Baby it's Cold OUTSIDE

We're in the middle (or maybe 3/4 through, or maybe it's almost over???) of winter and man it's dreadful. It's cold and bitter and I've had enough of the snow. The kids have been sick for the entire month of January and we have been doing a whole lot of nothing.

But if it's going to be cold, we should at least have snow...and snow we have!

Here are some pictures of our amazing snow storms!

Fallin' in Love

It's Fall around here and baby, it makes me happy.
I love the fresh air and the feeling of jeans and fleece. I love how the wind blows and the leaves are popping with color. I love the smells that come from our house and make it feel so cozy and warm...so home. THIS, my friends, This is why I love living in New England. Yes, there are other reasons, but FALL is my most favorite season of all.
Hope you are feelin' the love of fall wherever you are.

Two in the Tub

Rub-A-Dub Jacob and Olivia are in the tub.

Summer Squeeze

I know that I said I was ready for FALL....But, Summer was lingering around here last week and when you live in Maine and winter can be 6 months long (yes, it can!) and you get a week where the temperature hits 90 more than 2 days in a row...you savor it. You savor every last bit of it and drink it all up so that come Feburary and March you can look back and say..."well, it's pretty darn cold out, but we had an awsome summer". And that, my friends, we have had. Last week I took the kids to a lake every.single.day. Yes, I did! I was determined that if our house was going to be a stuffy 84 then, we would seek relief in the form of water and friends. Every afternoon, I would pack up the car, throw the kids in and drive to the lake. Some of our swimming spots are only 10 minutes away, others are a good 30 minutes. But they are all worth it and once we arrive, my kids are renewed with the fresh water and clean air. Summer in Maine is worth every single long month of cold. We have had an Awsome summer!!!!

Jacob's first day of school

Jacob had his first day of preschool last week. I was a mess of emotions; happy, sad, excited and nervous all at the same time. I just didn't know what to expect from him. I knew that he was ready (Or I thought he was), but how would this huge shift in our lives go? Would he scream and reach for me as I left him in a classroom with strangers? Would he walk into the room and not cry at all? I just had no idea.

As our children usually do, Jacob rose to the challenge and exceeded my expectations of him on his first day of school. He walked down the hallway, into the classroom (with a little hand-holding) and we found his cubby together. I assisted him with putting away his backpack and shoes and he took a seat at the circle. I lingered, thinking that I should wait in the event that he cried...but NOPE. NO tears! He didn't even look over his shoulder for me. He did GREAT.

I am so proud of my big boy and excited for all the great things that will come with being in school.

Enough Summer

Enough already! Enough summer, enough sun, enough sand and picnics and pools and heat.

I'm ready for FALL. I'm ready for apples and cool crisp evenings with something yummy baking in the oven and pumpkin bread and lattes and putting on my favorite jeans and hoodie. I'm ready for my kid to go to school and have a routine. Get up, get dressed, get going and have some structure. Early to bed, early to rise. No more of this crazy, no-schedule summer stuff! But, I guess that if summer is going to hold on a bit longer, go ahead and make next week, darn hot. We will be at the Lake! And we will love it!

Siezing the Summer

Friday-Day at the Beach...BLISS

Saturday-To the Lake...Heaven

Sunday-Another Lake Day...JOY

Monday-To the Lake, yet again...Happiness

Tuesday-Record-Breaking Naps!