Polar Vortex....ChiBeria...Blizzard....

Whatever you chose to call the first 10 days of 2014 in the Greater Chicago area, it was something that we have never experienced before!  It was pure craziness.  We were stuck inside for a week straight with the exception of getting dropped off on two separate occasions at our gym, which is just a minute down the road from us.  Our temperature dropped to -17, with a -45 windchill and was dangerous on so many different levels.  We counted our blessings tonight after dinner, as we sat around our warm fire, finishing our yummy dinner with our roof over our head and lots of heat to keep us nice and toasty.  Lots of people lost power and even lost their homes in some tragic weather incidents.  We are grateful we did not have any problems and made it out of this craziness A-OK.  It was so hard explaining to Sonoma that even though we had a foot of snow on the ground, we couldn't go outside and play in it because we might get frostbite or hypothermia.  Toddlers don't understand that!  We were so sick of being cooped up inside that on Thursday we ran errands and went to the grocery for the first time since New Year's Eve.  In fact, one of our grocery stores had NOTHING on any of their shelves.  I was not a happy Mommy.  Four trips to four different stores later, I think we are all stocked up again.

What we have been up to the 1st ten days of the new year:

Lots of dress up.  I'm so lucky to always have a real live princess wandering around my home!

Cheering on the COLTS in the play-offs!

Experimenting with Mommy's lipsticks & lipglosses

Some Christmas toys aren't old news yet!

We build forts every day.  And then Cora rips them down.

Sonoma likes to dress up like a queen and then have me introduce her to everyone and then Cora and I have to clap for her and bow to her.  

We are bundled up all day, every day.

Cora's sweater says "Stay Warm"

We pretend that our bar stools are rocket ships

We sit by the fire every morning and evening

1st day out of the house on Thursday, we went out to dinner.  This Mama was TIRED of cooking!

Cora discovered my hidden spice drawer and insists on opening it EVERY single time I'm in the kitchen (80% of our day).  She likes to build with my spices.

If both the girls are sitting in chairs, it's a picture-worthy moment.  Otherwise, they are always standing on all my furniture and climbing and falling.  

Sonoma started coloring the most beautiful picture last week.  I begged her to finish it tonight so I could hang it up.  I seriously love this girl's creativity.  We all know she doesn't get that from me!

Here's to hoping this weekend and next week are filled with better weather!  No more snow rain or slush! As much as I love my whole family cuddled together under our roof, all safe and sound,  I would love to take the girls outside for a walk or run.  Happy Friday y'all!