Toy Swap Day!

Once a month, we rotate the toys in the playroom. The old toys get tucked away in storage bins for a month or two's rest, and another batch get to emerge from storage. I love Toy Swap Day, because things get cleaned up, matched up with their friends, and old clutter is gotten rid of.
We pull out play furniture we haven't seen in a while and old favorites become new favorites.
Every other month I set up a 'play house' space for the kiddos complete with kitchen, table, and babies. By the end of the month it is ready for a break and the kids are ready for something new, but on the next Toy Swap Day they are more than happy to pick up where they left off of playing house.

Dragonfly Cap

Check out this seriously cute lil' hat I crocheted for May. I made it in February so I decided to go a little large in the hopes that it will still fit her come next fall. We went to the fabric store and I let her browse the fun buttons. She finally settled on this pair of pretty dragonflies, so I found some coordinating yarn and got to work. It really only took a couple of hours, and then mostly because I was struggling to adapt my grown-up sized pattern for her cute little noggin. Now that blustery weather is back in town, I can at least take solace in the fact that she will be sporting this chapeau for a little while longer.

Artist at Work

May had so much fun learning how to "water paint." My favorite was the steady chant of "dip dip dip dip" as she dipped her little brush into the paint and water.

Hooray for My Kids!

I've been reflecting a lot on what a special gift motherhood really is. Besides the obvious love and affection with which I am lavished on a daily basis, there are a myriad of traits that they possess that make them truly delightful children.

• This boy knows his manners, he impresses adults everywhere we go
• I know of no one who is more fun to go with on brand new adventures
• This sweet boy takes money out of his own piggy bank to give to CCS to help hungry people afford food - you can't teach the spirit of charity, for sure he was born with it.

• 
• May is absolutely hilarious! I love all of her silly antics
• Although naughty by nature, her heart is always in the right spot and her compassion for others is inspiring - out in public she is always worried when she hears a baby cry, and wants us to go comfort it.
• The honest pride she takes in her accomplishments makes her glow, and motivates me to accomplish more, myself.

Touch O' Green

We started our St. Patrick's Day celebration the day before with our annual Soda Bread Baking.
The kids were very active and involved with it this year.
Instead of topping it with granulated sugar, we chose colored sugar.
On the morning of the big day, we got started with some green shamrock pancakes.
We dressed up in our best green outfits and topped it all off with some face paint.
Daddy brought home some big shamrock cookies to enjoy before bed.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

March Showers

Although a bit early and cold for it, the kids and I were excited about the rain showers last week and were able to go out and enjoy a rain walk. James was kind enough to let May borrow his kid-sized umbrella while I was kind enough to let him borrow my mom-sized one. We used to have a third one but that began to droop even while open and was eventually turned into bat wings. May delighted in puddle splashing. Too bad her little snow boots are in no way water proof - something I only discovered after coming back home and seeing her peel off soaking wet socks to reveal very pale, very wrinkled baby toes.

Look how beautiful my daughter is!

And what a handsome son I have!

The kids found worm after worm. They insisted that I take pictures of each one - don't worry, I won't post those.
We arrived back home wet, tired, cold and extremely pleased with ourselves.

So we celebrated in style with bunny grahams and hot cocoa.

Daisy, Daisy

Give me your answer, do.

I'm half crazy, all for the love of you.

Discovering at the Gateway

The kids and I had such a great time at the kids' museum! James started off the morning with a little yardwork.
May discovered that it is impossible to ride on the kiddie-car side saddle.
I loved how much time they spent together making up games.
The weather was even nice enough for us to venture outside and monkey around in the helicopter.
Inside, May found refuge in the "Under 3" area. She rode on this crazy seahorse-looking thing.
She climbed the treehouse and slid down the slide about twenty times.
She hung out in the little beaver lodge looking pleased with herself.
During this whole time James was at the water table sending things downstream and filling buckets.
Before leaving the "under 3" zone, May found one more friend to ride on.
Next stop, the house: where James whipped up a little snack for his sister.
We went upstairs to the building area. James spent the entire time at the magnet table building towers.
Meanwhile, May explored the waffle blocks.
And played with the "flowers" - or gears.
Our last stop was the beehive back downstairs, where James had a blast sending balls up the elevators and down the ramps.
Discovery Gateway was a ton of fun! I never stop being thankful that we live in a city where we have easy access to museums, zoos, parks and libraries. The emphasis that Salt Lake City puts on children and children's facilities is truly special. I plan to continue making the most of it.

James Baby

Possibly the cutest game these two have come up with, yet. May is the mommy and James is the baby. She tucks him in for naps and gives him snuggles. When I try to interfere she puts a hand on him possessively and says, "No, that *my* baby!"