Bicycles and More

The weather finally is starting to feel like spring has sprung. No rain only wind this week. Dave and the kids decided to ride bikes. Dave found this handy gadget that goes on the back of the bike for you to hold onto until they get their balance. Rylee practiced after school and then again when I got home from work. SHE DID IT!!!! She can ride her bike by herself.

Dave & Rylee

Starting out on her bike

Rylee

There she goes...Look what I can do !!!

Saturday arrived again with too many activities and not enough time for everything. We decided to go to Michael's for their craft day "Fun with Crayola Magic Dot". Only the teacher didn't show up and their event coordinator quit. That left the store manager trying to figure it out. Well, me being impatient I started to play with the clay and tools. No such luck. So then I found a box with instructions and wouldn't you know presto we were playing. When the manager came back in the room with some instructions we were ready to go. I told her we needed some white clay to make our shapes and then they would decorate them with the colors. She then asked me if I wanted a job as the event coordinator. I laughed and said if I could bring my kids. I am not sure how serious she was, but she doesn't know how uncoordinated or uncrafty I really am.

We had to leave early to take Rylee to a friend's baptism. So we brought the stuff home with us. Ryder & Reganne played with it for another hour at home. It is really cool stuff, much better than Play Do. I have got to find more.

Reganne and her clay

Reganne & her flower (the finished project)

Ryder & his projects

He never really finished his, but kept pulling it apart and trying different things. When he finished he handed the pieces to me and with a smile said "For you mom"


Rylee started to make hers, but hasn't finished yet. To much other stuff to do.

Spring Fun & Games

Saturdays are always full of housework, errands, and catchup at our house. I have been wondering at what ages can I get my kids involved with cleaning the house. They are really good at picking up their rooms, dusting, and help folding the towels. So what was the next step or chore?

I was feeling overwhelmed yesterday with all I needed to get done. Plus spending time with the kids. Then it came to me...Let's play a game of tearing our beds apart and racing the sheets to the laundry. The winner would get a quarter to spend later that day. Within five minutes the beds were apart and I had three smiling children eager to be the winner and get the quarter. I too was happy what would have taken me much longer to accomplish was done. I probably shouldn't have bribed them, but it got the chore done. In record time and with smiles.

Ryder and his bed
Reganne and her bed

Rylee's bed

I was on a roll and decided to clean the garbage cans. Each one found and brought me one can. Then they dumped them, squirted soap, and filled them up with water. We let them soak for an hour or two. Then everyone scrubbed their can or rather played in the water with the soap suds. They were wet from head to toe, but didn't want to stop. Who knew doing extra chores could be so much fun. What should I plan for next week?

With the chores done for the day our fun project was at Michael's Craft learning about birthday parties. For $2.50 and a new tee shirt they got to paint and create their own shirts. The teacher asked them if they wanted to try the stencil or create their own. All three wanted to make their own design.

Reganne and the soap

She loved painting her shirt and had the paint on her to prove it. She somehow got paint from the tips of her fingers down to her toes, and everywhere in between. She was all smiles. So what the heck she will wash. The teacher even scrubbed her up. What service!!!

Rylee & her pink hand

I gave them the bright idea to put a hand print on their shirts. What was I thinking???

Ryder

Really what was I thinking, this was mild to what soon followed.

Reganne and her famous pose

Check out our shirts

Oops we discovered Reganne still had her apron on. She took it off and ran back inside to give it back. When she came back she promptly told me that she and the teacher talked. She was proud of Reganne for bringing it back since it was the same color as her shirt.

A fun day full of chores, activties, smiles, and a few tears from being tired. Overall I think a successful day.

Spring Break 2010

Spring Break started this week, but spring weather did not. Jackets and umbrellas were in order for most of the week. Cabin fever struck on Sunday. Dave took everyone for a motorcycle rides. They went and checked out the new airport.

Reganne could hardly hold still. She loves to ride with her dad.

Ryder wanted to go so badly and didn't want to wait his turn. He cried until it was his turn. Rylee snuck out before I could get a picture of her wearing the helmet. I might embarrass her with a picture.

Ryder & his elephant mask

This was his project for the week at daycare. They are learning about mammals.

It was great to have Grandma JeanAnn spend springbreak with us. Rylee and Grandma spent each day doing things together. Going to the movies, shopping, and making crafts. One of their shopping trips they went looking for wiggle carts. Grandma wanted one for her house so everyone can play on it. Lucky for them they found one and brought home a yellow one. Rylee & Reganne were so excited that Grandma had one. They had to try it out.

Grandma, Rylee, and Reganne

The girls were teaching Grandma how to ride to start it.

Rylee & Grandma

Rylee decided to go one step further in her instructions and show her how.

Ryder & Grandma

They decided maybe it was easier and safer to read the instructions.

We loved having Grandma at our house and spending time with us. However, I believe we wore her out and she will sleep for a week.

Another Busy Week

Finally, a week with some sunshine and only scattered rainshowers. Those only happened on Wednesday and Saturday when we want to be outside. Monday, Dave had the kids outside riding bikes, scooters, or wiggle carts. I love the helmets. They must wear them but couldn't they can't seem to wear the right.

This weekend was full of activity as well, but I forgot the camera. We went to Home Depot for their monthly activity...Build a Rain Gage. That is for Dad on Monday. Michaels Craft...Fun with Yarn. Each child built a yarn doll. This was right up my alley. Or in Rylee's words "Mom knows how to do grandma stuff." It was a lot of fun and the kids are eager to add Michaels to our activity list. Ryder's boy doll lasted all day. He then decided to pull it apart and play with the yard. When I asked him to throw it away. He told me he was fixing it.

Spring Break starts tomorrow and hopefully the weather will cooperate.

Library Family Night

I have been trying for months to take the kids to our library's family night that they hold once a month. Something has alway happened and we haven't gone. We succeed this month and it was on tools and building by Home Depot. The teacher taught them about the hammer. What it is for and the names of each part on it. He was great with the kids and had everyone laughing.

Each person was able to pick a project that interested them. Rylee picked a sorting box, Reganne picked a bug catcher, and Ryder picked a boat. Each had their hammers and were ready to start. They only problem is they are blessed with a mother that can't assemble craft projects to save her life. Poor Dad had build all three. I could have build Ryder's but he wasnt' giving up his hammer and I wasn't going to hold the nails for him while he hammered.

Reganne & her hammer.... building her bug catcher.

Ryder and his boat... How do I get the nail to standup?

Rylee...I am done first...I win!!

Rylee, Reganne, and Dad...We did it!!

Reganne...I am a builder!!!

The projects only took about a 1/2 hour to build. What is Family Night without a treats. We were off to McDonalds for an ice cream cone.

It was a great night, full of hugs, smiles, and laughter.

Crazy Weather

These past two weeks have been filled with crazy weather, traveling to Salt Lake City, playing inside or outside. Last weekend we made a trip to Salt Lake to deliver a bed for Dave's Dad. When we left St George the weather was nice and sunny. They were predicting 60 degree weather and full of sun. When we arrived in Springville they were predicting snow and cold. In between Beaver was cold and windy as we had to change a tire on the trailer.

We had a fun weekend seeing and playing with a lot of family. We also fit in watching the Olympics.

Rylee & Ryder enjoying the movie on the long drive.

Ryder the first day of the Big Two's Class at daycare. However, he may now be a big two, but he still is the smallest one in the class.

Ryder decided he needed to do homework along with Rylee. He wanted to color out came the washable markers. However, we discovered black is not very washable. He was trying to trace his hands. Just like they do at school.

You don't have to ask Ryder twice to get ready to go. He quickly finds his hat and glasses. However, he can't reach his jacket or zip it up. So he will pester us when he is ready for his jacket.

It is raining again today, another day of inside togetherness. Thank goodness for the Olympics they all love to watch it and there is always something for everyone.

Dino Days / Happy Birthday

This month has been all about dinosaurs at day care. Reganne & Ryder have loved learning about dinosaurs. We have a museam here in town from the 2000 discovery of foot prints. It is rather expensive to go very often. The displays don't change so once you have seen it you are good. The city announced this year that they were going to have a birthday party for the museaum with free admission for the day. I knew this was my chance to go and let the kids explore.

When we arrived they all received dino stamps on their hands. Ryder would not let her touch him. Then it was off to the movie and the history of the site. Next came time to explore. Only not too much since you have to stay on a path and not touch the rocks. Try telling that to a five year old and two year old.

Ryder, Rylee, and Reganne near a replica of a foot print.

It was bigger than their heads.

Rylee busily reading the signs and asking questions.

Game Time !!! I really can't see! Pin the footprint on the wall.
Reganne & Rylee

Become a palentologist and dig for bones in the sand or rather the mud. Who knew they used toothbrushes and paintbrushes in the dirt.

It was a fun activity to do. I was glad we did it before the rain started. After lunch it started to rain and as of this morning it is still raining. We need the water, but too much inside time makes mom cranky.

Potty Training Update: He went both pee & poop in the potty. He new reply when asked if he needs to go. "There is no water in my maker" and off he runs.