Friday fun!

Last Friday we met up with some friends at Gymnastic Joes. When we got there I told the kids that their friends were coming ant that took the excitement to an even higher level. Elaina ran around screaming I get to see M I get to see M for a good minute.

I love this picture even if no one is looking at me

Sweet hugging time didn't last long and this time Emmett didn't want to stay for more pics

We became friends with this family shortly after we moved here. We met at Mops and have maintained our friendship even through the years that there wasn't a mops group. It is so great that the kids each have a friend that is about a month or two older.  The twins that are Josiah's age both start with J (we thought it was funny when we first met that all 3 boys plus another mom at our original Mops table little boy all started with J). There is also a little boy Elaina's age (hence the running and screaming when she found out he was coming) and baby Emmett's age (although I probably shouldn't call them babies anymore).

Josiah loved climbing up on top of the mats.

Our kids ran crazy and burnt a ton of energy while we were there. At places like this Emmett has decided that he needs to run around and do things "by me self ," which is great. I love that he is developing his independence and not clinging to me all the time.

Emmett kept running across the light on the floor.

After we left there we made an impromptu visit to the food court. My kids thought that was great, because we don't usually eat there. Since they were all having a great time and I would have adult company, I decided that it would be fun. The kids were great and begged to go to the play area after eating.

She wouldn't stand still for a picture.

We decided to go let them play more. Both of the little ones started getting really tired after we had been there a while. So we decided that all the fun must come to an end, and surprisingly no one fussed about having to leave.

Elaina and her buddy walking in the mall

My kids were asking as we pulled out of the parking lot when we were going to do that again. I am so thankful for great Christian friends, and this friendship is even more special because all of the kids have a friend (& Josiah 2) their own age.

Snow Day!

Sunday evening the temperature became to drop as the rain moved in.  We got a little ice and then it turned to sleet.  Sometime after midnight it all turned to snow and we woke up Monday to a snow with Trey home from school.

We couldn't find Elaina's good mittens. 

Stood still just long enough for picture

Emmett HAD to carry his ball out with him.

We all bundled up after breakfast and headed outside to play in it.  This year Emmett was not about to be left inside while Elaina and Josiah went out and played.  We didn't get a ton of snow but it was enough to pack down on the drive way for the kids to sled a little.

Trey playing packing down the snow

Elaina was so excited about the potential for snow that anytime some one mentioned it she would squeal at the top of her lungs we can build a snowman.  Well unfortunately the snow was to powdery to make one, but she didn't seem to upset about it.

The kids played outside with their friends down the street all morning.  After a few runs of the sleds down our drive way we went to the hill in our neighbors back yard and the kids went down it a few times.  Then they decided it was more fun to play on their swing set.

Emmett thinking about petting our neighbors dog

We came in and had hot chocolate while we got lunch ready.  After lunch we went for a walk to see what the main road near our house looked like and figured that school would be out Tuesday as well (and we were right).  Then the we came home and Elaina and Emmett took a nap and Josiah rested in his room.

Emmett back out with his ball after naps.

Josiah purposely sliding down the road.

After naps we went out again to see it the big hill in our neighborhood had enough snow to sled down, but it didn't.  So we came back home and played inside. 

This was right before we got ready for bed and notice Emmett still has that ball

By mid-morning Tuesday the roads had cleared enough to get out, so we ran some errands.  We also decided to go to Fun City and let the kids play games and run around in the play area.  Josiah didn't really seem to enjoy the play area much this time.  There were several older kids (8-10 years old) that he would have loved to play with, but they were climbing up the outside of the equipment and it really bothered him.  He came up to us at one point and asked if he should go get someone because they were breaking the rules.  I was actually proud that he was upset that they breaking the rules and being unsafe instead of joining in with them. 

Valentines Party

Today we had our Valentines party at preschool.  We divided the kids into 2 groups and made bags for their Valentines in crafts and then did a story time in the other rotation.  Emmett decided that he would go with Josiah and he climbed up in the chair to decorate his bag before Josiah even got in the room good.  hen even stayed with Josiah when he went to story time and I stayed in crafts.

So Focused

Trying to sneak a picture of Emmett in Story Time and gout caught

Elaina was in the other group and started out in Story time.  I think that she was a little disappointed that Emmett went with Josiah.  Last time that he decided to go with a group he went with her. 

After the kids went to story time and finished decorating their bags, they had a valentine exchange.  Josiah had sports cards that had a tattoo and Elaina chose ones with airhead candy. 

We finished off our party with a potluck lunch and then lots of time on the play ground.  My kids were getting a little crazy towards the end of the party so I decided to take them out to the playground a little early.  Another mom had the same idea and was out there when we got there and others soon followed, so they had lots of friends to play with.

The boys playing

We had a great time at the party, but I think my favorite was soaking up the sunshine on the playground after.  My cheeks are a little pink from all the sun.

Josiah told me to take a picture of us, and then laughed that his head was blocking my face

Josiah wanted to take a picture of me and Emmett

Enjoying the warm weather

We have been having some very unseasonably warm days (followed by some very cold days), so we have been taking advantage of the warm days.  We have been outside as much as possible. 

Elaina found the hat on the way to the park and wore it all day.  She has her own style for sure.  I thought she was so cute and it actually kept her hair out of her eyes.  She doesn't want (or let me) do much to her hair, so I was happy that the hat kept it out of her face. 

Josiah was all over the place but he really likes the spinning thing.  He found so other kids to run around and chase.  There were a couple of kids that he had played with at various activities that we have been at in the past, so they played really well together (even though he was playing with a bunch of girls). 

Emmett loves this park too.  This is one that has a lot of things that he can run and climb all over.  His favorite is a little rope bridge.  It's closed off enough that he cant fall though, but it is bouncy enough that it is a big adventure for him.  I like it because all the walk ways are wide and not real high, so it is safe for him to run and explore.