hello? is there anybody home?

Hello again.  Remember me?
Long time no post.
However, it’s a miracle in itself that I am able to sit and type this.  I am thankful to have survived another January since beginning this in-home daycare thing five years ago.

If the post-Christmas depression isn’t enough to kill me, the non-stop circle of sickness; runny noses, coughing, pneumonia, diarrhea, pink eye and fevers sure enough could. 
Or at least require an IV drip of my favorite Cabernet. 

January is rough around these kid-filled parts.
Caring for other's children five days a week is one thing, but caring for other’s sick children is a whole new ballgame and it leaves me feeling exhausted at the end of the day.

Then my hubby heads off to attend the SUPERBOWL and other VIP parties for four days.
NBD. 

But truly I can’t complain much.  I feel so blessed to be able to stay home and raise my children.  even if it means the hardest work on Earth.  I feel thankful to do so in order to be here for my family. 
I wear my jammies everyday people, how can I complain about anything?

I’m happy to be back to blog land.
I’ve missed posting the fun we’ve been having (despite the tiny ugly germ invasions) so here is a little recap to catch you up.

 

The biggest news is that I died my hair for the first time ever. 
Ombre style.  What do you think?

My busy days look like this.
Playing outside in the sunshine for a living isn’t half bad.

Lots of baths.                                                      Estate sale hopping with my mom and girls.

 

Lots of bucket making.  So thankful. For the business and the wine.

 

The many faces of Gracie…

And I conclude with a simple statement of the past few weeks, snow is pure joy.

Reason #4,561,230,625 Why My Life is Rad

 

As many of you know, I live for summer, but lately the tides have slowly be turning here at Haus of Girls.
This December has been filled with more joy than I can ever recall in past Decembers.
I’ve been a mom for seven and a half years, but this Christmas season seemed extra joyful in the mommy department.

Maybe it’s because each day, I take the time to remind myself how lucky I am, more that I have in the past.
Lucky to spend everyday at home.  Never having to rush anywhere.
I get to spend every minute of every day with Gracie, except when she’s at school.
I get to see my two big girls off to school and welcome them home as well every single day.
I can’t imagine anything different.

The memories I am making with my girls seem more  important and meaningful  as I age.
At thirty- two I  probably  have over five billion laugh out loud moments that I wouldn’t trade for the world.
They make my life perfect filled with very few regrets.

And here are a few other reasons why I’ve been so joyful this month….

I get to witness my girls excitedly search for “Clyde” every morning.

I happily get to bake for my sweet clients and friends while all ten children sleep at one time.

I get to laugh all day at this crazy girl who is really into “layering” this winter.
She has NINE shirts on in this picture.

I get to eat hundreds of candy canes while my sweet hubby keeps refilling the supply on our tree.

I get to anxiously wait for Gracie to wake after finding her at 11 pm fast asleep with underwear on her head.  When she finally awoke at her usual time, 8:45 am, she decided to keep the undies on as they “really keeps my hair out of my face, mom.”

I get to enjoy an early evening tea party.

 

I get to sew my girls fun shirts and then take 2,000 pictures of them posing in the cold.
They hate me now, but will love me when they are grown.

I get to make fun little presents for my girls to hand out to all their teachers at school…. PE, art, music and even the bus driver.  I’ve always tried to teach my girls how just a simple gesture goes a long way.
Making someone smile and feel appreciated is one of the most important things in life.

 

Speaking of feeling special, I received the most amazing and thoughtful Christmas gifts from my clients this year.  I wish they could know how much this means to me.  From wine, to a pedicure, to handmade thank you notes, to an amazing book (one thousand gifts)  I can’t wait to read, I am so grateful and thankful.
For them to take the time out of their busy schedule to do something kind for me, has me smiling from ear to ear.   For them to make me feel noticed and appreciated for caring for their  sweet children all year,  is absolutely the best feeling in the world. 

I even get to lock my self out of Steve’s car when attempting to finish up my Christmas shopping.
The good thing about that was that I was at Target.

 

As usual for this crazy family, there have been several nights out filled with fun.
This particular night we were celebrating my mom, as well as my brother in law Austin’s birthdays.
We started at the Burger Bar, then moved into the attached casino, got kicked out of there, and then walked down the street to another bar.  Yes, we got kicked out of a casino.  Long story.
We officially entered into a “club,” parents in tow, and had the best time dancing.

I have three best friends (sisters)  who don’t mind my creepy dance moves.
What could be better than that?

 

Well, I guess these three are pretty awesome.  

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

 

Just Wondering

When Gracie will take this hat off?

Maybe when the weather starts to warm up?
If not, I will have one silly bikini wearing sweaty two year old.

*Update: She no longer refers to this as her “Cow Hat.” 
She is now calling it her “Russian Hat.”  

Happy Wednesday!

snow full of craft

When life gives you snow, and you are trapped inside for a few day, what should you do?
Make things!
Yesterday during nap I came across this cute idea and knew I had to make one. 

I can’t tell you how frustrating it is when someone comes along mid-afternoon, right smack during nap time (for eight kids mind you!) and DING DONG!  
Our two black labs bark like crazy and I want to cry. 
Don’t people know how precious nap time is for my sanity, workout and craft time?  Apparently they do not. 

So let’s see if this helps the sitch here at Haus of Girls…

My version. 
A friendlier way of saying, “If you DARE ring my door bell you will have one raging mad Momma answering the door.”
 

Sometimes I wish I never had a door bell installed whenever we were building our home.  That’s how annoying it is.

But since I don’t have a time machine and there is the occasional time I can’t hear atomic bomb, much less a knock at the door when I’m in my basement/playroom/workout room/sewing room, it will just have to stay put.

Now onto my next snow day project. 
Three Valentine’s Day dresses for three little girls to wear to Nana and Papa’s Valentine’s Day party tomorrow. 
It’s really February friends?

Thank your for all the sweet comments yesterday, by the way.  Most of the time I feel this blog is an alternative way of communicating with myself.  I talk-type to myself and document all that’s happening at Haus of Girls, not knowing who is even reading along with me.
So it’s nice to hear from others who are indeed stopping by and reading as well. 

Your input and responses, in a way, make me feel a bit less of a “talking to myself” kind of girl at home all day with eight silly kids. 
Adult reinforcement and encouraging words are always appreciated, as children don’t always have the vocabulary or desire to articulate, “keep up the good work!  You are doing a great job!”  

So thank you to all who stop by Haus of Girls to check in on me!

Have a fantastic (more snow’s a comin’) Super Bowl weekend!
Who is making this?
Or this?
Or both?
You know I am!

homebound stats

 

Here in the Show Me State we have had a few days of snow…and ice.  I’m sure you’ve heard. 
My husband, who’s a teacher, worked only one day this week, Monday.  And Mia only had only one day of school this week, Monday.
So as you can imagine, we’ve been having a lot of fun all snuggled up at home, spending time together.
Something I feel families should do more of. 
I am thankful, grateful and so blessed to have the opportunity to be such a big part of all the memories my girls are creating.  Memories they will always have. The same memories of togetherness that I will forever cherish, as well.  

Despite a few days of lock down, we have made the most of the wintery drama.  Movies, popcorn, pedicures, more movies, sewing, sledding, hide and seek, the Ladybug game, puzzles, baking cookies, my own version of homeschooling, (…aka worksheets that my girls thought were boring) reading, making soup and even going to a birthday party and taking a road trip. 

Winter isn’t so bad after all!

We had some “wine” leftover from New Year’s Eve so the girls gladly grabbed their very own size wine glasses for dinner one night.

 

Steve shoveled, yet again, our driveway along with the sweet couple across the street who are unable to do it. 

We built several “forts” to “chill out” in.

And Gracie continued to hoard her fave items.
(Please tell me that some of you also have a hoarding two year old! I am getting worried.)
The “cow” hat, as usual, and her new bestie, Elmer the elephant!
A thoughtful gift from Aunt Karen and Uncle Craig that accompanied two of the cutest books ever. 

Gracie also snuggled up with her new friend Macy.
She is one of my friend Kelly’s sweet baby that I watch on occasion.  Gracie can’t get enough of Macy. 

We ventured out for a fab 6th birthday party for our niece Carly.
I snapped a fun cousin shot before things got too crazy!

And a few weeks ago we road tripped to my sister Haley’s house to watch my cousin Kelsey high jump!
She did so awesome and Mia and I were so thankful to have finally gotten the chance to cheer her on. 

My sister Maggie and I cheering Kelsey on.

While at my sister Haley’s house we ACCIDENTLY hit up a few bridal boutiques.  Here is one of my favorite dresses from the day. She may or may not have picked a different one that is even more gorgeous than this one.

I hope you are all having a fun winter as well.  What have you been up to?  Leave me a comment.  I’d love to hear from you.  Who even reads this? 

A Little of This and a Little of That

 

It’s Friday.
Can I please get a Holla?!

It’s been an especially long week here at Haus of Girls filled with spills, tears, whining about school outfits and more.  
Having three daughters, there is no shortage of clothing/hair accessories drama, I will say.

 (A glimpse at their individual fashion sense as they pose in front of our tree one last time before taking in down.)

So today, when I woke up to begin another wonderful winter day, I was a little more excited than normal that it was Friday. 

Four of the six children I care for during the day did not come today, (only four kids all day instead of the usual eight = spa retreat!!!) so I had the rare chance to take Mia and Sophie to school.
This is a real treat for them because, after taking on a few more children to care for at the end of the year, I have not had room in my big ol’ Suburban to do so.  I am so thankful for some extra special and kind Moms who have helped me out in the carpool department.  I couldn’t do what I do without their help and support.  So a big thank you Amber, Rachel and Kandi.  You are all such blessings! 

I took full advantage of our road trip opportunity and decided, after dropping Sophie off at preschool, to take the cuties to a little place I like to call coffee heaven.  
Also knows as Starbucks.
I think they enjoyed the road trip almost as much as my taste buds did. 

Here’s a little more of this and that to recap what’s been happening in Haus of Girls the past few days.

#1.  I DARE you to try this Jackie Warner workout DVD.  And then I dare you to not cry when doing the abs portion of the 40 minute full body workout. 

 

Seriously.  Go buy it from Amazon.com like I did (thanks to a gift card from my sister Adie!) for less than half price and do it.  Your body will thank me.  I am back in the swing of working out after a two month hiatus due to sickness.  I am thankful to have my body back.  Not thankful for the awful feeling of my stomach being on fire.

#2.  T-minus two weeks until Baby Smith arrives!!!

And how cute is my sister Adie’s 36 week pregnant belly?
I can not even wait to hold her new teeny baby boy.
I may or may not steal him for a few days.  Do you think she’ll notice?

#3. At Starbucks today I went out on a limb and tried something new.  I know, I’m such a dare devil.  I normally get the plain Jane boring Skinny Vanilla Latte, but I risked it and tried the Skinny Carmel Macchiato. 
I almost fainted from the yumminess.  I want one every morning from now on.  If only I had a gift card for every diaper I changed during the day.  I ‘d be one happy, and caffeinated, momma.

#4.  My computer is being shady, again.
I must save all my pictures on my sd card TONIGHT.  Someone remind me later tonight.  Threaten me.  Force me.  I am counting on you!

#5.  It has finally stopped snowing for a few minutes.  Last week was a snowy blur of sledding, shoveling (not by me of course!), and family game nights inside. 

#6.  This girl is getting too old.  Too fast.
She is so over all the skirts I have sewn for her, only takes showers and does her own ponytails.  Tears. 
She even had a special day with Dad and went up in this…

the St. Louis Arch.
Something I have yet to do.  Will never do, I’m pretty sure. 
Just a tad too high for me, and I won’t even talk about the fact that when it’s windy, you feel it swaying back and forth when you’re up at the top.  No chance. 

#7.  Speaking of no chance…
No chance that this girl is about to turn five.  
 

Sophie has recently determined her upcoming party will be  Rapunzel themed.  I guess I better gather up some of my Grandma Viefhaus’ German recipes for the big day.  
Kraut Flakel anyone? (One of my favorite foods of all time!)

This almost five year old was a “Beterinarian” today at preschool for their Occupation Parade.  Stethoscope and all. 
And when I sat down by her at lunch this afternoon with my baby spinach salad with grilled chicken she said, “Wow, Mom.  That smells like lice.” 
The end.

Snow Crazy

Last week Mia only had school one day.
The rest were snow days.
Our family loved every minute of the indoor fun and having nowhere to be, however yesterday we were happy to have somewhere to go: my parent’s house for a day of sledding!

My three stooges all bundles up and ready to go.

We hit the “small hill” first and  Mia smoothed out a great path.

Sophie’s face is priceless on her first time down.

And Gracie girl braved it alone in a sitting down style,  after already attempting a ride down on her belly and getting a face full of snow.
There were a few tears, but being the trooper she is she hung in there and followed her big sisters around the rest of the afternoon.

“I don’t like snow in my face,” she told me a few hundred times.  Me neither, Gracie. 

Steve and Gracie’s first attempt down the “big hill.”
Super fast, more snow in Gracie’s face, and a few more tears.

A picture of the trek back up the “big hill.”
Notice Steve’s stellar baby carrying skills.

All smiles from this purple layered girl.
Note the hat on backwards ;)

Mia braving the big hill alone.

At the end is a cliff which drops down to my parent’s pond, so my Dad had to stand down at the end and stop/catch us. 
To say the least, he had his work cut out for him.
My mom also helped by blocking the trees at the end.
All and all a super safe day  ;)

My dad put it best when he said at one point, “As parents you put helmets on your kids when they ride their bikes, but you throw them down a snowy hill on a sled with no problem.”
So true.

Hiking back to the house for some hot chocolate and cupcakes.

Check out their waterfall! It’s frozen!

Mia’s yummy hot chocolate…

and such a yummy winter day!