Thankful

As we enter the week of Thanksgiving, I find myself feeling especially grateful for all that I have. I am blessed with a wonderful family, both near and far, friends who are kind, thoughtful, funny, and fun, and so many other things that I take for granted far too often.
One thing I try very hard not to take for granted are my children. My girls are growing fast, and it has really been striking a chord with me lately. We are looking ahead to Kindergarten for Caroline next year, and with the twins nearing two and a half, my baby days are officially coming to an end. It is bittersweet for sure.
I am so proud of my girls and the little people they've become, but I already miss the sweet little babies they used to be.  I appreciate every moment of the day that I get to spend with them, knowing that in a couple years they will all be gone at school most of the day, and I will miss them dearly.

Caroline, Margaret, and Julia, November 2013

Picture Post

Things were especially hectic around our house this past week or so. There's nothing major going on, but appointments, meetings, play dates, and other events have been keeping us very busy. Here are several pictures I've snapped over the past several days...

Best helpers in the grocery store. Unless they run up on your heels with their cart. 

Mary Kate and Margaret during a Friday night dinner play date.

Julia sacked after school. 

Margaret sacked after school.

BEST TARGET PURCHASE EVER...at least according to the twins.

Caroline and her buddy Holt during an after school lunch date. 

Pretty Margaret playing with her Little People princesses.

When the cat's away, the mice will play (in big sister's bed)! 

Last weekend we finally made it to Charlottesville to pick apples at Carter's Mountain. We met up with several of our Darden friends and had an awesome time.

At the top of the mountain...it was chilly up there!!

Most of the apples had been picked, but we didn't go home empty handed. There were huge crates of apples all around to choose from.

Daddy and some of his Darden buddies.

C, J, and M sorting dyed pasta before we started using it to make jewelry.

Caroline showing off her noodle necklace. 

Busy and happy girls: Mary Michael and Caroline.

We also made turkey apples during this play date. Caroline's turkey had large red eyes - eek!! 

Margaret monkeying around at Michael's birthday party. 

Show me your best funny face!!

Julia having a blast.

Margaret and Julia taking care of each other at preschool.

The Switch Witch

It's only 3 days after Halloween, but our candy is (nearly) gone. Perhaps it was the unfortunate incident between Mommy and 5 full size Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (all in one sitting), or maybe it was the fact that the girls were eating candy after every meal and snack, or maybe it was Julia giving the dog an entire bag of peanut M&M's that made it clear: the candy had to go.
Thankfully, the Switch Witch was happy to take on the job, and the girls were more or less on board with relinquishing their candy ("as long as the witch is friendly, Mommy").
As I explained to the girls, the Switch Witch flies around on her broom with her cat after Halloween looking for candy to feed to her hungry feline. In exchange for taking the candy, the Switch Witch leaves a toy, game, clothes, etc. to take the place of the sugar.
So on the eve of the Switch Witch's visit, the girls each picked out 10 pieces of candy to keep and then left the rest in the candy bowl. As planned, the Switch Witch visited over night and left the girls a note thanking them for the candy and making the promise that Mommy would take them out to select a replacement.
The next day the girls hit up Toys 'R Us to cash in on the witch's promise. It may have cost a small fortune to return home to a (nearly) candy-less house and a little less sugar induced insanity, but Mommy considers this a "sweet" victory. :-)

The girls digging in, and choosing their ten pieces of candy. 

Bonus! Caroline got to keep these tattoos in addition to her candy because "cats can't eat tattoos, Mommy." 

Messy haired Margaret choose a bat "yollypop."

Julia choose Sprees. And yes, that is chocolate on her face (and dress).

Caroline counting her ten pieces.

Loading the chosen candy into bags.