Snow, beans and mice

The snow has melted off the roads now, but our yard is still white. These pictures were made earlier this week before Rhett went back to school.

I like this picture of Lane and the kids. They had been rebuilding our snowman. They came in for hot chocolate soon after this photo.
Snow days produce a LOT of extra laundry! This is what it looked like beside the garage door for most of the week. I'm ready for warm days when the coats/scarves/gloves are stored neatly in the closet and the kids are able to dress in shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops!

On one of the snow days, I made 15 bean soup and cornbread. I'd never made beans before, but I thought they were good--perfect for a wintery day. Here are the 15 colorful beans, before soaking.

Almost ready...

Rhett and our neighbor playing in a snow fort:
These are difficult to see, but I wanted to document Alexee's mouse drawings. For some reason this is her favorite thing to draw! Below are four mouse pictures that she did yesterday. If you look closely you can see their eyes and long tails. :) I'm so happy that she likes to draw.
She said this one is asleep. (Eyes on the left, long tail on the right.) I wonder if maybe she likes mice because of Jaq and Gus in her Cinderella book? I'll cherish these always!

Surprise Snow Day

We were not expecting this snow! No school again today, but this time we had enough snow to play in. It's the good kind of snow that packs together and makes good snowballs and snowmen!

Alexee and Natalie making snow angels.
View from our front yard--it was snowing so hard for a while! It was really pretty.
Alexee, Rhett & our neighbor, Natalie, with their snowman.
Crosby came outside very briefly after his nap (just for a picture).
Rhett added "hair" to the snowman.
We decided to make snow ice cream (I hope the air was clean!?).

Big bowl of snow

1 can of Eagle Brand

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Mix and eat.

Alexee's Birthday Party

We had a great time on Saturday! Here is the birthday party album.

Pancake Breakfast

This morning Lane and Alexee went on their first father/daughter date! They went to the Valentine breakfast at our church. Alexee was really excited--it was so cute. I painted her fingernails for the occasion. Lane said they had fun together and that Alexee was sweet. They ate pancakes, did a cake walk, Alexee did the hula-hoop and they made a Valentine craft together. Here they are before their date:I was proud of Lane for taking pictures and even coming home with a picture of the two of them together! :)

100th Day of School

Yesterday was Rhett's 100th day of school celebration. The year is going by too fast. They had all sorts of fun activities planned for yesterday, and Rhett was so excited. He told me Tuesday night that he needed to get a good night's rest "for the big day". When I went to give Crosby a bottle shortly after 6 a.m. yesterday, Rhett was already dressed/shoes on/bed made/teeth brushed/hair combed! (I wish it was that easy every morning.) The students met in the cafeteria so they could walk to the classroom together to see all the decorations. They spent the morning doing fun games and activities. Crosby and I joined them at 11:15 for their cupcake and ice cream party.

They were just coming back in from recess when we arrived, and Miss J asked the kids to rest their heads for a few minutes while everyone took turns going to the restroom.

They hand-painted "Hooray for the 100th Day" t-shirts and crowns.

His teacher also handed out citizenship and attendance awards. (R received both!) :)

1...2...3....Hooray for the 100th Day!

Crosby was sweet and content as always!

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Three years ago today we welcomed our sweet baby girl to our family! What a wonderful three years it has been!

Yesterday I made her a Red Velvet cake. We were hosting Bible Study last night, so we thought we'd have cake a day early so we could share it with friends.
Before everyone arrived:

Bobby (beside Alexee) has a birthday tomorrow, so we sang to both of them. I told him I hoped he didn't mind a pink cake! :) He has two girls, so he's probably used to it. Alexee tried to blow out the candles...
...and tried...
...and tried...I think Bobby and Rhett finally helped her.
Eating breakfast this morning on her big day (she chooses her own PJs. They are often too small and mis-matched). :)
After breakfast she decided to go to her closet and choose something else to wear. She came back in a t-shirt and tutu:
A few days ago Rhett made her a sweet card. He used the stencil from her doggie party invitation on the card. He drew a cake and wrote "I love you" on it. :)
Tonight we did the traditional birthday dinner at Purple Cow:

We didn't eat one healthy thing:
When we got home she opened her gifts from us (princess costume dress from her brothers and books and pink horse PJs from us):
I think she liked everything! She went to bed wearing the new PJs with the princess dress over them.
Sibling photo...Crosby looks a little awkward, but happy:

Rhett suggested taking a picture of the three of us:

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY TO YOU, ALEXANDRA REESE!
WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

We are having family and a few of her friends over for a doggie-themed party on Saturday. More pictures then!