Winter(ish) Wonderland

Daddy sent us a picture one afternoon in January...and this was the kids' response. 

All I said was, "Let's send Dad a picture." Notice the smiles on the girls and whatever that is going on with Zeb. Lots of love going on...that's what!

Zeb had a day off of school, so we decided to go to the zoo with friends! Maggie was so thrilled that I let her get out of the stroller. She still refuses to keep shoes on, but at least she kept her jacket on. 

 She loved getting up close and personal to all the exhibits.

 Zeb and Abby loved running around trying to find puddles...while figuring out which animals they wanted to find next. 

 Too much excitement going on (between the animals and the light rain) that it was just too much to look at the camera. Oh well. Fun was had and we got enough to remember it. That's what really matters, right?!

Lots of smiles were had throughout the entire month of January. We love our "girl time" while Zeb is at school...

 ...but also get super excited for him to come home. Abigail asks every afternoon (right around noon) if it's time for Zeb to come home yet.

Zeb's school had a spirit day in January...mismatch/crazy hair day. Daddy was in charge of helping Zeb get ready for the day. 

 Major success! Mismatched shoes...mismatched clothes...super crazy hair. Great job for a great day at school!

Our new family adventure this year is passes to Knott's Berry Farm. We can't pass up time to play with cousins - especially when roller coasters are involved!

 Abigail was very disappointed to learn that she wasn't tall enough for the big rides, but was quickly distracted and had a blast with the "smallish" group in Camp Snoopy. Zeb was a little nervous at first (the whole "scared of heights" thing) but soon forgot all about that and loved his day with the "middle" group.

Maggie enjoyed going on a select few rides (she's limited nearly as much as I am right now) and the general excitement of the day. We can already tell this will be a fun adventure to share with the cousins!

Zeb is once again 100 days smarter (just like last year, the days you are not in school don't count!). 

They celebrated with all sorts of games and activities while still learning even more.

This is one of my favorites that made it home. Zeb's depiction of what he looks like now compared to what he will look like in 100 years. He made sure to tell me that he had to draw lots of "crinkles" because when you get old you get crinkles...as opposed to wrinkles. Classic!

Abby and Maggie were having a fantastic time on one of our semi-regular trips to a certain store. Abigail wanted her picture taken with anything and everything...

...and insisted that we sent them to Daddy. We may have gone a little overboard and flooded his phone with pictures.

But how can you resist such cuteness?!

Zeb begged for hot cocoa nearly every morning and I finally gave in. I told him to sit down while drinking it...turned around a bit later to find this. 

I was pretty amazed that he fit into the high chair...and even more so that it was his choice of seat.

We got to celebrate a birthday with our good friend. His momma is pretty much amazing and threw a fabulous party complete with a photo booth. 

The kids loved dressing up as Mario characters...

...and other assorted accessories. They played "tape the mustache on Mario", got to break a Mario brick pinata, and other fun games. A Mario-inspired obstacle course was planned but the wind got in the way. It was such a fun day and we were so glad to spend extra time with our friends.