Kohl Childrens Museum

Lochlan and I joined his cousin Hayden and some friends from playgroup on an outing to the children's museum. We spent nearly four hours there and didn't even get to see everything. Lochlan had so much fun and I am sure I will take him back. I wasn't sure before going if my bigger kids would enjoy it, but I think they would have fun, especially with the science exhibits...so we will have to make it a family affair next time. :)

The Laundry Never Ends

I feel like I am constantly doing laundry and I always have a basket of clothes that needs to be folded. After several loads one day our laundry hamper was pretty much empty...I hadn't heard from Lochlan for a few minutes so I went to check on him. He had opened the dryer door, climbed up onto the washer then dropped himself down into the hamper. He played in there for 5 more minutes before he wanted help getting out. Such a funny kid!

Valentines Day Class Parties

Here are pictures of the kids at their school valentines parties. Anika had ice cream sundaes and passed out cards. Celtin ate goodies, passed out cards and did a craft. Lochlan loves going to see them at school and I think Anika and Celtin really enjoy "showing him off". Notice how Lochlan has a full mouth in the pictures...his brother and sister were so nice to share their valentines treats with him.

Happy Birthday Monkey

Lochlan turned two the 1st of February. I asked him several times what kind of cake he wanted (ie: Mickey Mouse, Little Einstein, Cars or Umi Zoomi...all his favorite shows) but he always responded with "I have an ice cream cone" So I figured why waste my time making a cake when all he really wanted was an ice cream cone. We bought Edy's birthday cake ice cream (so yummy) and just stuck his candles in the cone. I could not get him to open his eyes and smile while holding his cone. His best buddy and cousin Hayden came over with her family and he was a happy camper. He got Mickey Mouse bed sheets, a couple new cars, play dough and a wagon (I was planning to buy him one for his birthday, but when our neighbors moved they just gave us theirs).

Here are few things about our little monkey

• He is tons of fun and sooo curious about everything.
• Adam calls him a little terrorist because he always seems to find trouble.
• He keeps busy most of the time with books, cars, blocks, bad guys and lately trains, but he does like to sit and watch cartoons too.
• He love candy, especially chocolate.
• He adores Anika and Celtin and has to do everything they do. After we pick them up from school I don't see much of him for an hour or two.
• He is so excited to have a baby brother and keeps asking for him to come to our house today...I just hope he still likes him after he is here. He is a total mommy's boy so I am a little nervous.
• He has been sleeping in his big boy bed; most nights only calling us once or twice to come sit by him.
• He is very tough, when he falls or runs into something he barely lets it faze him.
• He talks so well and says the most hilarious things. A couple weeks ago he got a sidewalk burn on his arm but didn't really notice it for a couple days. Then one morning he noticed the brown scab and yells from downstairs. "Mom I need your help" so I run downstairs and he says "look at my arm I need to go to the doctor" I tell him it is okay and it will be better soon. The rest of the day he kept saying "look at my chocolate owey" I guess it looked like chocolate?
• He loves being outside and points out every bird he sees or hears.
• He is spoiled rotten, especially by his big brother and sister and he has figured out that he can get most anything he wants just by asking the right person and giving his little mischievous smile.

Corporate Day at Shedd Aquarium

We decided to attend Discover Card's corporate day at the Aquarium this year. We have been to there before on the free community days and the kids really love it, but this time all the exhibits were free...including the dolphin show. It was crazy busy and I didn't take many pictures because I was too nervous I would lose one of the kids. I am not sure the free extra exhibits and aquatic show were really worth the crowds and wait time (we had to sit at the stadium an hour before the show began to get a seat). Then again I am glad I didn't pay for the extra stuff since I think my kids like the free days area the most anyway. I have seen way better shark tanks, in Vegas our kids even got to pet baby sharks and stingrays. The show had a little too much artsy fartsy going on and not enough animal action for my taste. Maybe I was just expecting too much from them. After we got out of the aquatic show we were literally shoulder to shoulder shuffling through the crowds for about 50 feet; not my idea of a good time. The kids had a good time and it was completely free, except the $20 to park, so I shouldn't complain too much.

Brownie Camp

In January Anika had her first overnight camping experience with girl scouts. Because I am one of the assistant leaders I got to tag along. The fun started Friday at 5PM. It was scheduled through Sunday morning but we left late Saturday night so that we could make it to church Sunday morning. She had such a blast and of course did not want to leave. We had 8 Brownies and 11 Cadettes there with 5 leaders. We stayed at a girls camp about 25 minutes from our house in a cabin with running water and electricity. :) The rooms had several bunk beds but we pulled off all the mattresses and slept together in the common room. They did crafts, played games, cooked, went hiking and came home with 11 new patches. Anika can't wait to do it again.

Snow Fun

The kids love to play in the snow, unfortunately out here there are only a few winter days when it is actually warm enough to tolerate being outside. We try to get out and play whenever there is fresh snow and the temps are at least in the 30's. The kids have done a little sledding down the hill in our backyard, but we have not taken them "real" sledding this year...and they constantly remind us of that. We haven't had any free weekends with decent weather and since I am large with child and I would have to carry a 2 year old around I haven't wanted to take them after school. :) Unfortunately the end of winter is still not in sight, so the kids keep hoping for the chance to sled on the "big" hill and if not there is always next year! Here are a few fun pictures of the kids outside.