the kiddos survive winter

Just a few pictures of the kids from a few different days over the winter. They are getting along well these days! As is true for all siblings there are times of conflict, anger, and irritability, but I'd say right now the good times far out way the bad times. I'd like to pause for a few moments to celebrate that! =) 

Can I get some smiles all around?

We spent lots of time inside together making different things in the kitchen, doing art together, and listening to music. The kids enjoyed going outside to play in the snow for short periods of time, making snow forts, snowballs, or trying to make snow people with the powdery snow- if it wasn't too terribly cold. We went ice skating once during a birthday party and they both seemed to enjoy trying to stay upright. We also walked out on the lake to see a Christmas tree that was placed there by someone, at my request. I wondered why we didn't spend more time outside on the lake, sledding, or making snow people during the beautiful winter- but to be honest this winter was just SO cold!! We got our fill of cold and windy during our bike rides/walks to school and home! Although I do feel slightly invincible having survived bike commuting during this winter,  we are very ready for warmer temps!

A few random pics...

cutie

bobo and his smile.
(complete with grey tooth that he knocked partly out on his 3rd birthday =()

so angelic looking here =)

I often get asked, are they twins?

hot cocoa time

this face makes me smile

What have we been doing in these cold cold months? Well........ lots of inside play! Izzy still loves playing with her favorite lovey bunbun. My grandma ayres gave me another bunny to give her this past January so "Rosie" has been added to the group. Luckily she and bunbun wear the same size so they can share clothes =). Dressing them and playing games together is a favorite of izzy's. All day PJ wearing and passing on brushing of hair is also highly encouraged during the polar vortex days.

izzy and her bunnies. bunbun and rosie

During the winter we read lots of books and practiced reading! Trips to the library! Movies, including first time showings of Sound of Music and Marry Poppins. We may have come close to checking out our limit of 100 library items....yikes. Graham said at one point that our house could be another library branch. ha. We also went to see the movies Frozen and The Lego Movie together at the theatre. And no I didn't sneak in our own snacks from home in my giant purse....=)

Madison has a free kids program at the Overature Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday mornings and we went a few times to see a couple of the programs-  including irish dancing and some instrument/singing performances. We also went to Famiy Science Night at the Children's museum together. That was a hit. They also had an indoor soccer class they both attended, and seemed to enjoy. Of course coffee house trips for hot cocoa and treats are always a crowd pleaser, and a mom pleaser.

I love to catch izzy reading these days. It's so amazing to see their brains develops. She loves reading all kinds of books including fiction and non-fiction. Bodie likes to listen too...

also love the light in our living room. 

 The forced inside time also led to lots of wrestling. and art. Bodie is often covered in pen markings of some sort. When they are in the mood to play together they can spend hours with their toys, stuffed animals, art projects, and just making each other laugh. Love these silly pictures of them together.  I'd say they really captures them in one of these fun moods.

Trying to burn in my memory these fun and meaningful times together. Some of my all time favorites are us just being together at our house, playing with no agenda and no where to go which happened many times over the polar vortex winter. We even had a few days of no work and no school due to wind chills close to negative 50! The downtime was needed and enjoyed. Watching their creativity and imagination is a blast. Who knew a pack of 3 sponges and a plastic bag would lead to dozens of fun and exciting bath times? love it. Feeling very blessed for these two being mine.

my sweet boy

my little fashonista