Winter Break Adventures

Our 2011-2012 Winter Break was very fun-filled.  Knowing that keeping the boys at home would be a major headache (cabin fever=picking at each other and fighting), I decided to keep them busy, so we had a big activity planned for every day.

We tried Pump it Up for the first time (basically a park for kids made out of moon bounces and other big inflatable things), went to Chuck e Cheese (so I could write Christmas thank you notes), and even painted pottery at The Painted Cone in Urbana and enjoyed a yummy ice cream treat.
                                      

Josh enjoying a car ride at pump it up

Tim playing some air hockey at Pump it Up

Joshy's self-portrait at Chuck E Cheese

 

Josh's Train

Dan's footprint

The Painted Cone is a really neat place in Urbana--only about 8 miles from our house.  Timmy chose a snowman cookie jar to paint, Josh chose a piggy bank choo choo train, and I did a plate with Daniel's footprint. It was fun, but Josh lost interest after about 7 minutes.  Timmy took some time on his snowman (he's the artistic one), and I did my best while holding a fussy 7 month old!     

Tim's Snowman

                                                                                                                                                                   Our winter break is always crazy because we have Christmas, Grandmom's Birthday, and Scot's Birthday.  This year, Scot and I wanted to enjoy some time in Charles Town, but we couldn't find a sitter, so I sent him alone.  I decided to bathe all three boys together to save me time.....so Danny joined the big leagues (but just for one night).

Shortly after this picture was taken, Danny erupted in uncontrollable crying.  We hurried the bath up and got him out PRONTO!

Now that Josh is finally potty trained, we still have some issues here and there.  For example, the other day, he decided he did NOT have to pee (although we knew he did).  Five minutes later, he came down the stairs with a different pair of pants on.  He had peed his pants, gone upstairs, and changed his clothes so he wouldn't get in trouble!!!!  He may be smart, but he wasn't smart enough to get rid of the evidence!!!!

Skid marks.  Yes.  I said it.  Instead of yelling for us to wipe him, Josh decides to SLIDE off the toilet.  SO....at any moment, I can walk in the bathroom and see a skid mark of where Josh's hiney slid off the potty because he hadn't wiped yet.  Another thing:  he chooses to throw his poopy toilet paper in the trash can, or on the floor.  Why oh why can't he put it in the toilet and flush?!  (We've told him to MANY a time!).

Last....what is it about BOYS and their refusal to flush?!  I swear--it's as if they feel their poop is a prize--something to be proud of--like a trophy.  Instead of flushing, they choose to leave it there--to stare the next unsuspecting guest right in the face.  The major embarassment with this is if I am unable to catch it when a guest comes over.  When that happens, there is usually a lot of laughter.....and it ends with me apologizing profusley. 

Oh the joy of children--I couldn't make these stories up if I wanted to!
Here are the finished pottery projects--all glazed and beautiful!

The boys enjoying an ice cream treat!

Finally, I have to end with a touching story (I'll try to keep it brief).  Daniel was named in honor of my Dad's cousin, Danny Leapley.  He was very close to my dad and he was really more of an uncle to me. Anyway, his wife (Mari) gave us Danny's stocking.  This stocking was actually cross stitched by his mother (my Great Aunt Bobbie--my Granddad's sister).  It's a beautiful stocking and it's really meaningful because it was Danny's and it was handmade by my Great Aunt Bobbie.  Mari said she wanted to keep it in the family and knew that Daniel could get some use out of it.  We took a picture of Daniel with Uncle Dan's stocking.  It is the most precious gift we have ever received!!!!  So special!