Little Miss Animated

I've thought this at least a THOUSAND times, but don't think I've ever REALLY posted about Little Miss A's animation. I LOVE that she can bring anything to life. She'll sit in her room for hours consumed with all kinds of imaginative play ideas that she brings to life with her stuffed animals, babies, barbies, cars, books, etc. You name it, it will come to life in the hands of my sweet little girl. Just the other day, J was making carrot-orange juice for breakfast and Little Miss A grabbed a couple of the carrots he had laying on the counter and began an entire dialogue exchange between the two carrots.

Carrot A: "What are you doing today?"
Carrot B: "I don't know. What are you doing today?"
Carrot A: "Why are we here?"
Carrot B: "Who knows."
Carrot A: "Do you want to play?"
Carrot B: "Sure!"
Carrot A: "Okay, la, la, la, la."

She never gets to the part where they are about to be pureed or anything, thank goodness. But her willingness to play with anything and everything is just precious. I love to listen to the conversations she has back and forth between whatever she is playing with at the time. :)

A Playdate at the Park

We met our bffs last night for a fun picnic play date at the park. We ALL had a blast!!! Wish we got to do stuff like this more often. I can't believe I took my camera and didn't snap a single pic of the fun that ensued through the course of the evening. Play scape tag, kite flying in the field, hide and seek, you name it they played it!!! We've been playing with Ken and Mck since A & D were born. It's so fun to see how their friendship has grown over the course of the past 5 years. They play so well together. Little Miss A was playing with Kam too, she would be such a great big sister...don't get any ideas...that's not going to happen. :) Mr. D was so sweet with Kam too. He sat by her at dinner and was constantly sharing his dinner with her. I just love watching them play and interact with such close, special friends. No drama, which means I get to catch up with my bff too!!! :)

Family Fun Run

Our school and another elementary school in the neighborhood hosted a spring fun run this morning. The kids were super excited!! I usually run without them, but they always want to go. Today was the day for all FOUR of us (yes, J went too) to get out and go together. It was awesome!!! Little Miss A is quite a sprinter, far faster than Mr. D, but tires out quicker than he does too. She did great!! Mr. D was amazing too...he ran the whole mile (aside from the moment he fell over the curb and scraped up his hands and hurt his knees), but he was back to running right after that. He was one of the first kids to finish, definitely the youngest. Little Miss A wasn't far behind. :)

I was just one mile. So not quite the extreme running that my Florida fam participates in, but this was a good starting point for the Caswells. It looks like I could possibly take the kids with me every now and again when I go out. Family fun runs on a more regular basis would be awesome!!! :)

The Egg Factory

I just realized I hadn't posted this from last month. It's too funny not to share...


The kids were learning about winter and enjoyed an afternoon cup of hot cocoa. (The kids have become addicts BTW, have I mentioned that yet?) After a fun sequencing activity, the kids were able to decorate their mugs. This is Mr. D's mug. It is called the "Egg Factory". Just as it sounds, this is a factory where eggs are made. The center can only be described as a conveyor belt, although he didn't actually call it that and the people all over the place are workers that make sure that the eggs don't break. I have NO idea where this idea came from, but this egg factory has been coming up in conversations A LOT lately. Whether or not the factory is open, asking if we'd like to visit, telling us how to get there and reminding us of what they do there. Two weeks ago we were driving a different way to gymnastics and dance when Mr. D tells me to "turn left."
Me: "Why?"
D: "Because the egg factory is that way!!"

Holy crow, seriously? I have no clue where that road went, but I am determined to get back there with him and just check it out. Had we not been running late for gymnastics, I totally would have turned just to see what was back there and where Mr. D would lead us on this wild "egg hunt". As soon as we continue the search, I'll post an update to...The Egg Factory!! :) What a funny little guy!

Quidditch...Take 2

After creating the broomsticks, I realized we were going to HAVE to play with them at least once before hauling one of them to school. With a quick game of Quidditch before dinner time, we have 4 thumbs up on proper broomstick operation. :) They were certainly fast...this was the ONLY picture that actually turned out on the digital, the rest were all blurry. Guess I should have used the slr...oopsie.

Transportation

The kids are studying all about transportation at school...different ways to get around. Our show and tell this week is a chance for kids to bring a transportation item from home to share with our friends. Okay, cool, we have TONS of cars, trains, trucks, motorcycles, planes, construction vehicles and even a remote control garbage truck...tons of vehicles to choose from.

What does Mr. D choose? A broomstick!!! Of course that's what Harry Potter Jr. would select. It definitely gets him around, that's for sure. Since we didn't have one at home, shocker, right? we came home this afternoon and began construction. With the sticks already waiting at the front door (we collect all of our nature treasures in a pot at the front door, since nature stays outside). We rounded up the raffia in the wrapping closet, broke out the hot glue gun and got to work. It was definitely a team effort. There's no way Harry could have a broomstick and not Hermione, so the 3 of us worked together to make 2 broomsticks.

We'll find out tomorrow if Mr. D's broomstick survives the trip to school...

As for Little Miss A, she's bringing "Deary" a stuffed dear from our road trip last summer that she completely adores. She's right though, you could potentially ride a dear as well.

I've got to hand it to the Caswell Kids...they are definitely outside the box thinkers!!!! :)

Pancake Day!!!

Did you know that February 23rd is Pancake Day? I had originally planned to take the kids to IHOP for a fun pancake dinner after gymnastics and dance yesterday, but with the snow and cancellation of classes we went home right after school instead. We found out yesterday afternoon that school today was going to be delayed 2 hours. So I decided we were going to have a pancake re-do day and have pancakes for breakfast before we went to school today instead. It was wonderful!!! We had breakfast as a family before leisurely heading out the door at 9:15. If only every day could be a delayed start... :)

SNOW!?!?

After my previous post, you're probably thinking, yeah, right! It's true...two days ago we were all in shorts and t-shirts and today we're sporting winter parkas!!!! Crazy weather... :)
This picture pretty much wraps up the day...a warm cup of hot cocoa...how much is too much?

Playing in the snow at school

Snow angel...Little Miss A didn't want to get dirty...

After a nice long hike in the snow with Daddy, the kids came home and threw on their PJ's to warm themselves by the fire...

then decided we needed to make a snowman. :)

Growing up in Salt Lake City, I have seen my share of snow, but the flakes that were falling today were HUGE!!!! I don't remember ever seeing such GINORMOUS flakes of snow. It was awesome!!!!

Here Comes the Sun!!!

After being under clouds and rain for what feels like FOREVER, we FINALLY had some wonderful wholesome sunshine today!!! It was so nice!!!! We hit the trails this afternoon in search of the fastest route to the park and pool we can see from our backyard. (A ten minute walk...we'll be using this trail on an almost daily basis in a couple months!!!) It was so nice to get out as a family and just enjoy spending time together. With an afternoon in the sun, we are all acting like we have a little more spring in our steps. I think the Caswells are definitely solar powered!! :)

Some Outside Play Time

After a long night at school last night, all I wanted to do was hang out and play with the kids this afternoon. :)

We began our afternoon of play with a nice old fashioned game of Quidditch. (Yes, my son is still obsessed with Harry Potter...Universal here we come!!)


After a nice round of Quidditch, we played hide and seek (not an easy feat in a VERY bare backyard) and tag. We had a BLAST!!!!
Thank heavens for the warmer weather. We've been a little water logged over here lately with all the rain, not to mention colder temps. It's official, the Caswells are ready for SPRING! :)

Little Miss A's Loose Tooth!!!

The kids had a dentist appointment this morning...a pediatric dentist in the neighborhood...how great is that? After J gave me the rundown of the new office, staff and dentist he started to tell me about the kids actual check up. I was SHOCKED to hear that Little Miss A has her first loose tooth!!!! Her bottom front left!!!! (A & D were SOOOOO late in getting their FIRST tooth, that I figured losing them was going to be a distant event...apparently not!) She is so excited!!! She knows exactly where her tooth fairy pillow is in her closet and can't wait to use it. (Her bff, Ken, has been losing teeth for years now and Little Miss A can't wait to join the club.) I don't think I'm ready though...that means my baby really is growing up. I'm definitely in denial. My daughter, as a pre-K student, is taller than almost every Kindergarten student on campus...I actually have some 2nd graders that are shorter than she is. I guess I need to get ready, growing up is happening sooner than I was really ready for.

D's Bumps...

So, Mr. D has had these crazy bumps on his rib cage for a few months now and they were progressively getting worse. To exacerbate the issue, these bumps were starting to leave little "pits" on his skin. YIKES!!!! So I took him to the local dermo to have it all checked out. The doctor recommended removal since they were scarring upon itching. Mr. D had his first cryotherapy (nitrogen freezing). He was so brave, I can only imagine how this must have felt on his very bony rib cage. I'm happy to report, that just two days later it looks SOOOO much better already. I was seriously thinking this was going to be a check it out today, come back later to treat it type of thing, but one visit, done. Woo hoo!!! I think we've found a new dermo. Actually, I guess that means I actually have to start going back for my yearly checks now...bye bye sun. :(

A LOVEly Week!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Little Miss A and Mr. D awoke bright and early to Valentine goodies. We made pink heart shaped pancakes with chocolate chips and had a nice slow morning at home. The kids consumed WAY to much sugar before noon..note to self: fewer sweets in the Valentine bags next year. :) We had a great day just spending time together as a family. (We need to do that more often. Our lives get so consumed by mundane errands and things to do, that we never really take the opportunity to just enjoy one another.) We played, we talked, we laughed and just LOVED each other today. It was AWESOME!!!!! I think EVERY day should be Valentine's Day!!!!

School Sock Hop

Our school had a Valentine Day Family Sock Hop. Friday night, we waited for Daddy to get home from work, then walked up to school as a family for the dance. (I really LOVE living so close to school!!) The dance was awesome...tons of fun!!! Mr. D danced gymnastics style doing cartwheels all over the place and Little Miss A was a limbo girl, then did some dancing with me. It wasn't long before they both walked off with friends just like the big kids (That's happening too fast. I feel like they've both grown up way too much this week!!!) After the dance we headed to one of the restaurants in the neighborhood I had been dying to take J to. It was great. Mr. D even liked it, Little Miss A fell asleep after the Edamame!!! What an awesome night!!!! I hope this is a school tradition!

Valentine Party at School

We loaded up the car with all of our valentine's and headed to school on Friday morning in anticipation of our Valentine Party!!! The kids were so excited. It was hard to understand why we were making everyone else Valentine's, but not one for ourselves. Difficult concept, I know. :) They had a great time with their friends, had a TON of sugar and pretty much spent the rest of the day outside running it off. :) Notice Mr. D sporting the Harry Potter specs. (He insisted on wearing them and would NOT take them off!!!!!)

Dance Class Crush

So, Mr. D waits with me through Little Miss A's dance lass, just as Little Miss A waits for Mr. D through gymnastics. They both have friends that help them pass the time, which definitely helps. Apparently, Mr. D's friendship is developing into a little more. On Tuesday, Audrey announced that she and Mr. D are getting married!!!

Me: "Wow, really D?"

D: "I guess so. Sure. Why not." As nonchalant as possible as if this was just any other question.

Too funny!!!

Super Bowl Sunday!

We began our week of love by having our bffs over for the Super Bowl. The kids had so much fun. I love seeing how well they all play together, hearing their sweet whispers and infectious giggles, then seeing their sweet good-bye's upon departure...we LOVE our friends!! :)

One fun treat Miss J brought were some yummy, festive football cupcakes...complete with BLACK icing. :) Here is a brief glimpse of the difference...

Cupcake Number 1

Cupcake Number 2...

Priceless!

Little Miss A was in heaven though...both Ken and Mck were sporting the same black smiles and purple teeth. :)

Roger, Houston. We Have Pipe Cleaners!

Thank you so much Miss J, for this idea. On Saturday morning, leave a craft out for the kids to create something. Then wake you up with whatever they've made, allowing the kids to get the creative juices flowing first thing in the morning AND a later wake up for Mom and Dad!!! :) A & D LOVED this!!! So did we, bought us an extra HOUR!!!! This looks like the tiger got in a fight with the pipe cleaners and the pipe cleanes won. Who knows what it really is, but man they had fun. We had pipe cleaners EVERYWHERE, but it was SUPER simple clean up so I'll take it. :)

The Bat House...

The follow up to Little Miss A's roses...

For weeks, Mr. D had been asking when he "can make something with wood, nails and a hammer?" So, J ordered a bat house they could build together.

Mr. D LOVES bats...so this is right up is alley!!!! We actually have a large population of bats in Austin that are currently residing in Mexico until it warms up a bit. The boys are hoping when they come back "from learning Spanish" they'll make themselves at home in our backyard. I on the other hand am hoping not...they honestly kind of freak me out a bit!

With a gorgeous forecast on the horizon...finally...the boys hit the backyard and set up for their construction. Great daddy/son bonding time!!!

I think they both had fun with this project. Maybe the boys need to spend more Saturday mornings at Home Depot in the project class for kids. :)

Really?

Seriously, is this REALLY necessary? We have ALL of our toys conveniently located in great storage bins so you can readily find whatever you like, taking the "dump" factor out of play...or not.

Mr. D has gotten to the point where he won't play just so he "doesn't have to clean up." Very intuitive, but it would be even more brilliant to play smarter by taking the one thing you want out and leaving what you don't want where it is. Still learning how to play. :)