We had our first real snow day of the year! School was canceled last night so the big boys slept in late. The little kids and I woke up to several inches and more snow falling. After a lazy morning, we rallied and most of us went out to play. Kaitlyn even built a snowman!
Snow day lunch.
Ben loves to practice his writing but I am not good about getting out his notebooks. I recently ordered a customized notepad for me and the lady was also selling customized practice pads with a child’s name and the ABCs. I bought one for Ben and he couldn’t wait to try it out this morning.
All four in the kitchen at breakfast time? This never happens anymore.
Teague got quite a bit of candy for his birthday. He also has quite a bit of trouble with self-control. Therefore, he isn’t allowed to keep candy in his room. Normally we keep all sweets in the kitchen and then the owner can somewhat have them at will. Teague was quite worried someone was going to eat his candy so he brought his safe downstairs to the kitchen to lock up his favorites.
Saturday = chore day.
Saturday = chore day.
Saturday = chore day.
Kaitlyn rediscovered her Pokemon cards and decided to teach Ben how to play.
Today’s big planned adventure was a trip to the Statue of Liberty. Kaitlyn swears she missed it on our last trip. To make this one even better, I got us tickets to tour the pedestal. (I didn’t get tickets to the crown because I didn’t think Kaitlyn would actually agree to go that far.) We got an early start on the day and arrived everywhere early but that was no problem. We were simply ushered through early. We rode the ferry (which Kaitlyn definitely had second thoughts about), walked around the island, walked up the up and around the pedestal, through the museum, and rode the ferry back to Battery Park.
Kaitlyn rode the sea glass carousel and played in the park. Then we headed back to Times Square, lunch, and a few more shopping stops before we boarded the train for home.
We had an awesome, if chilly, visit to the Statue of Liberty.
Wade treated the boys to lunch at Ben’s favorite place. His favorite lady even gave them all tootsie pops.
Kaitlyn and I explored NYC all day. Kaitlyn walked and walked and didn’t complain a bit. She even asked to figure out directions about halfway through the day and very quickly didn’t need the phone to have directions figured out.
We started the day with breakfast at McDonald’s and Kaitlyn thought it was awesome to have Coke with her cinnamon roll. Then we walked to the Empire State Building – just to look up from the street. The rest of the day we spent shopping – M&M store, Hershey store, Lego store, Toys R Us (in Macy’s) and the American Girl store. We snuck in a few stops for food – a hot dog from a food cart, a churro from the sidewalk, an early dinner at Serendipity with an amazing frozen hot chocolate, and then we were on our way to see The Lion King. Kaitlyn was enthralled and loved every minute.
Evidently Alex didn’t leave his room without a lot of persuasion.
I love 2nd grade smiles – all cheese!
Wade was in charge of the boys while we were gone. I have no doubts they had a blast.
Kaitlyn and I are spending a few days in New York City – just the girls. Tonight Wade dropped us at the train station and we boarded the Amtrak for NYC. Kaitlyn spent most of the time on her iPad and a little bit reading. I almost finished my book. There were also a lot of snacks consumed. We arrived in NY, checked into our hotel, and went out to look around quite a bit. Kaitlyn loved running into Mickey and Minnie in Times Square and her entire trip might have been made when we bought her a watch at the Swatch store. She learned to tell time last week in school and buying her first watch seemed appropriate.
Alex is flying through his electronics time so I am letting him earn some extra time with chores that help me out. Tonight that meant cooking dinner.
Break week means making donuts for breakfast.
The much anticipated hour of the day when he can play on his iPad.
Teague is one lucky kid. Every year his birthday falls on February break (which I had never heard of before moving to Massachusetts). We started the day with a surprise snowfall, birthday donuts, and hot chocolate. Then we opened a few gifts before everyone started getting ready for the day. Lunch was Teague’s choice of Chick-fil-a. Then we split up for a few errands. Wade took Teague on a surprise visit to see some high end cars and I did some last minute birthday shopping. Dinner was everyone’s favorite Papa John’s pizza and then Alex’s cake. Teague finished the night with his presents and some extra gaming time.
Birthday donuts!
Birthday boy!
Birthday donuts!
Birthday donuts!
When I was planning out Teague’s birthday tomorrow, I asked him about meals and his birthday cake. He requested Alex’s cake, which Alex first created with Gram several years ago. Alex was happy to help and told me exactly what he needed. Alex took over from there and I offered minimal assistance.
Alex learned a new skill today. When you have friends over and you make a mess, you learn to clean carpets.
Thank goodness their new desks are extra long. Teague spends more time building legos on it than he does playing his computer (only because he has a time limit on his usage).
When I came downstairs at 7 am, these two were finishing their morning movie. They had also finished off the last of the Chinese food from last night. Then they requested waffles. I made waffles and then encouraged them to play outside. They did for several hours until building a fort in the living room sounded like fun.
Ben is sticking with his ear protection theme from last night (he didn’t actually fall asleep with them on last night) but added the loveys in the shirt for a little more flair.
Kaitlyn had a playdate on Saturday and then we arranged to have the same girl spend the night at our house on Sunday night. Kaitlyn is definitely living up February break so far. The girls picked exactly what they wanted for dinner – Chinese food. Then they chose a movie for tonight and one for tomorrow morning. They played a few games and then couldn’t wait to turn out the lights and see how early they could wake up.
It was a busy night at our house with multiple sleepovers (and Teague had a playdate earlier in the day). I’m hoping tomorrow everyone is very chill.
It used to be that when Alexa announced “Dinner time” my kids came running. Now they know that really means it is time to set the table. Unless someone happens to be in the living room and in my eye sight, I can’t get anyone to respond. Tonight Teague was nearby and got roped into helping.
First indoor soccer season was a success. Kaitlyn’s team was undefeated and starts the second session next week.
The ear protection was out from the Monster Jam last night. Ben has been playing with them all day and they were in his room. When I checked on him after putting him to bed, he was wearing them in bed. I guess having two extra kids in the house made for a noisy bedtime.
Last night I saw some friends post on Facebook about a Monster Truck show. I mentioned to Wade that it was too bad we hadn’t realized one was in town. Ben would have loved it. Wade looked it up and realized it was around all weekend. He bought tickets for the two of them and they had a special night out tonight. (Ben did wear the eye patch out of the house. Obviously he took it off at some point and it didn’t return home with him. He also took two monster trucks and they did make it home.)
Sometimes after everyone else is in bed, Alex and I sneak in some cheese dip and chips.
Cookies coming right up!
Kaitlyn cooked dinner tonight – Campfire Fajitas. They were delicious!
Ben got a twisty straw in his Valentine’s yesterday and today he realized he can make milk bubbles.
We were treated to a sushi dinner by my mom for Valentine’s Day. Due to various activities and things we couldn’t actually celebrate till tonight. Wade doesn’t eat sushi and Kaitlyn has discovered that her love of dumplings is far greater than her like of California rolls. However, the boys continue to eat more and more sushi as they get bigger. As of right now, the big boys only eat California rolls and avocado rolls. Ben will eat anything I put in front of him, but his favorite is sashimi with any type of fish (but I rarely order it for him). This was our order for four.
Holly – rainbow roll, small spider roll, California roll
Alex – 2 California rolls, 1 avocado roll
Teague – 2 California rolls, 1 avocado roll
Ben – 1 California roll, 1 avocado roll, and bites of all my rolls
Some evenings I feel like this child never goes to sleep. He joins Wade and I in the living room and is capable of staying up later than me.
Teague had a pajama day at school so it has felt like he never got dressed. Ben got in pajamas early tonight. Now they are both enjoying a random Friday afternoon cartoon.
On cold mornings, Kaitlyn can be found standing on top of the vent enjoying the warm air. Smart girl and my only child to have figured this out.
Ben has been anxiously waiting all week to bring home his valentines from school. He couldn’t it to get out of the car and check them all out.
Kaitlyn couldn’t wait to bring home a flyer last week for a night of coding at the high school. She begged for me to sign her up. I was able to sign up both Kaitlyn and Teague. (It was only open to 2-6 grade.) We ended up with a lot of activities tonight, but I managed to make it to the high school with the correct two kids. Wade went to his meeting. Alex stayed home with Ben.
Teague was happy to sit by himself and had no problems following along (realistically jumping ahead) and enjoying the evening. Kaitlyn saw several friends and even arranged to sit by one of her good friends. Then she had a blast following directions and creating the shapes as directed.
New bedding for his birthday and hanging out in his favorite spot.
My younger three love the waiting room at the dentist office.
Bedtime books.