We've noticed the boys getting a little antsy mid-morning lately, so we've been trying to change it up a little bit. I was planing on taking them for a wagon ride while Troy was trying to get some paperwork done, but then I thought, hey, its overcast outside, just about 10am, maybe it would be good to try out the park with them, all by myself. Obviously the park is a destination we'd love to make it to during the summer, which inevitably means I will be going by myself since Troy will be working, so I thought there was no better time to try it than today. We quickly packed up and off we went. They had a lot of fun (and yes, it helped that a ton of people weren't there).
No crying on the swings this time!
And a Logan was a little shy to step on the wood chips at first, but LOTS of exploring after he got over the weird wood chips under his feet!
He's got the whole world in his hands! =)
By far their favorite, even way more than the swings was the slide. I lifted them to the top, and held onto them as they slid down, and they were all giggles and smiles. Of course I couldn't get a picture in action to see their big grin since I was by myself, but it was awesome. Once they got down the slide, they wanted back up to do it again. Back and forth for me on both sides of the slide, but it was worth it...they were loving it!
Looks like more park time coming in the future... no fears for this mama to take them on my own anymore!
This weekend we made a few changes to our family. Troy's Jetta and my Prius have sadly left our family, but have been upgraded to a new 2012 Prius and RAV4. We have been talking for a while about trading in Troy's car and getting something bigger because the boys are getting bigger and we'll be traveling a bit more, thus needing more room. We test drove an Acadia back in April and although the car itself was nice, the entire experience was horrendous, so we just put our decision on hold for a while. Recently we decided a full size SUV was not necessary since the boys aren't that big yet, but maybe a smaller SUV would be better than a car. So, long story short (and a few emails on specials at the Toyota dealership I go to), I decided to check out the RAV4. We also decided that Troy would get a new Prius instead of just inheriting mine because my car had so much positive equity in it that it would be good to use when getting a car that would potentially be more, meaning that my payment could be higher.
So, here is Troy's new baby:
And here is mine:
I was sad to see the Prius go, but we reminisced a bit before parting ways. I thanked her for all she has done for us - getting us all the way to Yellowstone and back, being there when we got engaged, helping us move to our first house, allowing us pack her with stuff from Home Depot because it actually had more space in it than the Jetta, and bringing the boys home from the hospital. She will make another family very happy! What made me even more happy was that her trade-in value was SO much higher than I even hoped for, that the payment for my new little girl is considerably less than my Prius payment. Win-win! Now we are off to pack up the RAV4 for a trip to the Chandlers. Happy Sunday everyone!
Although the famous train that the boys got for their birthday has gotten a TON of use already, yesterday was the first time that I actually saw either one of them sit on the "caboose" of the train. They usually push it around, play with the letter blocks, and push the buttons on the train, but now they found another fun use for it. By the end of the day today, this is what they were doing...
I couldn't stop laughing at the end when Ellis fell off. But he got right back up again and got back on.
What a good big brother Logan is for pushing Ellis around so much (when Logan got on, Ellis wanted nothing to do with pushing Logan, so I pushed him around a little bit).
Another first for the weekend, was Ellis practicing his yoga poses. He just started doing it and then stayed there for quite a while (enough time for us to get a few pictures). Too funny!
Well, there is just a little snippet of what the boys were up to today. Stay tuned to tomorrow's post for an update of what Troy and I have been up to already this weekend! =)
...fine motor skills, that is. Now that the boys are getting older, I'm trying to incorporate more educational type play in their day. Thanks to a super creative friend, Sheila, I've been introduced to quite a few easy activities that you can make for kids, using ordinary things around the home (or very inexpensive things to buy). One activity that I found while browsing the internet, is the pom pom activity. I'm not sure who originally came up with the idea, but I found it here, who says she found it here. Anyways, this is a great idea for working on fine motor skills, and I was thoroughly impressed with the determination the boys had with it. On Sunday, I cut a few smaller holes in an old container lid, put the lid on the container and sat down on the floor just pushing the puffs in the holes. Logan was immediately drawn to it and after me working with him for a few minutes, he claimed it as his own and did it himself! Disclaimer: PLEASE monitor your kids doing this activity, if you ever do it yourself. They both had a tendency, at first, to stick the puffs in their mouth before they knew what to do with them.
Ellis wasn't as engaged in it as Logan was until today. I pulled it out again after dinner, and it was awesome to see them work together nicely to put the puffs in the container. No arguing or pulling away from the other one, just nice, cooperative playing and working together to get all the puffs in the container. Such a proud mama here!
While I was out shopping this week for my special niece and nephew's birthday next week, I also picked up a few puzzles for the boys. My mom said they have been playing with the puzzles she has at her house so I thought it was time for me to get some myself. While I made dinner one night, Troy was working with Ellis on the puzzles. Of course, I don't agree that they made similar shapes the same color (oval and circle/square and rectangle) but that is just one more challenge they will figure out. I'm excited to see them work through the puzzles in the future and learn how they work, yet learn the shapes, animals, etc. that they are based on, as well.
Now that summer is quickly approaching and I will be spending the days at home (or out and about) with the kids, I am looking for some fun learning activities, that of course are age-appropriate to keep them engaged in. The Busy Bag Exchange that Sheila put together was perfect timing. For the first round, there are 19 people that each put together an activity (that literally fits in a freezer bag), using inexpensive materials, that are educationally based. Our first exchange happens next Friday and I am beyond excited. It's almost addicting to look for these simple ideas that work so many skills. As I introduce them to the boys, I will also post about their experiences with it, in case you may be interested in trying them out with your kids!
A few weeks ago, Grandma and Grandpa Bush sent the boys a couple books that they found on their way up to Alaska. Their favorite book by far is the "Touch and Feel" Alaskan Animals book. Logan just loves to "read" to begin with, so add in the ability to touch the different textures in the book, and he loved it. Here he is, just reading, and reading, and reading....
I can't say that I ever thought they would be so interested in books this young (to be completely content sitting down and flipping through books over and over and over), but it is nothing I will ever complain about!
Yesterday was a beautiful day. We first thought we would head to the park, but since it warmed up quite a bit, we changed our mind and got one of the boy's pools out. Unfortunately, we didn't think of it quick enough to let the water warm up as much as they might have liked, but they still enjoyed it!
"Wow, this is like a big bathtub! I can splash a LOT"
Ellis thought it was funny to climb out,
and climb back in.
Logan had fun chillin on the side of the pool.
Ellis was NOT happy when dad splashed him with water in the face.
Our morning was filled with fun in a little fort we created. Actually, it was just a box. We installed their new car seats this week and I was collapsing the boxes to put in the recycling bin we have, but thought I'd see if they would have fun with it beforehand. They sure did!!!
First I just put out one box to see their reaction..
Then I put two boxes together and they just thought it was the coolest thing...
And they found where the two boxes come together (the flaps) and made it a door
Ellis liked playing peek-a-boo out the door
What a great way to occupy an hour of time! =)
Well, its time to go return our books at the library and get some new ones. More later...
I had such an awesome day today with my boys. I am such a lucky mom (and wife!!). Our day was spent for the most part, at the park today. We set up a blanket in the shade and I took off with a boy at a time to go play (we brought cameras and such, so Troy stayed behind playing with the other boy, and watching our stuff). Here are some pictures from our day (from a "picture-happy" mom):
Ellis wanted to go check things out, so away we went.
Checking out the boys playing baseball.
Hanging out with dad
Time for the swings. He was a bit nervous at first, but then started
watching the little girl next to him and loosened up a bit.
Probably one of my favorite pictures of him today.
Logan wasn't too excited (can you tell?!?) at first...
and begged for me to take him out....
but as quick as he started crying, he stopped, and then was all smiles...
A favorite picture of Logan from today!
His happiness equates to spitting, for some reason....
What a good dad you are, watching your child so carefully (haha - he wasn't really sleeping!)
After a few hours at the park, we came home and then enjoyed our steak dinner. It was scrumptious. Now time for dessert - one of Troy's old specialties - a chocolate chip cookie cake with cool whip and strawberries...yummy!
I had everything a mom could ask for today: I got to sleep in, play with the boys, go for a run and still have time to relax while the boys napped, have fun time at the park with my family, eat an awesome dinner, and enjoy dessert while watching a movie to end the day. Perfection!
Happy Mother's Day to my mom and all the other wonderful moms out there!
A special first Happy Mother's Day to Val, Becky, Jessica, and mommy-to-be, Amy.
Yesterday I spent the day with my mom, scrapbooking and chatting (although some would say that we do more chatting than scrapbooking). I am still working on Project Life and I got another 3 weeks done. I really hope to catch up soon - I'm about a month behind. Ever since my class ended, I really enjoy relaxing, so even on my down time I don't go rush to do work on it. Perhaps in the summer, with even more down time, I'll put a good dent in it and get caught up. No worries - it's fun to just poke away at.
Today we are waiting for the boys to wake up from their nap. I went on a run with Bella, took a shower, ate lunch, and now I'm blogging and they are still sleeping! Their naps have significantly increased now that they are walking around more, which I can't complain about, but I'm ready to have some fun! Once they get up, they will have lunch and then we are off to the park. Can't wait to see their reactions on the swings and all the other play equipment! Then we are having an awesome steak dinner, baked potato, salad, and an awesome cookie cake for dessert.
I hope everyone else enjoys the beautiful Mother's Day today!
Today was so beautiful, we couldn't help but go outside after dinner. In the past, we kept the boys on the deck (blocking the stairs) and let them play up there since they weren't really walking yet, but we thought it was time to explore the yard. As we knew from last weekend at Sheila's, they were a bit hesitant in the grass...not sure about the feel of it. Logan was not having it, and just sat still as can be in the grass with a ball. A little later, he walked around just a little bit. This was much unlike Ellis, who after a brief freak-out-moment with the grass, cruised all the way around, practically running around the yard. Tons of fun...
I completely look forward to all the fun we are going to have in the yard as the warm weather continues!
