Keeping it on, keeping it on

 I guess we didn't do much during February, or just not much that I took pictures of. I got my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (thanks to being a teacher) and that got me feeling excited and hopeful for the future. It was a lowkey month, with plenty of lowkey moments of joy. 

Are anyone else's kids obsessed with mysteries and treasure hunts? I loved all that kind of stuff as kid (still do) so it's fun for me that my kids are into it as well. Adaline got a Kiwi box with a treasure chest to build and stuff to make a treasure map. She made a map for her brothers to follow, and then they asked me to make one for all of them to follow. I got slightly carried away and made my map lead to a clue written in white crayon next to the treasure chest, but no keys. They figured out to color the paper with the marker rolled up inside, which led them to the fridge. There they found a bunch of paper shapes that made a clue about cavities so they checked where they keep their toothbrushes. Once there, they found a bag full of popsicle sticks that made a picture of the front door when they were put together in the right order. In the entryway, they found a close up picture of the keys sitting on the piano keyboard. This was actually the hardest clue for them to solve, but they eventually figured it out. As soon as the got the treasure chest open, they immediately requested another hunt. Ha! It was a bit too much work to repeat right away, but it was a really fun afternoon, and I'm recording this to remind them that I was a fun mom at least once in a while. 

While they were waiting for me to get everything ready, they dressed up as pirates. Michael is wearing his shirt inside out because apparently that makes it more realistic (?)

Just reading in a box. Looks comfy.

Adaline also got her second raddish kids box and the really fun recipe this time was for these dominoes cookies. How cute are they??

We played dominoes and a couple other games to go along with our theme

Drawing these pictures is the most challenging part of my week 

Oh this was so cute! Our library is still closed, but we can place books on hold to pick up and they also put together craft baggies. The week of Valentine's day, the craft was a little mailbox. It gave us the idea to make a bunch of tiny envelopes and we all spent the week sending each other tiny mail. When we had our "love dinner" on Valentine's Day, we all got to read out loud the notes that we received. I love watching my kids' faces light up when they read something nice someone else wrote about them. Then they run around the table and give each other hugs. It's the best. 

so casual

Highly recommend. It was a pretty quick read, but very impactful. I gained more understanding and empathy for my grandma and her husband during the time that he had Dementia and she was caring for him. It also gave me a new perspective to consider in light of the two times I saw him buck naked when I was a teenager. 

Love dinner!

I think we only made it out for one hike in February, but we still managed to go somewhere new. This time we wet to Fossil Hill Trail. Initially I tried to have the kids follow a specific route I wanted to try out. I don't know what I was thinking. We learned a long time ago that if they are in charge, they will hike farther and so much more happily. Luckily, I gave up and the kids led us on a grand adventure. 

This made me laugh out loud! I looked up ahead and saw Matthew just stop and get something out of his backpack. The next thing I knew, he was reading a book to Alex and Michael in the middle of the trail. He seems to never be without a book. 

That one day I decided I should take everything out of the craft/game closet and sort it.

just chillin

Everything he does is just the cutest thing I've ever seen. He picks out his own clothes these days and some of his choices are so funny to me. He'll choose regular shirts/sweaters to wear to bed, PJs during the day, likes to wear size 18 months onesies under his clothes, and sometimes will completely change all of his clothes during the night. He's a hoot. 

First time putting the sprinkler under the trampoline!

I can't even tell you how much I love library days. They are so quiet and still for at least a half hour after we get home. 

I think my pictures at school are getting worse. I've noticed that when I draw in the way that helps me (starting from the top or bottom and looking at individual lines), the students' pictures turn out a little bizarre. To help them, I've started drawing more like "head", "ear", "leg", etc. Their pictures look closer to what's in the book, but mine aren't turning out as well.