Mantel Pictures

I hadn't updated the pictures above the fireplace since Candy was about 6 months old.  It was time to take some new pictures!
I love these kids.  I'm so glad I get to be their Mom and spend so much time with them everyday.

Jack on Mar. 1, a few days shy of 4 months old

Candy on Feb. 23, 2 years and 7 months

Brooke on Feb. 23, 4 years and 7 months

Megan on Feb. 23, 6 years and 4 months

I learned another new hairstyle in February.  I tried it out on Brookie and her best bud on Feb. 27.

Valentine's Week

Dan and I had an AWESOME Valentine's date on Feb. 7 to a fancy French restaurant.  We dressed up and thoroughly enjoyed being together and trying some delicious new food. Valentine's week itself was a little lonely this year as Dan was in Utah for work.  It was the first time in a long time that I stayed home the whole time he was gone (instead of going to visit my sister).  It wasn't so bad--things don't feel as empty when there are four kids in the house with me!

While Dan was gone, Jack tried out the doorway bouncer for the first time (Feb. 12).  He seemed happy enough there, but after a few minutes began sinking lower and lower so we called it a day. 

Sweet Brookie.  At 4 1/2 she can be challenging at times, but very capable and fun overall.  She has a special spot in her heart for her brother.  I love watching them together.

Oh that Candy.  She's definitely acting like a 2 year old these days but she keeps us laughing.  She also loves her brother but has to be constantly reminded to be gentle.

Look at that face. What Mom?  I wasn't going to swing him...really I wasn't!

Dan's sister posted a picture of a cute Valentine's hair-do, so I copied her for Megan on Valentine's day.  Then, when I was watching our best buds in the morning, I did it 4 more times.  It was fun :).  Ashley watched my kids later in the day so I could go enjoy Megan's friendship party.  I love watching her interact with her classmates.  She is always so excited to show me where she sits and what they have been working on.  She is very comfortable in her classroom and loves her teacher.  I'm so glad she is happy there. 

Candy, 2 T girls, and Brooke.  Pretty cute.

I keep trying to get a picture of Jack smiling at bedtime, but it's been a challenge!  For some reason, anytime I try, Dan is not home and I can't keep him smiling AND looking at the camera.  Ah well.  Our best try from Feb. 15.  Dan made it home after church on Feb. 16.  Yay!

100th Day

Megan's 100th Day of Kindergarten was on Feb. 10, 2014.  It got pushed back a bit after our two "ice/snow" days a few weeks back. 
All the kindergarteners needed to wear a shirt with 100 of something on it.  Megan decided she wanted a peacock with 100 feathers.  Her primary teacher last year would wear these peacock feather earrings and Megan thought they were the coolest things ever. 
I think the shirt turned out pretty cute.  I printed a peacock out and traced it onto the shirt with a pen and then went over it w/fabric paint.  Then I cut a piece of felt the same size as the feathers of the peacock and sewed 5 rows of 20 feathers onto it.  Then I just safety pinned the felt piece with all the feathers onto it (so I'll be able to remove it for washing). That's a lot of feathers in a little area! 
I think it's amazing how much she's grown up since August.  She had a great 100s day!  They did a parade in their shirts, wore "100" glasses and a "100" hat and colored a paper with 100 things on it.

Meanwhile back at home, Jack was smothered with love from his sisters.  Brooke especially has a soft spot for her baby brother and loves to hold him.  They were both kissing his little cheeks, but I couldn't catch them at the same time :).  

"Chatsick"

Candy has been extremely fascinated by my makeup lately.  She almost always finds her way into my bathroom when I'm getting ready and asks for her own "chatsick".  So I wasn't too surprised when she'd been quiet for a few minutes and came out looking like this on Feb. 8.  She was pretty proud.
 And I was reminded of when Brookie did the same thing a while back.