March Madness

March 1st came in with snow.  Since it had been so sporadic, we capitalized on it and I took the 4 youngest sledding while Braxton had rehearsal.  They had a blast!  I can't get over how cute they are bundled up with red cheeks & noses.  

Of course, we celebrated Pie Day (3/14) with a simple chocolate pudding pie.  Mmmm!

Emma had a birthday!!!

She asked her grandparents for a One Direction shirt, Ken Barbie (so that we have enough boyfriends for the girl barbies), and a manicure/pedicure.  They all came through for her.

She also got a baptism dress in preparation for her big day.

Of course you can't have a birthday without the spanking machine!

Emma asked for funfetti cake balls and ice cream.

Emma's luck seems to follow her as she has had spring break fall on her birthday again.  Per her request, we traveled to the Mall of America in Minnesota to have a little getaway.

Braxton loved the Lego store and its display.  Who doesn't?

Emma and Lizzie went goo-goo over the One Direction store!

Then...the big reveal.  I had to wait until I was 12 to get my ears pierced, but I've caved and told my girls if they were responsible, they could pierce their ears at 8 years old.  So...

Here she is "whole", pre-piercing

Immediate reaction after...

Now she's all smiles once she saw the beautiful sparkle.

Can't pass up a chance to browse the American Girl store.

Seriously?  A poster that says Carter, the Great!

Tuesday we spent at the amusement park INSIDE the Mall of America. With it being winter temperatures outside still, this was a fantastic day filled with fun.  All the kids had a blast!  Lizzie was in her element being "brave".

I loved being her "buddy" on a few rides that required a chaperone.

Steve and I didn't get passes, so it was quite surreal sending the kids off to go on rides while we hung back and watched them take off and return.  They're getting so big!

The Ninja Turtle ride was one of the favorites.  Lizzie was disappointed she wasn't tall enough, especially after all the kids talked about how "awesome" it was.

What a happy day!

More reasons to celebrate in February

Reasons to Celebrate:

Carter completed his first merit badge: Family Life!

One of his projects was to shine over 20 pairs of shoes.  He had learned the skill at a stake 11-year-old activity and applied it to serve our family!  He did a great job!

Evan also completed his Family Life Merit badge.  He has become my garbage man, repaired our microwave, and had the family get our 72-hour kits ready and by the garage door to grab if needed.

February 15th was the Daddy-Daughter Dance at our elementary school.  Steve found this on his desk about a month prior:

How do you say "No" to that?

The girls got all spiffy for him.  They chose one of my perfumes and asked for blush and lip stick.

I know I'm biased, but I've got some beautiful girls!

Lizzie's hair was stunning.  The Waterfall braid is my favorite!

Our February was cold without much snow, so we were ecstatic when we got some that stuck!  The girls grabbed their friend next door and slid down our mini-hill in the back of the house,

 made snow angels

 a snowman (not wet enough to stick, so he's lying down),

 jumped on the trampoline,

 and drank hot chocolate with their pinkies up!

Valentine's Day

I know it's like April, but I have to record all the things we celebrated this winter.

Chicago can get pretty blah January through March (or April sometimes), so I'm always trying to find ways to keep us all cheery. One of my sayings is: Celebrate Each Day!  Well, it's hard in the grind of real life, but Valentine's Day is a perfect example of finding special ways to decorate, cook, smell, feel, and celebrate life.  This year I found these darling mini mailboxes at the dollar spot in Target!  Totally worth it.

Every day in February, the family received a small gift in their boxes.  The first day was a new pencil and small pad of paper to write their own love notes.  The following are a few more cheesy examples.

(I just can't help myself!)

I can't disguise my love for you!

I love you like a love song, baby! (I'm so proud of myself for this one!  I thought of it myself!)

I am nuts for you!

Youa re EXTRA special to me!

I hope good FORTUNE comes your way!

You probably can't tell, but I found heart-shaped pasta at TJMAXX!

Our "lovely" meal...

Dinner was lovely, but breakfast was too cute not to share.  Can I just say that Pinterest is one of my best friends!  It makes me feel like a rock-star mom when I actually apply the ideas I pin. :)

Klondike 2013

Scouts are crazy.  Every year, a winter campout is planned and my boys have had the "privilege" of going on the Klondike Campout for the last four.  I remember my brothers going and speaking favorably of it.  Steve talks about it with excitement and a smile.  Braxton and Evan do, too.  Weird!  I am so grateful that I can stay home, sleep in my warm bed, use my blessed indoor plumbing, and not shiver.  I worry about them the entire time.  It was REALLY cold at this last one.

Here are the brave souls (minus Steve).

Notice how dumb teenage boys are?  Where are their coats?!!!  Obviously their moms aren't with them.

No coat, no hat, no gloves, but Evan's got a smile!  That must be some hot cocoa!

Although, I don't want to EVER do this, I am glad that my boys have found pleasure in it and look forward to the all-you-can-drink-hot chocolate and the games that test their survival skills and teamwork.  Just another event to prove our family's motto for the year..."I can do hard things."  I am so proud of them!  But I have to give credit to Steve, who gets the boys excited, prepares the parents and boys for what is to come, and (shhhhhh-even though he doesn't like camping) does it with a smile because he knows what it can do for 12-13 year old boys.  He's my hero!