Feed the Birds

Life is different with a new born.  All the sudden, I'm changing schedules again, and breaking my day into "between feedings".  It really makes it hard on me, but also the kids.  I can tell that they are feeling a little bored (you know, not leaving the house because the baby is too new...  It's a little like house arrest, but louder), and sometimes they are feeling a little detached from mom.  So, over the last few days, I've worried less about stressing about having them clean up between feedings, and we have done more.  I have never had that "house cleaning" talent, where my house looks like a museum and everything is in it's place.  I do clean, but the truth is, it's usually a little chaotic.  Typically, I'd prefer to have them clean up after themselves constantly... but that does require me hovering and reminding.  The last few days, I still have had them clean up after themselves... but a few times I told myself "if we wait until this room is clean, we will miss our opportunity to have fun" and just let it be.  This is one of the activities that we would have missed out on if I had waited until they cleaned up the dishes they were playing with first.

Making bird feeders!  I gave them each 3 half toilet paper rolls, honey, a spreading stick, and bird seed... demonstrated what to do, and then let them have at it.  It was sticky fun.

 Then we added some string and some cheerios.

 Yes!  This project definitely added to the chaos and messy state of my house.

 But look at those smiles!  It was worth it!

 I'd like to think the birds are smiling too.  We hung 4 out back and 2 out front.

After this project, I cleaned up the kitchen, feed Preston, and started dinner.  Noelle took it upon herself to clean the entire toy room, her bed room, and the living room without me asking!  I'ms so glad I went with my instincts and did the craft instead of forced them to clean and played the part of the "bad guy" all afternoon.  This was much more fun.

Also, we discovered we have a bird's nest and a baby bird in the tree in our front yard.  Hopefully that little bird family will eat our yummy creation.

Just Another Day

Sometimes I feel like I only post when we do something exciting... so here is just a few pictures from a regular day at the Smithson House.  My kids love puzzles.  It seems the girls are just puzzle naturals  Oliver is now starting to get interested in them as well.  So, we spent yesterday morning doing puzzles.  I love the excitement at getting one done.  Oliver cheers (hands over head, jumping up and down) "We did it!!!"  It is very cute.  He isn't so excited, however, at the idea of taking the puzzle apart.  When Noelle cleaned up this puzzle (with the fish and sharks), Oliver got extremely emotional. 

Blocks are still a daily enjoyment at our house.  This time, Noelle got creative in a different way.  Can you see her name?

 And this time she wrote "mom".  I love it!

 I think the highlight of Melanie's day is coming home to play with Preston.  She clearly loves her baby brother.

 Here he is at 4 weeks old!  He is such a great baby.  I think we are all head over heels in love!

There you go!  Some typical, just another day happenings at the Smithson House.  I love my life.

The Dinosaur Zoo

Friday morning, I over heard Noelle and Oliver talking.  Noelle was getting ready for preschool, but told her brother that they were going to the Science Center.  Poor Oliver was convinced that we were, indeed, going to the Science Center.  He packed his little backpack full of things to take with him in the car and stood by the door.  Unfortunately, we were not going to the Science Center.  We picked up Mary (a friend down the street) and took both Mary and Noelle to preschool.  I left Oliver in the car with Preston (and his backpack full of toys) and took the girls to the door.  When I got back into the car, Oliver had a different plan.  He no longer wanted to go to the Science Center.  Now, he wanted to go to the "Dinosaur Zoo".  This declaration made me smile.  Obviously, we do not house a Jurassic Park in this part of the world; what he really wanted to do was go to the Museum of Natural History.   Friday wasn't a good day for a trip, but I filed that information away for later.

Friday night, after we put the kids to bed, Brandon and I discussed what our "goals" for Saturday would be.  I told Brandon what I needed to do as far as house things go, and then I told him about Oliver and his desire to visit the "Dinosaur Zoo". 

Saturday morning, Brandon had to run to the airport to pick a friend up.  When he left, he informed the kids that he was going to take them somewhere fun, but they had to be all ready when he got home.  They didn't know where we were going.  Melanie quickly got herself dressed in this: 

 I so lovingly vetoed that look and she settled for something a little less.... alarming!  Then we headed out.  When we got to the Museum, The kids (especially Oliver) were very excited.  This was Preston's first outing... only he slept through the entire thing against mom's body (in the wrap.  Can I just say, I love my wrap?  Because I do!)  Then the fun began.  I love this picture.  It looks like I'm giving the dinosaur a "look", doesn't it?  I think I was in the middle of telling Noelle not to climb on something when Brandon took this picture.

 While exploring the museum, we took the opportunity to solve some puzzles.

 This aquatic puzzle is a new one, and it has two parts.  You have to assemble the bones, then the body.  It was a tricky one, but fun.

 While there, we also explored the jails, dug up dinosaur bones, and learned about fossils from an "expert".  It was a good time.

 After all the fun was over, this little man was exhausted (you know, all that sleeping through a museum can wear a boy down.)  Here is Mr. Preston at 3.5 weeks.

It's a Girl Thing

Somethings are just too hard to explain.  Somethings are just girl things.

So I decided that a picture says 1000 words.  Here are a few words to explain them:

 Caption: Noelle was bored and left to her devices just a little too long one nap time.

 Caption: Even princess ponies need a break from reality from time to time.

 Caption (for above and below): "Mom, this is how a butterfly flies... only my body doesn't get off the ground"

 Caption (above and next 2 pictures): Mom apparently doesn't wear enough jewelry, so Noelle decided to remedy that with her own creations.

 Caption: Melanie is home from school and her school work is done... time to "ballet".

Caption: When the fancy dancing is done... it's just time to party and get crazy!

Valentines Weekend

Friday was Valentines Day.  My Valentine spoiled us with beautiful flowers.

 I surprised the family with hearts.  It's so fun to surprise each other.  Brandon didn't know what I was doing with the hearts because he was working late, and I didn't know he was getting flowers (also because he was gone late).  It made for a fun morning.

 Later, Noelle surprised me with more and more flowers... from my garden. 

 As you can tell, it made a beautiful bouquet.

When I picked Melanie up from school, the first thing she asked was if I had a Valentine for her.  Unfortunately, I didn't... I thought the hearts and the special dinner were good.  She was a little heart broken, but eventually forgave me.  That night, we had a "magical" dinner.  I made conversational heart cups and set the table with heart plates.

 I also made heart pizzas, which Brandon grilled for us out back (grilled pizzas are by far the best).  I fashioned the dough and most of the ingredients to look like hearts.  Unfortunately, they all turned out to be under the cheese and therefore, not apparent.  O-well.

 It was fun!

 Saturday afternoon was a warm one.  We took Preston on a little adventure out of the house.  We took him to a park.  Mom and Preston (and a not-so-happy Oliver) hung out in the shade while the older children played.  It was definitely a nice change to get out of the house, even though it turned out to be such a short adventure.  Mom is getting a little cabin fever.

 This here is proof that it is WAY too hot for February!  Look at that girl... she was covered in sweat and all red from the heat.  Brandon took them all to Quik Trip and got them slushies.  That seemed to help cool them down.  It also helped the not-so-happy Oliver smile a bit.

It was a fun weekend and we really enjoyed our little adventure.

Building some Imagination

 Tuesday mornings are time with mom and the boys.  Both girls are at school, so some serious playing has to happen.  This past Tuesday, I got down the blocks.  When I told Oliver I was getting down the blocks, he wasn't very happy... until he realized what the blocks could do.  For example... the blocks could turn into a train. (He built this by himself).

 Soon, the train was torn apart, and he asked for an airplane.  I did the best I could.

 And if you have an airplane, you also need a helicopter!

 Oliver played hard with those blocks for 2 hours.  He made so many things.

 Later, during Oliver's nap time, Noelle asked to play with the blocks.  I thought it was interesting the difference between my little blond and my little red headed man.  When Oliver was excited about things like Trucks, Trains, Planes, and Helicopters... Noelle built furniture, like a table, bed, and couch.  Eventually she also got out her barbies and let them play with the furniture.  It was fun.