Clean Up, Clean Up, Everybody Do Your Share

Apparently, my kids don't think they have a share in cleaning up the toy room. I sent them in there the other day, closed the door, and told them not to come out until the room was picked up.  Well, it must have been opposite day because they did the opposite of what I asked. They took every bucket, box, bag, game, puzzle and dumped it out. I was past aggravated at that point. Thankfully when Chad got home he had them clean up. Whatever was left on the floor was put into a box and taken away. It's days like this that I would gladly give away every toy we own and let the kids play with sticks, rocks, and dirt. 

Black Eye

A few weeks ago Marlee fell off of her bed and hit the corner of the side table. The force of the fall was so hard that it ripped some of her eyelashes out. Poor girl. It looked awful for several days. Thankfully, all is healed now. We're just waiting on the eyelashes to grow back. 

We Might Just Become Professionals

Professional Hikers that is. Ever since we went on our little hike a few weeks ago, the kids have continued to reference hiking. So we headed out again today to hike. This time I grabbed the camera to snap a few shots. The kids really enjoyed the sights. I enjoyed them. too. I was prepared with knowledge about poison oak and ivy. I even taught the kids the difference. We were able to squeeze in some science lessons along the way. For a split second, I thought about how cool it would be to home school Marlee and Cooper, then I thought against it. I would never be able to get them to focus.

Busted

One of Cooper's favorite things to do outside is pee. He will whip it out anywhere at anytime. Got to love little boys!

Sprinkler Fun

After church and before the neighborhood kids knew we were outside, Chad was able to get some cute shots of the kids playing in the sprinkler. And no, I don't know why Cooper put on the arm floaties.

Hang Out House

I have always wanted our house the be the hang out house for the kids when they get older. Well that wish is coming true a few years early. Several kids have moved into the neighborhood, since we spend so much time outside and apparently have the "best" toys, all the kids seems to hang around here. It drives Chad crazy because they don't have the best respect for our things, but to me, they are just kids having fun. Of course, Marlee and Cooper love having the older kids to play with.  I don't mind at all because I always know what the kids are up to. The only negative is the parents seem to take advantage of the free baby-sitting. LOL

I snapped a few pictures of the kids playing in the sprinkler this afternoon. Marlee was a little hesitant about running through the sprinkler, so the twins took her by the hand and ran with her. I'm so glad she finally has some girls to play with. Everyone was sad when we had to come inside. I think several of them would live with us if we would let them. :)

Easter 2011

The morning started off with two adults, two kids, and two cats sleeping in our bedroom. That's another story for another day... Marlee rolled over and smiled, excited to see what was in her basket. She went to find hers, then came back to wake Cooper to go and find his. They both sat in our room, munching on m&ms, while Chad and I caught a few more zzz's.

The weather was perfect, and we all got dressed and ready for church. Everyone looked great! I of course, wanted to get a family picture. Since we had a few minutes to spare, we headed over the hill to the river to snap some pictures. Major fail. No one was in the mood for pictures. Tempers were already flaring, so we jumped in the car and walked into church as the bell was chiming. The sermon could not have been more fitting for the mood of our house this morning. ;)

We came home and headed straight outside, turned the hose on, and splashed around in the water for hours. I'm so glad the rest of the afternoon turned out to be wonderful.

I told my mom that I plan on dressing the kids up again tomorrow to take make-up pictures, but Cooper started running a fever tonight. I guess cute Easter pictures are not in the cards this year. :(

Some Cute Bunny

The Easter Bunny visited preschool last week. I was able to snap a couple of pictures of Cooper.

Seeing the Easter Bunny. 

Ready to go on an egg hunt.

Monday Do-Over

Monday was a day I would have liked to have done over. The kids were terrible, and I was in a funky mood. That leads to disasters many times. (So much of a disaster this time around that I pulled out my love and logic AND scream free parenting books!) I was in need of a refresher and an attitude adjustment.   Thank goodness we had preschool Tuesday and Wednesday. So, when I woke up this morning, I promised myself and the kids we would have a do-over of Monday.

Homemade pancakes and free-play, while I cleaned up the kitchen made everyone happy. Then we got dressed and headed outside for a short walk. It was  such a beautiful day, that we packed our lunches, grabbed the water bottles, and headed to The UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge  for a hike. I thought the kids could go on a nature gathering walk, but the signs said you could not gather anything for keeps.

We walked two of the trails and will definitely be back later in the spring. It was gorgeous outside and the perfect day for a hike. I think we walked about a mile and a half. The kids worked up a sweat and appetite. They also had signs posted about not being able to picnic, so we headed to a  new playground to eat lunch and play.

Love and Logic with my Scream-Free Parenting books are working their magic again. Today has been a great Monday do-over!

The First Game

Marlee had her first soccer game this past Saturday. It was a beautiful day for being outside. It was rather humid for April, but I will take sunny skies in any fashion after the wild winter we had.

She put on some face art for the game.

Warming up with some quick runs, but it looks like she and K were warming up their conversation.

Pre-game jumping.

Kick off

The ball is headed straight for her. I don't think she was ready.

A Whole New World

We have officially started the world of sports. Marlee had her first soccer practice last night. She did great, but more important than that, she had fun!