A Valentine's Party

Connor and I stayed up extra late crafting these "super" surprises for his preschool classmates. Connor signed his own name (which was not legible to anyone but me). I had no idea such a simple looking Valentine could take so much time to create with a little helper. Fortunately there are only 12 other students in Connor's class.

 

Of course Valentine's Day is just not complete with out a par-tay for the smallest people.

Here they are at their finest: 

First getting some donut holes...

 Opening some valentines from the classmates...
apparently Valentine's Day is now a major candy holiday just like Halloween. Each and every single valentine received this year also included a piece of candy or small treat of some sort. Good thing they crafted large boxes ahead of time to hold all the goodies!

 And, lastly posing by the sisters, making sure that they can NOT

reach the prized box of valentines:)

The girls were itching to get out of their stroller and grab onto some treats of their own, 

but no such luck. Maybe next year babes!

The Shared Bath

To be perfectly honest, giving three small children their weekly baths (yes, that's right I said WEEKLY) is about the last thing on my priority list. Well, maybe cleaning my house, then giving baths. I once admitted to my group of mom-friends that I only give baths about 1x per week. Although they are usually the kind, relaxed, supportive type of friends, they were seriously appalled...and let me know. Apparently said mom group collectively believes that children need a daily bath or AT. MINIMUM every other day. Seriously? I mean why do children need so many baths anyway? Their skin is perfect, smooth, and easily cleaned with a wipee. In fact they pretty much get a "bath" multiple times each day with a couple wipees. How much more could a tub of water actually help? Its not like they have stinky arm pits and greasy hair or anything. Up until a few days ago, we were giving individual baths. This always occurred when two adults were home. Even with two adults there were always screamers who were waiting their turn and/or were not dried/dressed fast enough. 

Alas! We found a new solution...the shared bath. Now that the babes are old enough to sit well on their own they can just climb right into the big tub. Its really a win-win for everyone...

 New fun bath toys, lots of splashing, and a lot more fun!

This still takes two very attentive adults, and military precision to get them all out/dressed before all hell breaks loose, but so far there have been no tears. This is more like it. Maybe I COULD give baths every day? Nah, I still think that is excessive. Moms of twins don't do anything more than is needed. Trust me. Why didn't the helpful mom-friends suggest this cool shared-bath idea earlier?

A New Rocker?

For a while, I thought we were going to have to purchase a new 

rocking chair to accommodate the bedtime routine...

 ...but as it turns out we DO all fit in the one we have. PHEW, what a relief:)

The Snow Cave

Casey and Connor rounded up some cousins and 

headed up to the mountain for MORE. SNOW. FUN. Apparently the best part of the sledding trip, was the discovery of a snow cave...

 Rumor has it that Connor was a teensy bit concerned that the cave might have its very own bear living inside. However, cousin Scottie convinced him otherwise, so he climbed on in anyway. Seriously, where would the bear actually be in this cave...umm in the back bedroom? Oh, the wild imagination of a three-year-old, never ceases to amaze.

 The Happy Sledders...

Binkie Wars

The SNOW!

A few weeks ago we had some beautiful snow in our neck of the woods. Unfortunately it was not a "school" day, so no one got to miss work or school (which always makes the snow that much more exciting). The babies do not own snow suits, so they were mostly stuck inside watching the snow through the window, which apparently is quite entertaining if you are 8 months old.  

 Connor, of course, was itching to get outside. Once the girls were napping, we headed out and I helped him make a little snow man...

 ...but all he wanted to do was knock him over, and jump on him, and try to get Daisy to bite him. Seriously?

After the proud destructor was finished, he said, "Let's make another one and do it again!" Umm, I'll pass. We did both go down the super slippery slide in the snow, play some snow soccer, and managed to scrape all the snow off of the table, the chairs, and all the toys.

Good News, Bad News

Good News: Connor has learned when his Birthday is...

Bad News: Every day he wakes up and asks me if it is June 16th yet. Case in point:

Connor: Is today June 16th?
Me: Nope.
Connor: Oh. Well, is tomorrow June 16th then? (Connor's only concept of future time consists of today & tomorrow).
Me: Negative.
Connor: What day is today?
Me: February 3rd.
Connor: Oh. And then comes June?
Me: No, it goes February, March, April, May and then June. It will be my birthday first, then your sisters will have their birthday, then after that it will be your Birthday.
Connor: How will I know?
Me: Trust me. YOU. WILL. KNOW. Your birthday will be during the summer when it gets hot and sunny out.
Connor: Oh, okay. So my birthday is NOT tomorrow.
Me: Right, thanks for clarifying.

A few hours later the sun miraculously comes out (in the dead of winter)...

Connor: Look Mom! THE. SUN. It is my birthday. IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!
Me: Ummm...well no...it is still winter even though there is sun. *Sigh* (This goes on for many more days...)