Date Night!

Mike and I got the chance to go to the Maroon 5 concert last night - very last minute!  Our first night out alone since Kate's been born.  We were soo excited, we felt like teen-agers leaving the kiddos behind.  We got Kate and Molly both to bed before we left and slipped out when the babysitter arrived!  It was an amazing show!

Snowed In!

We now have about 2 feet of snow here in Kansas City and it is BEAUTIFUL!  Some drifts make it much more than that.  Lots of trees are falling and I'm nervous when it all melts what our shrubs/trees will look like - but for NOW, it is BEAUTIFUL!  It truly feels like we are in a Winter Wonderland!  Molly asked me if it's going to snow every day?  We didn't have television or internet for a couple of days and it was too cold to play outside, so we had to get REALLY creative - as you can imagine 12+ hour days at home with a 3 year old and a baby . . . 

Daddy even got a snow day one of the days we were snowed in!  In his 12+ years of working, he's never had one!  We were SO excited!  He made pancakes for us for breakfast!

Sadly, this is a picture of our neighbors tree right before the entire tree fell completely over, smashing their car, basketball goal, and part of their roof . . . so sad to lose these 100+ year old trees!  

Cinderella helped me make popcorn for movie time!

Lots and lots of coloring . ..

And painting . . .

Kate is just as happy as always!

Molly "curling" her hair . . .

Lots of dance parties!

Lucy's Pink-a-licious Birthday Party!

Daddy got to bring Molly to Lucy's 3rd Birthday party on Sunday afternoon - while I stayed home to nurse Kate when she awoke from her nap.  I was a little jealous I didn't get to take Molly - so when they got home I was SO excited to see them and hear all about the party.  I was asking Molly questions and was super excited, "What kind of cupcakes did they have?  What did you do?  Who all was there?" - Molly came up to me real close and put her little hands on my cheeks and said, Mom - I know you are SO excited, but I really don't remember EVERYTHING we did at the party, OK?   Thank goodnessDaddy and friends shared photos with me so I can feel like I was there . . . 

Lucy & Molly ready to play a Bingo game!

Daddy helping Molly with her game

Lucy & Molly coloring . . . 

 Ainslie, Molly, Lucy & little sister, Emilie enjoying cupcakes together!  

Kate - Laughing!

Kate has been laughing for a few months now, but it's so hard to capture on video as she usually stops and stares at the video camera every time I turn it on . . . However, I was actually able to capture a bit of her coo'ing and laughing the other day.   So funny and so contagious that I had to share!

 

Playing in the Snow - Finally!

Daddy got home from work around Noon and after he shoveled our long driveway, we put Kate down for a quick late afternoon nap and the 3 of us went out to play!!  We had about 12" total here but it is still snowing out tonight so excited to see how much we have tomorrow!

Molly could hardly walk in it!  

LOVE our huge trees in our yard - just gorgeous with snow on them . . .

Waiting . . .

We are having the biggest snow storm in 2 years here in KC this week and Molly was over the moon excited to play in it!  It was blizzard'ing this morning and Daddy was at work - so I told her we had to wait until this afternoon when Kate was napping to go outside and play in it . . .  so we watched it snow out the front windows.  It was BEAUTIFUL if you were lucky enough to be in a warm house and not driving in it!  We enjoyed the view - while we drank hot cocoa.

Kate wanted to sit by her sister too - for a few minutes at least . . . 

Dear Molly . . .

Dear Molly - I recently came across this picture of you on my phone.   It was taken by Aunt Sarah the day after Kate was born and you were on your way back to the hospital to see me, Daddy & Baby Kate.  It was such a happy day, we were all SO OVER THE MOON excited!  You look so young and innocent here to me that this picture makes me a little sentimental . . .  You were my baby until I brought home a new one - then you became a "big girl" like - overnight!

Everyone asked me after you were born if we were ready for #2, and when we were going to start trying to get pregnant again. . .  Our answer was always the same - in a couple of years or so . . . I knew I was older - 35 when I had you.  But that was no reason to hurry for me.  Actually it would be nice if you were close in age with your sibling(s).  I was 2 years apart from Uncle Brian and we were SO close growing up.  It's not that you were a handful (quite the opposite) or that I wasn't physically ready to be pregnant again.  The honest to God truth is - is that I wanted more time with JUST YOU.  I knew I would never have this time again - just YOU AND ME.   I'm too sentimental.  The thought of having my children close together to just be "done" with the baby stages - makes me ache.  I LOVE the baby stages.  I LOVE the toddler ages.  And for almost 3 whole years, it was just you and me.  We had a LOT of fun . . . and flew by the seat of our pants everyday - doing something different - always an adventure!

  

And now, things are different.  Kate was born at the cusp of one of the worst flu seasons on record and  we've had to stay in a lot and many play dates have been cancelled - too many to count. Its' been a bitter cold winter so not a lot of time spent at the park or outside, as we did last winter.  We've had lots and lots and lots of days inside - the 3 of us - being creative, playing pretend and being quiet as Kate starts a regular nap schedule . . . you have been a trooper.  You never get bored, you never complain, you are just eager for each new day.  I'm so so proud of you.  

We will have "our time"again.  Kate will not be so dependent on me in a few months and you and I will be able to go on excursions to the park or out for ice-cream - just the 2 of us!  I  love your sweet personality and can't wait for our snow day together tomorrow, as you asked me today if I would teach you how to make "snow angels."  I can't tell you how excited I am to play in the snow with you.  You are truly - heaven sent.  xoxo - Mama

Dear Kate . . .

Dear Kate - This picture is so YOU right now.  You love to sit with me and just LAUGH while I'm making dinner or doing the dishes.  You are ALWAYS smiling and trying to get our attention.  And ALWAYS drooling.  Your clothes are always soaked!  LOL.  I rock you to sleep every nap and at bedtime right now and I can't express in words how much I love this time with you.  You seem so content, with your belly full of milk and all swaddled up in a "double swaddle" wrap you love so much, just as your big sister did.  You look like a little burrito with your big blue eyes looking up at me and coo'ing as you fall asleep slowly . . . At night I continue to rock you, even after you are asleep.  I say a little prayer for you that you will always feel this loved, this happy and this content.  xoxo - Mama

New Camera!

Mike and the girls surprised me with a new camera for my birthday!!  I had fun playing around with it over the weekend, taking pix of Molly & Kate.

A Tinkerbell Party!

Molly got an invitation to her friend and our neighbor, Ellie's 3rd Birthday Party!  Kate and I came along too - as we couldn't wait to see Pixie Hollow . . . It was such an adorable affair.

 

All the girls made "fairy houses" to keep their "fairies" in!

The lunch spread was almost too pretty to eat!

{Ellie & Molly *in their fairy wings*}

Molly Lately . . . Mom's Birthday Edition

Happy Happy Birthday Mama!  How much are you today?

How old were you before - like at Christmas time?

Mama - I want to look nice and pretty for your party at the restaurant.  Do I look beautiful?

Can I show the chef my headband?  I think he would really really like it!

I can't tell you your birthday present, mama. It's a surprise.  We all worked together to surprise you and I'm not EVEN going to tell you about it.  It's a big surprise.

You need to blow all your candles, mom!  We just need to get a brighter to light them all . .. 

I'm so busy (dizzy) from dancing! *Sigh*

My 39th Birthday . . .

Molly and I spent my 39th Birthday morning making the Valentine cupcakes we ran out of time making the day prior.  

They were yummy - strawberry cupcakes with cream cheese frosting!  

Daddy got home from work early and surprised me with MY favorite cupcakes in the whole world - lemon cupcakes from Cafe Europa in Brookside!  Then we all jumped in the car to go out to dinner on the Plaza.  Kate was not feeling well, but I nursed her as soon as we arrived and she was a trooper . . . 

After dinner, we came home and celebrated with candles & cupcakes!  Molly was SO excited for me to open my present from her and Daddy & Kate!  She could hardly contain herself.  It was adorable.  :)   After opening my cards from Daddy, Molly shared with me her home-made Birthday letter she wrote for me . . .

I got a little teary eyed from all the love from my sweet family . . .  Cheers to 39!  My wish is that I am blessed with as much good health and happiness for the next 39 years!