Out of focus, like a dream.

You love combing my hair, Fi. Last year when you did it, you made me sing the song from Tangled while you pretended to be Mother Gothel. Then you moved on to a game where you were my mother, I was a little girl, and you combed my hair again and again. But each time you "went away" then "wolves" would sneak up and mess up my hair. Then you would be cross and have to do it all over again. This particular day, you used a teensy doll comb, soaked my hair with detangling spray, and talked to me about fairies while you combed.

As I turned into our street this afternoon, this is what I saw out the rearview mirror. I had to stop and take this. A light snow was falling, and I loved the way the trees were arranged above the ice that had partially melted and slid to the bottom of the window.

You discovered, not so long ago, that you are old enough to peel carrots. "Now I don't even have to ask you when I want a carrot!" Now no carrot I bring into this house is safe.

When all four of you are home, she usually plays with the big girls. And Saoirse kind of dominates your attention when she's around. But what most people don't see is how the two of you play together when it's just us at home. She's your playmate then. And you adore her. We will miss her so much next year when she takes off for kindergarten.

I could not love this kid more. But next week I will.

My Rowan. One: I'm pretty sure that hot cocoa with marshmallows is at least 50% of the reason she ever plays outside. Two: Those nails! Classic age seven. Big enough to want painted nails. Not big enough (yet...) to care that they're chipped and barely still painted.

All four of you in one room, in one frame. Not easy to achieve.

One thin, knit baby mitten is better than nothing, I suppose.

This is what happens when Mama ignores all the craziness and just closes her eyes for a few more minutes...babies get markers.

Midwinter break around here means lots of lazy mornings, not leaving the bedroom until the full sun has flooded in. It's a nice change from having to drag everyone out of bed in the cold and dark and hurry to leave for school on time.

Saoirse got her hair bobbed today. Honestly, whenever I have to take all four of you to things like this, it's hard for me. We're sort of a traveling circus, and I have a horror of being stared at and whispered about. It's a thing of mine. Having four very boisterous children means I have to grit my teeth through this a lot. But when I look at this, it does help me to reframe it. Seriously, who has this much fun getting their hair cut other than children? You'll be jaded about it soon enough.

You make the most adorable Rapunzel. And oh, that smile...

A common part of the routine here at bedtime. Well, after bedtime, really. All the other kids are asleep. Then here comes Saoirse, "I couldn't hold myself back. I love you. Can I read a few books here with you before I go back?" Yes, you can.

The best Valentine's Day present? Two nights of uninterrupted sleep in a hotel bed. Perfect.

Grandma and Grandpa are in town for the weekend, to watch you guys while we go to a wedding. They brought Valentine's Day chocolate covered strawberries, and you all couldn't be more thrilled to see them.

You love wearing slippers and shoes on your hands, Liam. For some reason, it makes you laugh. Rowan's slippers left sitting in the hallway are irresistible.

Valentine's Day shopping is so overwhelming.

Your first lesson in cooking on the real stove. I'll try not to blink, so you don't disappear off to college while I'm not looking.

Collaborating on art projects can lead to some passionate...umm...discussions, around here.

Someday, baby boy, I'm sure you'll look adorable with a little "man" haircut. Not yet, though. When they cut off these curls, I will cry, so it will not be soon.

A grownup night out was badly needed this week, with as much sickness and as little sleep as there has been at home. The annual Galentine's Dinner at Sarah's did not disappoint.

Lately mornings have been difficult, it's hard to get all of us moving before it's even light out. Especially in February. So Rowan, our early riser and our conscientious girl, has come to our room a few times lately and whispered that we have to get out of bed, we have to get her breakfast so she can go to school. We have lingered too long, and she is going to set it right. Of course, then she's happy to spend some time hanging out with her dad while he gets ready for work, and giggling.

I know some photographers who say that they really struggle to document the times that aren't so perfect. That if you looked at their photo albums all you would see is happy, smiling people, and you would think their lives are perfect. Not me, man. When I see a scene like this happening, I run for the camera. Because this is our life. Yes, we smile and hug each other and dance around and laugh. But this is really, really common too. Cranky kids, all wanting Daddy's attention...and there's just one dad to go around.

Saoirse, you remain obsessed with catalogs, dreaming of all the wonderful things you could own/play with/eat/use. Apparently Liam shares your fascination. Also, it is hilarious to see tiny people act like they are big, and he looks like he's reading the paper to me. It's amusing.

It is unfortunate, really, for all of us that you have your hardest hours, Liam, right when we need to be making dinner. I feel like I really should find some way of solving this problem...slow cooker meals every day? But every day, meals need to be made, and you need constant holding, and you get bigger every day. Today your daddy took care of this problem for me, thankfully. Please tell me that eventually you will be able to entertain yourself for long enough for me to cook a meal...

My poor girl. Three days of coughing, fevers, not much sleep, and this morning some throwing up. You are wiped out, and you slept away a big part of a snow day today like this. So tired that the activity in the house didn't seem to disturb you at all. Let's hope tomorrow's better.

This is the biggest snowstorm of the winter so far. No snow tomorrow, it's already called off. Fiona is sick, so is Liam. Saoirse is inside somewhere, avoiding the cold and blowing snow. But you, Rowan, decided to help your dad shovel.