The last few weeks of being Two

Dawson at his finest:  a little chalk snack sampling in the afternoon.

 

 

"The green chalk had an oakey aftertaste.  I really prefer the smooth finish of the pink."

 

Ava:

"Mom come quick, Dawson isn't being responsible!"

 

Dawson:

 

"It's permanent.  But I be careful."

 

 

Race for Education

Today was the Race for Education at Carter's School.  I was so happy that they do this instead of selling junk.  There was a DJ playing music while the kids walked, ran and even danced around the track.  Parents were encouraged to run alongside their child.  Unfortunately I had Dawson with me and we weren't able to stay the entire time because I had to pick up Ava at preschool. 

 

 

 

 

But I did stay long enough to see Carter boy and take some pictures.

 

 

 

What a fun event!

Favorites

I haven't done this in a while, so I thought it would be fun to write a post about their current favorites.

 

 

 

Polar Express - See Dawson in the locomotive pulling the whistle?  Carter and Ava are making tickets.  The kids have always loved the book and movie, but this year, Dawson is REALLY getting into it.  He begs to watch it, I think I've seen it twice in the last week.  Mike reads him the book almost nightly and we spent about three hours today playing Polar Express.  He was Santa giving out the first gift of Christmas, punching tickets, driving the locomotive, you name it and this kid was on it. 

 

 

Ava has been heavy into arts and crafts lately.  She will sit and color for an unbelievably long time.  Our play room is generally covered in a sea of scrap paper, hole punches, crayons, and scissors by 9 am.  She amazes me with how much she is learning in preschool.  She comes home and describes bible stories in detail, and sings new songs for me every day.  She is truly loves school so much! 

 

Another big hit for Dawson and Carter:  sledding!  and the Lion hat!

 

Now that Carter is at school, he has less time for playing.  But he has loved playing polar express with his brother and sister, sledding in the back yard and this weekend he really wants a movie night with desert.  Done and Done! 

Enjoying the Snow!

There was extreme excitement in our house this morning, it snowed!  Unfortunately we were busy with school and gymnastics, but we hit the slopes as soon as school was out.  Dawson was so excited about the snow, he was dancing around and singing snow! snow! snow!  Ava was convinced that Santa must be coming tonight.  But I was able to change her mind!

 

 

 

 

 

Carter loves speeding down the hill. 

 

Ava had the shortest interest in playing in the snow.  She was only out for about twenty minutes before she came in for hot tea.

 

Speedy!!

 

Dawson has grown up a lot since the last time we played in the snow.  Before he was falling in the snow, couldn't walk up the hill without help and only spent a few minutes outdoors.

 

So, so different this time.  He was running up and down the hill, and zooming down it so fast.  The hill slowly turns from snow into ice and I can't even explain how quickly he was flying down the hill.  Dawson was also playing in the snow the longest today.  I had to drag him in, but his hands were turning red so he really needed to be warmed up!

 

 

 

Ava loved eating the snow!

 

Today Ava was talking to one of the teachers at child watch at the YMCA.  Ava mentioned to Miss Sandy that Carter was in kindergarten.  Then she proceeded to tell her that now that now Carter is in kindergarten I make her watch Dawson all the time.  HA!  What a crazy kid!

Weekly Tidbits

 

Another busy week here.....  This picture was taken last Sunday at the top of the McKinley monument.  Look at the beautiful sky and scenery, it's so beautiful up there!  What happened with the kiddos this week:

 

 

Carter lost his second tooth!  We were in the pool swimming and sure enough out it popped.  It had been pointing at me for most of the day, so I knew it was going to come out soon.

 

 

Dawson is loving his bike.  I'm not loving the cold weather.  But he has been crying and crying to ride the thing.  I even volunteered to bring it in the basement, but the kid wants to be outdoors.  I've been freezing my tush off every day!  But he's getting really good at riding and that's all that matters!



 

 

 

 

 

Ava went to a birthday party at a skating rink.  I felt like she was growing up before my eyes.  When we got there she didn't want to put on skates.  But slowly she got braver and braver.  We started out in skates on the carpet and I walked her around the rink a few times. 

 

 

 

 

 

By the time we were leaving she wouldn't let me help her and was skating around the middle of the rink!  It was a dual party for a five year old and his eleven year old brother, so there were plenty of older kids there as well.  Ava, I'm so proud of you for trying something new and being so brave!

Dance Party!

 

 

Nothing like a dance party to liven up a Thursday evening!  Look at Carter dance like no one is watching, I love his sweet moves!

 

Do you see Dawson's chair at the counter?  He is so interested in cooking right now, he is my little shadow.  As soon as I open the fridge I hear him dragging the chair across the floor and his little face pops up over the island "I help, mommy?"  Sure buddy, sure.  Of course, some days a little less "help" would be welcome but I really do enjoy his company.

Fall Hike Pictures

Today we went on a quick hike.  It was beautiful, albeit a little brisk.  The leaves on the trees looked like they were glowing from the setting sun and we could smell the delicious fall/decaying leaves smell the entire time.

 

Family of Five

 

It's so nice to take little hikes with your kids.  Ava and I were able to chat about so many things, whatever was on her little mind.

 

Carter brought a clipboard, paper and pencil so he could make tally marks for each animal we saw.  Unfortunately Dawson was with us, so we really didn't see a whole lot of animals.

 

Really?  Who gave that kid a stick?

 

Everyone received a walking stick, which made 2/3 of the group trip and fall within the first five minutes.  The youngest two, of course.

 

By the end of our hike her little fingers were frozen!

 

 

This morning Mike and I woke up at 7 am, without a peep from any of the kids.  7 am was really 8 am to their little bodies due to the time change so I was shocked that I hadn't heard anything!  I looked in the hallway and Dawson was sleeping directly in front of our door and Ava was sleeping on a blanket in front of her doorway.  Seriously!?!  Why do we even buy these kids beds?  Before bed tonight we had a big discussion about staying in our rooms at night and sleeping in our beds.  We'll see if that works!