Keeping Warm

After a warm and spring-like January, the winter weather seems to have caught up with us in February. It's still been mild for winter so I can't complain but I'm ready for shorts weather already! We've been spending a lot of time around the fireplace this week.

I thought this was adorable - Ben wanted to take advantage of the photo op as well.

We made hot chocolate and played a few rounds of go fish this cold, cloudy afternoon. Ben and Matt went outside for about five minutes but came right back in when a few pieces of sleet came down.

Despite the chill in the air, there was no stopping a topless dinner (Mama politely excluded from the toplessness, of course). Alex was trying to show me how full his tummy was to make his case to leave the table.

Here's Mr. Rib's best try at making his gut stick out. Impressive try, but still not an ounce of fat there!

But, as is usually the case in Houston, the high is forecast to be 75 again in just a few days so we won't be cold for long!

100th Day of Kindergarten

The century mark of kindergarten is apparently a really big deal. Kids make shirts with 100 things on them and count out snacks with 100 pieces. Ben was really excited about the day but then disappointed to find out there was a day 101 and 102 and so on... He made a shirt with 100 sticky letters on it but refused to put any of them into words except "stinky feet". Yes, that's my boy.

And never one to pass up a photo op, Alex wanted his picture taken in his new boots. We're also gearing up for our first Go-Texan day in a few weeks. Gotta turn these boys into Texans!

At school, Ben did all kinds of fun activities with his class including making special hats. His sweet teacher emailed the class picture of all the kids with their crazy shirts and hats.

Ben came home with this worksheet (click to enlarge). I had no idea he was so keen to go to the dollar store but we made a trip shortly after this. He came home with a new pen, glue, and a tiny fan but thought he'd won a million dollars. I see many trips there in our future.

Life has been pretty quiet at home lately, which has been nice. It feels like a break between the holidays and before spring and outdoor activities start up again, so I'm really enjoying the peaceful days. It also means I've barely taken any pictures but here are a few worth sharing. Nothing says fun like scary zombie teeth!

Matt brought back some little bagpipes from Scotland and the kids were excited to try them. It really does take a lot of work to blow into the mouthpiece but Alex was up for the task!

Reptile Party

One of Ben's classmates had a birthday party over the weekend and since Matt is out of town I had to take Alex as well. It was a good thing because Ben was busy playing the entire time with his friends and politely declined (several times) any interaction with the snakes and lizards. Alex, on the other hand, spent most of his time playing with each of the snakes.

Didn't take long before he wanted this big guy all to himself.

He was so gentle with this little one.

"Mom, I like this pretty orange one!"

All smiles...

...and a few tickles!

And check out these two little girls. They each wore a snake belt through most of the party!


The group shot of all the reptile-loving kids. The rest of the group (including Ben) was all in the playhouse ignoring the snakes and lizards. I enjoyed the snakes, didn't touch any lizards, and left happy that none of them escaped!

Mail

Ben loves to leave me "mail" outside his door each night. It's usually scribbles and drawings or his name. Tonight's edition was a keeper for sure. I'll be ending this day with a big smile thanks to my sweet boy!

Look, Mom!

No training wheels!!

Ben has been doing great on his glide bike (with no pedals, so he uses his feet and balance to go along) so we decided to take off his training wheels on his real bike. Didn't make a big deal about it or give him a chance to object, then before we knew it he was gone down the street. Matt and I were so proud of our big boy!! He has never reached a milestone like that so easily or before his peers. He's the first kindergartner on the street cruising on two wheels. We still have a little work to do on stopping and starting, but the hard part has been accomplished. Way to go, Ben!

That doesn't mean other modes of transportation have been forgotten, though. Every afternoon our cul-de-sac is full of kids on bikes, motorized cars, scooters, and trikes. We're loving this street more and more every day. We've officially entered the age where the doorbell rings after school and the little gang is gathering outside to play. Doesn't hurt that the weather has been perfect lately, with unseasonably warm temperatures just right for playing outdoors.

This week's main attraction is the big pile of dirt in our neighbor's driveway. It's slowly working its way back to their new garden but doubles as a huge playground for the kids.

The trampoline is still loads of fun for everyone and good for more crazy hair pictures.

All this outdoor play has been lots of fun for everyone, but also means I'm outside watching the boys a lot and neglecting the things that need to get done indoors. I did get a chance to thoroughly clean out the inside of my car and even had a little helper.

Let's hope this "winter" weather sticks around! It's hard to beat shorts and popsicles in January.

Children's Museum

Alex and I decided to check out the Houston Children's Museum and he even picked out his own outfit for the day. He's very into doubling the shirts these days and doesn't seem to mind how they match up. I know there is no use arguing with a 3-year old fashionista so we just go with it.

A lot of it was aimed towards older kids (and I know Ben would have loved it...shhhh...) but Alex found lots of fun things to explore.

The kiddy restaurant was pretty cool. It even had tables and chairs for the kids to serve their parents.

The grocery store was lots of fun. We got a list, did our shopping, then this helpful young man rang up my purchases.


We didn't discover the water area outside until well past lunchtime, so Alex didn't get nearly as much time as he would have liked. Next time we'll bring Ben and start here! And probably bring swimsuits as well.

A New Year

We have enjoyed a great start to 2012. New Year's day was busy with cleaning and playing (who doesn't like to start the year with a nice, clean house?) and the next day we took advantage of Matt's holiday to swing by Texas Children's at the medical center and see Ben's primary nurse from his days there. She couldn't believe how much Ben had grown!

A lot has changed since these days...I can't believe it was almost 6 years ago. Linda was our lifesaver and our rock. She would call and check in on Ben during her off days just to make sure the nurse on shift was taking proper care of him. We can never thank her enough for all she did for our little Ben. It was so special watching Ben walk up to her and say thank you.

And back home we have been JUMPING!

Check out that crazy hair!




The kids are out there a lot and I've had a ton of fun jumping, too. Alex loves playing crack the egg.

Ben wanted his own video. Alex had trouble waiting for his turn, naturally...

So Ben had to make sure he was heard on Alex's video...

They love when Daddy gets in on the action and he even taught them how to build up the static and shock one another. Awesome.

We have five other kindergartners on our street so Ben has lots of little buddies and when the kids aren't out front playing, our doorbell has started ringing because the other kids want to join in the backyard fun. I think we're really going to enjoy santa's gift this year!

And of course real life set in and school sneaked back into our lives. Two little boys have had some trouble getting going early in the mornings again!

The break was much-needed for all of us but I'm happy to see the kids excited to go back to school and see their friends and teachers.