Family Room Camp Out

 This little girl has big news!  She loves to pull up on the ottoman!   And she got to have a camp out in the family room, for a little bit, with the big kids!

 Lane and Marlee helped Dad set up the tent, and could not wait to check it out. 

 They let me in the tent for a minute to take a quick picture.

And then they got down to business with Dad.  They set up the air mattress while I made the popcorn.  They watched a movie and slept all night down in the tent.

They had a great time and are ready to try camping out in the backyard next.  Elizabeth are going to stick with our comfy beds in the house!

Lane's School Assembly

We just got home from Lane's first assembly at school!  He did so good, and I am so proud of him!  It seems he is his Dad through and through.   Each class of Pre-K had four kids chosen to have a little speaking part at the all school assembly.  He was one of the four from his class.  I am so glad he had the opportunity to speak.

My guy in the sea of kids as they left the assembly. 

Grammy, Grampy, Nina, Popeye, and Aunt Sarah, Daddy, Marlee and Elizabeth all came to watch Lane.  We had a great time and couldn't be more proud!

Snow Days!

When we lived in Texas we didn't see much snow.  We still haven't seen that much, but we've had two days off from school thanks to snow days.

 Our first snow day was a couple of weeks ago while Clint was out of town.  The kids and I went over to Grammy and Grampy's so I could do some work and the kids could play on their sled.  Lane and Marlee were excited to go out and play in the snow.

 Once we were out in it, Marlee decided she didn't like it.  You can see that she's not to happy in her picture.

 Lane on the other hand loved it!  He would have stayed outside all day if I had let him.

 Our first snow day, the snow was more like slush.  We were only able to build a mini snowman.

 Our second snow day was just a week after our first one.  Grammy and Grampy came to our house with the sled this time.  Grampy pulled Lane and Marlee around the yard.

 Until Marlee decided she had enough.  She found a nice warm spot inside to watch the boys outside.

 They were able to build a big snowman this time!

 Miss Elizabeth stayed warm and cozy both snow days. 

 And the best thing about playing in the snow?  The hot cocoa waiting inside!

Lane learned to build and snowballs.  He's a pretty good shot!

 

Taxi Grammy

Grammy and Grampy live just down the street from us.  When we moved here I really wanted to find a house in their neighborhood.  Living close has really paid off.  On mornings when Clint has to be at work early or when he's out of town, Grammy comes over to pick Lane up and take him to school.  It saves me from having to get the girls up and around and it gives Lane and Grammy some time together. 
We are so thankful we have Grammy & Grampy close by to help!

Lane's Big Morning

 We have been trying to help Lane stop sucking his fingers since June or July.  This summer I ordered some terrible tasting fingernail polish that is supposed to be amazing.  The reviews were great and I thought for sure putting that nasty stuff on his fingers for a few days would break him of his finger sucking habit.  After several weeks I realized that the bad tasting stuff wasn't going to work.  And seriously, that stuff was so strong that I could taste it on my lips after I would give Lane a kiss.  It was bad, but to him, his fingers were worth it.  Finally about a month ago at school, Lane somehow got one of his sucking fingers smashed in a window.  Lane wore a band aid on his finger for about a week after it got smashed and we hoped that it would break the habit but I was afraid to get too excited.  Well sure enough, he hasn't sucked his fingers in over a month!  Grammy and Grampy promised Lane a barn, this summer, if he quit sucking his fingers.  They kept their promise and took him out for a special breakfast to celebrate.  I sent my camera with Grammy so I could get pictures of the morning.

Lane got to open his present.  And got busy playing.

 I think he likes it!

 After some playing they loaded up and went to a breakfast place that Lane likes.

 He ordered pancakes and bacon.  I heard that he ate his two pieces of bacon and then ate Grammy's too.

If the barn and breakfast weren't enough, Lane got to go to the tractor supply store to pick something else to go with his barn.  He picked a John Deere tractor. 

Lane and Marlee have gotten lots of good play out of the barn and tractor already.  On multiple occasions, I've found Lane's barn out with Marlee's dollhouse set up next to it.   Everybody knows that barns are always close to houses.

Valentine's Day

 Lane had his Valentine Party at school this afternoon.  I love that we are able to go and participate with Lane and his classmates.  The kids all sat in their seats at their tables to enjoy their treats.

 And when they finished their treats they were able to find their sack of Valentines and go through their Valentine's from their friends.  Lane was very proud of the bag he decorated.

 Lane and one of buddies, Sarthak.  I think he's a cutie!

 The kids all got down on their floor to go through their bags.  It was kinda like Christmas morning.  They all wanted help reading their Valentine's and they loved all the candy they got.

We had a special Valentine dinner at home.  The kids helped me make dinner and set the table. 

 Daddy, got lots of love from two of his little Valentines.

 After dinner Lane and Marlee got their Valentine baskets of goodies.  Sweet Elizabeth slept through the whole thing and Mommy didn't get a picture of her.

Valentine Card Out Takes

Instead of sending out Christmas cards, we send out Valentine's cards.  This year I waited until the very last minute.  We took some quick pics on the stairs and these are a few of the out takes. 

 This was the picture I decided to use.   I think it suits Lane and Marlee's little personalities perfectly.  And sweet little Elizabeth was her usual easy going self.