Keepin' Cool

Our first outing to the splash pad was a success.  Honestly the only time we feel cool is when we are playing in the water/sprinklers!  Yay for Splash Pads!

Kid Friendly Collage

I am always looking for a craft that both kids can do!  I found this one on the Family Fun website and it was a hit with the kids!  We've had a few snow days so this was a perfect activity.
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/crafts-by-age/toddler-crafts/glueless-collages-667490/

Snow Fun

SNOW TIME! We have plenty of snow around (even after all the rain yesterday). But last week we had snow & good temperatures...which meant we played outside! When at all possible I volunteered Dad to go play out side, although I gladly went out to get some sunshine & fresh air. Here are our monkeys playing outside and engaging in snowball combat.

Our Super Heros

Meet Muscle Man. He is adorable. He is a very hard working super hero. He excels in playing, eating, stealing his sisters toys, and giving the best hugs & kisses!

Meet Princess Nattles. She is entertaining. She is unstoppable. Her hearing is exceptional (especially when Mom tries to whisper to Dad) and her sense of smell is unreal ("Mom...I smell chocolate...are you eating chocolate?") She loves preschool, changing her clothes multiple times a day, helping with her baby brother, and trying to be the boss!

Good Old Fun

This was another one of my classic childhood toys. The "TEPEE". I saved bringing this out for a special day, a day where I needed the kids to be really entertained. They LOVED it. I loved it! I spent a lot of time plotting on how to get it back with me to Iowa. But alas, it stayed in San Diego.
My Grandma Chase made it back in the day...maybe I should call her and place an order.

Never too Young

Today when Natali awoke and asked what we were doing today I was prepared with an answer, CLEANING. And to my surprise she was not only okay with this answer she was EXCITED. She helped me clean up after breakfast and then she was in charge of vacuuming her room and the front room. It was AWESOME!!! Isaac followed her around with is mini vacuum and they kept themselves busy/entertained for at least 30 min's. She was so proud of herself when she was done, and I wondered why I had never done this before!?!?!

You Scream, I Scream...

(click to enlarge collage)

Last Saturday was one of those lovely Spring days we have been waiting for. Ben was home with us and we made a full day of it. We loaded up the kids and went to the Zoo, again. But this was a first with Dad joining us this year. After wards we stopped by Sonic and picked up .99 cent ice cream cones. Natali though she had died and gone to heaven! She thought she was such a big kid having her VERY OWN ice cream cone. Isaac on the other hand wasn't so sure and it took a lot of coaching and helping to get him to eat it. I was happy to help him!!!

Zoo Fun

For about a week the weather tricked us into to thinking that Spring was really here. We took full advantage by going on walks, spending afternoons at the park, and going to the Zoo. This day was one such day. We packed lunches, meet friends, and enjoyed a morning out in the sunny fresh air! We even got to bring a friend along, Zoe. She was a great sport taking all of Natali's questions and Natali trying to hold her hand.

Natali, Isaac, & Zoe

Natali getting ready to cross the "old wooden bridge" in the rain forest.

The kids watching the otters.

Natali enjoying some fish.

Science Center

This year I took the plunge and bought a Zoo and Science Center pass. It has come in real handy on those days where we need to get out of the house and release some energy. It's perfect. It's been a little cold for the Zoo so far, but we have made it out to the Science Center a few times already. We go in the morning for a few hours, pack and eat lunch there (why mess up my kitchen), and come home for nap time. Perfect!

Fire Station 18

Today we got to visit a fire station here in West Des Moines for playgroup. The kids loved! The firemen were really nice and did a great job keeping the kids involved and entertained. Natali was kind of scared at first, she thought they would turn the sirens on. But once they reassured her that there would be no loud noises she relaxed and enjoyed. Isaac also enjoyed this trip, but probably enjoyed our McDonald's Happy Meals even more afterwards.

Watching the lights, without the noise!

Natali & Chase...apparently having a moment

Bubba enjoying all the tubes and cord hanging from the ceiling

The kids getting a tour of the "Big" truck