Art in the Genes

Some families have soccer games or dance recitals.  We make stuff.

Markers on the floor.  Scrapes of paper everywhere.  This is what they do.  And the tape... don't get me started on the tape.

My mom knits nearly every day and my dad is an architect and a painter so I'm pretty sure my genes play a roll in this.  Right now it is a free-for-all but I'd like to plan some structured art activities and get some of their awesome artwork up on the wall.

Pictures of the craft room coming soon.

A Change of Plans

 We are seven days into our spring break with no exciting pictures to share.  I purposefully planned on doing nothing.  Well, cleaning out closets and stocking the freezer isn't nothing, but it does't make for  interesting pictures to post.  I thought the girls might be bored but they have been very happy to have time to just play.

Yesterday I thought it would be fun to get out and go somewhere so we headed to the zoo.  The problem was everyone else in Denver was thinking the same thing.  After we parked over a mile away the girls and I opted for the playground instend.  When we talked about what to do next they wanted to go home to make something (are they my kids or what?).

Baking Soda "Play Clay"

2 cups baking soda
1 cup cornstarch
1 1/4 cup cold water

Heat on the stove for 10-15 minutes, add food coloring and cool.

They spent a few hours making little sweets and toys for their Pet Shops.  It was so much fun I'm thinking it might be a good activity for Erin's birthday party coming up.

Part of me feels guilty for not doing anything "big" with our time off but then I see pictures like these and I remember that "little" memories are important too.

Like Tuesday when I made mini pancakes for their American Girl dolls.

The girls are so into small things these days.  It reminds me so much of when I was their age.

The craft room is almost organized.  The girls have been in there so much that I really haven't had time to find a home for everything yet.  I think Erin is having a craft party for her birthday so I need to get serious about planning so activities.  These cans I started collecting may come in handy.

Oooh the possibilities.

Nerd Day

Friday was a spirit day at the girls school.  The theme was "nerd day".  Of course they reminded me at 7:30 the Thursday night.  I wanted to take them to the thrift shop to find some sweet digs but they were closed so we hit the dollar store.  We picked up some glasses and popped the lenses out.  Jeff pointed out that kids who wear glasses might take offense.  I wear glasses and I happen to think nerdy is cool.

My sweet little nerds.

Ava in the Kitchen

 I got a little grumpy over the weekend.  I realized it was because since we moved I had not established household routines.  Like many mom's, I'm guilty of doing too much for my kids.  It was time to have a little talk and spread out the chores.  I found a list of age appropriate responsibilities online (here) and I really liked how they included life skills and chores.  The list had items like learn how to change a bike tire and cook a meal for yourself.  Ava really liked that one too and immediately asked if she could learn how to make bacon.

A few weeks ago when my parents were in town Ava did some cooking with her Papa.  They made Spaghetti Carbonara and she watched him make bacon.  Now she was ready to do it herself (with the supervision of her mom and a camera of course).

What is bacon without eggs?  Am I right?

Yum!  A proud new bacon lover in the house.  I rarely keep it in fridge but I think I may have to buy it more often for her.

You know who had to say "hello".

Less than an hour after our talk about being more responsible and helping out Ava had made an entire meal.  Looks like I underestimated that kid.  Little does she know that making dinner is next...

A Perfect Halloween

Costumes are not my favorite thing to sew but I like buying costumes even less.  With moving less than two weeks away handmade costumes were not going to happen this year.  Erin wanted to be half angel / half devil.  Okay, I thought (we'll see).  I took them to a Halloween store one day after school and what do you know, we spotted a half angel / half devil costume.  Ava didn't have any strong opinions about what to wear but she found a vampire dress she liked so we picked it up.  I cringed a little when we walked up to the counter but the girls were happy and I was happy because it was done.

Costumes this year were important because they have a big parade at the girls' school.  I didn't realize how big a deal this was but I'm glad I made the choice to stay and watch it.  All the kids take turns walking around the whole school to show off their costumes for each other and swarms of picture taking parents.

It was really cute to see everyone dressed up.  There were some very creative costumes.  The kids loved watching the parade.  I adore this picture of Ava getting excited to see Erin as her class walks by.

 What a turn out.  There were crowds of people around the entire school.

Teachers and parents got in on the action too.

 After the parade the kids all go back to their rooms for a Halloween celebration.  Parents bring in goodies and they get to take a break from math and reading to do some crafts.

We ended the day trick-or-treating in our new neighborhood.  It was a nice way to introduce ourselves to a few more people on our block.  When the girls filled their baskets we headed home and crashed.  Halloween is fun but it makes for a really long day.

First Snow

We had a dusting of snow a few weeks ago but I would call this our first real day of snow.    The pitter patter of rain last night gently turned to a quiet snowfall and we awoke this morning to find several inches on the ground.  I nudged the girls a few minutes earlier this morning so we would have a little time to play before heading off to school.

What can I say, they girls took to it like ducks to water.  Eight thumbs (and one tail) up to the beautiful Colorado snow.

Mid Summer

 Our adventures in Denver have slowed a bit and we've been enjoying more homedays.  The girls spend hours playing with their Littlest Pet Shop toys, drawing, watching movies and swimming.

One of our favorite things to do is talk to friends back home.  I love hearing them giggle on the phone.

Other exciting news this week was a lost tooth followed by a trip to DQ.

Our family also participated in the second annual Dash for Smiles 5k.  We were so glad we could help support Denver cleft lip and palate programs by participating as part of team Hannah.

Four more weeks to go before the girls head back to school and we have more on our list of summer fun before it's through.

Denver Zoo: part two

We made it back to finish the second half of the Denver Zoo yesterday (first half here).  This time we met up with some new friends that my brother and sister-in-law know.  It was sort of a blind play date.  Our girls and their girls got along well but the highlight of course were the animals.

There is a bear in there somewhere chomping on a hard boiled egg.

Oh I take back, the train ride and the carousel were actually the highlights.

Ava loved that a portion of our $1.50 went to help endangered species.

I rode a rhino next to Erin and her cheetah.  She didn't stop smiling the whole time.  I also can't think of the last time I rode on a carousel and didn't have to stand next to them for security.

After the penguins, bears and apes my girls wanted to go see the birds.  The Lorikeet Adventure was surprisingly everyones favorite exhibit.  The birds were beautiful and we were able to get right up close to them.

Those cute little guys were having a great time taking a swim and staring at all of us staring at them.