Is It Really Worth It??

I often wondered when I was little and went out to play in the snow with my brothers and sisters, why my mom would tell us that if we were going out, we needed to be sure that we wanted to be out for awhile.

Now I know why.

I have three reasons myself.....and while that is a far cry from the nine that my mom had, it still makes me sigh when the kids get so excited to go play in the snow. And I wonder to myself, "How long will they actually be out there? Is it worth it?"

Getting kids ready to play in the snow is a big ordeal.

First we start with putting on footie pj's.

Then we move on to pants, sweatshirts, and boots.

Then finally, coats, hats, and gloves........starting to see what I am talking about??

And if that weren't bad enough, you have this to clean up afterwards:

Wet clothes, coats, boots, mittens......and a very wet floor.

So, each time it snows and the kids start to ask when they can go out, I often wonder, is it really worth all of the time and effort?

And it usually only takes me a few seconds after we are outside to remember, "Yes! It is worth it"

Just look at these three enjoying the snow:

Even if they are out in the snow for a short amount of time. =)

***Thanks mom, for thinking it was worth it.....even if we were out for only a short time*** =)

Fun Bath Pictures

Just Because

Look what showed up at my door yesterday:

From Jeff.
Just because.
Thanks honey!
I love you!!
You really made my day!

Pinewood Derby Part 2

Zach's Scout Pinewood Derby was Saturday night.
I was out of town, so I didn't get to go, but Jeff took some pictures for me.
Here is Zach with his number, waiting for the races to begin!

These are some of the cars that raced in the derby.

This is Zach getting ready to watch the cars go down the ramp to the finish line!

His car didn't win. =(

After his disappointment faded, Jeff said Zach had fun watching the other cars and talking to his friends.
When I saw Zach, I asked if he had fun and he said, "YES!!"

I think both "boys" are excited about making another car and racing again next year. =)

Pinewood Derby!

Zach and Jeff have been working on Zach's car for the Boy Scout Pinewood Derby all week!
You start out with a block of wood and cut it into what shape you want.
Then you have to sand it down nice and smooth.

Zach decided to paint his car purple and white.

Jeff drilled out a hole in the bottom and helped Zach fill his car with BB's so it will be heavier to make it go faster. They had to make sure his car was no heavier than 5 ounces.
His is 4.8 ounces.
Then Jeff and Zach polished the axles so the car will go even faster!

Here is Zach's finished car!

Didn't they do a great job!!

Zach is very proud of his car!

The race is Saturday.

Good Luck Zach!!!

I think I have created a monster.....

Lily got a princess camera for Christmas.
Not a real one, but it does make sounds like a real one.
She LOVES it. (Hmmmm.....wonder where she gets that from??)


She will ask you to, "Say cheese!" and then say "Good picture!"
Then after several pictures and you think you are done, she will say, "One more!" "Just one more!"

The first time Jeff heard Lily say that, he turned to me and said, "That is your daughter!"
I have NO idea what he is talking about..... =)

Zach's Favorite Things

Playing games like Chutes and Ladders, Uno, Battleship, and Sorry Sliders.....

drinking water.....
(Zach LOVES water!)

Magic Tree House books....
(Zach and I read these together at bedtime.)

taking out the trash....

(Hope this one lasts a long time!)

yellow apples....

doing any kind of art project.....

and Boy Scouts!

There's your little peak into Zach's world! =)

A Few Of Riley's Favorite Things

Scooby Doo....
(not just the stuffed dog, Riley loves everything Scooby Doo; movies, books, stickers, he even has action figures of the whole gang!)

torturing Lily....

toast....

Seriously. He would eat toast with peanut butter and cinnamon and sugar for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if I let him.

monsters.....

telling "funny" jokes....and then laughing hysterically.....

being scary.

Just a few things that make Riley who he is. =)

Some of Lily's Favorite Things

Playing dress-up....

her new rain boots....

(and when she saw me taking a picture of them, she took off her tennis shoes and put them on.)

playing with her brothers' toys while they are at school.....

her dress-up shoes.....

making Zach play tea party with her......

candy.....

and of course, her number one favorite thing:

Daddy!!

Winter Art Projects

It is COLD outside!! So, we have been doing winter crafts around here lately.

First we made cotton ball snowmen.
(Order of pictures: Riley, Zach, Lily)

Another fun project were these popsicle stick snowman.

I painted craft sticks white and the kids used foam, puff balls, glitter, pipe cleaners, and cloth to turn them into snowmen.

These are Zach's.

These blue ones are Riley's......I know, shocking that he would use mostly blue. ;-)

I helped Lily make these.

We also made popsicle stick snowflakes......

and hung them up in front of the sliding glass door.

Our last project was making footprint snowmen.

Lily & Riley LOVE having their feet painted.

It tickles!!

Aren't they cute??

Try to stay warm out there and have a good weekend!!