Updates on Clifton -
Had a hard time being at home a lot this week and not being able to go outside much.

Updates on McKay -
Is such a homebody.  She has enjoyed the long week of being at home.  She gets it from her Dad!

Updates on Stanley -
I swear has grown a foot.  All the sudden all his pants are too short!

Monday and Tuesday there was no school, but Alex still had work.  We didn't do anything super adventurous but had a lot of fun playing with friends.

Decorating plates for Easter and running around the church gym to get energy out.

FHE fun.

We are getting closer to Clifton's baptism and have really enjoyed having this as a hot topic lately.

After FHE we finally put the last touches in our master bathroom.

The before and after pictures make me so happy!  Anything would look better than that pink overloaded bathroom.  We still have things that we would one day like to change but we are very happy with the transformation.  Now a break from remodeling because everything else seems overwhelming and expensive ;)

Tuesday we played floor hockey with friends.

Then headed to the Bug Museum.

We picked up caterpillars to watch transform into butterflies!

Then went home and decided to bake while the snow fell outside cause that just seems like what you should do when it snows.

Oh and ended the two days off with a Bored Jar because Clifton struggles without school and constant schedule.

Oh how I hate to hear I am bored 10 minutes after coming home from playing.  Hopefully this will help!

Wednesday McKay and Clifton went back to school.

After doing lots of PTA stuff and errands all morning we decided to stop at the bowling alley arcade to play.

We had snow on and off this week but nothing really sticking.

Snow is so beautiful!  But when we woke up Thursday we had lots and it had stuck.  I was sad to hear they didn't cancel school but wouldn't let that stop us form enjoying the snow and the 2 hour school delay.

 We went sledding with friends!

 I have been waiting for this opportunity all winter and thought it had passed.  So I was very pleased to be able to go sledding.  Too bad Alex had to go into work and miss out on the fun.  But luckily we had friends who wanted to join us.

 Crash!

What a fun morning.

Friday they canceled school.  I really think it was to make up for not canceling Thursday because we didn't have more snow and the roads were clear but it was very cold and could have been icy.

So we cuddled!  Well as long as they would let me lay still.

Saturday we headed to the mall for Clifton to get his first suit.

Alex and Clifton headed to look for his suit, while the others and I went to play at the play area.

Then before we left we played on the mall animals.

Fun morning at the mall.

Then Alex and I got to sneak away with friends to watch Black Panther.

I sat next to him, but he did make me sit apart until our friends showed up :)

Sunday after church we headed to a friends house to celebrate a baptism.  Stanley had a big crash outside.

 Oh golly!  So we went home to rest and keep an eye on him.

Sometimes I think my kids hate each other but it always surprises me in stressful or scary situations they come together.

Miss McKay was very sweet and wanted to sit with Stanley while he napped to keep an eye on him.  She also got her favorite teddy bear and gave it to him.

It was a rough day for this little guy.

Other things from the week...

Lunch time compliments of Chef Stanley.  Silly boy!

Valentine's Day

Updates on Clifton -
Another hard week with him.  For FHE we handed out Valentine's which we do every year but he didn't want to this year.  How is it possible he is getting old enough to think the things I do aren't fun and cool anymore?  I knew it would happen but didn't think it would be this soon.  He did change his attitude when we were there thank goodness.

Updates on McKay -
Starting a journal with her has sure made me happy.  I love laying in bed at night to find my cute note from her.

Updates on Stanley -
Has been very happy to be able to spend more time outside this week.  We have enjoyed the spring like weather we had most of the week.  He is meant to be free in the wild.

Monday Stanley had a play date with his sweet friend.

The weather was beautiful so we played outside.  That boy is as happy as a clam when he is outside exploring and it's even better when he has a friend to join him.

For FHE we handed out homemade valentines and flowers at an assisted living center.

I love doing this stuff as a family.  A sweet lady was so happy we were handing out valentines that she went into her room and got a cute stuffed animal.  She insisted that she has been trying to find a new home for it and that McKay take it home.  What a sweet moment it was.

Tuesday Stanley was invited to a cute little Valentine's party with friends.

The weather was nice enough we got to play outside.  Oh the sunshine feels so good!

Tuesday was a rough day with the kids and lots of bad attitudes in our home, but when it came time to decorate their door for Valentine's day writing things I love about them was good for my soul.

As much as they often give me heart ache they also melt my heart.  I sure do love them and love that they are mine.  All cute and dolled up for Valentine's day.

After we dropped the kids off at school Stanley and I wanted to take advantage of another nice February day.  So we went on a hike.

 Oh the green is so beautiful and the fresh air!

 We stopped to play at the park for a little.  On our way home I decided to take a different route so I could get 3 miles of walking in.  I took a path that wasn't marked as a trail but looked pretty open and clear.  And we have a trail right behind our house like it so I thought they would match up.  Boy was I wrong.  After a while of walking and making many different turns I realized I was lost and didn't know how to even back track.  I tried to map my location but it wasn't working and it drained my battery.  So after a couple hours of trying to get out I called Alex to let him know that if he didn't hear from us we are lost in the woods somewhere and to call 911, then my phone died.  After tears, prayers, calling out for help, getting soaked and filthy we finally found Old Clifton Road by Christ the Rock church.  No where near where I was headed.  It was still about a 2 mile hike on the road back to our house and I was exhausted.  Although Stanley was doing really well and not complaining he was hungry or anything I knew he was done as well.  So I tried to turn on my phone.  It didn't work, I tried again and one more time.  It worked the third time.  I knew I only had one call.  I called my friend Trissa, she answered, and picked us up to take us home.  Oh what a miracle!

 We were all smiles when we got home!  Stanley has loved to tell people all week that we got lost and "Rissa" saved us.  We are very thankful for Trissa!

That night McKay and I went to work making 100 mini muffins for her 100th day of school as she requested.  If only I could eat them now.

 They smelled so good!

Thursday is Volleyball night, this time with all the kids since Alex had a meeting that night.

Cute little helpers.  Stanley "reffing" and Clifton keeping score.

Friday I got to help in McKay's class with the 100th day party.

What a great morning with cute kindergarteners.

That night it was daddy daughter dance night at McKay's dance class.

Alex told me I couldn't come watch, but I am sure he was the hippest dad in the bunch.  They had fun dancing the night away.

I then got to escape away and have dinner with friends!

Much needed outing.

Saturday was a day to get things done.  Alex is heading out of town so we needed to get the kids pinewood derby cars done before he left.

 McKay and I worked on hers.

And the boys worked on Clifton's.

Then we worked on finishing up the master bathroom.

We had a cute little helper and a cat who wanted to help but instead sat in paint.

There was a chance of snow for Saturday night.  The kids woke up hoping to see snow but didn't.

Until we went in Stanley's room.  He took out all the stuffing in one of his animals that night.  I guess he made his own snow :/

But then it started snowing at breakfast.

We knew it wouldn't last long so we got outside and played in it before church.

Then we got ready for church.  McKay was super excited to wear our matching dresses.  They were meant for Easter but she just couldn't wait.  I love matching my girl.