Skating Sisters

We've ventured out into our newest endeavor around here...Ice Skating Lessons.  It was all Maggie's idea.  I'm thinking a recent Frozen obsession might have spawned the thought.  Whatever it was we just so happen to have a rink nearby and it offers lessons.

Before I knew it we were signed up and out on the ice.

I wasn't expecting much.  My darling Mags is often slow to warm up to new experiences and considering it was FREEZING in that place, I had my expectations set really low.  But, what would it hurt to try?

Maggie did great.  She was timid but more than determined to see the lesson through.  I stood right by, freezing my tail off, and shouted {probably} way too many words of encouragement.  An hour lesson on the ice is a long time.

Maggie exceeded my expectations and left the ice confident that she did, indeed, want to sign up for the entire session and she would be wearing a tutu or dress for all future lessons.  Because, duh, isn't that what all ice skaters do?

What threw me for a total loop was little sister.  Lucy tried to cheer her big sister on, but all she could seem to relentlessly muster up was, "me try ice skating too".  As I was deflating all sense of hope she may have had, one of the coaches stepped up, grabbed Lu, threw a pair of skates on her and took her out onto the ice.

Um...wait a minute...she's only two!

I can hardly believe it myself, but my two year old is actually joining her big sister for ice skating lessons.  Who would have thought?

And just like that we have skating sisters or as Maggie would reference, "just like Elsa and Anna".

What a way to welcome in the upcoming winter chill.  Brrr...I'm chilled to the bone just looking at these pictures, but aren't they cute?!?!

I Can't Believe She's FIVE

My Princess Maggie woke up this morning as a 5 year old.  I can't believe it.  Weren't we just meeting in the hospital?  Wasn't I just holding my first newborn baby girl on my chest?  Didn't I just meet the one who would steal my heart and never give it back?

These years with my Maggie have gone by way too fast.  But, they have been absolutely wondrous and  joyful in only a way Maggie can make them.

She is my snuggle bug, my sweetest sweetness, my absolute angel, and I adore her more today than I did 5 exact years ago.

Good morning Princess, you are FIVE today!

And yes, that is Maggie's bed {and her bedside table}.  She clearly does not possess the same Type A personality her brother and I do.  But, in the words of a famous princess, I'm trying to...Let It Go.

All this good morning hoopla came the day after one very enchanting Frozen Birthday bash.  And because I know Andrea Wood will be sending me gorgeous pictures here very soon, I'll give you only a tiny sneak peek from my camera.

These will do the day no justice.  But, how can I write a Happy Birthday post without including a few?  A REAL {and prettier} birthday party post will follow soon.

I love this of the birthday princess helping "decorate" before her royal guests arrived.

Do you want to Build A Snowman...and eat it?

Happy Birthday Magpie!  There is not a princess in the world as beautiful as you!  We love you!

{prettier pictures to follow}...

Family Photos Twenty Fourteen

This may be a total spoiler alert {for anyone who will be getting a Christmas card from us}, but I could not restrain myself from uploading just a few of these to the blog.

Just as I suspected, I'm in love!  My heart literally melted right here and there when I started perusing through the images.  Oh my, such a lovely reminder of how much I truly adore my family.

I went into this session kind of unsure of what to expect.  It was the first time we had ever done a Mini.  I was half relieved {only 30 minutes of keeping smiles on faces and boogs out of noses}, but also thinking how could we possibly get this done in thirty short minutes.

No fear, Andrea Wood was here.  Her talent is nothing to shake a stick at.  I'm truly beginning to feel like she is part of our family.  I mean seriously between my baby's milestones and the many birthday parties, she might as well just go ahead and join our party of 5.  We are so blessed to have found her.

And even more so that she captured this...just a few of my favorites...

Seriously?  In thirty minutes?  That is nothing short of amazing!  And these are only a handful.

It doesn't hurt that those three little ones are absolutely adorable if I do say so myself {wink}.

Halloween Night

And just like that it was FINALLY Halloween night.  

We've been mighty busy counting down the days of October to the culminating event.  And what an absolute SCREAM it was...

Post naps, a bus ride, and snacks, I dressed up my kiddos early so we could hit the neighborhood parties {and who am I kidding?...get some front yard pictures.}

Jack was Emmet from The Lego Movie.  We all saw that coming.  And can I just give myself a pat on the back?  I made those hands.  It was quite the labor of love. 

It was totally worth it until we got ready to leave and I saw the pair sitting in Jack's cubby in the mudroom.  "Um...why are you leaving your hands?".  Only to be answered with, "I don't think I want to wear them tonight".  What?!?!  Do you know how long I worked on those?

I had no choice but to Let It Go...and that leads me to my darling Frozen princesses.  Yes, I could hardly believe it when Lucy chose her Anna costume.  I had to stifle my cheers in fear that she would change her mind last minute. It did certainly help to lessen the blow of the Lego hand debacle.

I couldn't get enough of my Queen Elsa and Princess Anna.  And even though I see Maggie dressed like this on a daily basis something about it being Halloween night made it all that much sweeter.  Not to mention, that sweet little Anna by her side didn't hurt.

I snagged one more front porch picture of the gang before we headed down the road.  I had to get those pumpkins in before I toss the "patch" we've accumulated over the past 31 days.

We set some candy out for any early trick or treaters.  We had a few parties to get to that couldn't be missed.  Jack found this to be an opportune moment to reveal his comedic side.  He had his sisters rolling.

We party hopped up until 5:30 or so and then headed out to get some candy.  Grandma came over straight from work.  She was just in time to help me with the little sisters.  Jack and Daddy took off with the big boys.  I'm still trying to get used to Jack growing up.  Long gone are the days of him sauntering from house to house by his Mama's side. {sigh}

Oh, how I adored having Grandma's help.  And Anna loved having her own personal escort.

My most fave memory of the evening {because there's always at least one} was Lucy's response when I asked, "what do we say?".  I was totally expecting 'trick-or-treat' or at least that's what I thought I had taught her.  Instead she held up her bag and squealed "candy!".  She can only get away with that {and look adorable doing it} because she's 2.  It seems there are some perks to toddlerhood after all.

We made it down to the end of our road and then back up the other side.  Just enough to wear out Arendelle's royalty.

We topped off the evening with the girl's passing out candy on our front porch.  Our newest most favorite tradition.  I could watch Maggie methodically count out each handful of candy all night.  She is absolutely a divine little gal.

When the unexpected rain {and the chill} rolled in we packed it up and headed inside for an early close to Halloween night.  Jack came home soaked to the bone but with a bag of loot despite it all.

He happily gathered it up with a note to the Switch Witch and ran off to bed anticipating what she and her Fat Cat would leave.  As you can imagine he was hoping for a Lego.  He has a lot of faith in that Witch.

The girls opted for a sleep over at Grandma's instead. But, Maggie reminded me she would be leaving her candy for the Switch Witch the next night.  We assume she will make two stops to our house???

And just like that Halloween Night was over.

It looks like I best be getting to bed so the Switch Witch can make her rounds tonight.

Happy Halloween Friends!