First romp in the snow.

I know it is already the middle of January and we have had snow for over a month now but the other day Mateo and I went out to play in the snow for the first time. I figured we would be out there for a couple of minutes before Mateo would want to come in. Boy was I wrong. He loved the snow. He could barely walk because the snow was up to his knees. He fell down every few steps but continued to get back up (or put his arms up so I could help him up). It was so much fun. It was so peaceful. We seemed to be the only people outside at that moment. I love watching Mateo experience things for the first time. It helps me to remember that simple things can have such wonder.

Gratitude!!!

I am so grateful right now. Jake had a cardiologist appointment on Wednesday. After a long day of waiting, Dr. Vitullo called and said she wanted to see him in three months, but that things looked o.k. right now. One thing I have learned is that all any of us truly have is right now, this day. We may not be able to predict the future, but today we are smiling. I hope you are too.

Pure Joy

Tim left for his cousin's wedding in San Diego tonight, so I was on my own for dinner with the girls. Genevieve had Minnie Mouse at the table (she is never without a friend next to her) and I was holding Eleanor. Genevieve was having Minnie reinact a song from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Eleanor let out the biggest belly laugh I have ever heard. When Genevieve heard her laugh, she started singing louder, even more animated, which made Eleanor laugh even harder. I started cracking up, which made Genevieve laugh, which in turn made Eleanor squeal. It was one of those rare perfect moments in life (except, of course, that Tim wasn't there to share it with us.) Sorry that I don't have a picture - I considered looking around for my camera to capture the giggles, but decided instead to just embrace the moment.

The Queen

I think Anna may have been a queen in a previous life. She got a dress-up trunk for Christmas, and has been very into dressing up several times a day, and choosing just the right accesory to match. The other day she said, "Mom I am a queen and I need a thrown." We decided to use the blue chair as her thrown and let me tell you, she relished the role! We referred to her as Your Heiness, and for the game, her wish was our command. ( She's so passive isn't she?:) )

art dresser

Alex and I completed a really great project this week. We tansformed a little piece of furniture into an art dresser! After letting him choose the perfect shade, (green of course!) we cHanged the knobs and filled the drawers with colored pencils, markers, paper, pom poms, pipe cleaners and more! He has already created several pieces of art including martians, caterpilars, and a planet. I love that he has a place where he can be creative whenever he wants!

fort!

The boys rearranged the furniture in the living room and added pillows and blankets from their beds for the perfect fort! What is it about creating your own little space that is so much fun?

Resolutions

My biggest New Years resolution really is to embrace the moments with the people who matter most. The future is unknown, but right now we are all right and we have each other!!

Jake

Jake wrote an amazing story about a pirate named Captain Santa Claus. I love his imagination and I hope he always uses it!

The beauty of Max

One of my favorite things about Max is that all it takes to make him happy is a batch of cookies and a bowl to lick.

Thick as Thieves

Luke and Mateo have a really neat relationship. I think Luke loves having someone younger to pal around with since it is ususlly him who is keeping up with his brothers. It is a snow stormy kind of a day, and Mateo was exactly what was needed to make it adventurous. My prediction is that these two are going to get into a lot of trouble together. The best kind of trouble is when you have someone to share it with.

You gotta love Aunt Kate

Mateo has been running around yelling GOAL for months now. His fathers heart swells with pride every time he does this. I don't believe he actually knows what the word "goal" really means though seeing as he will yell GOAL after he throws a ball(or a toy) or puts it in the basket ball hoop or kicks it in the actual goal. Nonetheless his father is convinced that he will be the next soccer phenom. Katie was over the other day and decided to take this new obsession to a whole different level. She told Mateo that not only do you yell goal but you also lift your shirt up and run around. This is the result of Aunt Kate's words of wisdom. I think Gonzalo loves Katie a little bit more now.