It Snowed!

We've had a relatively mild winter, but this weekend the temperatures dropped - and so did some snow!  The boys especially had a fun time playing together outside . . .

Gymnastics Gym

This is becoming one of our favorite ways to spend an early hour on Saturday mornings

The Race Track

I saw this idea on pinterest.  A masking tape race track.  I knew Rooke would like it, but had no idea how much he would actually love it!  We set up the track on Saturday and he literally spent hours playing "race" last weekend with constant narration about the racers and who would win and who was being rude and which cars were out of gas or inexperienced and couldn't make the difficult turns . . . I love finding ways to spark his imagination!

Holly, the purple "girl car", was almost always in last.

The block stands were for the "pit crew chiefs" and next to that was the "cheering section".

Good Reads

The kids and I picked out our favorite books from our last two trips to the library . . . 

Belinda Begins Ballet by Amy Young

Charlie the Ranch Dog by Ree Drummond

One Giant Leap: The Story of Neil Armstrong by Don Brown

The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen

Toy Boat by Loren Long (Otis and the Tornado is also a good one by the same author)

Violet the Pilot by Steve Breen

I Spy With my Little Eye Baseball by Brad Herzog

The King, the Mice, and the Cheese by Nancy and Eric Gurney

Dinosaur Days by Daina Manning

Watch Out, Bad Guys!

Rooke was thrilled with his cape and mask he got for Christmas.  Gretchen was too, and I quickly realized we had two budding superheroes in our home.  I asked Deborah to keep her eyes open for another cape, but grew impatient with my role as superhero referee.  So I busted out the sewing machine.  It's not great, but it's hers.  And now we can peacefully fight evil together.  

Around the House

A living room transformed . . .

We've gone from one extreme to another when it comes to hair accessories

He found the Bumbo . . .

We thought it might help Gretchen sit still for Bible stories

Playing with her "animal toys" from KayeK, which she has slowly been earning as rewards during potty training.

Reading

This morning I peeked into Rooke's room to find Rooke reading to Gretchen:

Rooke noticed me and said, "Can we have some alone time, please?  Why don't you go and read your Bible."  Classic.  

Christmas in January

We got several great Christmas packages from our family this year - before Christmas Day even, which is hard to make happen with the very unpredictable shipping times (I'm just thankful we can ship at U.S. rates!)  Grammy Deb and G-Daddy mailed all their packages on the same day, but one box went MIA.  When it finally arrived, we had Christmas morning all over again!  Thank you!!

This was definitely his favorite gift from the box.  Combined with his "knight sword" and Lightning McQueen bike, he's been unstoppable!

Rooke loves a good Chuggington episode

Gretchen sat on the red towel special seat for a couple days after we threw away her diapers and started potty training.  She's doing so good!  

Getting intimate with Mr. Potato Head

Love Her

Gretchen and I were just hanging out and she started "reading" my Bible.  I used my computer to try and catch some of the cuteness . . . 

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will in Christ Jesus for you."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  

Then we just started being goofy . . . she's going to be such a fun big sister!!

Rooke Turned Four!

Someone in our house had a birthday yesterday!  Rooke turned four and we were all excited about the day.  It's truly hard to believe that I've known this little man for four years.  Where has the time gone?  His goals for this year are to learn how to read and ride his bike without training wheels.  Rooke is our thinker.  He asks lots of questions that give insight into the wheels that are constantly running in his head.  His ability to retain things is just like his dad's - amazing.  And he's pretty literal in his thinking, which I think he gets from his mom.  He's a good big brother and a great encourager.  We love our four-year-old!

Rooke got to open a present before his request of pancakes for breakfast - I love his sleepy face.

Gretchen and I joined him at preschool later in the morning.  I sang some songs with the class, Gretchen got to have lunch with the big kids, and we shared cupcakes with everyone.  

There was some miscommunication and the school wanted to use the cupcakes for snack, so we took two home and left the rest for the next day.  I offered to let Rooke eat his outside before heading home, but he wanted to wait to have a candle.  "I want a candle in all my treats today!"  Ok!

In keeping with tradition (three and two), I let Rooke help me pick out his birthday cake.  I prepared three options from pictures online that I thought I could handle.  But in between clicking through the images, he spotted a race track cake and claimed it.  I was putting the finishing touches on when he came down from his rest time . . .  

He picked out four of his favorite race cars and strategically placed each one.  It was an intense moment for my little man.

He was happy to smile, as long as he got to be by the cake!

Next he opened one of his presents from Grammy Deb and G-Daddy - a new baseball tee with bat and ball!  Thank you! 

He went right to work practicing . . .

. . .  and we quickly moved the game outside!  I love his stance!

While we were playing outside, some friends stopped by with a present for Rooke.  So thoughtful!  Their three boys love legos and were excited to help Rooke put together his new lego man!

And after homemade pizza for dinner and yummy race track cake, Rooke opened his last present from us . . . authentic knight wear.  =)  He's been into dressing up as a knight lately and we thought that, as cute as his socks and pillow case armor is, we'd take it to the next level.  His four-year-old brains were too big for the helmet, but everything else worked out!

It was a happy day to be four!