Snowy day...

After school on Friday (last day before winter break) the girls rushed to get their snow boots and pants on to enjoy some sledding behind our house.  Our neighbor has a great little snow hill perfect for a short burst of sledding fun!  We only had a few inches of snow but it was very icy and slick.  I think you have to be under 4 feet to really enjoy the snow and ignore the cold temperatures and snow up your sleeves and down your back!  The girls sledded every which way...and it took Juliette twice down the hill to decide that going down on her behind was the only way that SHE wanted to travel!

Home from work...

 The girls are so excited when their Daddy finally gets home from work in the evening.  I have such a privilege of being a stay at home mom....one of the most difficult, demanding and rewarding jobs I have ever had.  I am so lucky to be able to witness my girls growing and changing every day and I thank him for encouraging me to follow my dream of being a mother that can be there for them in this capacity and his hard work can provide for our family.

It is cookie time!!!

 The girls love to help cook and bake.  A favorite is making sugar cookies...but I think more licked fingers and spatulas happen a bit more frequent then helping to decorate.  Isabelle was a big help on transferring the cut out cookies to the sheet and all the girls had their turn with the rolling pin and a variety of cookie cutters.

 Cute little aprons from behind!

 Rolling them out with a pinch of flour...

 This poor cookie didn't quite make the cut...

 Allie enjoys decorating...I think more sprinkles and sugar were on the floor then on the cookies!  Juliette borrowed a Grinch mask from Allie and it cracks me up that she is in the background with it on.

 Juliette approved.

Icing face!

  nice list, kind heart, beautiful soul, cat lover, great reader, sweet-holic, TV watcher

LEGO builder, mommy helper, considerate sister, 

 nice list, over achiever, adorably sweet, mini Monet, people pleaser, fast reader, future teacher, art lover, elephant memory, super sister

 little naughty, mostly nice, mommy stalker, sister loving, sweet cuddler, boy crazy, little artist, letter factory, snack obsessed, do it yourself, vocal toddler, loud singing, busy body

3 pieces of my heart...words don't even begin to express how much I love them!

Jolly Days at The Children's Museum

 On Wednesday (12/12/12), the girls and I joined our friends at the Children's Museum for the annual IUPUI alumni friends and family night.  Allie entered the coloring contest featuring "Jinx" the mascot (she is with him here) and won for her age group!  She was so thrilled!  

 Juliette eventually escaped the grasp of Santa...

*no toddlers sustained psychological damage from being held against their will for this picture*

 Allie would like "Olivia's house" (Lego Friends set) this year...

 Isabelle would like "the cafe" (another Lego friends set)...

 Juliette told me that, "I no yike Santa".  I asked her what she wanted for Christmas and she said, "I want ipad...no, I want Daddy's ipad.  Better start liking Santa, kid.

 The Jolly days exhibit has an ice fishing area that the kids love.

 They also have an area that you can "brush" and "feed" the reindeer.

 A trip to TCM wouldn't be complete without a trip to the 4th floor to ride the carousel.  

 "A hoorsy ride"

Amazing mirrors :)

It is certainly the "most wonderful time of the year".  There is so much to do around the city to enjoy the holiday, sounds of Christmas carols being sung by the girls are constant throughout the house daily, the girls being "extra" good and helpful for mommy (and Santa), Christmas lights on in the house and outdoors for the girls to adore (Juliette, "yook mommy, Crisssmas yites and decorashuns").  Allie wonders daily when it will snow.  Isabelle is excited for Christmas break.  So much wonderment and delight for the kids.  We are beyond blessed!

Santa cat and Yuletide Celebration

 The holidays just wouldn't be complete without a photo torturing our poor feline with a Santa hat.

 Lizzy really doesn't mind all that cuddling though...:)

 Our view of the stage at Hilbert theater...waiting for the show to start!  This was the first year that Juliette was able to go.  She did so well and sat in her seat or our laps with her full 2 year old attention! My heart melted at the beginning when I saw pure excitement and joy on all 3 girls faces.  Isabelle liked the "Night before Christmas" scene.  Allie enjoyed watching the "girl who twirled in the air" during the Enchanted Toy Shop scene.  Juliette was clapping at the end of every number and also did a bit of conducting watching the orchestra.  This is such a fun and special tradition for our family and look forward to it annually!

 The girls absolutely loved the gorgeous lobby Christmas tree.  

Allie, Isabelle and Juliette

 Allie really enjoyed her frosted sugar cookie and milk at intermission.  They were super delicious!

 My beauties!

 After the show, we surprised the girls with a horse carriage ride around downtown.  They were so excited!  They picked a white horse and since the Colts game had just let out, we went along Mass Ave for our 30 minute ride.  The weather was a bit chilly (low 50s) and rainy all day.  

 Inside the carriage...ready to go!

 Isabelle and Allie giving Ripley a pet.

The girls and Daddy.  We would have liked to spend more time at the Circle and see the lights at dusk, but it had started to rain again.  We ate dinner at the Rathskellar where Juliette decided that her good behavior was going to quickly disappear.  :)