Winter--it's been fun!

It's been a long time, but not because we haven't been busy and full of things to say (just ask anyone who gets on the phone with me).
We are loving the winter--a particularly snowy one for CT this year!
My boys may be happiest in the winter--they find so many fun things to do in the snow.

They don't necessarily like the responsibility of snow removal--though they would take it over any form of house-work.

We have changed our eating habits pretty significantly during the past few months. The boys aren't thrilled with all the changes, but they can really get into our morning smoothies--if there is enough fruit.

They started a new chant:

You hoot, I hoot, we all hoot for ice fruit!

If it is too green and Kale-ish, it isn't as appetizing for them, but they still drink a little. Eli has become quite a pro at making them for the family.

The kids are really enjoying the neighborhood boys. There were quite a few snow days this year, so I often had 8 boys playing nerf wars in my basement.

When there isn't a snow day, my kids can't wait until their friends get home from school, and will camp outside, waiting for the bus to drop them off.

The boys, and friend Johnny, dug a nice deep hole in the snow in the front yard. The hole was at least 4 feet deep. It was pretty cool until David was out playing king of the mountain with the boys and Eli was knocked into the hole, bum-first. He could not move and if David hadn't been there it would have taken some pretty significant mamma-strength to get him out. We decided no more deep, narrow-ish holes.We have also really enjoyed watching the wild-life around our house. I love to see the cute squirrel, deer, and chipmunk prints on the snow.

We spent over an hour one morning watching an interesting Owl verses Crows stand-off in one of our big oak trees. These crows were edging their way closer to the owl (I can see why a group of crows is called a murder--they can look pretty creepy). It looked like they were trying to get him to leave. We found out later that they were all desperate for a squirrel the owl had caught. We discovered this when the squirrel leaped out of the owl's nest and sped down the tree trunk (about 30 minutes after we started watching).

There were lots of oohs, ahhhs, and screams coming from inside our house, but the creatures didn't seem to notice.

One crow (there were at least 7 in the beginning) and the owl flew up and rested on the tree closer to our house where the squirrel had run. I took this shot of all three of them--waiting. (the squirrel ended up getting away--at least for awhile).

It was so interesting.

I just love the winter sunlight pouring into my kitchen--it makes things so cheery (not including the highlighting of finger-prints on my black appliances, of course).

*My sweet friend, Miss Angie, sent me that adorable heart apron. She said when she saw it she knew it was meant for me. I love it!! I am just happier cooking/cleaning/mothering when I have it on!

And, The Grand Finale:

The middle bathroom (mostly complete)

Isn't it happy?!