Fun on the tracks...

My friend, Sonja and I had a free hour one morning last week so we packed our kiddos into the car and off we went for a quick photo shoot.  Once we arrived, Sam and Johan's main goals were to explore and have fun.  They even did a little dancing.  It's fun to be four!

WE made it!

The boys spent over 5 hours outside each day this weekend.  Saturday started off with "The Great Dam Project".  This lasted a few hours.  There were trips around the block, picnics on the front stoop, tree cutting, cars, cars, and more cars, and time spent playing on a neighbor's swing set.  Charlie even tried out his 2 wheeler (with a little bribing by mom).  I am so thankful they all love being outside!  I love it even more that WE MADE IT!  Spring is here!  LOVE it!

Smiles and a lolli

These 2 boys are best buds when Charlie is at school.  They laugh, talk, run around, sing, dig in the dirt, and giggle and share lollipops.  Too cute!

Smile

Love this boy's eyes...I think they might be turning green!  Love the lashes too!

The Making of a Valentine....

Happy Valentine's Day!

Day 5 - Sleep

Is there anything more sweet than sleeping children?

Day 3 - The Snowy Day

Catching some snowflakes today!

Sam swallowing some snowflakes.

Pushing some snowflakes.

I feel lucky that my boys love snow!  Charlie wants to get up early tomorrow so he can shovel before he gets picked up for school at 7!

December Fun

Sam helping bring in our Christmas Tree.

We have had a beautiful, snowy December here in Minneapolis.  The fun news is the 5th largest snow fall in Minneapolis history.  The boys played outside for 3 hours while the snow fell and fell until we had over 17 inches of snow!  We shoveled, well mostly Chris and Charlie, 3 times and the neighbor used his snow blower 2 times to clear the snow from our corner lot.  

It looked like this for hours outside!  (Including Chris shoveling for hours!)

It's been a little difficult to get outside with Ben.  With 17++ inches of snow in the back yard he can't even walk.  We've filled the time with lots of indoor fun....Christmas cookie making, ornament making, and lots of play dough fun!  Ben decided to play "birtday" with the play dough.  He makes cupcakes with the dough and then adds as many candles as possible.  Last, he sings happy birthday.  We've now moved on to making play dough cookies.

The boys rolling out sugar cookies.  Notice the Halloween cookie cutters for Sam's cookies.

Ben painting cinnamon Christmas ornaments.

Ben painting frosting on the cutouts.

The finished products.  

Charlie telling Santa what he wanted...GeoTrains or Playmobil.

Merry Christmas!  

Fun at the Park

Give my boys a few donuts and a swing and we're ready to play for hours!  I love that Charlie loves pushing Ben and Sam.

A New Favorite Park

We love Kenwood Park across the street from Kenwood Elementary school.  It has a train for Ben and a zip line that Sam and Charlie love.  We met some of Charlie's school friends there the week before school started.  I can't wait to play there more this fall.  We are so lucky to have so many beautiful parks in Minneapolis!

Big Kid On Campus

  

Sam will be the biggest brother every day while Charlie is in school.  I can't wait to see Ben and Sam's relationship grow this year.  I also look forward to seeing what Sam decides to do with his independent time.  He usually follows Charlie and watches him build Legos or the two of them play.  He loves his big brother and plays with him all day long.  It will be interesting to see what new joys of his own Sam will find this year!

Sam's baby

Sam loves playing with stuffed animals pretending they are his babies. He gives them lots of kisses and makes sure they are warm when they take their naps. It's very sweet to watch him take care of his little babies.

The Piano Men

Sam's buddy Johan was over the other day. They had a blast making up songs to sing on the piano. Johan even added some dance grooves from time to time. It was really cute!