winter MARCHes on?!?

What's up with snow flurries and rain during Week 1 of Spring Break?  We've tried to make the most of it, and I've tried to be a "fun" mom. 

The kids have had "water parties", have played with measuring cups and dry beans, and have had TWO picture worthy Play-dough sessions.  Last time we got the Play-dough out (many moons ago), it ended with me telling them, "NEVER AGAIN!"  This time, however, they did a much better job of keeping it in one area and cleaned it up nicely once they were finished.  Perhaps they were hoping I'd get it out again before another year lapses...

 Can you guess which day in March the following pictures were taken on?  No one was going to pinch my babies!

 A sweet shot with their great grandmother (pictured below...not above!:)

 Natalie loves to strike a pose, even when she's not asked to do so.

Scott was a disciple in his Easter play at school.  He said that he wasn't sure which disciple he was, but that he just knew he wasn't Judas.  Whew.  Their play was so adorable!  Jesus is ALIVE!!!

Kate was battling another ear infection last week and spent more time doing this instead of running, climbing, destroying, and playing.  

 I listened to a podcast recently about kids and too much screen time.  It's been giving me guilt trips ever since.  It HAS been cold and rainy though... (I know, excuses, excuses!)  Natalie came up to me today after being tuckered out from running, dancing, and playing hard. She sighed and said, "I just want to sit on the computer and click."   :)

 

Hello Sunshine!

The kids have played outside the last few days, and it's been an absolute blast.  Such joy it brings!  Such fun is had!  And...I think the children have enjoyed themselves, too.  "Come in when it's dark, kids..." 

Prior to the weather change, we've done some arts & crafts, visited our indoor gymnastics place, and dumped and picked up toys again and again.  Did I mention how relieved I am that spring is at hand?  

Kate:  Mom, put that silly camera down and HELP ME!!!!!!!!  This is NOT another Kodak moment. 

Scott frequently browses on Amazon.  The other day he came to me with a red face and asked if he would be getting a certain train for his birthday.  He called me to the computer and pointed out that a train he clicked on read, "You purchased this item on March 10, 2015."  He put two and two together...time for a new system.  :)

Grandma made Natalie a purple purse and matching dress.  Kate's taken a liking to the purse however, and it's been the source of many squabbles.  I've put in a request for another one...:) 

 Scott on Wild West Day

 Me too!  Me too!  Kate says, "Giddy ha!"  :) 

 The boys are looking for deer at the new house.  One day, Jon spotted FOURTEEN walking across the backyard.  I either need to find some tasty venison recipes fast or stock up on more Donatos coupons.  Yikes!

Fun crafts made with Jon's mom and grandma

        

Kate says, "How 'bout   _____   instead?" a lot.  

Tonight I told her she could have ONE MORE pretzel.  She quickly put her little hand into the bag and pulled out the biggest handful she could manage and said, "How 'bout yots (lots) instead?" 

How 'bout you stop making me laugh when I need to be firm, Kate? 

oh, look kids, more sNOw!

Rockin' in his school shoes, Hockey Tockey, and tile vs. wood

If you see Scott, feel free to notice his new shoes.  Last week he wore them to school for the first time. He came home and said, "I normally keep my feet under my table during snack time, but today I stuck my foot out so that Mrs. C...would notice them."  :)  It's funny to hear the things that go on in his six year old brain. 

Natalie came up to me this morning, patted my belly, and asked why my belly had a bump.  WHAT?!!  I sucked in and assured her that my belly certainly did not have a bump.  No dessert for you tonight, Natalie!  (And I guess no dessert for me tonight, either. :/  Thanks a lot.) 

Kate's been referring to herself as "baby" lately.  She's said..."Baby's crying!"  "Baby's laughing!" "Baby's thirsty!"  "Baby's cold!"  "Baby's falling!"  and "Baby's coughing!"
 

Natalie:  I like to play on the hockey tockey's with Grandpa!  (Translate:  Walkie Talkies)

Me:  Do you want to help Scott pick up the balls?
Kate: No, no!
Scott:  Maybe you should tell her instead of ask her. 

A friend has asked me a couple of times if I find the building process and all of the decisions fun or stressful.  This particular friend knows what "stress" truly means, and so I've always answered positively in light of this.  How could I complain?  However, after attempting to make many decisions this week, I can officially say that it is STRESSFUL!  (So, Cari, I lied if I said that it was exciting.:)  Jon and I left a flooring company this week with our heads spinning.  He was ready to say okay to the first option they showed us, and I was paralyzed by too many options.  AHHH!!!

The kids have been playing a game for the last week or so where they put a tunnel at the top of the staircase and "drive" it to the bottom.   It's one of those games is probably "an accident waiting to happen" as my dad used to say, but also one of those games that has occupied their time so well lately.  I'm torn.  When will it be spring again?!? 

So...who wants to buy a house?

I've been pretty excited about the fact that we are building.  So much so that I kind of have forgotten the part about selling our current home.  When I was pregnant with Natalie, we had our first home on the market.  I'm sure I complained about having to clean the house and prepare it for several showings with a one year old on scene and a baby on the way. 

Looking back, that was nothing!  :)  I would throw Scott's toys (ALL OF THEM!) in a large basket, we'd put them in our trunk, and happily stroll around Meijer during the showing.  Piece of cake.  Today, I think it would take a semi truck to hide all of the toys we've acquired.  (Did I mention that I love garage sale-ing?!  Ahem...:) 

A train can no longer be pushed around a simple oval track.  The tracks need to curve and wind around all sorts of objects.  The blocks need to be dumped to create structures along the way.  The construction machines need to be dumped for any track repairs that may be needed (think Kate).  If Natalie joins, the dollhouse characters need to be dumped so they have passengers to ride...and so on.  Then, since the kids went to so much work creating, they like to keep their villages out to "play with later"...

So...if I get a call saying that someone would like to show my house that evening, things might look a little different this time around.   Instead of Swiffering the bathroom floors for the third time that week, I may instead try to create pathways so that no one trips and breaks their leg during a showing.  It shall be fun, but I'm not complaining.  (Yet.)  

On a more serious note, if you do know of anyone looking for a brick ranch with a basement, four bedrooms, and a three car garage, send them our way.  Perhaps Scott could even throw in a train or two. 

We recently had our kindergarten parent-teacher conference with Scott's teacher.  Prior to going, I told Scott that I was excited to talk with his teacher.  He smirked and joked, "She'll probably tell you that I talk too much."  For some reason, that never came up!:) 

Yes, Kate...I found out that you really can sell used lots of pacifiers on ebay.  Sorry, child.

 The girls were playing downstairs.  Natalie was getting frustrated with Kate and commanded,  "Kate, you can play with me only if you be quiet and don't do anything!"  How fun, Natalie...

As I lamented before, Kate's very hit or miss on her naps.  I must admit that I sometimes take her on afternoon van rides just to get her to fall asleep.  That seems to do the trick, and she can then usually be carried into the house for her nap.  (Not one for the parenting books, I know.)  Anyway, yesterday she was exhausted around 6:00 p.m. and hadn't had her afternoon nap.  She came up to me and put her head on my lap and said, "Go van ride!"  

 Until next time...