Clara's Kindergarten Concert

Thursday last week the kindergarteners presented "Read Me a Story" to their fellow school mates and friends and families. Two performances were held, one at 2 pm & one at 6 pm. Brec caught the matinee  while I attended the evening show. As you can see from the pictures and majority of the video, I was luckily enough to have a great seat in the first row, thanks to Christine saving me one. It was really fun to see the whole group in action. 

"Read Me a Story"

"Maybe I'm Small, But I Act Tall"

"I Can Do It If I Try"

"When I Try To Whistle"

March Happenings

Not too much happened during on the first week in March except trying to survive the plague that was plaguing us over here. Jack had fever off and on the early half of the week with a terrible cough and runny nose. Meghan also seems to have gotten the cough and runny nose but never a fever. This illness also seemed to completely zap Jack of his appetite and his energy which is only just now returning, although maybe the self-imposed starvation also effected his drive to get off the couch. 

And when he did get off the couch, he only made it as far as a pillow on his floor.

I turn around after getting my shoes on Wednesday afternoon to find this. The fun never stops.

Tickle time on the couch with Daddy after work Thursday evening.

Friday afternoon: Jack made it back to school, but that pretty much took it out of him. After remaining in my lap most of the time we were at the park after school, he fell asleep in the stroller on the ride home around 5 ish. I carried him in to his bed where he slept from then until 8:45 the next morning, waking once around 7:30 pm to go to the bathroom and get into PJ's.

Saturday the weather was really nice and we spent a lot of time outdoors. Meghan sporting her birthday outfit from Tatti & Carrie that fits her quite well now! Of course I couldn't get a close shot of her looking at me.

Resting after his morning exertions.

Sunday we took a morning walk to the park. On the way Clara found some really pretty wild flowers. We added one to her hair in order to look like a princess.

Resting on the slide (poor kid is still so tired).

Snuggling on my lap eating a banana snack.

Later on while Jack rested and Meghan napped, Clara & Daddy went on an ice cream adventure. Look at that sundae!

Sunday evening we went to Player's Retreat for dinner with Alison, Craig, & Co. Once again Jack barely touched his food, grilled cheese & fries! and huddled in his chair. Are you picking up a theme to this first week of March. For us sickness came in like a lion!

Though he did pause a moment to look cool in Daddy's glasses.

Weekend (Before Last)

So just when I thought I was caught up... but being only a week behind is a tad better than being an entire season behind, right?

Clara came down with a virus early in the week and stayed home from school on Tuesday and again on Thursday. Tuesday she coughed pretty much all day long, seemed better enough to go to school Wednesday, but was so exhausted from it that Thursday was another day at home to catch up on rest. We actually met Brec at a local park near his work for a picnic lunch.

Later I ventured on a neighborhood walk with all three kids, desperate to get out of the house after several days of sickness and rain. Here the kids had fun fishing.

Friday afternoon nap for Meghan. I checked on her and thought the pose was so cute that I needed to snap a picture. Who knows how long these naps will last, I'm just thankful each day when there's one more.

Speaking of dropping a nap early, scrolling through older pictures revealed this one of Skeet Jeeks at the same age. What a sweet pie.

Friday night brought a special treat to Raleigh, Memo & Nay-nay breezed through for dinner "on their way" to So Bo. As they were packing up to leave, suddenly their anti-aging creams that they've been spending all that money on for all these years really kicked in on high gear!

Saturday morning silliness. Whenever we forget to take down the ladder, guess who finds her way to the top bunk? Perfect opportunity for a photo-op but who can managed to take a picture of three looking at the camera at the same time!

Aftermath of a Sunday morning blanket fort explosion.

Jack wasn't feeling well beginning Saturday afternoon, so on Sunday I took the girls for a walk and we hit the old, faithful "hugie Mama rock". I realized it had a been awhile since I'd snapped a picture of Clara on it. 

Then once I saw the picture, it brought to mind an older one. Sure enough, almost two years to the day, clearly a warmer day in late winter, I found this one of Clara on the rock. Same crazy fashion sense two years later.

Fun with forward facing camera

Drawing & Dancing

Thanks to the semblance of an actual winter we've had around here lately, we've spent lots of time indoors. The kids have been busy drawing, even Meghan is taking part in the fun. She's finally gotten to the point that most of the time she doesn't eat the crayons and actually colors with them. Meghan has yet to show a preference for one hand over the other, in fact she likes use both at the same time.

As Jack says in the video, he's drawing Solla Sollew on the banks of the beautiful river Wahoo. Our refrigerator is stainless steel, so he's taken to exhibiting his creations on the trash can. Now, however, that has turned into using the trash can as a easel which is maybe why on the video he talks about the new trash can? It's been in the house since we moved in, but maybe with its new use, the trash can is seen to him in a whole new light. 

A finished product from Clara.

Clara got fancy and brought a little piece of school home with her. In writing they often work on storyboards which involves writing three sentences and drawing a relevant picture. Miss Shaw is often the subject of her musings: "Miss Shaw is pitie (pretty). Thas (that's) wy (why) I love her."

Two of Jack's creations from his new preschool: the first is "Stinky" the Garbage Truck.

 After "Dental day" Jack brought home a tooth decorated with, what else? toothpaste!

And on days when we just don't get outside enough, we burn off energy dancing! Meghan & Clara shufflin' - as far as we're concerned this music video never gets old.

Daddy's have to get their exercise too. Who needs a gym when you've got over 100 lbs of kids handy?

Meghan Feeds Sydney

Lately Meghan has been especially interested in helping to feed Sydney, sometimes at mealtimes, sometimes not. When she hears that it's time to get the food, she races over to help out. We decided this was a must-capture moment for video.

Several things I love about this video, that Meghan felt the need to get every piece of kibble out of that plastic bag in the large bin of food, that she picks up the pieces that spilled when she was adding them to the bowl, and that after she delivers the food, she gives Sydney the hand signal to sit and Sydney complies!

After the meal is finished, Meghan cozies up to the water bowl as Sydney takes a drink.

A Visit from Gramby & Su-su (Feb. 22 - 24)

I'm posting about events that happened last weekend with nothing left to catch-up on... it's a Festivus Miracle! Of course I decided to start repainting the trim in our dining room tonight so that may or may not interfere with my continued ability to keep up-to-date with the blog, but I'll try not to let it happen.

Last Friday school was cancelled for Jack and delayed 3 hours for Clara. As you can see by the lack of anything including rain, this so-called winter weather was rather unimpressive and clearly the wrong call by Wake county.

Nevertheless we made the most of it and had a Friday morning dance party.

Later on that day a few of the parents from Clara's kindergarten class got together and prepared a surprise birthday party for Miss Shaw whose birthday was the next day. She was very touched and actually surprised. The kids were very excited for cupcakes.

In the words of Miss Shaw, "it's not a party unless there's dancing."

Friday evening Daddy's new jeans arrived.

After being inside much of the day before due to rain, Saturday morning energies were running high and an impromptu ball game helped burn off a little steam.

Finally just before noon Gramby & Su-su arrived! Su-su brought some assorted foam Easter figures, and Clara had lots of fun decorating bunnies and eggs.

As you can see, Su-su was very busy. Here she, Jack, and Clara put some finishing touches on a gear project.

Saturday night Brec and I traveled to Greensboro for the final night of the 2013 Women's ACC Swimming & Diving Championships. Sunday morning the kids were excited to learn that Virginia S'women dominated (and to have an orange and blue pom-pom with which to play).  Go Hoos!

After being trapped inside Saturday, we were anxious to take advantage of the sun and hit the swings in the backyard.

A little while later our walk on the greenway was quite pleasant. Clara had some extra fun with her boots stomping in puddles along the way. Usually I don't allow to actually "stomp" in the puddles, especially in the winter. She's lucky the video proves Su-su put her up to it with comical results.

Jack & Meghan having been enjoying playing with one another on the twisty slide lately.

Headed back home Jack gives Daddy & Gramby a run for their money.

 After a delicious lunch of Village Deli the kids did some bubbles wearing Gramby's hat.

Busy in the sandbox.

Meghan lends a hand with with raking.

From raking to roller coastering, Meghan is getting quite proficient at making what she wants a reality.