What to do on a snowy day?

Not much sledding or throwing snowballs...

for there has been snow for the past six weeks...

So we stay in and play princess... in our pjs...
( I promise she is a lot happier than the picture shows)

and have crawling races...

we make our toes pretty...
("red for valentine's day" my little girls favorite holiday)

ride our little horsey....

and make lemon cookies.

That's what we do on a snowy day.

10 months old....

And this little boy is....

is stealing my heart.... more everyday.

This month Drew has really shown that we are on the edge of toddlerhood. He is getting more independent and less baby with every passing day. He is pulling up on everything. I think the view is better for him. He can crawl super fast. He is beginning to show signs of climbing up the stairs. He can slide down the sofa to the floor. He can stand for a few seconds by himself. He can hold his bottle with one hand while sitting up on the floor.

During the day he really just sips the bottle and plays a little ... which means less cuddle time. But at night he still likes to cuddle in the big comfy chair with his bottle
and his favorite girl... momma.
He wraps his little fingers around mine until all of the milk is gone.
He then looks at me with a sweet, flirty grin.
This means it is time to snuggle and rock for a few minutes with Twinkle, Twinkle in the background by the glow of his nightlight.
Then the game begins of looking back at the crib... looking at me... with a grin... leaning in to my cheek to give me a kiss... then snuggling his face into my shoulder.
We do this for a few minutes then off to bed he goes... for about 12 hours if we let him.

Yes good night time sleep habits but daytime naps are a thing of the past around here... for the most part. Some days, he will sleep in his swing or in his car seat, but no crib naps for this boy. He also can get around this house faster than a speeding bullet. He is into everything... Allie's food and water bowl, the trashcans, the toilet paper, and my favorite pulling the vent covers out of the floor. He loves to play with Allie and throw her duck... or try to eat her duck... yuck and chase her all around the house. Allie is still the one thing he is faster than.

He likes to feed himself, so do not even try to put a spoon to his lips, because he will just shove it away and make a bigger mess. He is a southern boy when it comes to his food because this child will not pass up green beans, meatloaf, or mac 'n cheese.

All I can say.... boys are a lot different than girls even at 10 months.
And that I am thankful that Drew was wonderfully made... just for us.

10 years ago...

This little pup was born and brought into my life as my "first" child.
Found at Walmart on the bulletin board by my mom and dad.
Saved from a life that was not the most fancy at a local trailer park for 50 bucks.
She has been a friend by my side for the past 10 years.
When I got her she was 1 lb. and could fit in kyle's shirt pocket.
When I took her to the vet for the first time, she did not stay in the kennel part of the office for the day but in the lab coat of the vet techs.
She can jump a mile up and can scale a baby gate to get out of the kitchen.
She can push you out of the bed with all of her 7 pound might... which I find it hilarious that she gets to sleep with us but our "other" children cannot.
She can dig her way into the blankets to find her perfect spot and if you want to make her happy fold clothes fresh from the dryer.... she will sit on top till they are gone.
She was burped like a baby when she could not swallow her food.
Tears of sadness flowed when the vet in Knoxville said she would not live to be one year.
Shout of joy came out when my family vet said she would be fine... thanks Dr. Carroll.
She has traveled i-40 more than any dog should going
from Knoxville to Memphis to visit family and friends.
She has been understanding and patient when
these "other" children keep coming into our home.
She will bring her duck to anyone with hands to throw it.
She loves to play chase with Addie and Drew.
She has selective hearing when outside and never wants to go in.
She loves to go for walks... long walks... three miles...in the summer...
around the lake so she can torture the ducks.

She is the one and the only Allie.
No one knows what kind of dog she is but she always gets a smile.
She loves me so much and I love her too.

Happy 10th Birthday Allie

Life of a teacher on snow days...

This is what snow days for a teacher look like... after sleeping in to 7am... making breakfast and having it picnic style in the floor while watching Super Why... bidding daddy adieu for the day (which is always short because he wants a snow day too)... sipping coffee while a sweet baby boy is at my feet whining to be picked up... playing with Polly pockets, princesses, drums, and dinosaurs... we finally get in our "southern" snow clothes and enjoy the time outside.

I am pretty sure this picture was snapped right before
Addie stopped holding Drew and he did a face plant in the snow.

Addie's face in this pic is priceless to me...

Addie's tiny snowman...

Drew loving the snow...

And after a week of snow and ice
it's back to work I go.