The Snowstorm of 2015 {Inside Fun}

I'm determined that both girls have an alter ego.  She's this brave little adventurer that wants to go play in the waist-deep snow for hours on end, building igloos and ice castles and snowmen named Olaf.  And then after no more than 12 minutes outside, that child disappears, and in comes a whiny, freezing cold little girl demanding hot chocolate.  But, after about two hours inside in the warmth, that alter ego pops back out again, begging for mommy to spend 30 minutes dressing them up, just to have them not make it off the porch.  

at least someone's excited about more snow

 

So, when we woke up to more snow on Saturday, I knew what was coming.  Sue enough,  Harper asked if we could build a snowman, so I had to get creative.  In other words, I had to do a Pinterest search.  We found a fun recipe for erupting play snow, which got mommy off the gather-every-piece-of-clothing-we-own-just-to-have-it-off-and-wet-in-five-minutes hook.

The girls loved helping me measure out the baking soda, salt, dishwashing liquid, and water.  I had a few Olaf (from Frozen.  I'm so jealous if you needed that reference point, as we have seen the movie 1,457 times.) and snowflake sugar cupcake toppers the we used to help them decorate the snowmen they built. 

Hi, I'm Olaf! and I like warm hugs.

When they were finished building their snowmen, we got the squirt bottle and filled in with vinegar.  Now time to make it foam!

Yep, this activity was a little bit messy, but the great thing is that it's a mess with baking soda, dishwashing liquid, and vinegar-- things I clean up my kitchen with all the time.  So, it didn't take long to wipe up the mess.  And that of course, gave us plenty of time to enjoy a picnic in our curtain fort.  

Sunny Sunday in February

Oh, southwest Virginia. You truly are "Four Seasons" country and in any given month of the year, we get to see the weather of at least three of them. I have two little girls who were thrilled that February brought some Spring with it, as they have so enjoyed this 60 degree Sunday afternoon. 

 

 

We went to church and then on to Brambleton Deli, which we chose primarily because A) it is close to our church and B) has outdoor seating to take advantage of this unseasonable weather. The girls usually crash for naps after our Sunday lunch, but not today. It was way to nice outside to have my little nature lovers indoors for a nap, so we played outside until I couldn't stand the sleepy crying over whose turn it was on the swing. Especially since we have three swings for two kiddos. :/

The girls took a great nap-- you know, the "I actually got to play outside" kind of nap.  It always amazes me how much the weather and being outside affects their attitudes, especially Harper's.  That baby girl was made to be outside, in the woods.  He clearly knew more about the little 9 month old we held in our arms when we bought this house in Clearbrook four years ago.  So many of the things that I was nervous about with 'being in the country' have been what she loves most.  He knew she'd need tall trees, big frogs, and a long rope swing.  And I'm glad she got to enjoy them today.  

Sleeping Sisters

I wonder how many times ( in the four hours that I have been home from work) I have said:

"Don't hit your sister."

"Stop touching your sister."

"No 'ugly talk,' Harper."

"Willa Kate, don't tell Mommy no, please."

"Stop bugging your sister!"



I am not sure one could count how many times those words were uttered in our house, in the car, in the parking lot, in the gym, in the store.  I keep praying for the day that I will look over and they will be playing together nicely, basking in each other's company and eternally thanking me for giving them a sibling.  Actually, I just hope to see a day when they can coexist peacefully in the same room!  :)  My sister Leah and I are so. close.  (even with extra punctuation and bold lettering, "so close" is an understatement) that I just really, really want that for my girls.

I will never forget the day that I went to Greensboro to have an early elective ultrasound to determine the gender of our sweet second baby.  Sam was at work, desperately hoping for a boy.  And then there were Leah and I, chitchatting on our cell phones the whole way to the appointment, talking about how much we would explode with joy over a second iteration of "Flea & Fal" (our nicknames for each other).  I'm sure at the time Sam probably hated our praying for a little set of sisters, but how could we not wish for the gift of a sister for Harper Mae when we know how much laughter and love sisterhood has brought to our own lives?  (Mom, I hope you are reading this and feeling extremely appreciated for having two girls less than two years apart who have managed to be best friends despite the years of cat fighting, hair pulling, boy stealing, clothes negotiating (free and easy access ring a bell?), and our chief business of general parent annoying.)

So some days, I get little glimpses like this that melt my heart, and remind me that there is a little relationship there.  And the only thing that will tie them together is the hand of God, the grace of God.  So, that is one of my most fervent prayers for these precious children of mine-- to know the deep love and loyalty of family.

And then other days I just have to pray for bedtime.   :)