Valentines

We've been working on Valentines for our co-op party. We picked out some fun ones for each of the kids (with help from mom) to make.

Beckett's super hero Valentines.

Maddox's "out of this world" Valentines.

Marketa and Callum's Valentines

Snow days

The kids have spent a lot of time outside lately, now that we've got some decent snow and warmer temps. Until a few weeks ago, it was either too cold or no snow or both.  This meant we were cooped up and going crazy. It is a wonder what a few hours outside in the snow can do for all of us.

Rolling down the backyard hill.

Working on a nest.

Putting "eggs" in the "polar bear nest."

Sledding down our bunny hill.

Drawing on the walls

When we bought this house we talked about tearing out the wall between the kitchen and dining room and putting in a counter there for more workspace and an open feel to the kitchen. Finally, almost four years later we are ready, except not really. Other projects have come up first, so the wall is partially taken down, but the side in the dining room has become the art wall. I decided, why not let the kids have a little fun…the wall is gonna go soon (hopefully) so why not let them do some artwork right on the wall.  So, we traced traced their outline with pencil and let them go to town with markers.

Beckett got right to work making himself into an alien.

Maddox was quick behind him.

Marketa decided to draw herself as she looked that evening--striped shirt, flower and all.

Callum followed suit with older brothers and made himself into an alien.

Last week

 We're starting to get a little stir crazy around here with these cold temps.  One afternoon last week it started snowing and blowing, but the kids insisted on going outside to play in the snow.  I warned them of the wind, but they wanted to go anyways and who am I to deny them of this fun?  I would have been crazy to keep them cooped up any longer.  We all got bundled up and headed out.

The boys stayed out longer than I expected.  In fact, they were out when Scott got home and only then decided it was time to come in.  This is the look of a tough guy.

This girl came in after not too long and when I came in I found her sitting by the heater writing in her notebook.  Smart girl...best seat in the house after freezing outside.

Friday night I got out of the house for a while.  Jodi and I went up to Ames to meet up with some childhood friends.  It was great to catch up and what better way to celebrate what would have been dad's 64th birthday than to eat pizza at Great Plains!  He would approve--the food and the company.  He loved Tabitha and Tobee like they were his own.  Would have been fun to see the rest of the Pederson's.  Another time.

Art class

Co-op was cancelled today, much to the kids' disappointment.  We decided to invite some friends over and do some art of our own.  I didn't have much in the way of craft stuff prepared, so out came the finger paints.  Good times.

Babysitting

My sis is in between daycare providers for her kiddos, so they've come over a few times while she works.  The other day Zane needed two bottles while he was here and besides getting them ready (thawed and warmed up) the boys did all the work.  Maddox, Beckett and Callum were loving taking care of him.

Build-a-bear

Rather, build-a-bunny…Marketa's birthday gift was to go down to Build-a-Bear and make a stuffed animal.  This store is very overwhelming to me, but she loved it.  Adrienne got to come along and make one too, while the boys watched.

Here she is stuffing the bunny.

Now she's "cleaning" and brushing it.

Then she picked out some pi's and slippers.