February 2015-in a nutshell (or iPhone photos)

We got in a car accident after making a drop-off at the DI. It was only a tiny bit traumatic, made more so by the fact that our car had to be towed, cam and my parents were out of town, and we were on our way to chuck-e-cheese. Thankfully, we weren't hurt and we'll end up with a bigger car and chiropractor and massage paid for by the car insurance. 

The kids were startled, but thrilled once the firefighters arrived. The whole experience was filled to the brim with tender mercies. I had just replaced my old insurance card with the new one, Nick and Jessica were meeting us at chuck-e-cheese and were able to get to us within 5 minutes. The girls were waiting for us at the chucksters once we finally arrived and swept up the kiddos and gave me a break. Nick called Brian and he came with the tow-truck and a hug in a couple of minutes and my dad has been haggling with the insurance company on my behalf. Another moment and I might have had an airbag go off or been hit, but as it was, baby was perfectly unharmed and my neck and back are feeling better with a few chiropractor visits. 

The kids had worked for months to earn this trip, so they were thrilled that we still got to end the night with pizza, games and tickets won by their aunts and uncles.

We stayed at my parents' house while they were in Mexico and took care of the dog and getting Sam where he needed to go. It was a riot-especially because I was super sick and kept finding Stella in the tub, hiding under the vanity chair-painting her nails, or tormenting the dog.

My target date

An evening at the dinosaur museum

An incredibly warm February led to lots of bike riding, sometimes in the skivvies

Stella making Hayley wear Charlie's helmet and applying imaginary makeup with a rock 

Charlie's preschool festival included the kiddos pouring water for their parents and serving us lunch. So darling!

Sent this to cam when he was off on a scout camp-out freezing his buns off

Stella said she looked like a princess. Charlie was a war guy-painting weapons on his face

Make-overs for nana

My birthday: the kids gave themselves baths in the sinks (after being sent to wash their hands because they were "cleaning out the garbage" aka spreading garbage around the yard)

Water was pouring onto the floor and I cried. 

Then I put them in the real tub to minimize messes and turned around to see this

Then Captain America and his police dog went outside to play 

Then picked all the flowers off my birthday bouquet 

Good thing I love them (and we got cafe rio for dinner)