Ice Day

For a week in February, shortly before the big move, we were stuck inside for a week due to ice & snow. We tried to make the most of it, but it proved a challenge for all three of us.

We started with some painting on Day 2, realizing this wasn't going to end anytime soon.

A view of our icy driveway. It was a thick coating and was unbelievable.

Back to painting! Matt's favorite thing to paint at the time was football games. He changed the players and the teams, but always managed to have 2 goalposts.

After bath, Matt was trying to hide from the camera!

I guess Jonathan convinced him not to hide for very long! This is one of my favorites!

Apparently I loaded my pics out of order, and being as it's a bit difficult to change the order of them, we'll go on with the progression of the football picture.

An attempt at a smile while showing me his "NFL" at the top.

More details!

Then one day we decided to follow through on an idea provided by a nonprofit group formed by a classmate of mine at Pearce. She formed Lemons to Aid and has a wonderful organization promoting the idea of helping others to children.

We decided to make some pictures for the troops.

Matt was very into coloring his fighter jet!

Jonathan was proud of his cutting skills. We had the map placement out so I could help tell the boys where the troops are stationed right now.

More coloring and cutting!

Time for some shaving cream and squirt bottles in the shower! It's always an adventure and they LOVE it!

Posing for me and cracking me up!

Time to get cleaned up!

But wait, there are bubbles, and we can't just get cleaned in a bubble bath!

Time to decorate the tub walls!

It was a tough week, and because of the ice, the snow that followed was not very enjoyable due to the slipping danger factor, but we made it through! The light at the end of the tunnel was but a week away from the crazy weather!

Birthday Party!

Before we headed west, we had another birthday party for a classmate of the boys. Madison turned 3, and had her party at The Little Gym where Jonathan had his a month before. The boys both loved it!

Warm ups with the big group!

What a line up! (Birthday girl in the pink pants with the curly hair!)

Don't know what they were supposed to do, but I am thinking the girl next to Matt has it right since she has every component of what the others are trying to imitate!

Matt flies around with his buddy Jack and Jonathan's buddy Logan.

More high flying!

Did I mention they had fun? Look at Jonathan's smile.

Parachute time!

I just love the way Jonathan is looking at Matt.

The big rolling circle proved fun, but Jonathan was hesitant.

Jonathan lands, and Matt's next!

Smiles upon landing.

Can you tell I took my new camera? I just love the shots I was able to capture!

Coming at you!

Jumping at you, Mommy!

Here I come!

This one just cracks me up, catching him in mid air!

Ugh, what a landing.

The air walk is always fun!

Bouncing high!

Crazy landing coming up!

Bubbles!

I just love the look on Matt's face in this picture, even though he is a bit obscured (lower right hand corner)

Pure enjoyment and total kid time!

Watch out for the crazy tongue!

Time for snacks and cake!

Watch out for future posts since I take my new camera places now! There might be more pictures than you ever wanted to see! I am having fun with it, even though I really don't know what I am doing.

Playtime!

We went to Central Market to do a little shopping, but it was a Saturday and things were a bit nutty. Luckily, they have a playground. Nick shopped while the boys and I played!

Even though it looks springy and warm, it was still January in Dallas. Matt was a bit chilled.

The next weekend, we met a school friend at the Science Museum. The boys went up the stairs to check out the t-rex.

All 3 of them had a blast playing in the water. I don't know how we got out of that room with as little water on them as we did.

Even though he's a bit big for most of them, riding toys are still fun for Jonathan.

But slides seem to always be a big hit! He and Matt discovered how much faster they could go if they lifted up their feet.

Matt got a kick out of putting on the fireman uniform.

Plano Train Show

We went back to the train show this year when it came to Plano. There was a big generation gap and I was in it. There were the train enthusiasts of a generation ahead of me and then the boys running around my children's age. Such fun!

This year the boys could both see most of the exhibits from their tiptoes!

Did I mention, tiptoes?

He tried desperately not to be happy on the train ride.

Matt, on the other hand, was having a blast.

I love it when they just look at each other and start giggling!

Look at us! The reflection in the window was a little exciting to him.

He he! There we are again!

SNOW!

We started the year off with more snow. Matt was eager to go play, but Jonathan was a little more resistant.

Nick went out and played with Matt for a while. Snowball fights and all!

Matt tried his best to hit the chimney with snowballs.

Jonathan and I looked out on Matt & Daddy from the warm, dry kitchen. My kind of guy!

Matt tried to clean off his tractor and ride it in the snow.

A big ride on tractor was no match for the snow.

The view from our driveway.

Our little snowman finally saw some sun. A little sun salutation and he melted away over the next day.

Birthday Party

In early January, one of the boys' classmates had a Chuck E. Cheese birthday party. It was our first time, and the boys did exactly as we had predicted. They loved the games, but hated Chuck! They both wanted him gone and ran around their table and into my arms when Chuck came out to perform. Good thing that didn't last long.

Jonathan went to join Logan and his mom in a game of shooting baskets.

Jonathan had a great time roaming around and exploring all of the games.