This year we kept Owen’s birthday festivities simple! He invited 3 of his little buddies over and we had a playdate.For the playdate we pulled out the things I rarely pull out like paint and puppets!  Then on his actual birthday we opened presents and had cupcakes. He was proud as a peacock and loved the time with his friends!

Owen has grown up so much in the past year! He had a big fall with the start of preschool and has made some great little buddies. He has become so independent but still very much loves help (particularly when it isn’t available :)) Owen enjoys playing outside with Jackson, ridding the world of pirates, thieves and enemies of all types. He has grown to love coloring and doing art work at the table and takes great pride in his creations. Owen brings lots of laughter into our home with his jokester self!   Happy Birthday little BIG boy!

This year we went trunk-or-treating with some friends at their church. Before we headed out we snapped a few pictures of Peter Pan and Superman (who were not shy to pose I might add).

pumpkin time! we had friends over Fri night for a fun night of chili and pumpkin carving! We did it early this year to ensure it would get done!  The next morning we got up and drove to an orchard in Maryland where we met my aunts for apple picking. I expected the boys to be over the excitement pretty fast but they loved picking. When we got home we made a big batch of applesauce and a dutch apple pie.

little pumpkin update: she isn’t looking so little. Based on my sono this morning girlfriend is measuring big and long like her brothers. My amniotic fluid is too high so that will be monitored but other than that she looks great…and nearly ready. I have started to dilate and she is head down and good to go! Off to walk a few miles!

Dear February…you do it to me every. single. year.  Each year as the busyness of the Christmas season passes I long to savor the cozy, cold winter months. You included. I wish for snowflakes and fires. Pots of wholesome soup bubbling on the stove and friends gathered around…making the most of the frigid time.  It’s all fun and games until the last of the Christmas glitter reluctantly makes it’s way into the vacuum cleaner and the gym has emptied out from those who have dropped the new years resolutions and given up on the losing of pounds. Many of your days are gloomy February, but then to make matters more complicated, you tempt us with sunshine, that from the inside makes the outside look welcoming. But then there is your wind, and your chill, and your unpredictability. Oh yes, and the flu. Contrasted with the daffodil shoots brand new. We grow antsy for Spring.  There’s this inner conflict. The reluctancy (this isn’t really a word but roll with it) to let go of the cozy, hibernation for the sanity! I choose sanity! These little boys need to run and play and this momma needs a normal day. So February, as you finish your thing please, please give us something. Give us some sunshine and some warmth, give us some healthy days and give us March!

And to you my lovely readers, aren’t you just so ready for Spring? I mean, maybe it’s just me. I’m ready for the winter blues to fly out the window and for Spring fever to hit. This week we have been hit with the second round of the stomach bug. First was Jackson last week and just when we thought Owen had dodged the bullet Owen started up last night. I know on pintrest some are marketing dooms day kits but I am angling to market stomach bug kits. Speaking of stomach bug survival kids, I had just packed our stack of towels, trash bags and clorox wipes away YESTERDAY. And after 4 days of having Owen’s comforter pulled back just in case I had made his bed up again and tucked him in all snug as a bug in a rug….just before it all went south! The bads news is I have cleaned the house top to bottom twice in 5 days, the good news is I have cleaned the house twice in 5 days!

I’ve decided that this wacky weather will take the hint when I gather up my winter decor. Certainly the sled on the front door step is giving mixed signals. And the print of cozy boys in snowy gear. And the evergreen on the mantel. Out with you winter. Bring on Spring!  Tulips and lemons and garden planning and walks outside and boys that smell of fresh air at bath time. It’s coming! I can feel it. I just have to be patient.  Until then I will attempt to savor this season.