Satisfying a Craving

 I have been craving a day like this for a long time. A day with almost no responsibilities, no projects to be completed, no errands to be run, and no need to drive anywhere. Not only have I been craving it, but I have been needing it. I haven't felt quite like myself lately. I've felt frazzled, busy, distracted, lonely and unmotivated. After today I feel a bit more like my old self.

We woke up to frosted trees, which is one of my favorite winter sights. The snow gently fell all day leaving just a skiff on the sidewalks and cars. I spent the morning playing with the children and building block towers with Joe. When it came time for his nap, I snuggled next to him instead of waiting outside his door for him to fall asleep. I thought about how quick these last couple of years have flown by. I can't believe he will be TWO on Monday! After he fell asleep I went downstairs again to see what the other two were up to. My messy kitchen distracted me on the way and I decided to do some damage control. I then realized we only had half a loaf of bread left and knew that I would need to make another batch soon. I felt super unmotivated to do it, but pulled out the bread bowl and started measuring and mixing anyways. 

It wasn't long until I was joined by the older two. Camilla proudly showed me her paper airplane that she folded all by herself after watching me only a few times. I kneaded the bread while paper airplanes whizzed around my head and the snow silently fell outside. It wasn't too long before Joseph joined us, clicking his tongue to notify me of his hunger. So we made up a batch of my favorite chocolate chip cookies and spent the rest of the afternoon flying airplanes and eating a pan or two of those.

 I loved watching them visit with each other...

 And experiment together...

 And laugh together...

 These cookies are seriously my favorite ever!

 Homemade bread just seems so comforting to me on a cold Winters day.

 While the bread was in the oven I also made up a couple dozen bagels. I realized part way in that we were out of cheese to put on top, so I experimented and made half of them into cinnamon and sugar swirl bagels. They aren't the prettiest, but they sure are tasty all toasted up, smothered in butter, and topped with a bit of brown sugar. I always loved when my Mom would buy these at the store. Since they were so expensive, we didn't have them often, so it was always a treat! I extra love that these didn't cost me very much to make at all! 

 Dinner time was sort of uneventful. I made spaghetti because the kids love it so much! The older two gobbled theirs up, leaving Joe and I at the table to finish up. 

 

 It didn't take long for our quiet time to turn into an awesome game of peek-a-boo!

 "Boo! Mommy!"

 And then he would laugh and laugh and laugh...

I am enjoying some quiet time now that they are all tucked in, the dishes loaded in the dishwasher, and the laundry tumbling in the washer. It is nice to sit down at days end and feel proud of a good days work. I enjoyed the time I got to spend today baking with the littles and adoring each of their big personalities. I am blessed.