Good Ol' Henry

We have season passes this year to the Henry Ford Museum. We got them with a gift card Jason had received from work, so they were free! I was hesitant at first, thinking the museum is for older children, but we found there is plenty for our younger group as well.

The first time we went we saw mostly trains and played with the Lego's .

 You can't even tell how big this train is from the pictures here...

We found a little clubhouse that the kids adored.

They loved playing with the big Lego's in the house.

We found an "auto shop" that the kids could work on cars in.

 And of course the Oscar Meyer Wiener mobile, which I actually didn't get a picture of because I liked taking one of my cute hot dog instead.

 Austin couldn't control his giddiness at sitting in this train. Down below is the "moving train" on the little track set-up.

Like last time, this time when we went, that little "moving train", as he calls it, was his absolute favorite. In fact, last time, he didn't even play with the Lego's, and this time I couldn't get him to leave without much coaxing. Both times we went, he would run back and forth, squealing with delight as the trains went round and round. Then he would stop for awhile and just stare at them in awe. I was never able to get a good picture of his face because it was glued to the gate.

This time we saw the industrial part...

and a display of life through the ages. I particularly liked the display with toys that I played with, like Speak n' Spell, and and old TV featuring Ernie and Bert back in the day. Brought back memories...

We looked at the Lego displays this time, rather then just playing with them. This Lego building was so big, I couldn't even get the whole thing in the picture!

We're happy with our Ford Museum passes. Maybe some day I'll actually post about our Christmas visit here.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day didn't start off well. Some of us woke up on the wrong side of the bed, including me. It didn't help that Victoria asked, right away, "Where are the presents?"

Then Austin threw my heart-shaped pancakes on the floor because he wanted circle-shaped ones.

After the girls were off to school, Austin's 2-year-old friend Logan, who I watch three day a week now, came over. Being a holiday, the boys were a little more energetic than usual. We went to a glorified playgroup/Valentine's party with lots of other kids. It was hard work restraining Logan and Austin from climbing all over the couches.

Things started looking up later in the day when I made popcorn after school.

Sloppy joes, at the request of my children, for dinner with homemade french fries, broccoli, and homemade ice cream. We had one more hiccup when Karissa decided she didn't want to eat her broccoli, which normally isn't a problem for her. She also got upset that my french fry slicer from Jason was bigger than her birth stone necklace that I gave her (another out-of-the-ordinary complaint from Karissa).

We had a talk about how Valentine's gifts to the kids aren't obligatory.

Erik loved his balloon from Daddy.

 I didn't get any pictures with my Valentine, but he treated me well. Happy Valentine's Day!

Phase One

After being sick for almost a week and having been inside most of the time due to the weather, Victoria was going through an early-year crisis. First, I cut her hair, then she decided she wanted to have her own room. In compromise to that, I decided we should give their room a makeover instead. The first phase was to  take down their bunk beds, which meant also getting rid of one of the dresser/shelf units since there will be less room. We had to go through all of their books and decide which ones could be put in the boys' room and which ones we could part with. We also had to go through their "collections", which we're still working on. I am currently in the process of finding a new taller dresser that can house both of their clothes and we will put a small bookshelf in the closet to hold their books. The project will probably take another month or more since I am not dedicating all my time to this right now, but they love their "new room" now and are anticipating the other changes, especially the new colors and rainbow decor we will be adding at the end!

I didn't take very good before pictures, actually, none! But here's one in-the-process. We had put all the books in the boys' room and the kids sat looking at books while we moved the big furniture.

 Here's the room the way it is now.

 They've been making their beds since we've rearranged. I wonder how long that will last?

Stay tuned!

Playing With the Big Boys

Though only 14 months, Erik seems like he's much older, in some ways. He wants to do everything his siblings do, especially Austin. From the toys he plays with, to the songs he listens and dances to, Erik is trying to go right along. Austin has been enjoying it too. He's been running around with Erik and making him laugh with weird faces or sounds. I sometimes think Austin gets too rough and in-his-face, but Erik doesn't seem to mind, most of the time.

Chefs-in-training

Erik turned on the preschool site, by himself!

Sledding

We finally managed a family sledding outing on Saturday. It was the first time Austin has gone sledding in two years! Since he was only 1 1/2 at the time, that tells you how much sledding he did.

 Jason took the girls a couple of weeks ago when Austin was sick. They ended up crash landing at the end, so Karissa was a little hesitant this trip. Austin had the time of his life. After every run down the hill, he'd say, "I love that!" Victoria enjoyed it as well, though it was a different and smaller hill from the one we usually do, so maybe not quite as thrilling for her. Erik just tried to climb up the hill, with no success, and would get frustrated slipping on the snow. He did go down a few times, though I don't think he got a thrill out of it either.

Check out Austin's face compared to Karissa's here...

Victoria always went down without warning, so I never got a good shot of her in motion.

Again, Austin having the time of his life.

Erik, a little hesitant- Daddy, exuberant!

Auto Show

On MLK day, Jason took the three older kids to the auto show. I decided to stay back with Erik since I didn't feel like paying for my ticket to chase him around the place. They all had a great time and Victoria took tons of pictures with her own camera. I'm not very knowledgeable about cars, but here some cool ones that the kids liked.

The mascot for their school is a mustang, so the Mustang was a favorite.

 Erik and I had a relaxing time with no fighting, teasing, pick-ups, or drop-offs to worry about. We didn't even run any errands! I felt like a new mom with just my 1-year-old to take care of. I remember when that was boring, but it was a nice break yesterday!

Karissa's 6th

Karissa celebrated her 6th birthday recently. When in Canada, she got a surprise chocolate cake made by my step-brother.

The day after we returned was her actual birthday. Jason had run to the grocery store when we got back to get the necessities, as well as some pizza and mini cupcakes for Karissa's birthday on that Sunday. I think the best gift to her was being home and playing with all her own toys, but she also enjoyed the stamps she got, a Hello Kitty hoodie, a princess lip gloss and jewelery set, boots, a look-and-find book, and a puppy purse.

For her party, she really wanted a PJ party. So her friends all wore their pjs. We did some dancing games at the beginning (I can't throw a party without dancing!) and a game of pictionary. Then is was off to the girl's room for stories. Victoria wanted to read, so it ended up only being one story, but the kids were so attentive! Next, they decorated pillow cases. For lunch we had pancakes, oranges, and milk, and of course birthday cake. After opening presents they curled up in blankets and watched Sleeping Beauty. It was a fun and very easy party and I got to host it in my pjs!

The funniest thing about Karissa's birthday celebrations is that each time we sang to her and she blew out the candles she blew them out the second we finished singing, not even waiting a second to make a wish or to even suck in her breath. The reason I find this so amusing is that she takes her time with most other things, like getting ready, though she has improved in that area. She's not longer painfully slow to get ready, just slow.

I have to say how proud I am of her. She went into all-day kindergarten from only two days of preschool that was only for 2 hours! She adjusted well and is learning so much! My opinion of all-day kinder has changed. I now think it is great! She went from barely being able to count past 30 one day, to counting to 100 the next day, it seems. And she'll ask anyone if they want to hear her count to 100. She can count by 2's to 100 now too. She's reading the "popcorn" words and sounding out many other words. Watching her run out the door to catch her ride is a hoot. She's still so little and her backpack goes way past her bum... it's so cute! She still loves to sing and dance and draw (which she's getting very good at). Her all-time favorite is still cuddling with whoever will cuddle with her. She has taken to helping me with Erik, something she's pretty good at. I can trust her to keep an eye on him if I leave the room sometimes more than Victoria.

Happy Birthday to my sweet 6-year-old !