Ho hum

Tonight was the second of a 2-part class I've been taking on low-light photography. I'm not sure exactly what my expectations for the class were, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't this. Last week we stood in a dark field and took pictures of pretty much the only lighted object in the area - a street lamp. Tonight we sat in a dark room and took picture of this - for an hour and a half!

If anyone is dying to have a picture taken of your favorite candle in a dark room, I am totally your gal! Call me! So much fun!!!

It only gets better!

Over the past 5 years there have been SO MANY play dates. Wonderful play dates full of play dough, spilled juice, runny noses, blowing bubbles, throwing tantrums, goldfish crackers, riding slides, swinging in swings, digging in the sand, building towers, knocking down others' towers, sharing toys, stealing toys, swim diapers, baby dolls, sippy cups, hugs, bumps, tears, giggles, cookies, paint, icing, crayons... But with preschoolers you KNOW there will be squabbles. So it is so nice to see all our hard work in explaining the joys of sharing and giving and taking turns pay off. Today we had a play date, and the toy du jour was Legos. Prepared mom that I have learned to become, I had huge fat legos for Ellary, girly princess ones for Addie and regular duplos for the boys. So the boys built their "bee trap" (I have no idea...), and then they played with Ellary for a bit and built her a little tower and did not complain once that she would take apart the tower and bee trap to chew on the pieces. Then they helped Addie construct the castle she was working on, quite willingly taking instruction from her on what the design should be. It was SO nice! There was no fighting, were no tears, and they all just had fun playing together. So they HAVE been listening all along... ;)

Addie with her princess castle and the boys with their bee trap

Working together to build the castle and
dropping that last little drip of drool in just the right spot on Ellary's tower.

**In an effort of full disclosure, it should be noted that Addie did have a bit of a meltdown once the boys moved on to another activity and she "scrumbled" her castle and sulked for a bit. After all, no matter how big she gets, she's still our Addie!**

Isn't this what you would wear?

Addie NEVER plays dress up. She has the dresses, shoes, boas, crowns and wands that other little girls have, but she's just not into it. Yesterday afternoon Geof was rounding them up to go outside so I could get some things done around the house - you know, "Kellen and Addie get your shoes on if you want to go outside to play!" Addie took a while getting her shoes on, and when she appeared this is what she had decided was appropriate playwear for riding her scooter... Love the hair!

Getting Slimed

Kellen's teacher asked if one of the parents would make Gak for their class during "G" week. I happened to have the recipe, but I had never made it before. I volunteered to do it anyway. I had heard of Gak, and I was thinking it was some sort of slime - sounded like fun! Geof and I found the whole thing quite funny as we made it, though admittedly we were very tired late in the evening. Needless to say, Kellen and Addie LOVED it! We've played Gak at home almost every day for a couple weeks (I'm sure all you former teachers know about this stuff already...). Anyway, here's a picture of the interesting stuff and a little video of me making it - have the sound on! (recipe follows if you want to try it yourself).

Gak Recipe:
(make solutions A & B in two separate bowls)
Solution A
1 1/2 cups warm water
2 cups Elmers white glue (brand matters)
Food coloring
**Mix together until completely dissolved**
Solution B
4 tsp Borax
1 1/3 cups warm water
**Mix together in large bowl until completely dissolved**

**Pour Solution A INTO Solution B. DO NOT MIX. Lift Gak out and knead into shape.

**If you are going to half the recipe, use only half of Solution A and mix the whole amount of Solution B. The results will be the same. This is the only way you can half the recipe. Do not double the recipe and do not reuse Solution B (the borax and water).

Smile for the Camera!

So much for trying to get cute Valentine pictures... :)

Just Had to Post...

...a few of my favorite pictures from a session I had with a newborn this weekend. What fun!

What a Nice Day!

A welcome change from the cold weather we've been having. We went to the playground after Bible study this morning, and Kellen and Addie had a great time playing with their friends! Lots of swinging and sliding with very minimal mishap or bad behavior!! It was so nice! And I actually remembered to bring my camera!

They had fun racing down the slides on their tummies, though Kellen thought it was more fun to stand in the girls' way as they slid down the slide and then jump out of the way at the last minute. Luckily the girls found it funny rather than annoying. :)

They liked swinging super high!