...the games we play

High on G's list of things to do when Nienie came for Spring Break was playing games. He is becoming interested in learning the rules for all kinds-board games, cards, dominoes, etc. We played "Hungry Caterpillar"-a matching game-and he beat me every time! He kept telling me, "Nienie, I'm just too smart, aren't I?" When playing dominoes it amazed me that he was really taking his time to think his moves through, using real strategy. (momma says that's because of daddy-the mathematician)

"Don't Break the Ice" was something we could play and include Morgan. And, boy did he like to hammer! He is so proud of himself. Let it be known that I didn't win any of those games, either! It was so much fun watching both of the boys learn how to wait their turn and follow the rules of the game (most of the time, anyways...).

G, always with a watchful eye! He made sure Morgan and I followed the rules!!! No getting anything past that lil' fellow:)

Then G wanted my camera to take pictures. The last few times we have been together he has wanted to try. At first he just started "clicking" randomly and got crazy, blurry, cut off pics. But lately, I've been having him slow down and wait to snap the pic until it is in focus. He's doing a pretty good job....

Soooo, he took the pics of my hands getting the game ready. Pretty good, huh? Then, he said, "Smile, Nienie." Never mind that I let my hair dry curly (making getting ready in the morning take less time and making more time for playing!) and have no makeup on---he doesn't care!

Then, M wanted in the picture.
Oh my, just look at those blue eyes! I love thesse boys like crazy!

...off to a great start!

Spring Break started off great! I spent a few days with the kids in Carrollton. High on the boy's list was taking me to watch them play Putt-Putt. They were so, so cute and acted so grown up! They had already been a couple of times with dad, so they were pros by the time they took me. Who knew we would have to watch out for elephants!

It was a fun course with a little island and wild animals everywhere. It was a bit more crowded than usual since it was the first Saturday of Spring Break. So, the boys had to wait their turn on a couple of holes, but they didn't seem to mind.

They are ready to go!

Can you tell they were super excited to get started!?! G's expression just cracks me up.

Here we go, he's looking a bit more serious now.

Focus!!! Eye on the ball...
WOW, where did it go?

Little M is ready to show how it is done.

Sometimes we need a little help from Dad.

Beware of long neck giraffes!

And, cougars (I guess that's what it is).

Off to the next hole.

Looks like he's pretty proud of himself.

All done!

.....inspiration and a "ta-dah"

While it was cold and snowy and looked liked this outside my kitchen window, I was curled up with a blanket on the couch
devouring each and every page of this book and getting more and more inspired by the moment. I haven't quilted in a long time and the pics in this book made me anxious to start another small project. Sooooo, out came the fabric scraps and away I go!

I had forgotten how fun it was to arrange colorful fabric squares together, just like piecing together a puzzle. And I had so much fun with these colors!

The plan was to make a new table runner for the dining room table. Most of the projects in the book were sewn by machine, but I love to hand quilt so all of mine were pieced by hand. Besides, it gave me something fun to do while waiting for the snow to melt.

Here are all of the strips pieced and ready to sew together.

And, I just finished quilting and binding it today!

I love it! And, it was so much fun--I'm trying to decide on another project to start.

The backing of the quilt was some leftover fabric I used to make crayon rolls for Grayson's 1st birthday, for party favors. The colors were perfect!

Off to pick out my next project!

...he's a player

These pics are from a few weeks ago...G loves to play UNO and he's good at it! He would ask to play over and over. And, he knows what he's doing, and he really concentrates and thinks about what to play next.
So much fun! But, it's taking him further and further away from being "little" to being "big". It's kinda sad, because he's growing up--but at the same time, it's exciting because he's growing and learning so much.

And, while we were playing cards, M would keep himself busy with his drawing or coloring. Every once in a while he wanted his own stack of "cards", but he liked to play by himself!

Soon, I'm sure G and M will be playing each other--that will be fun to watch. They are growing up waaaayyy too fast for me!

I adore these guys!

...down with snowflakes, up with hearts!

I decided the snowflakes had to come down, enough already! So, I switched them out with the festive red hearts.

I like this look way better:) Then, I rearranged a bit and added some more valentines. Happy and festive, just the way I like it.

And, I love decorating with seasonal candy, it's inexpensive and I get an extra sugar treat!

The decor above is in the living room, over the fire place. Below, are some goodies on the dining room table.

I just love cinnamon candy, I wonder if my decor will last until February 14th?
I saw the candle idea in a magazine and thought it was a very clever idea. All I had to buy was the candy!

Here's to a happy February!

Yummy!

...kitchen helpers

I love that I have such sweet helpers in the kitchen,
Both of the boys like to stand up on chairs and mix and stir,
we decided to make something we could have
for our afternoon snack,
G gets pretty serious when it comes to making cupcakes!
I had to promise to put some in the freezer to
save for mommy and daddy when they returned,

Even M likes to help, isn't that the sweetest!

We did put some in the freezer for mommy and daddy,

and then forgot to give them to them,

truth be told-I forgot to take pics of the boys decorating them,

so I got these out of the freezer, took a quick shot

and returned them to their "waiting" spot.

I hope I can keep from eating them,

I'll try to save them for you mommy and daddy!!!