A Real Snow Day, But Not Really

We finally got a real snow day around here.  After all the teasing with the weather reports and the days of missed school, it finally snowed.

The "not really" part is {get ready for it}...we STILL had school.  What?!?!  Call me crazy, but I'm still trying to figure what those people in the county office are drinking thinking.  Seriously, what is going on?

Poor Jack didn't even get a moment to enjoy it.  By the time his bus wheeled down the soaked roads this afternoon nearly all the snow had melted.  All that work of wearing jammies inside out, flushing ice cubes down the toilet, and snow dancing last night and the poor guy couldn't even be here to play in it.

Absolute unfairness, I proclaim. {and I think he would agree}  Maybe, just maybe, there will be another chance.

The little sisters, at least, got a few romps in the snow before the day was done.

Lucy most enjoyed her footprints in the snow.  So cute to watch her fascination with each little boot print.

And Mags most enjoyed the opportunity to wear her new pink cowgirl boots, because don't you know they double as snow boots.  Well, duh, of course!

I was loving me some snow princesses this morning.  I must say, all that pink was the perfect addition to the winter white morning.


This just in...school is closed tomorrow!  I'm not convinced it will snow again, BUT...a day off is a day off!  I just love having my trio home!  woo hoo

A Dusting

We finally got a snow dusting around here.  That's about as much credit as I can give it.  But, after three out of five days of cancelled school this week, it was about time we had something to show for it.

My kids just went about nuts when Lucy {of all kids} made the announcement.  Before I knew it snow boots {aka rain boots}, hats, and coats were flying and they were gone.  Only to leave every door behind them wide open.  Brrr...

And although these pictures are near horrible, {I refused to go out there for more than a few minutes and grabbed these from the sunroom windows}, I totally had to share the way this whopping 45 minute dusting went down.

If only pictures could speak...these would scream "EXCITEMENT".

At least 'catching snowflakes on our tongues' and 'making snow angels' can truthfully be marked off our winter bucket list.

Happy Snow Day 2015!

Lucy's First Visit

In honor of Dental Health month, {which is February--one of those pretty useless facts I have from being a teacher}, the kiddos made a trip to the dentist.  Hardly worth blogging about, but seeing as how it was Lucy's FIRST visit, I'd say it actually is!

I'm not counting this summer when she tagged along with her bigs and they allowed Lucy to have a trial run in the chair.  No today was the real deal.  She had her very own appointment slot with her name in the computer and all.

I wouldn't exactly go overboard and say she liked it.  But she hung in like the trooper she is.  And seeing as how I could practically still hear the two year old, who's appointment followed ours, screaming by the time we made it to the parking lot, I was mighty happy with Lucy's showing.

The best part was her great debate over which sunglasses to choose. She went through three pairs {one of which were Ninja Turtles...what?!?!} before finally settling on these Sophia the First shades.

She got a nice polishing of "princess sparkles" {in strawberry per her request, that later changed to grape, but too late} and a thumbs up from the doc.

Post appointment, she insisted on showing me how shiny her teeth were.  This is how that pose went down.  Love me some Lucy antics:)

Happy Dental Health Month!  And on that note, I absolute loathe going to the dentist myself.  Anyone else?

Love Is A Circus

I often compare my day to day life as a 3 ring circus.  And, sadly, I'm not even exaggerating when I do so.  As you can imagine, when I saw the circus was coming to town, and on Valentine's Day of all days, I just knew we had to get a view from the other side.

So that's how us Cibula's spent Valentine's Day....at the Greatest Show on Earth.

But...not before the little's woke up to their "We Love..." doors and their Valentine goody boxes waiting for them at the breakfast table.

This door tradition of ours seems to get my eldest right in his soft spot.  I just love that.  As soon as February rolled around on the calendar, Jack's first words {with elated anticipation} were, "are we going to get our heart doors this month with the things you love about us?".  I'm not always sure what actually means something to them and when I do find out, I am nearly giddy.

Now, if I'm being honest, one door was harder to fill up than the rest here lately.  I'm not saying names just keeping it real folks.  It's not always easy around here...even in the month of LOVE.

So, here we go.

Lucy's door...

Maggie's door...

And Jack's door... {complete with the DO NOT ENTER sign and sadly it's an updated version from last year--ironically lovely, isn't it?}

So after doors, Valentine boxes, and heart shaped waffles, we were on our way to the Circus!  And this time, it wasn't ours.

We arrived with a nice thirty minutes before show time.  Each of the kids got to pick one treat before we grabbed our seats.  Jack went for the tiger snow cone.  And don't ask me what we will ever do with that giant cup that is now safe at home in my dishwasher.

Of course, without question, Maggie chose the pink plush elephant.  Because, you know, we just don't have enough stuffed animals as it is.

And somehow Lucy missed a solo shot with her prize, but she picked the spinning lights elephant wand.  Which, don't ask me why, but I feel was the most logical choice of all.

And just because she deserves a solo...

{cute little thing in that wanna-be tutu}

The show was great.  All three kids totally enjoyed it, whether Jack wants to admit it or not.  However, I was most surprised by Lucy's reaction.  I was expecting a bit of hesitation, maybe even a few "I'm scared" moments.  Not in the least.  That girl was on the edge of her seat, dancing along, clapping, and narrating the whole production.  Littlest Lu sure does make life fun.

A few highlights for all of us, most especially Maggie and me, were the Tiger/Lion tamer guy.  Woah...that is pretty amazing if you really think about it.

And, of course, the performing elephants.

We followed up our Valentine's evening with take out at home.  {no luck in the sitter department} Looking at the bright side-it was just more time to love on my own little circus.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love & Hugs

I had the honor of co-hosting Maggie's Pre-School Valentine Day Party.  And let me tell you, it was an honor.  Because guess what this little sack of sugar said was her best part of the day as I was putting her to bed tonight, "having Mommy at my school party".

Well, why don't you just make my day and melt my heart while you are at it.  It sure feels good to be so loved most especially in this month of hearts, love, and everything perfectly pink {and red}. 

Being in Maggie's classroom was certainly a treat, but co-hosting with one of my fave gals was an added bonus.  Eliza Kate's mommy and I go way back.  Like to the days of having our own classrooms.  I adore working with her.  She and I seem to be on the same page and have a plan that we can execute well together.  I'm looking forward to doing it all over again come the End of the Year party {which we've already started brainstorming a bit}.

Today's party was a hit.  We decorated the tables over the top with everything Valentines we could find. There was absolutely no mistaking the holiday.

We followed snack with a precious Hug Bug theme which included a book, a tune {the best part was watching Ek's mom lead in the song and dance}, and this fun love bug craft.  If you can believe it, I pulled this old trusty out of my February box from teaching Kindergarten.  {I cringe at the thought of purging my old teaching bins, although it would certainly free up some storage space around here}

Maggie jazzed hers up with a few stickers.  It now, preciously, adorns our artwork bulletin board in the mudroom.

We even had enough time to enjoy a game of Bingo filled with several pictures of love bugs and hugs.

And speaking of hugs...check out this Valentine hug.  The girls were so excited to be reunited after a lovely day of Valentine card exchanges and parties.  I find myself in awe of how much these two adore one another.  True love right there.  Yum!

The girls and I returned home where they both tore into their Valentine loot.  They had such a sweet time reading cards and checking out each other's goodies.

What a darling day of love and lots of hugs.  Jack's turn tomorrow...his homemade Minecraft Valentine box is all packed up and ready to go!

Cookies With My Cupids

We've managed to hold on to our cookie baking holiday tradition even with karate, baseball practices, homework, and naps to contend with.  When I found an open afternoon, I seized the opportunity and gathered my little cupids up for a Valentine Cookie Party.

Love was indeed in the air...and, of course, the sweet sweet smell of sugar cookies!

The attendance in my kitchen went in a series of waves.  One was finishing homework, while one was rolling dough, and then one was waking up from a nap while the other was decorating and so on and so on.  We finally managed to come together on the last batch for a series of, what I'd like to call, "siblings and sprinkles"...like a lot of sprinkles.  There is really no better way to describe it.

I can usually count on my Mags to be there from the beginning to the end.  My right hand baker.  

And I can usually count on Jack to "miraculously" finish up, whatever he claimed to be working on, right about decorating time.  And in the most gluttonous manner consume several spoonfuls of icing.  Gag.

Lucy woke from her afternoon nap just in time.  The cookies were coming out the oven and there were at least two dozen waiting for Lucy's extra ordinary sprinkle dousing.  And trust me it is extra ordinary...my broom can vouch for it.

The best part was the final batch when Jack, Maggie, and Lucy were all together. {sigh}  I'd like to assume it was because they love me so dearly, but I believe it had something to do with the prospect of a cookie at completion.  Although, I don't see how that could have seemed appealing after they were practically licking sprinkles and icing off the counter every.single. chance. they. got.  Gag again.

My kitchen has never been sweeter {literally and figuratively}.  XOXO & Happy Valentine's Week!

Rain Rain Don't Go Away

How could I ever possibly complain about this dreary and drizzly day when I have these two to puddle jump with?

Now if that absolute cuteness doesn't make you change your tune, I don't know what will.  Rain, Rain DON'T Go Away:)

{I have to admit a little snow just might be a teeny tiny bit more fun}

A Magilicious Day

If last Saturday was Jack Day this one was, without a doubt, Maggie Day.  I took my 'sweet as sugar' Magpie out for a full day made just for her.  Daddy was on Jack duty and littlest Lu spent a day with Grandma {where she was spoiled to the rim}.

A full Saturday for only Mommy and Maggie per her most sweetest request.

We started our Saturday, as do all Saturdays here lately, at ice skating lessons.  I cannot sing enough praises for this rink and it's staff.  Sometimes I'm looking over my shoulder waiting for someone to hand me a bill for private lessons.  Maggie is literally getting one on one instruction in a group lesson setting.  It's quite marvelous.  This week she tackled a few new skills which included hopping on the ice and shimmying backwards.

Post ice skating, I gave Maggie the honor of choosing our lunch destination.  It was Maggie Day after all.  And I could have guessed, without even asking, what her choice would be...and that would be Moe's.  So that's exactly where I took my quesadilla loving kiddo.

Somehow that "ice skating only" outfit made it to the our next stop of the day.  I had to allow Maggie to bend the rules because, for one, it was her day, and two, it was a Frozen party.  How could I say no?

We spent the next few hours sticking tokens in any game that gave tickets at Chuck E Cheese's.  {because you know those tickets can buy some quality items} Maggie had a grand time bouncing all over the place with her classmates.  The best part was the Frozen goody bag that she brought home.  She could hardly wait to tear into it.  Yes, we are still Elsa and Anna fans over here.

But, might I note, Annie has come into the running.  I can't even begin to tell you my elation when the Annie soundtrack took precedence over Let It Go in the car.  I was dying for a change and there is nothing better {to me anyway} than Annie tunes.  I was a serious Annie fanatic as a kid.  Loving that Mags and I can belt it out together.

Our final destination on Maggie Day was quite possibly one of the sweetest dates I've ever had.  Maggie and I attended a Valentine Tea Party.  When I saw this advertised at a local cutie play stop, I just knew we had to sign up.

We made a quick change into Valentine attire and arrived for our 3:00 Tea.  The absolute preciousness could not be captured in pictures.  But trust me, this place was oozing with girly love and decorated to the nines.  I am such a sucker for a well decorated kid's party.

We started in the art room where the girls decorated these darling Valentine frames.  They followed that with creating Valentine wands and festive beaded necklaces.

In between art and tea, we had a few moments to play and take our turn in the Valentine photo booth.  We were loving that one of Maggie's besties made a reservation to enjoy the afternoon with us!

Are these girls to die for or what?  Adorable.

I can't wait to get a copy of this sweetness to pop in the frame she created.

Before we knew it, it was Tea Time.  As if this day couldn't get anymore pink and perfect, it did.  The table was set with real tea cups, silver spoons, roses and Valentine cuteness everywhere we turned.

The menu was absolutely delectable too.  Tea sandwiches, pink goldfish {who knew?}, butterfly crackers, cheeses, fruit, and of course, pink sweet treats.

These girly girls were having such a sweet time that it almost made it impossible to correct their tea time etiquette.  Which, admittedly, was lacking.

We ended our Valentine Tea with a quick face paint.  Maggie's original request was a pony {clearly she has high artistic expectations}.  Luckily, the rainbow suited her just fine and she felt totally bedazzled.

All good things have to come to an end and that it did.  We left our fabulous day and went and gathered up all the siblings, the Daddy, and the Grandma and had a nice dinner together.  Mags and I were both full of lovely details of our day {and down right exhausted too}.

Here's to one very sweet Magilicious day!  Mmmmm...love this doll!