The simple things...

It's the simple things in life that make you happy....like...

Bubble baths

Learning to tie your shoes - SO EASY NOW!

Riding your scooters ~ even when it's FREEZING OUT!

The thrill of speed

Thinking you look like an elf...

Racing your brother

Spending moments like this that you will always remember

(NICOLE----"lost soap, lost soap")!!!

Losing yourself in bubbles

Mom letting us create oodles of bubbles just to hear us squeal with excitement

Pretending to be "married" 10 times!  (their words, not mine!!)

Having a driveway to play in

Best friends that will ALWAYS love you, no matter what

Brothers.  Forever.

Storytime!

Thursday's are a day that I look forward to. For the past 2 years we have ventured to our local library to listen to Miss Jill or Miss Kris read stories. I have found this a great thing for preschoolers to learn to listen, practice self-control, and to be enriched in the world of reading.

The kids look forward to this day too, because it's the day they get to play COMPUTER GAMES!

We don't usually allow computer time at home so it's really fun to sit at the kid computers and play

http://www.pbskids.org/

The library is a place that I loved as a kid and I hope that one day Parker and Colton look back and find some special memories at the library.

Rain, Rain, Go away.....

Spring Break.  Day 3.
The weather kept us indoors again today.  To try to find the "good" in it, I asked the boys why we should be thankful for rainy days like this.  Some of their responses were:

"Good for the garden"

"For people can drink water"

"So animals can take a bath"

"For animals to drink water"

"So fish can breathe"

"It fills up our rivers and the water gets high"

"For fish can swim in it"

Today's highlight:

Colton learned how to tie his shoes!

I am so thankful for the time that I spent to make scrapbooks.  Now that the kids are older, they look at these at least once a week.  Laugh a lot.  And also ask a lot of questions...where were they, how old, what landmark in our yard, etc...  Makes me remember that these little bodies aren't going to have anything but pictures because of short term memory at this age.  I mean, c'mon, do you remember when you were 2, 3, or 4?? 

It was a loooooong day after that.  They knew they were going to be going to a swimming birthday party around dinner time.  So, the whole day, I heard, "Is it time to go yet?"  When it was time though, they had A BLAST.  These boys are like fish in the water, it's hard to get them out. 

After swimming, we drove to our friends house for pizza, cake, and ROPE SWINGING!!!  I was sure that they wouldn't do it, they are both VERY cautious boys and anything that looks dangerous, they probably won't do.  To my surprise, they did.  Proud Mom Moment #76.  :)

And with that....our day was at an end.  Until tomorrow.

Cooped up on Spring Break - Day 2

Day 2 of Spring Break was much like Day 1.  Indoors. 
Although it's been nice having the kids together again to play with each other, it's also been challenging to try and keep them busy, occupied and entertained.  Especially since Parker is totally used to being stimulated 7 hours a day!

We started the morning off with a coloring "contest" between the 3 of us.  The goal was to "take our time" and "color inside the lines".  This is a big challenge for Parker because he has the mindset to hurry and get it done fast...so, we are working on this.  With Colton, it is about practicing to color in longer strokes and stay inside the lines.  I got some cute Spring printouts from this website:

http://www.woojr.com/

After that Parker reminded me of some books that I had got at a yard sale a few years back.  Full of crafts, experiements, and other activites for kids to do.  I told him he could pick out any activity as long as we had all of the supplies.   He found a really cool tie dye activity using food coloring and paper towels -- see pictures below.  It was fun for them because you can fold the towel in many different ways and shapes to have a different design of tie dye.

Lunch time!!  I'm a sucker for making forts and tents.  What a better way to eat lunch than in a tent!?

Mrs. B. sent home some "homework" for the kids just to keep their minds sharp over the break.  Today Parker practiced writing his numbers.  He's doing quite well without asking for my help.  He is also reading short books with sight words fluently now.

Let's hope Day 3 brings us outdoors!  I have a great idea planned for them if the weather cooperates!

When Mom is away...

On Saturday I left really early to help Mrs. B. at the brand new Northwest Christian Elementary --- lots of unpacking and organizing!

This is where the boys will hang their "quiet time" towels and put their lunches.  Backpacks will go in the hallway where they have their own lockers!

What a huge room!!!  A blessing!

The full kitchen for "Friday Cooking"

Let the unpacking and organizing BEGIN!!!

Aaron took the boys out for a morning donut and then drove over to Bowl and Pitcher to take the boys on a little nature hike. They threw rocks and pine cones into the raging river and then walked across a suspension bridge. Colton said, "I was scared the first time and had to hold dad's hand...but not the second time."
When they got home they helped Aaron work in the yard and got some spring cleanup done.

On the suspension bridge at Bowl and Pitcher

The water was MOVING!  WOW!!