Spring is Here?

The weather was warm-ish on Friday and most of the snow had melted, so I promised Brooke a visit to a playground. We weren't able to stay too long, but it was just long enough to make me truly realize how much I miss playing outside. And being warm in general. Maybe one day...?

Miles has been really into his "Choo choo books" lately and will carry them from room to room. Brooke was helping him read them here. It's not the best shot, but I wanted to capture it.

There are certainly times when being home alone with these two can feel mundane and frustrating (especially this winter!), but I'm thankful that I really feel like God's been reminding me lately of how fast this time will past and of how lucky I am to have these fun, funny, healthy little people to teach and help grow and spend my days with. 

Happy 60th Birthday, Grammie Deb!

Matt's mom turned 60 on Friday and we had a great time celebrating with dinner at our house on Friday. Of course, Grandma Audie and Uncle Dave were there, too.

The kids and Grandpa Brian had some fun in the dump truck before dinner.

Not sure how the headband got on there but we thought it was pretty funny, which is all the encouragement Miles needed to keep it on.

With Aunt Jamie. I'm starting to think a good picture of the two of them (my kids) together is like a unicorn. This one isn't too bad.

Will's such a good sport. This was toward the end of the night when Miles was a little slap-happy. Although he enjoys climbing in any mental state, really.

Helping Grammie Deb open her gifts.

Blowing out the candle was a family affair.

The night ended with a dance performance complete with costumes. I'm sure that's exactly how Debbie pictured capping off her 60th birthday.

Miles' Birthday, Part 1

The last night we were in St. Louis, my family and my grandparents came over for dinner and cake for Miles' birthday. He was with my parents when they picked up the cake and they told him that it was for him, so all evening he kept going back to the cake and saying, "Me! Num num!" Thankfully, he was happy to share when the time came.

The kids playing Ring Around the Rosy before dinner. They certainly don't always get along this well, but when they do, it melts my heart.

Opening gifts. Typical for a two-year-old, the card that he got with construction stickers and the card that he got that made a monkey sound were the biggest hits initially.

But once the lawnmowers (yes, he got 2) where put together, he was off!

Uncle Joel teaching him and Luke to use the Bubble Guppies squirt toys that he got.

He was worn out from all the fun at the end of the night, but it was a great time and so special to be able to celebrate with everyone down there.

Last Trip before Baby/Meeting Baby Titus

Matt had a conference for work a few days last week, and I wanted Miles to get a chance to celebrate his birthday with my family, so we decided to take one more short trip to St. Louis before the next little one makes an appearance. Brooke was really excited that Matt's not being there meant that she got to sleep in bed with me. A little too excited. Pretty sure I took this picture around 10:30 our first night.

We stayed with my parents the first night, and Tim and Krissi the next two. I love these four together so much. (Don't mind Brooke's toplessness.)

Of course there was lots of dressing up and playing "Frozen." The problem is that Brooke really throws herself into her role, so several times we went to break up what we thought was a fight, but was actually just the girls being Anna and Elsa. It was good to see them channeling their drama into something productive.

Uncle Joel was on spring break, so we got to see a lot of him this visit, which was great. One day we went to the zoo. I think I'd be there once a week if we lived in St. Louis.

This was one of Miles' favorite "exhibits". The little guy loves his "beep beeps".

We sent the two guys on the carousel with all four kids. Ha!

It was chilly that day, but we still had a lot of fun.

We also spent a morning at the St. Louis Science Center. Yet another free, kid-friendly, St. Louis attraction. Most of the exhibits were geared toward kids a little older, but we stayed busy. Miles loved the overpass where he was able to watch cars on the highway passing underneath us.

Digging for dinosaur bones.

On Wednesday, we headed up to Amy's to meet the new baby. In retrospect, 5+ hours in the car, alone with the kids, at 36 weeks pregnant wasn't the best decision, but I'm still really glad we did it. For the ride to Amy's, Tim and Krissi took the girls (guess what movie they're watching?) and I took the boys, who both slept. Woohoo!

Lunch at Blake and Amy's.

Holding Baby Titus. Brooke was so distracted with playing with Mati's toys that I think she forgot about the baby.

Sweet Lukie.

And Miles was quite taken with the baby. He stood there watching him for awhile. He's actually been really into babies lately, which I would like to think bodes well for our upcoming new addition. However, when I ask Miles where Mommy's baby is, he point to himself and says, "Me baby!" Stay tuned...

We're officially home now for at least the next couple of months and I have to say, it feels pretty good.

Frozen Party

My good friend Jen's daughter, Grace, has seen the "Frozen" movie as many, if not more times, than Brooke, so Jen decided to do a small "Frozen" themed-party for a few of Grace's friends. Brooke had been looking forward to this party from the moment I told her about it and it did not disappoint! To begin the party, the kids had to dig in the ice using tools, salt and warm water to retrieve "treasures." I will certainly be using this activity at our house when the weather warms up.

Then, we went downstairs for a "Frozen"-themed obstacle course (did I mention Jen's also an OT? Love it.). Here are the kids in their "snow shoes" about to jump over the mound of snow.

We then went upstairs to her amazingly decorated table (she had decorated it for another event and it parlayed nicely into the party) for some lunch.

Then, on to "Pin the Nose on Olaf".

And finally, a little dancing to the annoyingly infectious soundtrack, complete with Elsa scarves.

The gang, minus Miles. (Brooke's weird smile is because she was worried we weren't going to find her Anna figurine and she didn't want to be bothered with a photo op while searching for it.)

 

It was a blast. Brooke's only complaint was that the other kids weren't really game to "play Frozen" like she and I do at home. Not to worry, she got plenty of that in when we got to St. Louis later that day...