I love the snow...

We finally got a substantial snowfall a few days ago.  It was way more than we expected coming in at 14 inches.  It makes everything around us white, white, white.  This 'ol girl forgot how hard it is to shovel snow.  It's hard but rewarding for me.  I love the time outside and I always play a little game with myself to see how much I can get shoveled in a short amount of time.  Except that I don't own a watch and an not keeping track of the minutes.  I'm my own worst enemy.

This picture is so sweet to me.   It says curiosity to me.  Sara had her Christmas program at school last week and during the refreshment time St. Nick comes to say hello.  My kids have never sat on Santa's lap.  They've never asked to, and it's just something we have never established as a family.  But when the pastor was telling us about St. Nick and how all the kids could line up to sit on his lap, well, mine jumped at the chance.  Actually, Matthew jumped at the chance and the rest followed suit.  I knew they wanted to too, but were never going to brave it without big brother.

 Sara's expression says so much to me here.  She's amazed I can tell that she's that close to Santa!

 I know they had a lot of fun and it was a unique experience for us.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  

After I take the kids to school I come back and have coffee and hot chocolate with this little one.  Here she is wearing my hat.  I love this picture too.  I love everything in the background because it says so much about our daily life. 

Sara and I have been doing an advent scene for the month of December.  Each day adds a new character or animal or tree.  That little elf guy is usually by the front door but Sara wanted him to watch.  So funny.

And then here we are enjoying an early pretend lunch.  Sara was cooking of course.  It was very yummy.

The kids are all outside and it's snowing.  It's beautiful and I'm so grateful my kids are growing up here.  I've spent the day priming Ella Jane's bed because it will get a fresh coat of paint along with her walls.  Her room is a refreshing blue now.  Robins egg blue.  Beautiful blue.  It's peaceful right now.  The heater hums and I can hear the ticking of the clock.  I feel like I want to sit still so it will stay just a bit longer.  Alas, it's time to get up.  I think I'll go check on those kids!