Pittsburgh has been hit with a cold front lately, with high temperatures in the teens—the kind of cold that sends us bundling up but still finding fun wherever possible. Our days have been a mix of playing outside despite the chill and finding ways to get the kids’ wiggles out when it’s just too cold to be outdoors.
We’ve layered up for time outside and we’ve been getting creative indoors by turning the living room into a mini playground and heading to the candy store!
A Sweet Break From the Cold 🍫
Monday night was chilly (17 degrees out!), and after being a bit cooped up all day, we decided to head to Sarris Candies—a Pittsburgh favorite! It’s known for its handmade chocolates and ice cream parlor.
Do you see the chocolate display we took a photo in front of below? It cost $130,000 to make, weighs 2,600 pounds, and took three months to build. Now, there are plenty of things I’d personally do with $130,000 (like buy a real house?!), but the detail involved in the castle was just insane.
The kids each got to pick out one treat—Sadie and Mordecai both chose a chocolate-covered Oreo, I grabbed dark chocolate blossoms for baking, and Jimmy enjoyed a peanut butter meltaway.
We enjoyed looking at the over-the-top Christmas displays. I think this was our first time visiting around Christmas and it did not disappoint!
Dakota enjoyed her first Sarris trip outside the womb! Last time we went, I was nine months pregnant with her!
She fell asleep on the drive there, and I couldn’t help but think how jarring it must have been—falling asleep right at bedtime, only to wake up inside a bright store filled with hundreds of stuffed animals and Christmas displays. Sorry, Koko! She loved taking it all in, and I’m sure the next time we visit, she’ll be able to munch on some chocolate too.
Staying Cozy and Finding Our Fun ❄️
We’ve been keeping busy on the days when it’s just too cold to play outside. One night, we piled into the car for a drive to look at Christmas lights—everyone grabbed a blanket and a snack, and we headed through a nearby neighborhood. We parked in front of a house with lights synced to music, tuned our radio to the station they broadcast on, and watched the show.
Dakota and Mordecai ended up falling asleep, so while the lights played, Sadie snuggled up between me and Jimmy, and we all soaked up that time together.
Malcolm has been keeping warm by parking himself in front of our floor vents. The kids do the same thing all day. Whenever the heat kicks on, Sadie always calls out, “Warm vent time!” and she and Mordecai sprint to the nearest vent to cuddle up.
We’ve been keeping busy with crafts, too. I have a big bin filled with things like paper bags, googly eyes, streamers, paper plates, craft sticks, and more. I love pulling it out and letting the kids go wild, creating whatever they dream up.
Sadie decided Dakota needed to get in on the action. 😉
I don’t know what it is about googly eyes, but our kids can’t get enough of them. Mordecai carefully placed about twenty of them onto a paper plate, declared, “This is for Bob!” (our neighbor), and proudly tromped over to his house to deliver a slightly creepy—but very thoughtful—plate full of googly eyes.
We also pulled out our bounce house! I think this was Dakota’s first time in it and she absolutely loved it. It definitely got everyone’s wiggles out.
Niva was supervising the whole experience. I think she wanted to join the kids. 😉
Jimmy and Dakota snuggled up together on our bed! Could they be any cuter?!
Sadie girl went to an orthopedic specialist this week to have the cyst on her toe checked out. She was a brave girl and got an x-ray done.
While the bones in her toe and foot look normal (yay!), this doctor also had no clue what to make of the cyst on her toe and referred us to a podiatrist. Someday we will get to the bottom of this. 😂
We had a hat trick on the way to Wednesday night church: all three kids fell asleep in the car. Jimmy carried the “big kids” into church and I just had to snap a picture. He won’t be able to hold them both at the same time much longer!
In the Kitchen 🥣
I’ve been whipping up all sorts of goodies in the kitchen lately! Starting with pasta salad. This was part of a meal for a family in our church. I paired it with grilled chicken, brownies (more on those below), and crescent rolls!
In the pasta salad, I added tri-color rotini, Colby jack cheese, bacon, red peppers, yellow peppers, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and Italian dressing!
Along with the pasta salad, I whipped up peanut butter swirl brownies. I love how pretty a simple swirl of peanut butter is! Yep, I just said peanut butter is pretty. 😆
And it’s not the Christmas season without a batch of peppermint bark! I just melt chocolate chips, white chocolate + peppermint extract, and add crushed candy canes on top. Easy peasy and so festive.
What have you been baking and/or cooking lately?
Other Notes and Thoughts 📝
- Scripture I’m loving: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 🙏🏻
- Current hair mask taming my wild hair. 👱🏻♀️
- Niva escaped our house this week and pushed her way into a neighbor’s back door. I can’t make this stuff up! 🫣
- Dakota is obsessed with crawling to Niva’s dog food. This week I heard Jimmy said “Dakota, why does your breath smell like dog food?” 😂
- I feel like Mordecai might have impetigo again. I hope I’m wrong! 😅
- Sadie and I have been having so much fun this sticker maker. Am I a child? Yes. 🤷🏼♀️
That’s a wrap! It’s Wednesday night as I type up this post—one week until Christmas Eve! That came up fast. Tomorrow we are having our little family Christmas night with a special dinner and we’ll make a gingerbread house. On Friday, Dakota goes to the ENT to discuss ear tube surgery and Sadie and Jimmy are going on a date to the movies at night! Should be a fun couple days coming up between the usual homeschooling and housework 😊
Living My Full Life 
The kids are so sweet! And they always sem like they are so happy!
You guys are such great parents!
Saris Candy shop looks so cool!
Love ❤️ You!
Dad
🙂