A Little Bit Of Nature

The kiddos and I enjoyed a walk through Elm Creek Park Reserve today. The sun was shining, the wind was blowing just a bit, and we met a few critters along the way.

 

 

 

Exploring with their binoculars

 

 

 

 

Wood Frog – he jumped across our path and scared Benjamin

 

 Painted Turtle – we watched him start on shore, enter the water, and take off for a swim

 

 

Gabriella loved how the lake sparkled!

 

 

Such a sad face – she was collecting leaves along the way, but when I told her she had to throw them back to nature, she did so very reluctantly.

It’s a beautiful day for… TracBall!

 

Color Sorting

So we have a basket of Gears that we have not played with in a long time. I bought them a while back at a consignment sale, and they just haven’t been a big hit. But today, we put them to good use. This idea was from No Time For Flashcards, one of my favorite blogs for great kids ideas.

The kids enjoyed putting the gears in the back of the truck, driving it down the road, and sorting the colors for all of 5 MINUTES before they started to fight. Gab stomped away mad, and Ben continued to sort. Just one of those days.

Charts!

Sid the Science Kid is a current favorite in our house. The show does a lot with collecting data and charting your findings. So Gabriella and I decided to do our own study the other day (Ben was asleep in the car – his current favorite, and only, nap location).

We picked up Jimmy John’s for lunch – yum!  and parked in the Cub Foods parking lot facing Hwy 101. Gabriella thought it was so cool to unbuckle and climb in the front seat with mom. We tallied how many cars we saw in four different colors.

Our data looked like this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then we charted our findings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gabriella commented that it was the most fun lunch ever! I guess we’ll have to do this one again – mommy really enjoyed it too.

Finally enjoying some spring weather!

Colors + Letters = Fun for a whole half hour

 

 

Ben works on color sorting

 

 

 

 

 

 

while gabriella works on letters

 

 

 AND MOMMY SNUCK AWAY TO GET THE DISHES DONE – YAHOO!

I’m Cute!

The Jewels got another opportunity to show their dancing skills this past weekend at a charity event for the Chloe T. Foundation. The girls did a fabulous job, and it was so fun to watch!

 

 

 

 

 

Well, after a short hiatus due to an unfortunate incident involving a sippy cup of apple juice and a laptop, we are back in action. Lots to catch up on, enjoy!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

We enjoyed exploring fire trucks, drinking green milk and eating oreos, and having fun with our MOMs Club friends. Benjamin was really taken by the fire trucks – he did NOT want to leave. Even looking at the pictures afterward made him sad that he still wasn’t there. Future in firefighting perhaps?

Artsy Girl

“Gabriella, project time! It’s on the table, go ahead and get started, I’ll be right there!” 5 minutes later…

 

… and these were just the scrap pieces in the box. It’s actually a neat mosaic-by-number kit she got for Christmas (thanks Aunt Win!) Her and Ben enjoyed putting one together after her “free art” creation.

Birthday Boy!

Oh Me Oh My, How Time Flies! Our little guy has turned 2!

We celebrated with brunch on Saturday, March 6th with our family.

 

Big Boy!

 

 

 

 

Sibling Love

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow, those little drums are LOUD!

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Tricycle (can’t quite reach the pedals) 

 

 

 

And then on to the Big 2nd Birthday! We started with his favorite breakfast – muffins, cheese, and cantaloupe.

Next up, Playdoh – another favorite!

Muffin Tin Lunch (sister’s request, but Ben nodded in agreement)

Gotta open at least one present on your birthday…

And we ended with some fun at Space Aliens!

Mmmmmm…. good cake! Happy Birthday, Little Man! We love you!

Salt Writing

Who knew that Kosher Salt on a cookie tray could be so fun? Gabriella and I practiced numbers and letters, we drew shapes for Benjamin, and then Gabriella and Benjamin took turns drawing pictures. It was a big hit!

Give a boy a marker….

What do you do when a girl who wants to play with Barbies, and a boy who wants to play with animals, are best buddies? Get out the Legos & build a zoo for Barbie to visit!

… and then she was 5.

Presents!
 
Favorite breakfast – pancakes & sausage!

& dot-painting!

Then it was off to preschool. And then… The Mall of America! Dinner at The American Girl Restaurant followed by rides in Nickelodeon Universe. Gabriella did not have an American Girl doll before that night, and it was not our intention to buy a doll, but daddy is a big softy, & she knows how to win him over. It was so cute watching her excitement in that store. & those Bitty Babies are really cute!
 

dinner with a borrowed doll

 

 

Then Emily joins our family

 

Benjamin waiting patiently to get back to the rides

Happy Birthday, Dear Gabriella!

 

Continuing the birthday celebration, we went  bowling with our family & great friends on Sunday.

Best Buddies

 

Cousins

 

 

Last but not least, a birthday would not be complete without a few friends over for a party. So Monday after school, we did just that!
Wow, what a birthday! We love you Gabriella and we’re so glad you enjoyed your birthday!