Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Spring Break!

We have been taking full advantage of Spring Break and the beautiful warm weather we are enjoying this week!  Monday I got out some lacing cards.  I actually bought these a couple years ago but just brought them out for Gavin to use.  The great thing was he saw them sitting on his table and he sat down, got them out and started lacing without me even having to try and get him to do it!


We also went to the park on Monday!  Austin got to swing and Gavin insisted on pushing him and wouldn't let me push him at all but it worked out well because I got to take pictures.



After Gavin took his turn on the swing, both the boys played in the sandbox for a while.



When the boys were done with the sandbox we walked around the lake and came home. 

Tuesday we stayed closer to home.  Gavin played outside with the new leaf blower his grandma got him.  It's just as loud as a real leaf blower but doesn't actually blow leaves.  Of course, it is a new favorite toy because it is incredibly annoying.  I'm sure the neighbors love it too!

In that picture he is actually using the leaf blower to catch sharks.

Anyway, after I didn't hear the leaf blower for a few minutes I looked out and Gavin was writing at his picnic table.  Apparently he was writing about how fish live in both ponds and oceans. 


Gavin has been 'writing' a lot lately.  Still all jibberish but he's got the idea down.  He usually is writing me tickets so this was a nice change and much less expensive.  The mess beside him is actually the beginnings of a vegetable garden.  It will be a miracle if anything actually sprouts to be honest but on Monday Gavin had I planted cucumbers, squash and morning glories (yes I know morning glories aren't veggies!).  We were going to plant corn and carrots but the package said don't transplant so I guess we'll wait.  I had this great idea to use cardboard egg cartons to start our seeds in thinking it would be a good way to reduce and reuse and all...I cut out the bottoms for the roots but I think they aren't going to be deep enough.  Gavin is doing a great job keeping them watered either way so I hope something makes it!
 

Then after Austin got up from his nap we hit the trail.  I'm really trying to get Austin used to hats but he hates them.  I managed to get this picture before he took it off and started chewing on it.  Apparently he's not getting enough fiber in his diet!


This morning we headed into the wild.  Actually it's another park but it feels like the wild so Gavin loves it.  The water he's walking in was freezing!  I couldn't believe he would stay in it for so long!
We found moss, algae and pond weeds, looked at trees growing off the side of the banks, looked inside hollow trees, saw ants and water striders and had a good time.   Then we found this log with weird white growths on it.  They kind of looked like shells and were hard.  I have no idea what they are.  Anyone know?  Normally we'd ask dad but he's out of town until Friday.



That's been our Spring Break so far.  I've got to think of something to do with the boys tomorrow.  It may be grocery shopping but we'll see!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Gavin's Mosaic is Finished!

And here it is...

He finished it this morning and it looks great.  We will try this again! 
And here's the kids playing yesterday.


Calla loves the tool bench for some reason.  She spends a lot of time there!

I found these puzzles at Tuesday Morning a while back.  They're great floor puzzles and they are in French!  We have a pirate, zoo and jungle theme puzzle.





Saturday, March 27, 2010

Roller Skating!

Here are some pictures of the kids playing yesterday.


I call this sassy...
and sweet!



This morning we went roller skating.  Some of Gavin's friends from school had invited us.  I didn't know that on Saturday morning only kids 9 and under can skate which is perfect for little ones.  Gavin had a great time so I guess we'll have to go back soon.





Friday, March 26, 2010

Art and Play

Wednesday Gavin and Austin had lots of fun playing and working on art projects.  Austin spent some time playing with Noah's Ark (the animals are especially tasty).



Gavin made a paper bag donkey.


Since he used regular glue and not a glue stick, we had to wait until Thursday to take a picture of the final project as it was very generously glued together and needed to dry.

He also worked on an Easter maze.  It was a little tricky but he figured it out!


Here are some more pictures I took yesterday afternoon.  Gavin's working on an Easter lapbook so yesterday he traced a Bible verse.




Austin loves to stick out his tongue for some reason.



Austin discovered he could watch the dogs on the other side of the door.  Sorry the window is so dirty, I do clean it but Max spends all day jumping on it and it rained yesterday.




Gavin made this cross at the Family Easter Celebration at church and he is very proud of it and wanted me to take a picture.