Thankful

As the snowflakes continue to fall around our warm little red house outdoors, the girls continue to find new ways to entertain one another indoors.  I have to admit, this time of year, January especially, kind of scares me.  It is the time of year that feels most dark (probably because it is, duh).  But I have been pleasantly surprised already this month at how much the proverbial sun seems to still be shining on us.  I know it has much to do with how well the girls play together, and how much fun they have going outside to play in the snow too.  The three of us girls have gotten pretty efficient in suprising Daddy with a clear driveway after a snowfall, finding icicles, making snowangels, getting Piper's boots unstuck from the baby swing she insists on swinging in the backyard, sledding down the hill in the front of our yard without scratching our faces on the neighboring shrubs, and trying to go to the bathroom before we get all 27 layers on! 
Back inside, Hadley has gotten quite good at creating her own ensemble for 'dance recitals' (could she be wearing any more clothes? Note the socks stuffed through the flip flops!).

Piper has been working hard to make her 'initial' as she puts it.  This is a new experience for me, as she seems to be a lefty on most days, which makes it a little trickier for me to help her hand over hand.

They have also taken quite a liking to their new scooter & hooking their hopper balls together with a sash or a rope.  Piper has only crashed or been tangled or been trapped a hundred or more times, but the laughter that ensues is seemingly always worth the trouble.

Mostly, I am just so thankful for the sunshine that the simple presence of my kids brings to my life, even in dark, dull January.  I think that they must feel that same way about one another too.  Hadley brought this project home from school just this week; it was made back during Thanksgiving time.  Her teacher had asked her, "What are you thankful for, Hadley?"  And she had just one simple but specific word for her response.  You can see it below her handwritten name & handprints in quotes...