Snow day

Getting Daddy with a snowball.




Riley had a snow day today, so we headed outside for a bit to let the kids play. We don't have snow clothes so they just had a bunch of layers, making it hard to move. Gracin couldn't even get up when he fell down:) The snow was perfect for making snowmen and snowballs, it stuck together better than I have ever seen! That was nice for Gracin because he could just grab a handful and already have a snowball ready to launch. He really liked throwing the snow and eating it... those are his two favorite things to do with anything. Rhylan had fun making footprints and throwing snowballs at daddy.

Riley helped them make a huge snow man... she had a big brain which eventually let to her "downfall." We used Mr. Potato head pieces to make the face.

They were pretty wet, but I don't think they noticed.Rhylan and Gracin didn't care, they just wanted to keep playing. Gracin was so upset when we came inside. "Cars," popcorn, and hot chocolate did the trick to get everybody warm and happy again. I like snow... once a year!!

Sunbeam

Today was Rhylan's first day of Sunbeams!! She was pretty excited to go be with all the big kids. She said she liked being with her friends and sitting still. We are so proud of our little Sunbeam. She got a new Sunday dress to wear (and much needed shoes and tights) for this special day. When I took her to her seat, she didn't even get sad when I left, she is so brave and excited when it comes to doing new things.

CT scan

Gracin had a third febrile seizure in the beginning of December. I asked my pediatrician to refer us to a pediatric neurologist. I wanted to talk to someone who was a little more experienced with febrile seizures. He said 3 seizures in 3 months is not excessive, even below average. But he wanted to run a few test to make sure every thing is okay. I was happy with this. It is exactly what we were hoping for, someone to actually check him out and not blow it off. We went in to the hospital this morning for a CT scan. I was nervous because they were going to have to sedate him so he would hold still. I was scarred for that and prayed all week that everything would be okay. And this morning, the nurse offered to try it first without sedation. Riley helped hold him still and his head was in some sort of vice thing to help. It worked!! I was so relieved he didn't have to go under. The recovery would have been hard for him with the drugs, but he was able to go right away. We won't know the result until our Dr. appointment in Feb. (But everything seems fine!) Riley requested a copy of all the x-rays. He has a bachelors degree in neuroscience. There is no serious problems (tumor etc.) Here is one of the pictures of our brave little boy.

Princess preschool

This week in preschool we are learning with princesses. For fine motor skills, Rhylan loves to do a craft. So what better craft than a princess crown. I found this pattern for Rapunzel's crown online. I also thought it would be a perfect lesson to learn about the color silver. She loves sparkly things and may have a new favorite color!!
And of course no princess photo shoot would be complete without a princess twirl!!

(I have a few more fun activities planned for this week: ice castles, Who lives in this castle-- a math activity, and even letter/princess match-up.)

New Years Eve party

The Lamberts invited us over for some fondue and games on New Years. The food was delicious, kids played well, and the company and games were a lot of fun! Thanks so much for inviting us. It is a tradition in my family to play games all night for New Years. I'm glad we got a few in.

After the party, we put the kids to bed and finished our Twilight marathon. Happy New Years everyone.

New Years Eve...Day

It was such a nice day on New Years Eve. The temp stayed between 65 and 70 all day. We took a family walk to our little neighborhood park for some quality family fun. Gracin is getting so big, he can climb the stairs and go down the slide all by himself! Rhylan just rules that place, she can do everything.

Peek-a-boo. Rhylan thought this was so funny!!

I know... it looks like Riley was the only one enjoying the ride down the tube slide:)--They were all giggling when they zoomed out of there.

I was working on my "genuine smile" goal... the park is a perfect place for easy natural smiles. I just had to follow wherever they went and the smiles weren't far behind. I can't help think I have the cutest kids ever.

"Smile'n Rhylan"

In my new photography book I got for Christmas, I have been learning about catching "genuine" smiles. These are smiles that are natural, not posed..."cheese." These are hard to catch because you always have to be ready and pretty much chase your subject around until the perfect opportunity arrives. But it really pays off. These images of Rhylan with her natural smile, caught at the peek of her joy are so much more expressive, so much more beautiful, and show so much more Rhylan, that they are priceless to me. Yes the posed ones are cute but the genuine smiles really catch my eye. One of my New Years goals... capture more genuine smiles. I tried this again at the park on New Years eve ... post coming soon!--stay tuned

She is a superhero that always saves the day!! I made her this cape for Christmas and we have been safe ever since. And she has chosen the name "Smile'n Rhylan."
These next two are posed... but funny.

Posed--Cute but not dazzling.

Not posed-- any question if she is having fun "flying" as fast as she can... so fast I couldn't even get in focus:)

Posed

Not posed... see beautiful!! I had to scream and act like she was going to get me for this smile!

Not posed-- she just looks so happy, a moment I want to remember.

First Bubble Bath

This was Gracin's first bubble bath (Christmas Eve.) He was having a blast, splashing, jumping and diving, getting his face covered in bubbles, having the bath to himself, and trying to catch the bubbles in cups and on his hands. He was so happy there, I think the bath lasted 30 min!!



Rhylan joined in later but... she didn't have as much fun. SPLASH!!