Happy Mid-Winter Break!

We have been looking forward to our 4-day weekend...it's always a great break during the long Michigan winter.  Yesterday felt nothing like winter as we hit 50 and the snow started to melt!  After 95+ inches and still 24+ on the ground last week this was met with open arms.  I was even able to do an outside run (which I avoid at all costs during the winter months- I am NOT a fan of cold)!  Today we met our friends Carrie and Logan at the Children's Museum and the kids had a great time.  We did lunch after and it was the perfect start to our break.

Playing around in the mirror

Maddie in the mirror!

Making big bubbles

Making a face with Logan

Brushing teeth at the healthy teeth exhibit

The girls also got to get outside and play in the driveway some- they were very excited to have their bikes and scooters down again! Happy weekend to all. :-)

Valentine Fun!

Tonight I brought the girls to the Family Valentines Party at Allison's school. She was SO excited about it!  They were able to run around with the kids, play games, do crafts and decorate cookies.  It was fun to watch Allie with all of her friends and to watch Maddie join in after a short warm up period. At one point she even went over where they were playing a musical chairs type game and joined in all by herself! HUGE step for my shy little girl. :-)

They had to wear their heart dresses of course!

Decorating Cookies

Cheese!

Game time!

New Do!

Allison got a new haircut today! She has been asking to get her hair cut like Mommy's so after ballet we went to the salon and made it happen. After not having hair for so long (she didn't really have much until age 2), I have always been a little weird about getting her haircut. She had it cut at age 3 for the first time and got it cut again before school started in September. It has always been so thin and fine but has recently started to look/feel a lot thicker.  This led me to believe that just maybe this cut would work. It is a big change but I am SO happy with the results. I think she looks adorable!

Giving sis a hug...

Doesn't she look so proud?

Slumber Party!

We have come upon a big milestone which I feel I must write about! Allison is at her first sleepover at a friend's house tonight.  Lia is going to Chicago (American Girl) with her family and in lieu of a Birthday party, she asked if Allie could stay the night. The girls were SO excited.  Having pizza, doing nails, making rice krispie treats and playing Barbies.  As nervous as I am at letting her do this, I know she is going to do great and will have a blast!  It also really helps that Lia's mom and I have known each other since the 7th grade; there are few people I would trust more for my daughter's first sleepover. :-)  She will bring the girls to ballet tomorrow and I will pick Allie up from there.  Can't wait to hear all the details!

After we dropped big sis off we stopped by brother's house to see what was going on.  Maddie ADORES her Uncle Andy and Aunt-to-be Meghan and was so excited to see them! We all went to dinner at the Station and ended the night with a chocolate sundae for Mads.  I am trying to think back and recall if Phil and I have been somewhere with just Maddie before and I can't place anything! It was kind of fun to have some time with her.

Looking forward to what the rest of the weekend brings!

Snow Day!

Mass hysteria had ensued as I stopped at Meijer for bananas and milk and observed the LONG lines of people with full carts preparing for the upcoming storm.  Growing up in Michigan I knew the snow was coming, but just how much remained in question.  You see, there have been times where a "big storm" was due to hit, only to fizzle out and leave us with a few measly inches.  This storm had been deemed Blizzard 2011 and we were indeed directly in it's path.  It began snowing and blowing last night and school was canceled by 10:00 p.m. It was nice knowing before we went to bed that we didn't have to get up!  Turning on the t.v. and watching the weather this morning I saw that as of 7:30 a.m. we had received close to 12 inches.  It is still coming down good and the blowing snow continues! Phil is out trying to snow blow and the girls are itching to go outside. I, on the other hand, am perfectly happy to remain indoors in my comfy clothes.  So happy snow day to all!  Just in case you have no snow or would like to "live the dream," I am including a few pictures.  Enjoy!