Channeling Our Inner Artists

Grace has been wanting to paint lately. This morning while Grandma, Grace, and I went to Michael's, I picked up some water colors for the kids to paint with.

They had such a good time with the paints!

Of course, Gabriel painted a Lightning McQueen picture.


Grace chose a Strawberry Shortcake picture to paint.

Here are the busy little artists.

This picture was taken AN HOUR later. Yes, they were still busy painting.

Grandma bought the kids little sticker books at Michael's. Grace dressed sticker girls in some very trendy clothes. Gabriel decorated race cars. This little art project took them another hour after dinner. I think I have a couple of little Picasso's on my hands! Hehe!

OUR First Time Sledding!!

We went to Colgate Park this afternoon for some real sledding. This was MY first time sledding, as well as the kids'. It was a BLAST! I can see how kids spend ALL DAY sledding when there is a good snow.
Daddy and Gabriel went down the hill together.
WHEEEEEE!
Then Gabriel and Grace sled down the hill together.
The sun had been shining on the hillside for a while. Not to mention, that we were not the only, or the first, ones there sledding. The snow had turned to slush in many areas, and it was very slippery to walk on.
Grace liked dragging the sled for a while. Then she got tired and decided to ride up the hill. I can't say that I blame her.
This is my $1 yard sale sled. I think it was certainly worth a buck!
We had so much fun sledding! Gabriel and I didn't want to leave, but Grace got tired.
Gabriel "helped" me up the hill. Thanks, Buddy!
Grace rolled off of the sled on the way up the hill. Silly girl!
As we were leaving the park, Grace stopped, put her face in the snow, and came up with a mouthful. She is such a nut!

Snow Fun

The kids could not wait to get outside this morning when they saw the snow! We were doing well to keep them in the house until 10 a.m. They were so excited about using our new sled. Who cares that they were just being pulled around the back yard!
Grace's favorite thing to do is slide, no matter what the weather.
She decided it would be fun to try out the swings too.
My camera lens got very wet because a certain little boy was throwing snow on Grace and me from atop the play set.
Daddy was shoveling the driveway and thought it might be a good idea to let Gabriel help shovel too. Let's say that shoveling was not Gabriel's favorite outdoor activity.
If big brother got a shot at shoveling, you know Grace wanted to try it too. I think she actually enjoyed it though.
This is Gabriel as he was trying to pull me on the sled. Haha!
Before going inside, we had to make at least ONE snow angel.

MC Gabriel

I love the look --- hat, sunglasses, and pajamas!

Accessorizing

Grace decided to accessorize her outfit . . . ur . . . uh . . . diaper . . . tonight with some beaded necklaces, gloves, and sunglasses. What a nut!

Evan's 5th Birthday Party

Gabriel's buddy, Evan, celebrated his 5th birthday Sunday at Blackiston Bowling Lanes. We were a little early, so the boys "drove" a race car on a video machine.
Here are "Staci's Big Boys:" Jake, Evan, and Gabriel.
Gabriel was so excited to go bowling.
As soon as he'd roll the ball down the lanes, he'd turn around and take off. He never cared where the ball ended up.
Can you just hear him saying, "Cheese!"?
The kids had hot dogs and chips for lunch.
Then more bowling . . . Jayden was a pretty good bowler --- for a five-year-old. He gave Gabriel some moral support.
What form!
After bowling, we sang Happy Birthday to Evan and enjoyed some cake.
Mmmm . . . cake!
Last but not least, Evan opened his birthday gifts. There was a Hot Wheels and Matchbox theme to his birthday gifts, it seemed. I hope he enjoys his new loot!

Reading Books

My kids love, love, love to read books. Sunday morning while I was cleaning up the kitchen, I noticed that the living room was eerily quiet. When I went to investigate, this is what I saw.
What great kids! Reading books on a Sunday morning! Way to make a mama proud, Guys!

Dress Up Clothes and Dance Cam

Saturday morning we cranked up some music and turned on the Dance Cam.
Grace needed to wear a "dancing skirt" and "dancing shoes."
Gabriel decided to dress up too. Boy . . . In a few years, he's really going to hate that I posted pics of him wearing a skirt and heels. It's so funny though! How could I resist?

Toy Explosion

Friday evening Grace entertained herself for an hour dragging toys up to the living room from the basement. She HAD to have been exhausted after making SO MANY trips up and down the stairs and carrying so many awkward toys.
She tried SO HARD to drag this metal chair up the stairs. She kept saying, "Mommy, I need your help! Gabe, help me . . . please." No one answered her pleas.
She dragged every bit of the stuff up the stairs from the basement and arranged it in this neat little line. Why? We don't know. It all returned to the basement once she was in bed. It took Dan and I two trips each, at least, to take it all back downstairs.

Pasta Mess

I fixed seafood pasta tonight for dinner --- a recipe from a friend. Spaghetti noodles are so messy for the kids to eat, but they had so much fun eating them! Ha!

Grace and Mommy Day

Grace, Grandma, and I went to the outlet mall this morning to pick up some deals from clearance racks. Gabriel went to preschool today, so it was just us girls. Despite the fact that Grace acted her age today, it was still a good day spent with my rotten girl.
She enjoyed a little time at home this afternoon turning our entryway into her kitchen. She played by herself with NO interruptions from big brother. She did ask about him constantly though, and I know she missed him.
I decided to document our special day together by taking a few pictures.
I love this little girl so much!