Sweet sleepy sisters

Went to check on the girls tonight before going to sleep as I always do. I couldn't help but take a picture of this sweetness. There's nothing like sisters. Life is precious. 

Sleepover!

Allyson had her first sleepover tonight. (Well, I guess it's technically her second one since she stayed with these friends when we had Mallory. But this is her first just-for-fun sleepover. Nicole went too since Holland is her age and Darcy is Allyson's. Allyson was SO excited!

Britt and I went to dinner and a movie. Mallory tagged along but was very good. 😊

Mallory's bad manners

This is going to be a problem...

Mallory's first words!!

I am making this official as her first words. "All done." You'll notice we're doing the signs, too. But I think she actually said it, too. Can you hear it?

Mallory on the move!

Allyson's bedtime prayer for bravery

This was taken about a month ago when Allyson was getting ready to lose a tooth. She was going to be brave and let Mommy pull it out and then swish with saltwater. It worked great with the first tooth. The second one was a little more stubborn (i.e. traumatic) and we had to stop.  So it became a matter of prayer. So sweet.

Allyson sings in the store

I love the age Allyson is at. She is completely unaware that it's not commonplace to sing at the top of your lungs in a store. Or dance through the aisles. I love it. Here is just a clip… she caught me and became a little more self conscious.

(I remember Nicole belting out "Jesus Loves Me" in Wal Mart years ago. I figured there was probably someone who needed to hear that and let her sing away.) 

This was taken during Christmastime obviously. She's singing a song she learned at church: "It's Christmas time, la la la la, Jesus is born, la la la la…"

Allyson brings Mallory for show and tell

Every Wednesday is "show and tell" at Allyson's preschool. Each week they bring something that begins with a certain letter. This particular week was letter "M." So Allyson brought Mallory! She was, by far, the most popular share. (Even more than "M-ommy…")

Nicole Day

I read this idea in a magazine not too long ago and we have implemented it the last few months. Basically, on the month anniversary of each child's birthday, we declare it "Nicole Day" (Allyson Day is on the 22nd of every month). We will do something special with or for them that day. We try to have one parent take them out and do something special. It doesn't always work out that way. In fact, tonight was supposed to be church but it was cancelled because of bad weather. But that didn't stop us! We've had lots of snow days and were really ready to get out of the house!

 We headed downtown. I love downtown Springfield. It has a completely different feel. Historic. Artsy. City. Maybe not big city but… well, I love it. 

Our first stop was Whisler's. They make really great sliders (mini-burgers). It's a tiny place on a little side street. There's just one little table downstairs. We were the only people upstairs. There were only a couple of space heaters up there so we stayed bundled up.

I found these cool conversation starters we used to have a fun conversation. Nicole was so animated and clearly enjoying being the "big girl" out with mom. I enjoyed every second.

Then came the "big" event: ice skating! I love the historical houses in this part of town. 

I especially thought this church was beautiful.

She's been asking to ice skate lately. We tried on New Year's Eve. Poor Britt stood in line for over an hour to get our skates and, by the time we made it on the ice, it was closing! We had just enough time to be impressed that this kid could actually skate without being glued to the handrail. The rink was nice enough to let us in free because of the New Year's Eve fiasco. 

I didn't take a lot of pictures because I wanted my phone safe off the ice in case I fell. Fortunately, I didn't! Nicole did plenty… but she was being pretty silly. 

Now she's wanting lessons. Oh wow. What have I gotten us into? 

After skating was over I called home to check on Britt and the younger girls. Allyson had mentioned wanting to make a snowman. So he started one on our patio table so he'd be able to watch Mallory right inside the window. Evidently she helped just a little bit … was more interested in playing in the snow that building the snowman. I lost it laughing when he sent me this text: "Allyson is playing 'dog' in the back yard howling at the moon. Mallory is melting down bad in the playroom. Fun times." Ever since my mom gave Allyson her "Lady and the Tramp" DVD the kid is constantly pretending to be a dog! I mean, to the point that we often find ourselves throwing a ball in the house because she wants to play fetch!  

After ice skating Nicole really wanted to go to the Mud House for tea. It's one of our favorite spots. I gave in even though it was 8:30 on a school night. We hadn't had our reading time and she needed to for school so I used that as an excuse. We had just started Anne of Green Gables the night before. I was worried the book might be a little too old for her but after tonight I realized it's going to be great! And, school ended up being cancelled for the next day so it didn't even matter that she was out late!

Happy Nicole Day! We love celebrating what a special person you are, Nicole. We love you so much and are so grateful God gave you to us.