Just playing around

This winter has been long and cold. Everyone is ready for Spring to come. The kids can get a little stir crazy, so we have been thinking up all kinds of fun things to do at home.

Elliot and Everest playing Plan City from Plan Toys (I love this company!)

My wonderful friend Dawn, from UT, sent the kids each a pillow for Christmas. They all love them. Aurora tries very hard to eat hers, but it is so cute.

I am almost 6 months old in this picture (she is now!)

Are you talking to me?

Paging Doctor Leaf Mentzer. Doesn't he remind you of the old time doctors (with the light on their head)? It is a head light, he has it turned sideways. Another one of his obsessions is lights, ones with batteries- he loves to take out the batteries and put them back in and turn the lights on and off.

Single handedly bringing back the 70's. We used a wooden dowel, string a paper clip and magnet and went "fishing" one afternoon in the living room. Everest was fishing from his "house".

Leaf cracked me up, he is such a two year old. This was his version of fishing:

1. put the magnet on the paperclip.

2. Stand up, pick up the fishing pole, making sure the "fish" stays on.

3. Triumphantly hold the pole over your head and announce you caught a fish!

Snow Day

A few weeks ago we had a snow storm. It wasn't as bad as they had predicted, but it wasn't good. Purdue closed the campus for 2 days, something that had not been done in over 10 years. Luckily our friends live next door and we did not loose power (something they were predicting). The kids played at our house and then we went over to their house for a pot luck dinner.

The kids playing dress up in the basement.

The Cat in the Hat aka- CJ

Everest and Meredith

Cheetah Kate playing some tunes.

Valentine's Day

A few years ago, my friend Kim made square bears for her kids to welcome Spring. I have been wanting to make some for the boys, but haven't had the time. I decided to make them some for Valentine's day. Leaf tells us on a daily basis (and repeatedly) that his favorite color is redblue (except he says "redbue"). Everest loves cheetahs. I was planning on making something for Aurora, but ran out of time. I know I do not have much longer before she realizes she didn't get one. I have a little more sewing to do.

We had heart shaped pancakes. Nathan had breakfast with us before he went into work.

Our breakfast. Happy Valentine's Day!

Nathan cut Everest's hair while I made breakfast. Everest just wanted it short enough to spike.

Leaf did not want to be left out, and although he did not want to sit still to get his hair cut. He wanted it spiked like Everest's. Nathan worked a little magic and TADA....Leaf has "spiked" hair too.

My Valentine!

Onto dinner. I got heart shaped ice cube tray a while ago. I filled them with cranberry juice and bought fun glasses for the boys.

We had heart shaped pizzas for dinner.

Leaf enjoyed his pizza. The picture of Everest will not load for some reason. He at a pizza himself (not only his individual pizza, but a pan pizza too!).We didn't have any left overs, but it was not due to Nathan this time!

Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day too.

Getting ready for Valentine's Day!

The other day Everest said "Mama, look what I can do." He is a tongue roller! He was impressed and a bit surprised that I could do it too.

Leaf's Valentine's Day shirt. He picked the picture (I gave him a few choices) and the material. And yes, his cheek is bruised. I think he is growing. The last two weeks he has been very clumsy. He bumped his head hard three different times while at the pediatricians the other day. As a toddler, Everest got really clumsy before he had a growth spurt. Maybe my little linebacker will get a little height soon.

Everest's Valentine's day shirt. Of course it is Purdue and he has worn it almost everyday since I made it. Before he goes to bed, he reminds us to wash it, so he can wear it in the morning.

Everest wanted to make lady bug Valentine's this year. He had to make 28. We started almost 2 weeks early, but he got them all finished.

Writing his name took longer than anything else. He kept saying he wanted to sign Leaf's name instead because there were not as many letters. I love how kids this age are still looking at the world "outside the box".

We made an ice sun catcher. Very appropriate for weather that is in the negative numbers for a week. It went from freezing to 40's in a matter of hours. We left the house and the sun catcher was dripping just a little. We got home and hour and a half later and it was completely gone.

A tutu just for her

When Aurora was born, a friend from Everest's school made her an outfit. Lena has Tea for Tutu's Bowtique. She is very creative and crafty.

This is the first time she has had anything other than a hat on her head and she did great with it.

 I love the A onsie!

Her bow got pushed down a little and she noticed it for the first time. It was so funny watching her "get it".

After a while, she didn't even notice it.

 I am a happy girl!

 Everest had to get in on the action too. He loves this bow. He puts it on her all the time. He is so funny sometimes.

Sitting!

 I am big girl!

 Aunt Liz would be so proud....pink and ruffles! Thanks Aunt Liz, this is my favorite outfit to wear to gymnastics with my brothers!

So proud of herself! In a few weeks she can ride in the bike trailer!!!!!!!!!!! The weather is finally starting to get nice and we will be riding again soon! We are all very excited to ride again.

Leaf and Aurora

I took Leaf and Aurora to the pediatricians today.

They are opposites right now. Aurora is in the 25% for weight and 70% for height. Leaf is 70% for weight and 25% for height. 

 She is soo sweet!

When Leaf is tired, he lays beside Aurora, holds her hand, and sucks his fingers. It is very cute.