Who's that kid?

Who IS that kid?

After this he said, "I no like pictures, mama."

And he picked out his new Royals shirt from Norma and Ladell to wear today. 

It fits great - thought its a size 5/6 and he wears a 3T. Crazy sizing from non-kid companies. It'll be great to wear this summer!

Out and About Today

We got out and enjoyed this nice day today. Cole and I played in the sand box while Hope slept and then went to the park TWICE! It was good to get out!

Here's the angel baby all cozy in her stocking cap made by Susie!

Without any prompting from me, Cole held Hope's cover down the entire way home from the park so the wind wouldn't blow it up. He is very intuitive when it comes to seeing a need. 

Reminded today how thankful I am for the double stroller!

Accessorizing

This evening after supper, Cole brought out his box of accessories and was dressing up and dressing Hope up. It was pretty cute. I resisted the urge to quick, take a picture, and rather just enjoyed the moment - until Cole laid down beside her and said, "picture, mom, picture"!

#mostphotographedgeneration

Gym Time Fun Time

This past Wednesday I started a structured kiddie gym time at the rec center for moms and toddlers. It was a lot of fun! I kind of felt like I was in my element. I am going to try to meet every Wednesday for the duration of the winter. 

I liked it for lots of reasons. I got to use my teaching and planning skills. It was great to be with the other moms and the other kids (for the most part*). It got us out of the house and moving around on these cold winter days. And it gave me a chance to serve the other moms and kids and provide a point of connection for all of us, which, we found out, we desperately needed. 

I'm not really sure what first got me thinking to do this. I like the play group at the library and could never plan the activities like they do, but I thought I COULD plan an active play time - with songs and games and stories. And then one day Cole and I were at the rec center gym all by ourselves and the ideas started rolling. I kept track of everything that came to mind on a list on my phone and realized I had a lot I could pick from.  

I contacted a few girls to see if they'd be interested and they were! And then I tried to think of every single mom I knew that stayed home. I texted them all and they were all excited about the prospect. We had 5 moms and their kids this first time - but maybe 9 moms altogether potentially.  

I told myself to keep it simple and do familiar things - not spend a lot of time googling and looking for obscure new activities to do or trying too hard to stick with a theme, and that seemed to be well received. 

Here was my plan:

I planned for 30 minutes and told everyone they could stick around after, if they wanted - and they did! We aren't all friends and there was a lot of kind of "keeping to themselves and their kids", but I envision that changing as we have more time with each other. 

Lots of playing and interacting going on with moms and kids, with a little "mom talk" thrown in there on the side. 

I'm so glad I did it. I won't do it forever but it'll be fun for a bit!

*The hardest part was dealing with Cole's aggressive behavior towards some of the kids. I feel like we have been working on this forever! I had some major breakthroughs as I spent some concentrated time in prayer after some difficult times this past week. God is working on me and my insecurities and weaknesses as I try to gently correct and guide Cole (and failing sometimes too). So tough!

Saturday Night

At Cole's request, Hope joined him in the laundry basket on top of all the clothes. 

#oursaturdaynight

Look, Mom!

"Look, Mom, I reading like Tom and Jerry!"

[As he puts the paper up to his face and moves his head back and forth quickly, like you'd see in the cartoon.]

HILARIOUS!

Gingerbread House

Shirley invited Cole over to play one morning this week. He wanted to go by himself. I told him I would walk him to the alley and we could meet grandma there. We got out the back gate and he said, bye bye mama. And started walking away!

Marc took Cole with him to visit a farmer the other day. The farmer's wife gave Cole a gingerbread house kit. Cole was super excited to put it together. Mama was not! But guess who I knew would do a great job? Grandma Voth! Cole took the kit with him in his bag and they had a great time putting it together! He was so proud of his creation!

I think he ate as much candy as he put on!

The finished product! 

Roller!

We have a roller!!  Haven't caught it on video yet, but Hope is starting to roll from her tummy to her back - not every time she's on her tummy but three times in a row this morning (and other times). Enough for us to know it's not a fluke. :)

I got this "after" picture but didn't get a "before", like I thought I did. 

Cole took this one. 

Our baby is growing up!

What are you watching?

Hope, what are you looking at so intently?

Your big brother Cole showing you the ropes of how to cut!

I brought Hope over to be with us while we did some crafting after naps and laid out a blanket for her to lay on. Cole had a better idea, and went and got the Bumbo for her. Good thinking! Glad I have him around. He cares for his sister so well. 

"Hope in here, Mommy?"

Tonight Cole asked if Hope could join him in his soft toy box holder thing. We obliged...

He handed her toys and talked to her. He can't wait for her to be able to play with him (or at least that's what he thinks now). He tries to put toys in her hands often. Cute!

Trains!

The Garden City model train club came to the sublette museum and put on an exhibit. We went and checked it out...

Hope got some special treatment at the door and was held and cared for while we took in the exhibit and gave Cole our full attention. 

Fun stuff!

Because Cole Has the Best Daddy

Because Cole has the best daddy ever, we got to stop for ice cream at McDonald's and found a park to play at in Pratt on our trip home. It was a beautiful day and a welcomed detour for all of us!

It's always a special day when we get to go to the park with daddy!

Missing Shoes

It was the funniest thing yesterday. Cindy was with us at Chick-Fil-A and Cole went up into the play place with his shoes on. I told Cindy, that's fine, as long as he comes DOWN with them! 

And whadaya know, here he comes a few minutes later with no shoes. Inside I'm freaking out as I imagine myself contorting my body and making my way up the teeny tiny stair openings to retrieve the lost Nikes but on the outside I just calmly ask him to go find his shoes. He scampers back up and while he's still on the stairs, Cindy and I witness this. 

First one shoe and then the other make their way down the slide, all alone, with no sign of the heroic rescuer. We thought it was so hilarious and were overjoyed to have the footed treasure back safely in our possession, knowing we could stay rooted on solid ground. 

Oh the joys...!

As a sidenote: I had planned to go to chick-fil-a alone with the kids but Cindy called at just the right time to be invited along. As I was standing in line with a heavy baby carrier and a wailing two year old's hand (because he couldn't go play right away), I asked myself what was I thinking? I couldn't do this alone! And that's when Cindy walked in and "angels started singing", as Julie said when I relayed this story (she must have similar experiences with Cindy). We were saved. Cole's tears dried up and mine did too, though figuratively. Cindy took him to play and I ordered our food and all was set right in the world. Whew!

Visiting Olathe

We have had a really fun "incognito" visit at home. I say that because we didn't tell a lot of people we were coming or make a lot of plans - more by accident than by design. 

Mom and Dad are working and Marc won't join us until Wednesday, so it's been slower paced than Christmas because this mama is on her own with two kids. Don't be fooled, though, we've still done our fair share of fun things. 

We've played at Julie's, gone to McDonald's to play and eat with Elsy and Cindy, stopped by Kay's and saw Mary and Janet there, played with Norma at our house, Cole got a much needed haircut at one of those kid-friendly places, visited Dad at work to show off his grandkids, ate and played at Chick-Fil-A with Cindy again, and played with Elsy, Julie, Watson and Gramsy at home tonight. 

I've gotten to run some errands while the kids have been sleeping and mom and dad have been home. Hope has taken a bottle TWICE with no problem, which is so good to know. (Shirley gave her her first and only bottle prior to this trip, and she had success with that too.)

So grateful to have this relaxing time seeing my family while Marc is at his meeting in Manhattan. We will look forward to daddy coming back tomorrow, but we have had fun! So thankful for all the help!

High Chair

Recently I realized that our high chair reclines far enough back for Hope to sit comfortably without falling forward. I got around to putting the chair at the table the other day and have been so glad I did!

It allows her to be at the table with us while we eat instead of being in her bouncy seat on the floor. It's been fun to hold her hand as we pray. Cole thinks that's fun too. "Close your eyes, Hope!" he'll say. 

Today

After we got back from a walk to the post office and park with Cole, Hope sat contentedly in the kitchen with me while I made supper (taco salad..How bout you?). 

She's such a good baby! What a treasure!

In the meantime, Cole managed to fall on the back landing going down the stairs and put a gash in his forehead. His daddy reacted quickly and got ice on it. Cole was a trooper and bounced back quickly. 

Scissors

Some mid-morning crafting. Cole has been exploring with cutting with scissors. He's managed to make some pretty good progress...