Monday, February 11, 2013

.....savoring and a fondue giveaway......

....we are still digging out of 20 inches of snow and the big joke in our house is that Daddy dodges all the good ones.....

....Stefan made it back within hours of the roads being closed when hurricane Sandy lurked a few hundred miles away.....he was forced to leave a business trip in Texas and could only make it to DC.......he had to drive through the first bands of the hurricane as it approached the coast in order to make it home to us.....for this recent blizzard, which was named Nemo, apparently; he was not so fortunate....poor guy had to wait it out in sunny south Florida with some clients and a fishing boat.....

....and so the kids and I holed up and waited it out.....



....we snuck out to play while Brody took his nap and it was a good thing we opted to leave him bundled in his crib......the snow would have devoured him.....my girls didn't make it out for too long, as their snow boots kept getting caught under snow drifts and we ended up wading through the snow in socks, frantically looking for boots that are too big.....

....so, we'll focus on the happier times before the wet feet.....


....the girls were in and out of the house, torn between wanting to have fun in the snow; but suffering from cold and wet body parts.....I focused on digging the car out and after an hour, my car was once again a bright, but slushy red.......shoveling snow is quite the workout and upon the last dig, I lay down to rest and I think I could have fallen asleep if it hadn't been for two little ones finding their way back outside to carouse me indoors so I could give them snacks.....


....and so I went....

....but not without Elsie testing out the snow lounging too.....


.....a few glimpses of how we have been savoring over the last few days......

......Weekly pizza parties.....

......my friend Gina and I alternate hosting and we pick one weeknight and break from cooking.......we order food, talk til we are hoarse and let our children tear up our houses......last week was my turn to host and I extended the invite to some other friends in the neighborhood.....there can never be too many little people running around my house and I love a full table......




.....although we may have to teach the boys some manners.....they ate the cheese plate that was designated for the Mommas....


....my waist line was grateful.....

.....new bunk beds.....

.....need I say more?......

.....our girls have been waiting for months for these beds and lately it is a race to climb in and have a spot of Momma or Daddy to lie down and read......

....sweetness for all......


.....Coach Adrian.....

.....in three lessons, this man has taught my girls how to swim.....face down, arms reaching and pulling,  and diving for rings......they are doing it all.....


.....fierce and fearless.....

.....I am awestruck by their bravery and for Adrian's ability to draw it out of them.....


....verging on four.....

....she is creative and hysterically funny......she is curious, adventurous and girly in a tomboy sort of way.....



.....there are moments when she takes my breath away and I have to pinch myself to ensure this is my life and she is really mine.....I call her my little runt since she has been the smallest of my litter.....two pounds smaller than both Elsie and Brody as newborns, but she can pack the punches.....she is changing into a little girl right before my eyes and in a little over two weeks, she will be four......


....and her brother and sister are equally as unique and lovable, too....raising babies doesn't get much better for me, even on the long days when the snow keeps us indoors for a long, long time.....


....fondue.....

.....this post is a good time to announce new sponsorship on this blog.....when I initially started this blog, the sole purpose was to document and archive the present time for our family....as our family has grown, my time has become scarce......finding time to blog has been challenging with the demands of three young children, their activities, having an active lifestyle, being an attentive wife and maintaining our home.......so with careful consideration and a solid plan, I have started to accept blog sponsorship.......

 ......my goal is to promote products, restaurants, art, events or anything creative that also meshes well with my family.......since this blog will always focus on my children and husband who inspire me daily, the sponsors will be choices that coincide with them.......

....fondue is one of my favorite ways to enjoy good food and conversation, so the Melting Pot was a perfect choice to be my inaugural sponsor.....


....one commenter will be randomly selected (random.org) for a $90 gift certificate to the Melting Pot......

.....winner will be selected Thursday afternoon at 1pm EST and will be announced Thursday night.....gift certificates are only being accepted for the Darien, CT, White Plains, NY and Westwood, NJ Melting Pot locations for this giveaway.....

....and with all of that to savor and enjoy, she said good night......