A Ray of Hope

In mid-March we had a ray of hope.  The sun came out for a few days and it was warm enough for Henry and Walter to play outside without coats.  Ahhh, it was wonderful!  But then it was back to climbing the walls...

 

...literally!  This was actually taken on the way down.  When I first found him, he was near the top of the window moulding.  And I'll admit this isn't the first or last time I've found one my kiddos climbing these pipes.  Maybe they have a future scurrying up and down coconut trees.



 

Kinetic Sand has kept them calm and busy.  Love it!

 

Back to playing doctor, too. 

 

And a few more weeks of chasing Dottie around the dining room table,

followed by quick rest breaks on the couch. 

Monopoly, Hats, and Satellites

We've used our indoor time this winter to learn and play new games - it's been lots of fun!  Monopoly quickly became a favorite for H & W, which makes me happy because I love Monopoly.  Unfortunately for me, they are naturals and I haven't won once! 

 

  Passing Go and collecting $200.

Walter prefers to snatch up all the railroad properties and then use them to bankrupt me...and he loves every second of it, "That's $200, please."

Modeling one of the hats he and Henry got from Grandma L.

Mimi Megan stayed with us a few days one week (which we all loved) and the boys spent some time building while she watched.  Check out Henry's satellite which he made using a little double stick tape - how does he even know what they look like?

Birthday Weekend

In early March we spent part of the weekend with friends for a birthday celebration.  Henry and Walter were very excited for the big sleepover at their house.  We always enjoy our time with the T family but the time together goes too quickly.

 

Friday night:  Hanging out on the top bunk while listening to a few books before bedtime.

Saturday morning:  Parker and Henry taking a quick break at the Eagle's Nest

during the birthday party.

Henry, Parker, Noah

The Birthday Boy

 

The dads and Ryan

Time for some cake...

 

Gathering around to see Noah open his presents - the Ninja sword

and extra gear was a big hit and has already been requested at our house.

 

Looking forward to the next get together!

The Long Winter

Winter continues...The boys ask about spring every day.  On our way home from school today, Walter stared out the window and said, "Mom, sometimes it takes winter a long time to go away even when it's really spring."  The melting snow banks serve as Henry's obstacle courses these days and he begs to play at the local parks even when it's 17 degrees and 25+ mph winds!  Thankfully, these two are creative and have found a few things to keep busy.  This kept them occupied for quite a long time one morning - wearing Dad's sweatshirt with a huge ball inside and then trying to knock each other over.  Lots of giggles involved, too.   

A Weekend with Grandpa & Grandma

I've realized that I haven't been taking any pictures lately...there are only so many picture-worthy events when you get 20+ days of below zero weather, right?  Thankfully, Grandma and Grandpa A took some pictures for us.  Nate and I were able to spend a weekend with friends and the boys were very excited to have a sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  I don't think Henry and Walter were quite ready for their fun weekend to be over when we came to pick them up.

    

 They did a little drawing - I love all the fun scenes they come up with. 

Walter's says, "I love you Mom." (sniff, sniff)

This is what they can't get enough of - playing baseball in Grandma Jo and Grandpa Will's basement.  They steal home, "spit," and run the bases in reverse.  There was chess and checker playing, too.  It ended up being good timing for a sleepover because Grandma and Grandpa left a few days later for a warm get-away in Florida for two weeks.

More Christmas

We got together with Nate's family after church one Sunday to celebrate Christmas.  The boys always look forward to spending time with their cousins and we were happy that Grandma Josie was able to celebrate with us, too. 

 

While Grandma Jo read the Christmas story from the Bible, the kids assembled the nativity figurines.  Henry had the heavenly hosts.

Walter waited all year to have the star.

With the cousins before opening presents.

Charlotte, Megan and Lauren

Oh the excitement - Legos!  (With cousin, George)

 

Henry and Walter were thrilled to get Cobi military sets (tanks and army jeeps) and wooden swords (that have gotten a lot of use so far).  Earlier in the month, Grandma Jo took us on an trip to a boys' adventure toy store.  We had lunch together and then looked at all the fun toys.  They pretty much zeroed in on their favorites within 5 minutes...

Opening stockings:  There were clementines, chocolates, and other candies.  It just so happens that Walter is a clementine man - he eats 3 before bedtime each night.

With Grandma and Grandpa



According to my camera, we finally got around to opening presents at our house on New Year's Eve.  The boys wanted to open presents by the dining room tree.  After Dottie pulled the living room tree over, we moved all the ornaments to this tree...and made sure they weren't on the bottom branches.  The men were pretty patient with me - I was trying to get one great picture - but I eventually had to give up.

May not be perfect pictures, but I sure love these two.

Finally - opening presents.

 

And a few days later:

Walter and Dottie relaxing

Henry and his favorite shirt (parting with it will be difficult but the sleeves are getting a little short).

 

Building a fort...

...and another one.  They brought down pillows, blankets and lots of other stuff from the bedrooms to get this fort just right.

 

Henry is growing as a reader.  I love finding him curled up with a good book (this one was Dr. Seuss).

Looking pretty comfy.