Anderson Arctic Adventures: Happy Valentine's Day

Life continues to move forward! We've had a wonderful new year so far. I keep waiting for the "hard stuff" to kick in. The "hard stuff" isn't anything particular, just all the different parts of your day, family, routine, that lead to a long day at the end of it. We've had three weeks of smooth sailing, so far. I don't know if it's the new "us" or if something around the corner is coming. Alvin and Alex are finishing their work much quicker. They are showing more interest in their personal projects. They only need to spend 15 minutes a day on them, but tend spend 45 minutes. Reading is coming along for Alvin, and I caught Alex reading a chapter book at night!

So far, our cabin-fever busters are working! We've been going on field trips: Planetarium, remote control aircraft demo, and ice skating. Upcoming field trips are Japanese Culture Center and the NW Cultural Museum. Art lessons are wrapping up this week. We will start up again in August, so Alvin and Alex can compete in the Spokane County Fair. Kindermusik has been a blast! All the boys are singing the songs during the week. We also joined a gym. Jackson is not willing to stay in the daycare, so we go after Nick gets home. Jackson stays with dad, and the rest come with me. Alvin and Alex enjoy wall ball and basketball, while I use the treadmills. Rilie enjoys the kids and activities in the daycare. It's been an experiment in freedom for Alvin and Alex, being loose in the facility unsupervised: So far, so good. We only make it to the gym 1 - 3 times a week, but it does wonders for burning up everyone's energy.

Here are some fun pictures!

Jackson enjoy jam on his toast.

Alvin was building a parking garage out of construction paper. It wasn't able to hold up his Hot Wheels very well. (I was proud of myself for not interfering and letting him figure it out on his own). The next week, he built it out of card board and was much happier with the results.

We're feeding the birds and squirrels!

The kids love to watch the birds and squirrels come eat on our porch.

This one is called a Junco. It has a dark head, brown back, and white belly.

Rilie woke up and told me he was going outside. He was not in the mood to "discuss" it. He put on his boots, gloves, hat, and went outside! He came in after 3-5 minutes. This is the face he made when he thought I was going to tell him to eat breakfast first.

Junco

Rilie outside! I believe this was when we had our third snow that stuck. He didn't want it to melt before he finished his breakfast.

Jackson LOVES to help with cooking.

He also loves to look at books. This is a children's encyclopedia.

Alvin's clay sculpture. It's the giant snow monster from frozen.

Alex's sculpture. He didn't tell me what it was.

The snow lasted for three weeks. We have four squirrels in our backyard.

They have enjoyed the bird seed too.

Rilie found the Bebe Pod in the closet. He likes to run around the house like this. he dares me to spank him.

All the snow melted this week. We may get another blast before May, but I think winter is done here.

This is the pedal-less bike Nana and Poppi Shortman sent for Christmas.

Jackson enjoying the tricycle.

Someone is not happy about his sledding hill being gone!

He told me it still works... sorta.

Jackson enjoyed his turn.

Daddy throwing kids over the house.

Life without dad is dull.

Jackson loves to put away dishes. If he can't put them away, he gets them very close!

Jackson also likes to pretend he's cooking. Apparently, he's done pretending.

This is his yogurt and tortilla chips.

Sowing Project

For our wedding we received a beautiful king size blanket.

That was 10 years ago. The top has been ripping apart.

Nick, Alvin, and Alex added a top.

They loved using the sowing machine!

Valentine's Day

Nick and I enjoyed our usual date night. On Saturday, we had a family Valentine's dinner.

I made a pasta dinner and salad. We enjoyed those personal Martinellis, and I taught the kids how to make chocolate dipped strawberries. It was a big hit!