Happy Day Sika!!

Tee hee...



What an awesome way to wake up.  The sun was still sleeping when Liam declared it was time to "Rise and shine!"  I could hear him in the dark, conversing with the bears on his mobile.  Then shuffling around in his big boy bed, then grunting and holding his breathe in concentration as he shimmied out of his big boy bed.  All that work, to stop dead in his tracks when he realizes he is totally free to roam about the room. It must be terrifying for a toddler to suddenly realize he's out of the safety net and alone.  And I wait...because here it comes...~cry...MOMMA! cry~  


It's our usual Saturday morning routine, a quick and quiet roll around on the floor, a sing along with best of the musical books and down the stairs we go...coffee for me, soy milk for my boy.  Good morning to puppy dog, books spread out, Facebook open.  


Saturday I knew there was a treat outside for us.  It was dark and silent.  That "lots of new snow on the ground" kind of silent.  In the city it's deafening.  City dwellers are not accustomed to silence, there is always commotion, noise, the constant drumbeat of city life.  On a good day, it may be reduced to a loud buzz or hum, but it is almost never silent.  But when it is...it looks like this...




I waited and waited for the sun to come up so I could run my crazy ass outside in my jammies to snap a shot of the first snow!!!  If Liam hadn't been standing at the door scolding me for leaving him inside, I would have laid down right in the middle of the street and made a snow angel.  I did linger a moment though, taking in the silence, the comfort of thick "hotel blanket" of snow.  I have a slight obsession with "hotel beds" ...the all white ones.  White pillow top, white sheets, white down comforter...I love them and this snow was a large scale version of a very cool hotel bed. 


Waiting, waiting waiting for the girls to get up and out of bed.  No matter how many times a child sees snow, the first snow is magic.  It's as if they are unsure if it will come back every year and when it does...party time.  Liam and I started the party with a little snow dance, which woke up Autumn who shuffled into the office, dug the sleep out of her eyes, stuck her nose against the window, smiling... "SNOW!!!"  Minutes later very tired Miss Annika wandered into the office "I hear music...what is going on?"  Snow dance...that's what chica!  Finally I can take some pictures of my own snow angels!

Do you ever look at your babies and just...wonder "how on earth does this person belong to me?"

I do every single day.

"But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me..."

It's Minnesota, it's mid November and I'm a Midwest girl from South Dakota and still every year one of my poor children is missing critical snow gear on the first big snow day.  This year it's poor Lumski. No snow pants, gloves, or boots.  No worries, he was busy honing his Jedi skills with Dad.




And this day...it only gets better and better.  


Turns out my best girl, my best bro and my loving husband had a surprise birthday party planned for me.  And it matters not that the weather conspired against the party, because those that couldn't come sent their love with those that could.  Those of use who did make it brought babies and blankets and snuggled in.  Chili and soup, breads, cheese and wine...no need to leave. 

I had my girls.

Plenty of dance partners.

Happy Day Sika!

And in the morning, we were right back at it...minus the wine.  Babies, coffee, chatter.  Busy busy busy making plans for the rest of the day or the rest of our lives, depending on what circle you plopped down in.  Someone says that this is what it's all about, the waking up to your best friend family... Amen. 

It's about babies sharing pillow pets while parents share laughter...

Friends sharing family...

Everyone sharing kiddos...

And of course a delish "recovery" breakfast in our favorite neighborhood.





And tomorrow HAS to be about getting this little man some winter gear...sheesh! 

Disclaimer...no baby boys were harmed in the snapping of this photo:)

But it will be hard to say goodbye to the pumpkin hat, skull baby legs and red, white & blue mittens.