My girls are trying to go without candy in 2014 (there is a cash reward at the end of the year if they make it), so I had to search out non-candy valentines for them to hand out to their classmates this year. Thank goodness for Pinterest. Ella will be handing out these in third…

After the Christmas Eve program, we drove home and put out cookies and milk for Santa. We had decorated cookies the day before and each girl picked out one of their own cookies to leave out. Claire chose that stocking in the middle with 28 red hots on it. We crossed our fingers and hoped…

A few days before Christmas, we headed out to see Santa. I’m pretty sure it was the first time all three girls went willingly and no tears were shed. I guess that means they’re growing up. (Sigh.) Ella asked for an American Girl doll (Molly). Lucy asked for a “piggie” (gotta love the random three-year-old…

Last year, Claire and I went to see the New York City Ballet’s Nutcracker, and we enjoyed it so much that this year I thought we should include Ella too. Beforehand, the whole family drove into the city for brunch at The Smith. The girls all got hot chocolate and buttermilk waffles with strawberries and…

One snowy Saturday in December, we embarked on our annual gingerbread houses. If you know me, or have read my blog for any length of time, you know I take my gingerbread houses pretty seriously. I always do a house of my own: And the girls each tackle their own small house: Ella’s house (left),…

Here are a few highlights from the time our elves Buddy & Sarah spent with us in December: Gone fishing. 1. Trapped outside. 2. Movie night. 3. Fresh orange juice. 4. Ready for their own elf silhouettes. Claire tested positive for the flu in mid-December (even though she had a flu vaccine back in October!),…

The week before Thanksgiving, I made a simple thankful tree with a pile of blank leaves for the girls to write down in words or pictures the things they were thankful for. Ella and Claire had many of the same ideas (the sisters one was my favorite): A few more… Lucy got into the spirit…

Halloween 2013. Popcorn, Dorothy, Little Red Riding Hood. I say it every year, but I really do love this holiday. Last year the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy canceled trick-or-treating on Halloween, so we are all especially excited to go out tonight, especially since the weather is supposed to be quite mild (in the 60s). I…

Photos by Erin Bell.