Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Fire Station
We got a chance to go on a field trip with some friends to the local fire station. The kids had such a fun time. The last time we went to a "touch-a-truck" event, Chess was scared to get too close, but she really enjoyed being inside the truck this time. She got to "drive" it and be strapped into the seat belt. Lera had fun running around and touching everything she could. Thanks to Melissa for letting me use her camera to take pictures of my kids and giving me the photos. For any who haven't heard, I lost our camera a few weeks ago. Totally my fault. So mad.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Callaway Gardens 2011
We went to Callaway Gardens a few weekends ago. Remember that weekend it was 70 degrees, sunny, and gorgeous? It was the perfect day for hiking through the woods, picnicing, and looking at beautiful scenery. It is free to go to Callaway in January and February. There may not be much in bloom, but it is still gorgeous.
The girls wanted to look at the water beneath.
Lera wanted to run and be free.
Once we started our actual hike, we put Lera in the backpack. I thought Chess would do fine walking since it was pretty short. Well, of course she wanted to ride in the backpack. Jared carried her for awhile so we could be on our way.
She did enjoy the freedom of walking after the tantrum wore off (and after we promised her she would get a turn in the backpack later).
We always stop on every bridge to throw stuff into the water.
This is in the butterfly conservatory.
The butterflies were moving a lot, so I didn't get any good pictures of them. The girls loved seeing them. Lera was pointing and having a great time.
Well, you guessed it. Chess got her turn in the backpack.
We told my parents where we were going, and they sure thought it sounded like a great idea. So they went, too!
We ate lunch together. I am really loving this picture.
This is in the greenhouse. It has so many beautiful flowers and awesome landscaping in there.
It was a fun, family day. I think we are making it a family tradition. See here for our trip last year.
The girls wanted to look at the water beneath.
Lera wanted to run and be free.
Once we started our actual hike, we put Lera in the backpack. I thought Chess would do fine walking since it was pretty short. Well, of course she wanted to ride in the backpack. Jared carried her for awhile so we could be on our way.
She did enjoy the freedom of walking after the tantrum wore off (and after we promised her she would get a turn in the backpack later).
We always stop on every bridge to throw stuff into the water.
This is in the butterfly conservatory.
The butterflies were moving a lot, so I didn't get any good pictures of them. The girls loved seeing them. Lera was pointing and having a great time.
Well, you guessed it. Chess got her turn in the backpack.
We told my parents where we were going, and they sure thought it sounded like a great idea. So they went, too!
We ate lunch together. I am really loving this picture.
This is in the greenhouse. It has so many beautiful flowers and awesome landscaping in there.
It was a fun, family day. I think we are making it a family tradition. See here for our trip last year.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Valentine's Craft #2
This is an oldie, but goodie. Start by grating up some crayons. The cheap-o crayons were much easier to grate because they are softer, and they melt nicely, too.
Sprinkle grated crayon onto wax paper.
For a second, fun craft (and since you already have the crayon grated), sprinkle some on white construction paper or water color paper.
Put another piece of wax paper on top, and iron on low to melt crayon. Let cool. You may want to put a towel on top and bottom to protect your ironing board and iron, but you will probably need to turn the heat up a little. Cut out hearts.
We used a hole punch and hung ours with ribbon in front of the window.
Now, back to the white paper. When you iron it, place a piece of wax paper on top to iron (and a towel if desired) and then remove it after the crayon is melted. When it is cool, use water colors to paint. The color will only show on the white space.
Cut into hearts.
I think these Valentines turned out lovely.
Sprinkle grated crayon onto wax paper.
For a second, fun craft (and since you already have the crayon grated), sprinkle some on white construction paper or water color paper.
Put another piece of wax paper on top, and iron on low to melt crayon. Let cool. You may want to put a towel on top and bottom to protect your ironing board and iron, but you will probably need to turn the heat up a little. Cut out hearts.
We used a hole punch and hung ours with ribbon in front of the window.
Now, back to the white paper. When you iron it, place a piece of wax paper on top to iron (and a towel if desired) and then remove it after the crayon is melted. When it is cool, use water colors to paint. The color will only show on the white space.
Cut into hearts.
I think these Valentines turned out lovely.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
A Fun Day and a Funny Story
We recently had a great day with Nan-Naw, Paw-Paw, Andrea and baby Raven. Andrea and I happened to visit Nan-Paw (as I like to call them for short) on the same day, and they wanted to take us to Stevie B's. So, after eating some delicious pizza, I took Chess back to the arcade to have a look around.
She has fun just pushing all the buttons and pretending to drive the cars, so I wasn't planning on getting any tokens. Well, Paw-Paw came back and I knew we would be playing some games. We played a little ski ball, which was fun, but the real fun came when he decided to play the claw game.
On his second try, he won a stuffed bear! Chess and I clapped and cheered for him. About this time, Andrea and Nan-Naw joined us, and we were watching Paw-Paw try to win a pink dolphin. Andrea was boasting about how good she was at the claw game, so she gave it a try. She couldn't get the dolphin, but she did get TWO animals on ONE try! I guess you had to be there, but it was very exciting.
Paw-Paw promptly got more tokens, because three animals just wasn't enough, and he easily got one more. He never did win that dolphin, but all the kids got a stuffed animal (Chess, Lera, Raven, and Paw-Paw). It sure was a fun time, and a great thing to do on a rainy day. Thank you, Nan-Paw! We love you.
P.S. I wish I had my camera while were at Stevie B's to really capture the moment. My favorite was when I turned around and saw Lera with half of her body in the slot/door the animals come out of. She was probably thinking, "Hey, toys come out of this hole! Let's see what I can get!"
She has fun just pushing all the buttons and pretending to drive the cars, so I wasn't planning on getting any tokens. Well, Paw-Paw came back and I knew we would be playing some games. We played a little ski ball, which was fun, but the real fun came when he decided to play the claw game.
On his second try, he won a stuffed bear! Chess and I clapped and cheered for him. About this time, Andrea and Nan-Naw joined us, and we were watching Paw-Paw try to win a pink dolphin. Andrea was boasting about how good she was at the claw game, so she gave it a try. She couldn't get the dolphin, but she did get TWO animals on ONE try! I guess you had to be there, but it was very exciting.
Paw-Paw promptly got more tokens, because three animals just wasn't enough, and he easily got one more. He never did win that dolphin, but all the kids got a stuffed animal (Chess, Lera, Raven, and Paw-Paw). It sure was a fun time, and a great thing to do on a rainy day. Thank you, Nan-Paw! We love you.
P.S. I wish I had my camera while were at Stevie B's to really capture the moment. My favorite was when I turned around and saw Lera with half of her body in the slot/door the animals come out of. She was probably thinking, "Hey, toys come out of this hole! Let's see what I can get!"
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Valentine's Craft #1
I found this craft in the Family Fun magazine and loved it because even a 2-year old can do a lot of the crafting herself.
Start with wax paper. Cut pieces of yarn (about one foot each) and dip them in a homemade cornstarch paste (1/4 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup water heated on stove until thick, mixing constantly).
You scrape off the excess paste, then place the yarn pieces in a heart-shaped cookie cutter. You put in as many as you want, until it is all filled up to your liking.
Then, with clean hands, you press the yarn down and remove the cutter. Repeat to make as many hearts as you want.
Let dry for 24 hours, then use them to decorate however you want.
We strung ours through ribbon and made a heart garland. I love the way they turned out. Let me know if you try it yourself!
Start with wax paper. Cut pieces of yarn (about one foot each) and dip them in a homemade cornstarch paste (1/4 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup water heated on stove until thick, mixing constantly).
You scrape off the excess paste, then place the yarn pieces in a heart-shaped cookie cutter. You put in as many as you want, until it is all filled up to your liking.
Then, with clean hands, you press the yarn down and remove the cutter. Repeat to make as many hearts as you want.
Let dry for 24 hours, then use them to decorate however you want.
We strung ours through ribbon and made a heart garland. I love the way they turned out. Let me know if you try it yourself!
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