Lego Club

Our library is just the coolest! Ask our kids.  They were there today for Lego Club and they really enjoyed building with several of their buddies (before one of them got sick on the carpet - bummer!). Here is EMM showing off a vehicle that he built at the display table.

Box Set

Do you think she just wanted to know how much she could squeeze into this old box from Aldi? She has seen her share of packing, so she probably knows what to do by now!

Fun in the Snow

Perfect snow for building snowmen and snowladies (this is a couple).  What more could two kids ask for?

Snow Ice Cream!!!

This was a first for us, making snow ice cream! The kids thought it was really fun, even though the taste was not anything close to the ice cream we normally indulge in.  And of all the colors they chose to add green!

It's A Horse, of Course!

No surprise, our little horse loving girl churns out enough equine art to keep our refrigerator covered.
This steed must have been running fast, with those lines behind it. I also like how she wrote her own name line at the top of the paper.

Dancing Queen

While we were packing, the music was playing - so of course the kids were dancing! And if ARM is dancing, you know she is going to jazz it up a little.  Having a wide open basement to run, play, tumble and groove in has definitely been the funnest part about moving for the kids.  

Filling In Potholes

They might need bigger shovels for this job....  These two little troopers (ARM and EMM) are working hard on filling holes outside the storage unit where we have a few things before the big move.  The rain does not bother them one bit. In fact, I think they were enjoying it.

100th Day of School

Counting to 100...no problem for this girl! She also apparently wants to take the "strawberry challenge."

It Was Nice Knowing You

It amazes me how calm he looked right before being devoured.

Fun with Chalk

How we love the library.  Our library has such a great area for kids...our kids love to visit and always find something fun to do.  We went at a time that wasn't so busy and ARM managed to get time to draw a big picture without any other kids scribbling on it - rare because this is a popular spot!
I love how much happiness there is in this scene - the sun, the clouds, the flowers, the people...all sporting big smiles.  Oh, and my sweet ARM of course :)

Lincoln Log Love

"Look Mom!" EMM worked hard on this Lincoln log building, and often times our kids hate to see what they built getting put away because they worked so hard on it.  For some reason, it sometimes makes them feel better if I take a picture. He has a really funny expression in this one!

Builders

These two had tons of fun putting together their Legos they recieved for Christmas!

Playing Playdoh

This kid loves playing Playdoh in the basement, especially when her ponies get to play along!

That Elf Looks Familiar....

This little elf...he sort of has a funny expression, like he is not that excited about his job of being an elf! But a cute elf just the same. 

Elmer the Elephant

Here is an art project that was a gift from EMM's friend. Her mom is actually starting her own preschool and Elmer the Elephant is their mascot! EMM was even featured on the website when it launched.

If the Mitten Fits....

Deer Sisters

Just loving this picture! ARM is showing the Christmas reindeer she made and little sis not about to be left out of this picture.  They are just too sweet!

O Tannenbaum

EMM is holding the Christmas tree he made in preschool.  The kids love decorating the house for Christmas, the cookie baking, picking out gifts for cousins and grandparents, and especially putting up our nativity scene I am happy to say!  They do know the real meaning of Christmas and love all of it.  Definitely the most wonderful time of the year!

The Skinny Tree

One of these years, we may have to upsize our Christmas tree.  Each year the kids pick out a new ornament at Christmas time, and when they move out on their own one day they will be able to take their ornament collection along and have all of those for their very own tree. The tree we have now is starting to get a little crowded.  It was purchased when we had no children and lived in a two bedroom duplex, so we opted for a tree that was tall but not so full to save on space.  The good news is that it looks fully decorated, no big empty looking areas. 

In art class, ARM made a chalk Christmas tree drawing and in her head she may have had the image of our slender tree. 

Christmas Cookies

Making cookies just sort of goes with Christmas, doesn't it? EMM's class made cookies - both real ones (that were very soft and sort of fell apart - no worries - it was eaten right up!) and these cute little gingerbread Christmas cookies.  I bet that classroom was a mess - they used real icing on both the paper and edible cookies! Sure smelled good though....and most importantly, they had fun!

Chipmunk Love

Thanks to Pandora music, our kids hear a few Alvin and the Chipmunks songs every now and then...that is, if their dad does not skip them!  Finding a few books and a movie at the library for these musical chipmunks was also fun.  ARM even made these little "Alvinn! Simon! AND! Theodore!" signs and hung them on her "bonk" bed.  So many moments that make us smile...even if we don't necessarily have the same taste in music!

Set the Table!

Now the only that is needed is the turkey and all the fixins! Both ARM and EMM made lovely Thanksgiving placemats at school and not to be left out, their little sister found a Valentine's Day placemat to use.

ARM's says, "I am thankful for the flowers" and EMM's is pretty self-explanatory!

Give Thanks...for Great Hats?

Something about wearing turkey hats just makes people happy. This little kindergarten project was a lot of fun for ARM and now we are not scrambling to find a turkey hat with the big day approaching. Seeing all of the kids grinning as they burst out of the school door in their festive headgear is a neat sight.

But seriously, we are very thankful to have our three healthy children and to live in a wonderful community with a great school district.  And thankful for each and every beautiful smile - warms our hearts!

Teepee-ing

Patient: "Doc, I keep having these dreams. First I’m a teepee; then I’m a wigwam; then I’m a teepee; then I’m a wigwam. It’s driving me crazy. What’s wrong with me?"

Doctor: "You need to relax. You’re two tents."

ARM made this great looking teepee at school while learning about the lives of Native American Indians in our country.  Has her thinking about camping...too bad it is winter!

Crib Buddies

The girls having some snuggle time. See? Nap time can be fun!