Chihuly

I took the kids to the Jundt Art Museum the other day. I've taken them to a few other galleries to look at paintings, and they enjoy looking through my Art books. Plus, we're always doing art projects and they spend hours drawing and coloring...but none of the art they've seen has ever completely captivated them...until now. When they walked into the main room at the Jundt and saw the Chihuly glass chandelier, they were WOWED. The chandelier is made up of over 800 pieces and is 18 feet long and 6 feet wide at the widest point. It is truly stunning.

The kids are completely obsessed with Chihuly now. We've checked out library books about him and even rented a video, which mesmerized them. I've promised them a 'tour' of a lot more of his works the next time we're in Seattle. I'm going to do a bit of research and see if I can find a local glass blowing studio we can visit...I think they'd love that.

What have we been doing lately?

I'm falling behind on my blogging!

As many of you know, I'm the co-president of my twins club so I'm often busy working on a project or event for the club. I'm also a member of the liaison commitee for the club, which is a group comprised of one or two members from each local club. We get together to discuss joint events and such. Our big clothing & equipment sale was last weekend so I was busy the week prior sorting, organizing, and pricing our outgrown clothes and toys. We set up for the sale Friday night and then spent most of Saturday working the sale. Afterwards, I had a late lunch with a few of my friends from the club....the margarita was much needed and very tasty!

Spring seems to be teasing us this year...here one minute, gone the next. The kids and I have been enjoying the small peeks of Spring weather that we've been getting...we just wish it would STAY!

Last Tuesday Gabby got a hair cut, then we headed for the library. We haven't been to the library in a while so the kids were super excited and picked out LOTS of books. I have only half a book left to read out of my pile of 5, but the kids are still working their way through their 30 books.

After checking out our massive pile of books, we headed to the park directly behind the library. It was a very windy day but the kids still had a great time. I finally had to force them to leave as my ears were hurting from all the wind.

We ended up at the same park again the next day, as I promised them, but it was still pretty windy.

Chad and I took the kids on a hike at Riverside State Park the weekend before last. Although muddy, the area was so pretty with all the new green moss coming in. When we hiked far enough into the brush and cover, we found small areas of snow and ice...but in the more open areas we founds lots of new green leaves and plants and even a few buttercups!

The kids have had a few chances to get their bikes and scooters out and are having fun racing up and down the sidewalk. Chad installed new training wheels on both bikes. Nick learned to ride without them last year when one of his broke...but now he wants them back. Gabby's have always been lopsided and wobbly and bent, so she got a new pair as well. Now they're both pleased as punch.

Of course, Spring wouldn't be Spring without a few good down and dirty worm hunts. The kids have been digging up worms like a couple of crazed Robins, which doesn't bother me until I find they've stuffed my vintage pepper jar, which I display on my windowsill, full of dirt and worms...their 'pet' worms, that is. Gross.

We've also had our share of drizzly, rainy, windy days lately...which means we're inside. We've been keeping busy with play dough and paint, computer reading games, Netflix, dress up, drawing, and more. The other day, we took our big roll of paper and unrolled strips the length of the living room and made little 'towns' on them. We covered them with roads and houses, camping spots, lakes, ponds, race tracks and more. We started with just one to share but Gabby proclaimed it too 'boyish', so we had to make another for just her. She insisted on a coffee shop and a pumpkin festibal (yes I spelled that just the way she says it) Nick's included The Farm, which he insisted was on the FAR end of the town, since he says it does take A LONG time to drive there!

I had a couple of one child days Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday Chad took Gabby to work with him. He had a day of field work planned and had taken Nick last time, so it was Gabby's turn. Unfortunately, the day was windy and Gabby had to spend a lot of time in the car. I think she still enjoyed her daddy time though. Nick and I had fun as well. We went to breakfast at Dolly's and then headed to Toys R Us to use his Christmas gift card. He was thrilled to find that $10 would buy him NINE hotwheels cars. Holy moly. We then got ourselves some coffees (Nick takes his PINK...he calls it pink coffee but it's really italian soda) and headed to the thrift store.

The next day, the Farm Grandma and Grampa called to see if Nick could spend the night at the farm. They had both Nick and cousin Mason overnight. Nick enjoyed himself and came home with stories of playing in the mud, cuts & scrapes (seems neither of those boys watches where they are running when they play tag), games of tag, race and chase and more. Gabby and I spent our alone time mostly hanging out in our quiet house. We also went to Toys R Us so she could use her Christmas gift card...$10 doesn't go as far in the girl toy section. I had to loan her $4 for a 'horse on a stick' as she calls them. She was thrilled with her new friend. Daddy had to work late that night so Gabby and I went out for dinner by ourselves...and then waited up for Daddy.

Today, the kids both seem a bit under the weather. Nick's had the sniffles for a few days and now Gabby has them...along with a fever. Right now they're resting on the couch, watching tv.

Tomorrow, I work at an auction all day and Sunday is Chad's first day of the new soccer season. Whatever you do, don't tell him to break a leg. He just might.

Oh...one more thing...I forgot about this until I was browsing through photos to add to this post...anyway, this is what Chad and the kids do while I'm at my twins club meetings....

The last week or so

Feels like I haven't posted about much in a while so here is the last week or so...more or less.

Chad was in Moses lake all day and night one day last week (I can't even remember which day now) He didn't get home until midnight, but Gabby was determined to stay up and wait for him. She didn't make it...fell asleep on the couch.

The kids and I goofed around on the couch one evening...playing patty cake, tickle and everyone pile on mommy...Chad was snapping photos for a change (which is why there is only one that I'll show you! Mommy hates the other side of the camera!)

Grandma Elaine and Grampa Jack gave Gabby a new doll stroller...the one they gave her for Christmas was a temporary cheapie until the better ones were back in stock. The new one came with a baby carrier that Nicholas LOVES. I think he wore it for three days straight.

Gabby and Mommy went to Riverfront Park and watched Cheyenne at her very first skating competition! Gabby gave her a pink rose and skittles after her performance. Cheyenne placed 3rd that evening and 2nd the next day...yay!

Gabby, with baby and blankie, watch cartoons on Saturday morning...

We also did a little cleaning and organizing in the basement. Chad and Nick took a load of junk to the dump. (Nick was fascinated by the incinerator) I found this cute little owl of mine in the basement, while cleaning. I love his funny rhinestone eyes and his little birthday cake.

Later Saturday, we headed to the farm. Chad decided to install the ceiling fan in Rich and Kathy's bedroom...the one we bought them 3 or 4 years ago! The kids and I waited in the car during Chad's very long 'run' into Lowe's for supplies. I got bored and took photos...

Here are Gabby's cute horsey tights. She loves horsies.

Nick thinks if he does gross things I won't take a photo. He's actually NOT the one I usually have to scold for nose picking...

I do love his eyes in this photo...too bad he has fingers up each nostril...

should I frame it anyway?

Chad is trying to pass his addiction to Soduko on to everyone he meets. He taught his mom to play this weekend...hopefully SHE won't play it for hours while on the toilet.

Gabby on Sunday morning, watching cartoons. It's a weekend thing.

My boots...

Chad and the kids eating oatmeal on Sunday morning. We spent the night at the farm. Rich and Kathy went snowmobiling with Kip and Nancy that morning.

After breakfast, the four of us went on a little four wheel excursion through the woods. It was my first time driving a four wheeler. It was pretty fun although I noticed I don't enjoy the scenery as much when I'm driving. Luckily, Nick rode with me and he points out EVERYTHING. (He even knows which buttons I need to push)

The best part was on the straight away back to the farm...Nick got that little grin on his face and shouted up to me, "Mom! I think we're going faster than Daddy!!"

After the ride, we hung out at The Farm for a little while before heading home.

Nick playing on the floor at The Farm...with a mouthful of chocolate chips

Rolling up twine into a circular swirl takes a lot of concentration.

Playing together...

This is where I want to live someday...in a house next to that stand of trees.

We painted on Monday...

and built a house...

which brings to mind my very own little mastercard commercial...

Fisher Price Loving Family doll house .... $50

several sets of Fisher Price furniture....$14.99 each

watching them build their own house and then play with it for HOURS....priceless.

and played with the kitty...

Chad is out of town again. He left early Monday and will be back late Wednesday night. Don't feel too sorry for him. He's in Long Beach, CA for a seminar...and is driving around in his off time in a red Mustang convertible. Poor Chad.

The kids and I went to pizza with Travis and Angie and their kids, Rich and Kathy and Kip and Nancy and others on Monday night. The kids had a great time in the ball crawl and playing air hockey. I didn't bring my camera but I really wished I had when I saw their little smiley faces poking out of all those brightly colored balls. Next time...

Today, I brought the kids to Gramma Elaine's house. They're spending the night so they can wake up tomorrow and give Grampa Jack his birthday cards. Charlie, Anne's doggie, is staying with them while Alvin and Anne are on their honeymoon. Gabby, our little dr. doolittle, was thrilled to see him. I left her playing with Charlie...

And Nick playing with Legos...

Now it's just me...all alone in a quiet house...

and Netflix just sent me more Six Feet Under to watch!