February Fun

This year is flying. It's hard to believe that Josh is down to a 3 1/2 more months of school and then we enter the real world and move closer to family we have missed so much. Such a blessing to have made it this far!!! Thinking of all the stuff that I need to do and will transpire in that time makes me want to take a nap - my current talent at which I excel. 

 Out nightly story time with Grandpa Browning has become a revered part of the evening.

 Tunnels... Who knew the best way to reuse artistic masterpieces was to put it in tunnel form.

Due to cabin fever, we have been venturing to the mall to walk on mornings when I am feeling motivated. The boys run a lap and on the second time around they get to play on the mall attractions. Tate is starting to wonder why we never put money in, but Ian happily enjoys climbing on them and pushing all the glowing buttons. I don't think buttons ever get old...

Our Valentine cookie making crew. My boys finally discovered that sugar cookies are not only fun to make, but they taste good, even when they aren't cooked. They disappear so much faster when I am not the only one eating them!

 This is Ian's baby monkey shirt. He LOVES it. It is the only onesie I still allow him to wear because it makes him so happy. Also notable is his frosting eating technique. He will clear the cookie and the knife and sweetly ask for another dollop.

 My baby is so grown up. He has yet to discover that sprinkles can simply be sprinkled instead of delicately put on one at a time.

Ian has started spending mornings in the bathroom with his cow and I. This eliminates contention while I do my 7 minute get ready routine and gives his cow a nice salon visit each morning. He even discovered how to heat the brushes so the cow could experience maximum comfort.

Of all the winter days we have spent here, we finally had a snow day with quality, fun, packable, soft snow. It was so fun to go sledding in our backyard. We built our own sleds with duck tape and card board. They work surprisingly well, especially if you penguin slide. Our friends added their sledding apparatuses to the mix for a wonderful child exhausting morning on our miniature slope out back. 

One Less Month of Winter

I am grateful for winter because... finishing this sentence in January is rough... because it helps me appreciate spring, because it gives us water, because my kids need less baths, because I don't feel as guilty turning on the TV, because I can bake as much as I want...  I think I need to work on my gratitude for winter... 

 There came a point this month when our walls could not contain us and the call of the outdoors was too great. In the drizzling rain we decided to go on a puddle jumping adventure. We went all the way around our block and Tate did not miss a single puddle. Ian even found a muddy one - bonus points there. We got home with drenched coats that required some overnight tub time to dry out and smiling faces. Ian and I even indulged in some hot cocoa to bring our temperatures back up. Tate insisted that chocolate milk of the cold variety would warm him just fine.

 Ian cleared this.. I was so proud!

At almost 40 degrees we ventured to the park and found an ice skating rink. Tate enjoyed it from the swing and was only convinced we should be homeward bound when he tested his free range skating skills and found himself on the ice. I think the public should invest in some domes to cover parks for the sanity of mothers with boys.

 At 23 weeks after dinner Tate told me his belly was bigger than mine. I clearly win the battle, but he is still convinced.

 If Ian had challenged me there are times I feel his belly stands a chance. Tate just over utilizes the arch. I'm grateful this isn't his normal stance.

 Don't wake daddy, one of the board games of my youth I hold with fond memories, is so much better live!!

 Ian wanted to be daddy too. We still need to work on his thumb...

 Over Christmas break I promised Tate a ride on the mall train with Daddy. Since Daddy was at the clinic it never happened... But when the train was still there last week I made good on my promise and let them ride it. Tate was sure Daddy would be devastated he didn't get to come, but he turned out ok.

 We took lunch to Daddy at the clinic to make up for riding the train without him.

 Ian got his very own snake from my Aunt Amee. He was THRILLED!!!! They go on grand adventures together and he is snuggled in close every night.

I can't imagine how this is even remotely comfortable.. But what do I know. It has wheels I guess.