Playing Peek-A-Boo with the Sun

We've had on and off weather lately. One minute the sun is out and we are ready to play and the next the clouds roll in and it rains. During one of the sunny moments we took full advantage and had fun outside for once.

There is the walking path a quick car ride from our house that I've been dying to explore. It makes me a little nervous to go out by myself as it is a bit secluded. I waited for a sunny day and one where Jeff could join us.

We geared up and headed out for some fun. We took the path which was around a mile or maybe more. The kids thought it would never end but I thought it was all very beautiful. I loved our little hike and the best part for the kids was that it ended at a play park.

It was a nice reward at the end and they just enjoyed playing and loving it. There was a family there that had a ferret which was fun and interesting. Once people started to notice they packed up and left. I guess they didn't like all the attention. The next cool thing was someone showed up with one of those bubble things that you fit a person inside and roll around. It was for toddlers but still cool to see.

We spent a whole afternoon just enjoying being together as a family and loving the outdoors. I cherish those types of moments and I know we all had a great time. I can't wait for the sun to decide to stay with us so we can have lots more of those moments.

TOFW

I got an awesome opportunity to attend Time out for women in Seattle this past weekend. I really had a great time and think I was in need of the break. We stayed at Tammy's house so that we were closer to the venue and that was equally as fun.

We arrived Friday during the day. Tammy treated us to homemade scones and great company. Once stuffed we headed out to our first taste of the event and none of us could wait. We got to hear the music of Michael McLean, and talks by Mariama Kallon and John Bytheway. It was a great opener to a full weekend. The whole event was "choose to become." It was a little sample of the big day on Saturday. We ended up going back to Tammy's and talking till around almost 2am. Tammy finally gave up and headed to bed. MarGene and I got all settled with the lights off but ended up continuing to talk. Before we knew it the clock showed 5:30am. I'm not sure what we were thinking but really enjoyed our chat. We only got about an hour of sleep.

Saturday was packed with tons of uplifting things. I can't even tell you what exactly I loved the most as it was all wonderful. We got to hear music from Mercy River, a trio of moms that sounded so pretty. I had to get their cd and have already played some of the music for my family. We heard talks from DeAnne Flynn, S. Michael Wilcox, Merrilee Boyack, Dean Hughes, and Emily Freeman. I loved each of those talks for different reason and have a set of notes on each one. I'm still marinating in all that was said and hope to apply some of it to my life. I would really like to figure out in my own life to become me. It has given me a bit of a different outlook on things already and I know it had an impact. I am very appreciative for the opportunity and can't wait to see what comes out of it.

Field Trip Deja Vu

Megan's 3rd grade class had their field trip for the year. They picked the same place that they went last year, The Hands on Children's Museum. I have to say I wasn't exactly thrilled to be going to the same place again. This museum is all geared towards children from toddlers on up. It is all about imaginative play with all kinds of areas to choose from for the kids to create, explore, & play.

As a chaperon I had 4 girls total. Funny that I had 3 of the same from last year and the 4th was someone different. It felt like deja vu for sure. I was surprised that the kids all still really enjoyed themselves. There were groups all around and everyone looked to be having fun. I did have a few girls sit next to me a few times not wanting to play. I think there was just a bit of boredom.

All my girls got along great which was nice. I think I've been getting lucky with my chaperon assignments. Each time I've gone I really haven't had any problems. We explored every nook of this place and did as much as possible.

We of course repeated the areas a few times and again the favorite spot was the dress up area. We spent the bulk of our time there. The girls love being on stage and trying on different clothes.

This years workshop was learning about thunder and lightening. They got to make a cool craft. I'm sure I'm going to have to figure out how to make one for Andrew once Megan brings hers home and starts playing with it. Super simple card stock and paper thing that makes a thunder like noise when you swing it.

Overall another years field trip down and a few more to go. It means a whole lot to the kids for me to go and it is a perk of being a stay at home Mom. I've said that as long as I can make it I'll go to all of the functions for them. I know how much it means to them and I love doing something so simple.

Eggcellent Fun

Today was all about eggs for this family. We started our day at a community Easter egg hunt. We've never gone to this before so we didn't really know what to expect but thought it was worth a try. It only cost us a $1 per child and we couldn't pass it up. No parents were allowed on the fields just the kids in the age group hunting. So we just stood back and watched them run and collect.

Andrew's age group went first and he was funny. They had these golden eggs out there and if you found one you got a special prize. Andrew ran out and passed up so much stuff in the sea of kids. He only ended up with 3 eggs and some candy. He was more of a looker than a gatherer.

Megan's age group came next and since she saw exactly what to expect she thought she was prepared. Jeff tried to give her some pointers and she had a game plan. When they said go she pretty much did the same thing as Andrew. She ran out and did a circle of the field area and didn't pick up anything. The tricky part of her age group was that the golden eggs were not on the field. The helpers had them in their pockets and would randomly throw them out. Meg was so far out I couldn't tell her what was happening. She never clued in. She ended up with 2 eggs and 5 pencils. She really wanted that golden egg.

Andrew thought it was hard but fun. Megan thought it was a waste. There were too many kids and it frustrated her. We tried to say it wasn't what you ended up with just the fun of getting the chance to do it.

Next up for eggs was a little home dyeing. We usually don't do this as no one in this house will eat the hard boiled eggs but this year Jeff bought a kit out of the blue so it was egg dyeing for us. The kids each got 6 eggs and Jeff and I got 1 each to dye.

The kids loved making a mess and being creative. Andrew wanted all colors on all his eggs and just dipped and dripped everywhere. Megan took her time and was trying to be careful and perfect. She had a design and idea for each egg. It was tons of fun to see them be creative in their different ways. We've had a great day in an egg sort of way.

My kids have been on spring break this week. It has pretty much been gloomy and rainy everyday. Plus I still work each day and the kids have been limited to what they've been able to do. That would mean imagination was strongly at work. The kids run hot and cold with each other but come up with the most interesting things to occupy their time.

The next thing I knew yesterday Megan came out of her room followed by Andrew and this was what they looked like. They were geared up to play and it made me giggle. I had to stop them for a picture moment. I love the creative things they come up with. Today is their last day of play and I can only imagine what games they'll come up with. I hope they have enjoyed their week is some way.

Finding Interesting Things

As I was cleaning up Andrew's room today I found a little present in his bed when I pulled back the covers. He is fascinated with my kitchen tools. If I'm ever missing something I can bet one of the males in this house has them. Jeff takes things to work for his potlucks and they never seem to make it back. I can usually find the things he has taken in his car. His stuff makes it half way back to where it belongs. Having Andrew put them in his bed was a new one on me. I do find them in his room often. They seem to always be different tools each time for the most part. He especially loves the tongs. We have two of those since I can count on Andrew taking one. Whatever the obsession with kitchen tools is I'll never know. I'm not even sure what he does with them or why he needs so many. I guess it is somehow entertaining so I go with it. I've never found anything remotely interesting in Megan's room. Girls have it together I guess:}

Our 3rd Grade Scientist

Megan is finally old enough for her first official science project. I never remember doing a science project in my elementary school years till around 6th grade so this was pretty big for her. She felt really grown up and was very excited to work on it.

Meg picked the project of "make your own cloud" and as soon as she brought home the instructions she wanted to get started. We did several experiments and she was very involved. She was hands on the whole time and couldn't wait to get her board put together. Today is the deadline to turn in your projects and she requested a special drive in by mom privilege. As we pulled up there was a ton of kids with their parents and their big project boards. This school does a project for 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade so there was a huge group of us. Megan was super excited and it was nice to see her light up. I'm glad it's over and we'll see what we get next year.