Winter Fun!

We got together again this week for a Playdate with Molly's friends - Brooks, Lincoln, Ainsley and Lucy. I thought this photo was classic - all the kids doing their own thing going in all different directions. :) Molly and Lincoln are looking empathetic at Brooks as he cries. Seconds after this photo was taken, Molly offered Brooks the ball she was holding (I'm guessing it's because she believes the BALL is EVERYONE'S most coveted object of affection.)

We also went to a Magic Show this week - put together by the Childrens' Committee in my Mother's Group at church (MOYC). It was so fun and Molly loved watching all the big kids/the magic and eating her Goldfish on Shannon's lap!

Molly with her friends Joey and Mary Kate.

When everyone clapped after each "magic trick" - Molly thought it was DANCING TIME!

Today we ventured out for a long walk to the park as it was 58 degrees and sunny in KC! Woot! Molly was SOO excited - she ran to get doggie so we didn't forget him and her bottle of water.

I'm coming Mom!

Eating goldfish, AGAIN - legs crossed, just chillin and singing songs as we look for doggies. . .

Friendship . . .

I graduated almost 15 years ago from Benedictine College -- in the hills of Atchison, Kansas. What a FABULOUS college experience it was for me! Small class size, lots of leadership opportunities, fabulous mentors whom I will never forget - the list goes on and on . . . But it's the friendships I made at this small little Catholic college when I was just 18 years old that I will NEVER EVER forget.

Our senior year of college -a long-standing tradition was born - a "Girls Only" Christmas party! We promised each other we would keep doing it after we graduated. Sometimes our "Christmas Party" is in January as our December schedules now that we are older get a little nutty but EVERY year we have continued to get together during the holiday season. We have traveled from California, Chicago, Omaha, Houston and more . . . and some years not everyone makes it (We missed you this year Gretchen, Stacy & Amy!) I am so proud of our long-standing tradition and how we somehow continue to have more fun each and every year!?

This year we did an 80's Flash Dance

themed party along with dancing lessons -

I laughed so hard I think my stomach

is going to be sore for a week.

I am serious.

I did not stop laughing

all night long!! Thanks so much girls . . . you are family to me.

What a difference a year makes!

Molly at 2 months last January. And Molly at 14 months this January - exactly one year later.

What a difference a year makes!

Molly & Isabella - Kissin' Cousins.

Late Christmas Celebration in Mac Town!

We traveled to McPherson to celebrate the long MLK Weekend - and celebrated a late Christmas with my side of the family! It was SO FUN to see everyone and Molly had a blast with her cousins, Lucas & Isabella!

Molly with her Uncle Brian!

Isabella with her "Baby Logan!" Isn't she ADORABLE???

We played lots of games of Aggravation and Rummikub!

Opening Christmas gifts . . . Isabella got a new DOLL!

Lucas helped Molly open her gifts - he is such a great helper!!

I got lots of help opening gifts as well - from Lucas AND Isabella!

LUCAS - age 6 and sweetest thing ever!

Molly got a new Elmo book and doll. She was running around saying "Elmo" the rest of the weekend!

New hats for the Provino family!

Molly got a new toy doggie that barks - and I'm not quite sure who was more excited - mom, dad or Molly!! :)

Molly with Gramps . . .

Lucas with his new science kit!!

Reading new books . . . love the feet!

Molly eating snack on the floor, watching Grams make dinner . . .

Cousins . . .

Mollys ADORES her Uncle Brian!

Grandma Reichenberger came to visit too!

Lucas made Grams a spice rack . . .

Peas & Carrots (because "me and Grams are like peas and carrots")

A children's book author came to the house one day to read her book, "Wink, the One-Eyed Wonder" to all the kids!

She even brought WINK with her!

Molly loves when doggies lick her!

Lucas & Wink.

Isabella & Wink.

Stayin' Warm & Cozy Inside . . .

After our BEAUTIFUL SNOW DAY on Monday a cold front passed through Kansas City and the weather outside has been frigid cold. I think it got down to 4 degrees last night here in Kansas City --too cold to play in the snow outside, unfortunately.

Molly and I have been having getting creative and having fun inside this week! Here is Molly helping me bake cinnamon muffins . . . which she also LOVES to eat!

This photo freaks me out a little bit as her eyes look EXACTLY like mine at her age . . . at least the shape and size, obviously not color. My mom might even have a photo of me doing this exact thing in the kitchen with this same expression - with my hair going all different directions as well. :)

Molly is really good at stirring . . .

Here she is helping mommy by pulling EVERYTHING out of the drawers . . .

Molly is telling me the oven is HOT . . . she loves to say the word HOT. I turned the light on in the oven so she could watch the muffins get big.

She thought that by marching around and clapping while the muffins bake that they might taste better . . . not a bad notion.

Mom! The muffins are done!

We invited some of our Gymboree friends over to play as well this week! Six kids all between 14-16 months old and their mommies! We "broke in" our basement play area and played some fun music!

SOO CUTE! Brooks & Molly playin' with the farm animals . . .

Ainsly and Molly playin' kitchen (without any food! They are creative . . .)

Everyone wanted to sit in Molly's rocker . . . ;)

Molly givin' Elmo some LOVE . . .

MAX.

After about an hour the babies had hit their limit of sharing/play time. This photo cracks me up - they are all trying to move past the gate to climb the stairs!! Get me outta' here!

Mary Kate invited Molly over to play this week too. She is 4 so she is a great little "helper" with Molly and gives her lots of love!

We had a fun week playing inside with friends! Hope you all are staying warm and cozy!