kindergarten!

Mommy and Ellie

The other night I had Ellie stay up past her bed time to spend some special time with me. First we went to our neighbor's house to feed their fish while they were gone. Then we headed over to Target. Ellie insisted on dragging the Target basket around the entire store. I let her pick 4 things from the dollar spot. She chose a Minnie water bottle and snack container, Minnie color books and tiny markers. It was fun just spending that one on one time with my Eleanor. She has such a big personality in that tiny little body! Oh, and we wore matching grey leggings. I promise we didn't plan it!

Handsome Boys

I am so blessed to be mama to such handsome boys!

Afternoon Play

This afternoon the boys enjoyed a little watercolor painting…..

 Hampton is still getting the hang of it. 

 And Thatcher explored the tunnel for the first time!

 Peek a boo!

 He shouldn't be allowed to wear blue. He's just too beautiful!

 This just sums up Hampton.