Fun at the table

This time of year can get so mundane staying in the house all the time so I've decided that I'll try to plan some daily activities for a break during our day. Here are the two that we have done this week that have been picture worthy. The first pictures are of the kids playing with rice. This kept them entertained for a LONG time...just scooping, measuring, and filling up the trucks. I'd recommend it to all of you moms out there!!!

Too busy to look at the camera.


The mess wasn't even all that bad!! Caleb did try to eat quite a bit (I'm thankful that uncooked rice isn't toxic!!)

Chloe's Playdough snowmen!

Chloe is turning into quite the little artist. She made the Playdough "snowmen" all by herself and has also now been drawing faces complete with eyes, a nose, and a mouth!

Happy 2nd Birthday Caleb!

Caleb turns 2 today! We had a small truck themed birthday party for him the other night (on my Birthday!!) and he had a blast! Here are some pictures from the night and just a little insight into my little guy's world...

Caleb's favorites...
Food-Macaroni and Cheese (the box version is better than mom's homemade!!)
Candy-M&Ms
Toy-Trucks of any kind.
Real Truck-Grandpa's feed truck
Playmate-His sister...he doesn't know what to do with himself when she isn't around!!
TV show-Clifford or Curious George
Words-"No me" or "M&M"
Game-Hide and Seek...he is actually really good at this game!!
Outdoor activity-Hauling rocks
Book-This changes but currently the favorite is "My Big Truck Book"
Naughty activity-drinking hand sanitizer (yesterday) Yes, I called poison control and yes, he's still alive...



He wore a hard hat at his party



Showing off one of his new trucks

Presents!

Another truck??

A garbage truck!

The activity of the night was piling on Uncle Jared


I love cake!

SWAT team Mason

Why use a fork??

Daddy grilling hamburgers on the deck in 5 degree weather!!!

The cake

He blew out one of his candles!

I never would have dreamed before I became a mom how fun it would be to celebrate my Bday with a truck party!!

The new truck filled with dirt, rocks, and worms. (Ok, dirt dessert made up of pudding, cream cheese, and cool whip, candy rocks, and gummi worms:)

Playing inside is fun...

But playing outside on a sunny day in December is WAY FUN too!!!






I'm so thankful for this weather! I know it's going to change but I'm treasuring today!!!!

Chloe Quotes From Today

At lunch...
Chloe (with much enthusiasm): "It's a great day to eat!"

Before naptime we were reading in her Clubhouse Jr magazine and it asked the question, "What's the best thing about your mom?"
Chloe: "You cook."

Obviously the way to Chloe's heart is through her tummy!!!

Our Thanksgiving Weekend

We just returned home from a fun weekend in Minnesota with Kyle's family. I didn't get nearly as many pictures as I would have liked but here is a sampling of what we spent our time doing...


Played with guns (doesn't she look like a natural?!?)

Rearranged toys

Ran around the house with a rope playing Thomas the Train...

Gave rides to Noah

Played with Baby Jacob

Checked out the really cold pig at the MN vs IA game

Cheered for the Hawkeyes with Pete and Kelly (wait, I think Pete was cheering for MN but he had to be pretty tame considering we were sitting in a fairly hostile Hawkeye section)

Took in the coldest football game I have ever gone to (a balmy 24 degrees) to witness a Hawkeye loss to my alma mater. It was really fun to see the stadium and here we are in front of it posing for a picture....me and some strange man who looks like he could have just robbed a gas station.

Father Abraham Had Many Sons...

I've been debating about the appropriateness of this post but here it goes...

Chloe and I were in a public restroom this past weekend. She makes me stand outside of the stall as she goes. Here is what I heard...

Chloe: (Singing) Father Abraham had many sons, had many sons had Father Abraham...
Another person enters the bathroom...
Chloe: Mommy who is pottying??
Me: I don't know sweetie...
Chloe: (Singing) Father Abraham had many sons, had many sons had Father Abraham...
Another person enters the bathroom (total of two other persons now)
Chloe: I have to take a big, long poop Mommy!
Me: Ok...
Other ladies smiling at me and trying to stay composed as they wash their hands...
Chloe: (Singing) Father Abraham had many sons, had many sons had Father Abraham...

The End

Our Walk Along the Beach

With the Lake being so low right now we decided to go for a walk along the beach
and see what we could find. We found this big rock...

We found rocks to throw into the water...

Caleb found a really long stick...

Chloe found this rock to sit on and clam shells (not shown) She was pumped to find "seashells"...

We found a really pretty sunset too!!

Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This...

There was so much crying this morning I just eventually had to take a few pictures. I told myself I might look back and laugh...it's already getting more humorous...

Go Hawkeyes!

A big thanks to Mom and Dad for the tickets to the game on Saturday and watching the kiddos. It was Kyle's Birthday gift and we had a blast. GO HAWKEYES!!!

I'm getting caught up here...

I have so many fun pictures to post and I'm catching up today. I should be cooking the pounds of ground beef that are in my fridge but this is way more fun!!! We enjoyed a visit from Kelly, Noah, Jacob, and Judy last week, then we had a fun pumpkin carving party, and then we rode the scenic train in Boone. We have been busy!! I'm thankful for the fun times, pictures and memories!! To top of our crazy week....Caleb went potty on the potty chair!! He was so proud and Chloe was so excited for him!! I hope this is the beginning of the end of diapers!!!!

Jacob with a Hawkeye bib!

We learned how much Noah likes to eat! (just like our kiddos!!)


Carving the pumpkins

and coloring them...


Kyle's hat and ponytail...he better be hiding that thing cuz I'd like to burn it!!!

It was so fun seeing everyone all dressed up!!!

I was a crazy daisy, Chloe a princess, Caleb a puppy, and Kyle...well, I guess he was a farmer with a ponytail...

Look at this cute little dalmation!!!


Here is my mom and Chloe on the train!

Tasha and Jared enjoying the scenic ride...

Caleb was super excited to be on a train! The excitement didn't last the whole 2 hour ride though....:)