Friday Family Fun

On Friday we took the boys to Cafe Sip-n-Play. They had fun playing and Matthew and I had fun catching up!

We ran into one of Sam's friends from preschool -- so they had a great time together.

Good times for this family!

Zak loves their banana bread!

Sam and Landon played for quite a while in this

trunk -- they were cracking each other up!

Sam, Landon and Abby coloring.

Male Bonding

This was a funny scene to walk by last night...
Zak was receiving a lot of encouragement
while sitting on the potty.

Weekend Recap

This past weekend was spent at Poppy and Grammie's house.

Friday night Sam whispered in Grammie's ear that he wanted Swedish pancakes for breakfast. He had them for the first time on our last visit and I think they will be requested often! He did rename them "Grammie & Sam's Swedish Pancakes".

We spent time at the beach, watched the Olympics, saw friends and had fun with Grammie and Poppy.

Fun times!

Sam was in charge of making the batter.

Then it was off to play at a new beach that Poppy had found in Edmonds. I'm sure it's a very nice beach, however it was February and windy -- so we didn't last too long. It will be fun to try it again in May!

Throwing rocks with Dad.

Zak had a great time digging in the sand.

Sam built a little city and then destroyed it.

More time in the kitchen for Sam -- making milkshakes.

Hanging out with Charlie before church.

Wiped out!

A Breath of Fresh Air

It was a sunny, gorgeous afternoon yesterday, so we headed outside for a little yard clean-up -- and some fun!

Zak is going to be a great weeder!

Except that he doesn't like to get his hands dirty!

He mowed the lawn for the first time.

Sam took care of the sweeping.

And found time for a little fishing!

When we were finished in the yard, the boys headed off to the park while Mom stayed home to make dinner.

Good thing we had our afternoon in the sunshine -- because today it rained all day long.

Welcome to February!

The Doughnut Dudes

Flair For the Dramatics

No, this is not about Zak -- although he is Mr. Drama at our house!

Sam received a set of Adventures in Odyssey CD's for Christmas and loves them! They are full of action packed Bible stories. We listen to them during breakfast and lunch and then he listens to them during quiet time and when he goes to bed.

Jacob and Esau is a real favorite around here. Out of seemingly nowhere, Sam is prone to cry out, in a loud, deep voice, "I'm going to kill you!". Obviously, he's Esau. The hard thing is that you never know when this phrase is going to come out -- could be at home, could be at the store. When it's out of context, it's a little disturbing!

The other favorite right now is the story of Ruth. Again, out of nowhere, we hear this phrase, fraught with bitterness and emotion, "My name is Mara!".

Who knows what the next phrase will be!

Artist in Residence

While out shopping one day I happened upon some modeling clay -- and thought Sam might like to try it out. It was a kit that would make a panda bear and a monkey.

One afternoon while Zak was sleeping, we sat down with the directions and our clay and got to work. Sam wanted to make the monkey first, so we worked on it together -- he did a great job rolling the clay into little balls and attaching arms and legs and the tail.

Here's our monkey...

Then Sam wanted to try it all by himself -- and he did a really great job! Matthew and I think it looks like Mr. Potato Head. It looks like he's wearing a beret...the flesh colored "things" on the side of the head are his ears, of course...not quite sure about the white thing in the back -- there are two of them --- I think it might be the tail?

Monsieur Des Pommes de Terre a la Tete

I call this one "Mangled Cow"

Sam's ready to try this again -- we'll have to start a rotating display for his creations!