staying occupied.

These past couple of weeks have gone by slowly because of this frigid weather we've been having. It's just hard to leave the house with a toddler when it's so cold. But, we try to stay busy anyway. I know soon enough the snow will be melting and we'll be walking to the playground.
Despite the cold, Emmett has been able to stay occupied at home. He loves spending time in the play room with his toys. He also drives his cars around everywhere. Anything is a road, hill or race track!

 He is also obsessed with Play-Doh

 Emmett can now reach the faucet in the bathroom. He loves to turn on the water and get his cars wet.

 He gets a bit wet at times.

 Here are some pictures of Emmett and his buddy Ezra playing. It's always nice to visit them and let the boys play!

 such a stylin' boy!

  

thanks for playing, Ezra!

time together.

Saturday morning was busy bringing Matt to work, coming home, and getting the kids and myself ready to go to ballet. The St. Paul winter carnival is now going on so traffic downtown was lovely...not.
Our afternoon was pretty quiet so by 5:00 we really wanted to get out of the house. We decided to go to the MOA for dinner and fun. I always HATE going to the mall on Saturdays, but it had been awhile and it was spur-of-the-moment.

We took the kids on a full-sized Ferris wheel for the first time. They loved it. I couldn't get enough of their smiles and reactions.

They stood in this spot for a good solid 10 minutes staring at the big roller coaster.

Emmett's face kills me.

Today we went to church then came home and took naps. It was the perfect thing to do while it was sleeting/snowing for a few hours. Ethnie played outside with her friend Ella before dinner. After the snow let up we went outside to plow, shovel and play some more. Emmett started freaking out the minute Matt started the snow blower. He came running down the driveway wailing, "Moooommmmyyyyy!" It was hilarious. 

Family time is very important to me and I am happiest when I am spending time with them! 

I hope you all had a great weekend!

cold coma.

It's been cold. Really cold. Like all-I-want-to-do-is-wrap-up-in-a-blanket-and-hibernate cold. I don't want to go anywhere. I even have to psych myself up just to change my clothes because I know I'll become chilled the second I start peeling off the layers. I need Spring to come now!!

I noticed that I hadn't posted anything in over a week and, well, it's because things have been pretty simple around here.
Nevertheless, I want to catch you all up on the little things that have been going on/on my mind.

- Emmett got a haircut. We went for a shorter style this time; short all around and longer on top for spiking. :)

- Ethnie cut her head open a bit the other night while running through the kitchen and colliding into the old dresser I have in there. Hopefully, now she'll listen to me when I tell her NO RUNNING. 
- I signed both kids up for swimming lessons and they start next week.
- Emmett has been terrified of water lately. It's a struggle to give him a bath. I have no idea what triggered this, but I'm hoping swimming lessons will help him get over it.

- Ethnie is doing well in ballet. She got some leg warmers for Christmas and wants to wear them every week now. Soon she'll be learning her routine for the Sorcerer's Apprentice in April.
- I am growing out my bangs. I want them off my face for summer (and Matt wants me to). 
- Emmett calls any male in uniform the 'mailman'.
- I'm learning how to crochet. First project: scarf. I'm liking it more than I thought I would. 

- We are really close to having our car paid off. Great feeling!

- I've hardly taken any pictures of my kids lately and I feel guilty about it.

-  I am so grateful to have a heated home to shelter us from the cold it's not even funny!

- ALL I want to do is go on vacation. Siiiiiiigggggghhhhhh........

Have a great weekend ya'll! Stay warm.

all. boy.

I feel like Emmett has been so crazy lately. He seems to be going through a stage where he's looking for trouble and a reason to take a time out?! He also loves to bother his sister, which causes me to become impatient and irritated. I know these blustery winter months do NOT help at all, and I need to come up with more reasons to leave the house. (because y'all know I hate doing outdoor winter activities.)
In St. Paul, the North Dale Rec Center has toddler time in their gym every Wednesday morning. Perfect! It's free and you don't need to bring any toys. This place has plenty! Plus, it's a gym; you can run, throw and scream all you want. Emmett and I went this week and are definitely going to adapt it into our routine every week while it's cold. It's also a great place to meet some new moms!

 

 loved the basketball hoop

 open-gym time is great for Emmett because he gets to do some of his favorite things:

 throw and play with balls

throw blocks

 run

 and make laps with the push toys.

 Ox had a good time too ;)

 Emmett took him down the slide many times

 having fun

 

 (favorite face to make at me lately)

 weeeeeee!