Dishes and video games…

"My family keeps me pretty grounded. Like if I try anything diva, they're like, 'Oh shut up. Go and do the dishwasher.'"
-Rebel Wilson

When the children want to be helpful we do our best to encourage it (because it doesn’t happen often).  This week Isla wanted to help Mommy empty the dishwasher so she started handing her forks and spoons one at a time.  James got in on the action as well.  They were finishing up when I got home from work, and you can tell Isla was very proud of her accomplishment.

James doesn’t get an opportunity to play with his little sister by himself very often when his big sister Ashlyn is around.  When he does, it’s fun to watch the games they come up with.  This week it was the poke me in the belly game and Isla got a kick out of it.  We need to find ways for them to play together more often.

We are nerd parents, there’s nothing we can do to hide that fact.  One of the requirements of being a nerd parent is teaching your kids how to play video games.  Mommy found a new game for the kids and they have been having a blast exploring the open world of Disney Infinity.  Isla hasn’t figured out how to use the controller yet but that doesn’t stop her from enjoying the show.

Nina and Papa came over on Sunday and Ashlyn was quick to show Papa how to play.  It was funny to watch her teach him when we taught her the exact same thing a day earlier.  Eventually the controller was put down in order to play more traditional kids games.

On Saturday we had an opportunity to go to a political rally for one of the candidates running for this year’s presidential race.  Grandma and Grampa watched the kids for us while we were there and it looks like they took advantage of the nice weather to play in the sandbox. 

Baths, sands, and parks…

"Silly broccoli with no broc on it"
-James

Kids say the funniest things sometimes.  The quote above was stated by James when he found a broccoli piece without the floret on it.  He insisted that the floret was called a “broc” and we let him go with it as long as he ate his vegetables.

This has been a very mild winter which means the kids have been playing outside in the middle of February.  Somehow they found a pot of old water while they were playing and before we knew it both kids were in their swimsuits and sliding down the now wet and dirty slide.  Needless to say they went straight to the bath afterwards, but I have to give them credit for their ingenuity.

Because of the nice weather we felt it was time to fill the sandbox again.  It keeps becoming empty as the kids spread the sand throughout the yard.  We were surprised how much fun they had with it, although I’m not sure Isla liked becoming a bucket for the kids to dump sand into.  Once again we went straight to the bath.  Are you sensing a pattern here?

It turned drizzly on us as the weekend wore on but that didn’t stop a trip to the park to work off some extra energy.  We’re happy we found this particular park because the kids always have a great time playing together there.

A sick boy and Valentine’s…

"I love my little brother James.  I just want him to feel better."
-Ashlyn

James was sick this week and ended up staying home from school on Wednesday.  Ashlyn did her best to help him, whether it was putting a blanket on him, bringing him some water, or dressing in foil to see if it would cheer him up.  It’s nice to know that even though the two of them may fight a lot (as siblings often do), when one of them needs help the other is always there to provide it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Valentine’s week and since Ashlyn now knows how to write she was able to write out her own cards this year.  It was still a long process since there are three kids to make cards for.  Even Isla was supposed to have cards, and she’s in a class full of kids who are still learning not to drool on themselves.

We took a break this weekend from all the card making to go to LEGOLAND before it got crowded.  The kids always have a good time there, which is good because we want to get our money’s worth out of those season passes.

A holiday, even one like Valentines, will not go by without Mom buying matching outfits and making the kids pose for pictures.  Isla is teething but she did her best to cooperate.

Grandma came over shortly after the pictures were taken with Valentines cookies.  Once we got the kids hyped up on sugar we walked to the park at the end of our neighborhood so they could play with Grandma.  Thanks Grandma, the cookies are (were) great!

Beans, rice, and a pre-game dance…

"When I dance, I forget everything else and just feel completely happy."
-Katherine Jenkins

This was a relatively short week as far as pictures are concerned.  Instead of saying we were lazy, I’ll just say we were busy getting ready for the Super Bowl.  We did manage to dig out the beans and rice that Ashlyn and James used to play with to see if would still be entertaining.  Based on the amount of rice we had to sweep up afterwards, I’d say it was a success.

‘'

Ashlyn took some time out on Sunday to make cakes for her and James in her Easy Bake Oven.  It was a challenge to keep them from eating the cake mix but eventually we got enough in the oven to make a few small cakes.

Nina and Papa came over on Sunday for the first half of the Super Bowl.  Before the game even started we had an impromptu halftime performance.  Nina even joined in to show off her dancing skills.

Later that afternoon James wanted to play mad scientist outside.  We aren’t quite sure what he created but he was awfully proud of it.  Nothing exploded, so that’s something at least.

To be on the safe side, I’m typing the blog post up from a chair on the porch in case something does expl