Miscellaneous February Pics

Feeding Ducks at the Zoo

We go to the zoo and always see a bunch of animals, but feeding the ducks is always the highlight.  The ducks are so fun and cute - the geese on the other hand, yikes, those guys are pretty intense.  Karly had bread in her hand that was snatched by a goose and she was very startled and angry at that "darn bird!" as she called it.   Karly was much more timid after that, but it didn't totally spoil the fun.

I love looking at pictures of Olive.  She just exudes personality and fun.

Another fun day at the zoo!

Doctor Visit Entertainment

Waiting on a doctor is always low on the list of things in life I love, especially when I have all four kids along for the appointment.  Fortunately for me though, this time I had a very happy and creative Eden who began telling funny stories and keeping everyone extremely entertained.  Thanks Eden.  You're the best, and you also happen to look adorable in your ballet attire.

My Last Time to Potty Train.....

My last time to potty train - can I get a hallelujah?!!!   Deep breath - I can do this.  I have prepared myself for a lock-in for the next couple days as we get this done.  I have plenty of juice, snacks, kitchen games and activities so we can stay put and minimize the potty damage.  It's going to be just fine.....

That's the cutest little booty ever.

Olive also insisted on being in her undies as a sign of solidarity I suppose.  She's a great supporter.

Thanks to SnapChat for helping us pass the time.

Seeing them in undies is my favorite! She's so itty bitty!

Just like with Olive, the "potty candle" works like a charm.  She loves getting to blow out a candle every time she uses the potty.

Here's to hoping this transition goes smoothly.  Did I mention this is the last time I'll ever have to potty train?!  Yippee!!

Big Kid Parties!

Bentley and Eden are starting to get opportunities to do big kid things (without parents) and they are loving it.  It's fun to see them creating friendship circles and increasing independence.  For years, my kids closest friends belong to mom's who are my closest friends so we just have always done things together as big groups.  As the kids are getting older, they are starting to go without me and I think they like feeling more "grown-up" without mom there watching what's going on all the time.  :)

I just feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing families!

Olive's Pictures and Letters

Lately Olive has really blossomed in her interest of drawing, coloring and making cute pictures for people.  I love it.

This family picture she drew is a treasure to me.  It makes me so happy to see how cute she has drawn us.  I love that she put the boys in blue and all the girls in purple. I also love that she knew how to write everyone's initial.  

This was a picture she drew of herself and her cousin London.  She then told me what to write on the letter and we sent it to London in the mail.  She was very excited.

And of course, I love when I get a personal note from her and learn that I'm her BFF for the day.

Cute, Sleeping Baby

How is my baby so big already?!  I can't believe how fast time is flying by with her.  She is too precious.  It's moments like these that I sit and watch them sleep and let the gratitude overwhelm me.

She is so so cute.

Bentley's Project on Greece

This semester Bentley gets to do a school project all about the country of Greece.  After a Saturday basketball game, Brad and Bentley went on a "bro-date" to get some traditional greek food.

Bentley was hesitant, but he tried a lot of new food at that lunch.  He enjoyed the dessert, baklava, but he wasn't too sold on the main dish of gyros.  I'm just glad he tried something new!  That's a total win in my book.

I learned that my toga tying skills are definitely lacking, but he still looked absolutely adorable up there.  He was so brave, and his confidence in front of an audience has already improved from his project last semester.  He did a great job.

The winter Olympic games are also happening right now so it was a fun part of Bentley's project for him to tell his class about the origins of the Olympic games happening in Greece.  We also prepared a few little Olympic games for his class to compete against each other at recess.  Then they all had some backlava Bentley and I made.  It was awesome.

At the end of this, we all decided we really want to take a vacation to Greece some day.

Olive's Tea Parties

Miss Olive LOVES her tea parties still.  She will snatch anyone she can and treat them to a very special occasion. 

Did I say she would snatch anyone she can?  I meant to say, anyone but Karly.  Unfortunately for me, Olive and Karly can't seem to have a tea party together without a whole lot of screaming and fighting.  I'm still working on this..... challenge accepted.

Rio Grande Nature Center

I love that my kids are home every Monday.  It makes for a really fun day of exploring.  I realized it had been many years since I went to the Nature Center, so it was a great place to take a little homeschool field trip.  It was even better that grandma decided to join us.

We sat and looked out these windows for quite a while.  We saw all kinds of animals out there enjoying the beautiful February day.

They loved the activity room and learned all about the different kinds of animals who live in the area. Karly and Olive loved making the animal foot prints in the sand.  Grandma and I tried to guess what prints belonged to each animal.

We went for a walk outside and they found this cool branch hut.  This become an immediate hit, and grandma and I sat and visited while they played pretend for quite a long time.

I love that they love to be outdoors!

It was a very great day.  :)

Interesting Places to Read

I have a hard time keeping up with the book supply for my two little book worms.  I absolutely love it.  I find them in all kinds of funny places, reading away.  It's the best.

The buddies - Karly and Olive

It has been strange for me to have two kids in school all day and only two at home. These cute girls are my little buddies and go everywhere I go (literally, they follow behind me everywhere I go..... ha ha). 

As for their relationship?  Well, I'm not sure they could live without each other, but they also can't really live with each other either.  They have what is described as a "love/hate relationship."   It really isn't consistent, they play then they fight, then they are laughing, then screaming.  It's all over the board really, all.... day..... long.   I'm really glad they have each other, and I think in the long run they will totally agree - we just need to survive through the next couple years until they learn to control their crazy emotions a bit more.   Until then, I'll try to focus on their precious and happy moments together.  :)