Somewhere in my youth or childhood

I must have done something good, because while I was off doing dishes and measuring doomed carpets, these 3 little ones cozied up and OF THEIR OWN INITIATIVE read books, like the Von Trapps would've. Something about interrupting the regular schedule of their lives for a couple weeks has made returning to it very sweet.

Baby artist

Preschoolers at Fort Worth's Modern will be studying June's works one day.

Happy White Friday!

I stole that title line from my MIL. Cute, huh? We woke up to Mark cheering "Snowwwww! It's snowwwww!" and Scott claiming it's ice, not snow, because snow should be soft. June doesn't like it at all. I think it's great and am thrilled to have a baby-sized snow storm. The whole city is closed and the streets are still pure snowy white at noon. We drank hot cocoa for breakfast and I'm planing a snow hike for later today.

Maybe, though, it could melt so my parents can drive up to see Scott sing with the church choir on Monday?

Littles lately

She wears 30-year-old hand-me-downs from mama.

Our tree, ablaze, in autumn.

He found my make up and made himself Frida.

Mark's robot ears

Mark got hearing aids yesterday.  We've already heard him make new consonant sounds!  I'm working hard to keep those tiny machines safe.

Holding rainbows

We're at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, one of the many impressive and accessible museums near our house, and I'm corralling my wild mustangs who have scattered around the lobby/stairs/giant purple Christmas tree. This is the only spot snacks are allowed, and I know they all need a little food and a bathroom trip before we see the exhibits if I want to avoid meltdowns. It takes patience to convince everyone of this now that they are too old and too many to simply scoop up. I'm head down, really sticking to the must-do mothering list when I notice that we have rainbows dancing on our hands.

A little bit of physics magic lifts my head and reminds me to appreciate the fleeting, beautiful moments with my own little rainbows.

*we are the lucky ones*

Green smoothies

These are a breakfast favorite at our house right now!

For 1 meal-sized serving, blend:
1/2 a pear
1 frozen banana (I peel overripe ones and freeze in a big ziplock)
3 prunes or 2 dates (or honey)
2 tsp chia seeds
2 handfuls kale leaves
3/4 c almond or coconut milk
5 ice cubes