Creating a Masterpiece

Small cardboard boxes double nicely as small houses for little hands to color on! We opened up our crafting box and got to work. Carl even got in on the fun with his Cars stickers! Brianna was super excited to see me pull out all of the fancy stickers, scissors, and some crazy tape that she could use on her creation. Usually when she creates something, either a picture or otherwise, it goes through a series of "this is for..." Daddy is the normal go to recipient, she likes to tell him that he can bring it to work. The house however, did not go to daddy, it went to Gammie's house! Had I put a little more thought in the construction of the house, it could have worked nicely as a kleenex box cover. Alas, it was just a house, but a mighty fine afternoon art project.

Dentist and a Blizzard

April 11th, Brianna and I had our regularly scheduled dentist visit. I was a little worried it wouldn't happen since when we woke up it was an Aprilwonderland. We left early to be sure we arrived on time. Just as I arrived in the parking lot I got a call from inside that said my hygienist was running behind and about 30 minutes out. I decided to wait and hope it wasn't that long!

She got in a came straight out to get us. The kids were doing great already, and continued to do well while they waited for me to have my teeth cleaned. Once I was done, it was Brianna's turn to show Carl how it was done! She did amazing just like her first real visit. Next, Carl got a turn in the chair. He got to put on the superstar sunglasses and test out "Mr. Tickles" and "Mrs. Thirsty". I would say he was a little less than enthused to try everything out, but he had his sister right there to keep him calm.

I love our dental hygienist! She is spectacular and patient and great with kids, even after a white knuckle drive through the snow. So grateful!

Long and Short

I can't bear to cut off Carl's hair to all one length. I like the long on top short on the sides look (I thank the teenage boys at church for their style pointers). So back in early April when it was so long that it was reaching his eyes and over his ears, I took the clippers and did my best at a new cut. He sat still for most of it but soon got ants in pants and wanted to be done. There was still some touch up that needed to happen but that could wait. He was digging the bathtub mohawk!

Sad to say, last weekend, we cut most of his hair off to start "the look" over again. I'm not a pro and don't use scissors well so we cut it off to start out the summer and next time, when his hair grows out a little more, we'll be able to do the same. It's crazy how a hair cut can make them seem so different, yet add so much personality!

Anytime Fun

Brianna and Carl love seeing and playing with Gampie! He is such a good teaser, reader of books, popcorn maker, and laughter igniter. Plus he has a super unique car-cycle that he takes the kids around the block in. Thank you dad for everything you do for us and for B&C. You never fail at drawing out smiles! We love you!

New Boots

I was out one morning looking at the thrift store and I found this really cute pair of boots. They were super cheep so I grabbed them and brought them home. Brianna couldn't wait to put them on and wear them! It was still cool outside (crazy April weather) so we found a nice outfit to wear. Brianna is always hot so the sweater didn't last long, but the boots stayed on forever! Where's the stables? We need to go for a ride!

Cindy Lou Who

We were playing one afternoon, as we normally do, but on this day Brianna had some seriously awesome hair going on. All I could do was think about Cindy Lou Who...

Then Carl wanted his picture taken, here's his attempt at saying "cheese." He kept creeping closer and closer to the camera. I'm glad I took the photo when I did or I would have had fingers all over!

From This... To This...

From Winter...

April 19, 2013

to more Winter...

April 23, 2013

To Spring! (kind-of)

April 26, 2013

Trying Kale

It's always good to introduce new foods to young, relatively accepting children. Recently we tried a variety of new vegetables, one of them being Kale. Jon found a recipe to make Kale chips, so we whipped some up. They were delicious - even the kids thought so! Brianna is good about eating any and all veggies, but Carl on the other hand, prefers to stick with what he knows, and that's not vegetables. Kale chips, however, went over really well. I think it was the word "chip" that threw him off! He gobbled them down and asked for more. We also tried rutabaga fries with similar success. Again, the word "fries" is extremely useful!

Early April Walk

Carl William, you bring me such joy! I love your smiles that you share so generously. 

For Cousin Justin

Cousin Justin went to a garage sale, saw this puzzle and thought of Brianna. She was so excited to just get mail, but then we opened it and saw really cool puzzle with Winnie the Pooh on it. Thanks for thinking of us and a very Happy Birthday to you!!

He Was So Quiet

I was cleaning up toys one afternoon and noticed something peculiar on the windowsill ledge. I asked Brianna if she did it, she replied, "No, that was Carl, Mommy!" Oh... he was just so quiet and content I never checked to see what he was doing. (thankfully nothing crazy or dangerous) Turns out, once I watched him later that day, he was using the ledge as a street and was pretending with his cars. He is growing up so fast!

Brother-less Scavenger Hunt

Brianna and I often do fun things together when Carl is still napping. It's a perfect time to paint or play something we know Carl wouldn't enjoy, or at least stay interested in. One afternoon before Brianna woke up from nap I set out a little learning scavenger hunt. It was to help her focus on counting and help learn numbers. I set out like objects in varying numbers all around the upstairs. She loved it!

It only took her one set until she picked up on the idea and asked me to stay on the blanket so she could find everything by herself. P.S. don't you love her outfit!!

Would you say no?

I didn't want to be "that" mom. You know, the one who doesn't reign in their child when everyone else obviously doesn't want their child in the same predicament and is saying no... Well, it was me and I think I got an extra hug from Carl that night, because he really enjoyed himself and the mess he was making. For what it's worth, I did try to stop him, but once he made it into the puddle, there was no way I was going after him until he came to the edge and within grabbing distance. You might not know this about Carl, but he is fast!

I had extra clothes in the car sooo.... I was "that" mom. It was bound to happen to one of the many kids we were with, might as well have been mine!!

Your Minnesota Twins (Fans)!

 Can you find us!!

We had so much fun at the Twins home opener this year. Amidst waking up sleeping babies, getting everyone dressed in enough clothes to (hopefully) keep us warm, and one full-on three year-old melt down about... well, everything... it was a splendid afternoon!

We made it a little late so we missed the fly over, but the kids loved being there and taking in the sites and sounds of the stadium. Carl even got into the mood and would clap instantly if the crowd made noise. He was so into baseball game, I think he may play someday!

We nibbled on our own yummy kettle corn and other snacks till about the fifth inning when we decided we had better take a potty break and walk around a bit. Not that we were too cold, because we had also packed with us a blanket, but it was about time to let the kids walk and burn off some energy. The blanket was keeping us all warm and cozy - definitely a necessary wind breaker.

We walked around to the outfield and found an open drink rail that worked perfectly for setting the kids on to watch the game from. I think they enjoyed a new angle, plus all the new people to look at! We stayed through the 7th inning stretch then headed back to the car. It was perfect timing because we were all finally starting to feel the cold creeping through our layers. We partly undressed to get in the car so no one got overheated in the car, but then had a crazy mess of clothes to clean up once we got home.

So much fun! Would definitely do crazy outdoor stadium weather again!

Easter!

We had a fabulous Easter! It was definitely because we were celebrating the resurrection of our Lord, but also a little bit because of how good we looked as a family. I mean look at our spiffy outfits!! Carl looked sharp in his little tie, which he quickly figured out how to tear right off. Brianna was super cute in polka-dots. I was able to fit into my salmon color pants I haven't been able to fit in since before Brianna was born. And Jon looked handsome and classic in his red shirt and sport coat.

I think it was Uncle Hung who said something about our kids looking like they're in a band. Can you guess who plays bass, sings, and plays the drums...

When we got home from church, the kids found their Easter baskets. Since we already searched for eggs the day before at Auntie Mick's house, we opted to simply fill a few Easter eggs with yummy treats and keep them inside the basket. Had I filled them and hid them, I think there would have been a certain dog whose paws would have been all over them before we could even get any!

Gammie, Gampie, Auntie Mick, Uncle Hung, Casen, and Max all came over for a yummy lunch and then to hang out for a while that afternoon. It was laid back and restful.

Later that evening, I looked over and saw Carl enjoying one of his new shared gift from Gammie. There was an instant realization that I needed more "Boy" focused toys and this little tag pen book of Things That Go definitely helped open my eyes. Carl was all over it and so excited about their new book. He looks so cute, relaxed on his tummy "reading" his new book.

Easter! He is Risen!