Fun at Home

We have been hanging out at home since we were recovering first from the flu which was then followed by an awful tummy bug.  After 2 solid weeks of sickness we are thankfully all feeling better and I have big news to report...Sophia is potty trained! Way to go Sophia!  We are so proud of Sophia using the potty.  This was our 2nd attempt at training.  I started off the training by showing Sophia how her baby uses the potty after drinking juice.  Right away she got the hang of it.  The first day I checked on Sophia every 15 minutes to use the potty.  On day 2, I checked with Sophia every 30 minutes to see if she needed to sit on the potty.  On day 3 she was still accident free and going to the potty with out any prompting.  We presented Sophia with a potty training award and she was a proud peacock!

Since we have been hanging out at home Isabella has enjoyed helping Daddy work on the car, playing the in snow and attending church with me.  This past Sunday Isabella said the Lords Prayer on her own for the first time!  Great job Isabella.  I am so proud of my darling daughters.

Sophia and Bella with the piggy bank trail (created by Isabella during quiet time)

Isabella enjoying her toys

Special Daddy Daughter Time

Daddy's girl

Craft time

Isabella and I off to church

Big Girl Sophia on the potty!

Sophia is proud of her achievement

Big girl panties!!!

Sophia even kept dry while playing in the snow

Isabella snow angel

Sledding Sisters

Snow White

The SNOW is starting to fall!!!!

Its snowing!!!  After a week of being cooped up with the flu the girls were eager to get outside and play!  Even though the snow did not start until it was dark, the girls were eager to play outside. As Isabella and Sophia geared up for pre-bedtime snow fun we discussed all the fun things we could do with snow.  Isabella wanted a snowball fight and Sophia just wanted to eat it. They loved it!  Isabella called it Snow White!

Daddy and his snow babes

The following morning Will was able to take the morning off of work just to play in the snow with his daughters (great daddy, huh!)  The girls were outside by 8:30am!  This snow storm has provided hours of entertainment for our crew.  Isabella even stashed some snow in our freezer to save for summer!

Wishing everyone a healthy and warm start to the new year!

New Years Celebration & an Almost Sleepover

Happy New Year!  We welcomed the new year with the Stutz family.  It was like old times (except now we all have kids!).  The kids stayed up to ring in the new year (London time) and enjoyed the noisemakers, fire crackers and saying "Happy New Year!".  The kids all had fun playing together as did the adults.  It was a treat to start the new year off with dear old friends.

Isabella is excited to use the noisemakers

Addi, Sophie, Annie and Bella (in the car seat)

Sophia dines on her last meal of 2012

Ending 2012 with my hubby by my side 

The first day of 2013

Someone is about to cast a spell with thier wand...

After new years, the girls had more time off of school.  They missed seeing thier friends and Isabella requested a slumber party overnight...thus I hosted an "almost sleepover play date". The kids watched a movie, ate popcorn and snuggled on the floor.  It was a great way to break up the time off from school.

Almost sleepover play date during winter break

Sophia enjoying the movie

Holly Jolly Christmas

CHRISTMAS EVE

On Christmas eve the girls enjoyed wearing their "princess" dresses to 5pm mass. The girls (and Will) did great after being in the church for over two hours, and thankfully we had arrived early enough to get seats.  After church the girls received an early gift before bed which were pajamas.  We ended the evening with the kids snuggled on Isabella's bed in their soft, new, warm pj's while I read The Night Before Christmas.  It was the perfect end to Christmas Eve.

Sophia ready for Church

Isabella is ready too

Sweet sisters snuggling at the top of the stairs 

The children asleep all snug in their bed....

...while visions of sugar plums danced in their head.

CHRISTMAS DAY

The girls slept late considering their normal routine.  Isabella was happy and excited to head downstairs but (per tradition from Will's childhood) we needed a photo at the top of the stairs before heading down.  After a  few attempts we were finally able to get one good photo.  The girls got into the action this year and enjoyed ripping off the wrapping paper and checking out what was inside.  After gifts & brunch, we headed to Maryland to visit with family.  Our trip was cut short due to bad weather and we had to head back to Richmond early the following day.   We did however get a chance to celebrate with the Schaefer side.  The girls enjoyed playing with their cousins (2nd cousins) and singing a round of the 12 days of Christmas.  I enjoyed the Christmas carol too!  

Photo #1
Top of the stairs. First attempt
Sophia did not want to sit

Photo #2
Sophia finally sitting, but Isabella turns away

Photo #3
Well, at least they are both facing the same way.

Photo #4
Yes!

Running up to the Christmas Tree

Bundled up Bella

Sophia said that THIS was her princess smile.

FiFi is excited about her new makeup!

Tearing through the wrapping paper

Artists in action

Sophia loves the easel

Isabella was excited to head to Maryland to see family

Isabella striking a pose for the camera

Don't they look excited about leaving for a car ride? Well, Isabella was!

Photo by Isabella

Sophia loved her new pony collection from Santa and had to include one in the photo

Sophia & Aunt Meredith before dinner

Excited to open presents at Grandmere & Poppy's

Poppy with Sophia & Isabella on Christmas Day

Yeah its Snowing!

Christmas was wonderful and we plan to celebrate with the rest of our family soon.  That means my favorite holiday will last a little bit longer!  This Christmas season was full of wonderful memories that I will cherish and I hope that my daughters feel the same way.  Merry Christmas to all.