Pajama Day at school. A last minute, unexpected "Spirit Day." The girls tell me that the kids got to vote on whether they wanted Pajama Day or Crazy Sock Day, and it was nearly unanimous in favor of Pajama Day. Saoirse said, "No one would see your socks anyway, it's winter." Rowan pointed out that since I rarely have matched socks for them, "Every day is crazy sock day for us."

The color is terrible, my lens wasn't wide enough, that darn table is crooked. But for all that's wrong with this photo, what I see is right...these are my daughters. The daughters I dreamed of.

He's reading them a Michigan football scouting report before bed. Sweet dreams.

I can't count how many meals Chris has eaten in the last 8.5 years like this. Hard to believe that within a couple more years, it will be over. Until grandkids, at least.

I love this little hand gesture you use right now, Liam, when you say "bit." You mean "a little bit" and it is adorable.

It almost felt like spring yesterday, the warmest day in a while. You took advantage of it.

Day 1 of a weekend without your daddy. His words of wisdom: Don't be a hero. Picking up the girls at 5:30 with you still in pjs...check.

You begged me to open your window today while we sat in the pickup line. It was raining, but you wanted to feel the fresh air.

Homework time is not without distractions in this house...ever.

You're telling me, very enthusiastically, about your plan for raking snow.

I took all four of you to your dad's basketball game. One night per season, the last couple of years. This is why.

You're eating sweet pickles. Or "pookles." You are crazy for sweet pickles, oddly.

I'm going to call this "Keeping it Real."

Lazy weekend morning with your daddy.

"No! MINE, Aka!" God forbid anyone interfere with with doggy game.

This game, of crashing into your sisters face first, is a recent favorite. Tackling, crashing, knocking them to the ground. They play along, so far.

It's so rare, lately, to get sunshine.

Your day off from school for MLK Day.

You discovered Taylor Swift videos today. We all got really familiar with them.

I miss this face all day, and am so glad to see her get in my car every afternoon.

It's starting to stay light out long enough for you to play outside after school, at least a little bit.

Before school.