Category Archives: Family
Talking to cousins with Skype
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We recently spent a couple of weeks in Virginia visiting family. This was the first time the kids have cried because they were really sad to leave their cousins. My SIL thought of the idea to use Skype to keep in touch. We’ve used it a few times and the kids love it. They get so excited when we are getting connected. When talking to their cousins, they usually show each other their stuffed animals, and talk about what they have been up to that day. We even took our cousins on a trip though the house using my laptop cam. It has been fun!
Underwater Photos
We are loving our underwater housing for our camera. Both my husband and I have the Canon Powershot SD800 SI. We both got them when they first came out. We thought while we both have the same camera, and while they are new, we should get the housing. I personally go though cameras about every 3 years. The last Canon Powershot 450, I believe. It took 10, 000 photos before the flash stopped firing. The camera before that, also a Canon Powershot, (see the pattern?) was thrown into our pool by our then, 18 month old son. 🙂 It too had taken about 10, 000 photos. Anyway, this underwater housing has treated us well. It’s mostly my husband that thinks to reach for the housing and I think it’s great. He take awesome photos. Here are a few from today’s swim session before dinner.
Blockus
We love this strategy game. When grandma brought the kids Blockus a couple weeks ago it was the only game my son wanted to play. We play a few times a week. It’s a really awesome game that I very much recommend for any age! My husband and I love to play too.
His boy is great at Chess and Stratego as well. He loves strategy games.
The strategy of the game is to build a perimeter with your colored pieces in the largest area you can. Once you've done that, no one can get in, and you can't go out. You have to build only from your corners. Blue won this game.
Family in Town
We just had a really nice week with DH’s parents in town. We always enjoy their visits. We only wish they could say longer but we like any time we can get. We’ll be visiting them again toward the end of the year….. until next time! 🙂
Getting a hug from Opa!
...and from Oma!
Since we just replaced our driveway with pavers and were nervous about the RV's weight on the bricks. Our gracious neighbors let them park in their drive.
It's kinda neat that my in laws bring their own living area. We have plenty of room in our house and they are alway welcome to come for a visit and stay in our house but! The kids love going into the trailer in the morning, they explore and just love the idea that they are at Oma and Opa's but also in our driveway!
Zzzzzzz!
We played several games of marbles in the trailer over the week. This is a new pastime brought on by Oma's gift of marbles.
Most of our time was still spent in our house. Here Oma is getting in on some action in our busy school room. I finally gave up on trying to have floor room, and put a table right in the middle of the room. We all like sharing a table as we work and this way we dont' have to clear the table at meal time we can just pick up where we left off later in the day.
April
waiting for Beluga in ballet
Indie and I sometimes walk the fitness trail
We love this game.
Beluga getting in on the skateboard action.
Helping Mama cook dinner
garden field trip
We joined the YMCA so mama can get a work out! Here they are hanging out in kid watch, drawing.
Lately, Indie's new obsession is Lego Star Wars. Here, he's made his own ship
Ahhh, Indie is adding new items to his diet weekly these days. Finally! 🙂
family Fun
This winter Indie really gained in confidence with his reading. It's awesome to catch him reading to his sister.
Playing dress up. Here they are "marring" each other. They are really dancing. 🙂 Cute.
More dress up.
Bought this b-ball goal from a neighbor for $10. Daily fun!
Indie has lost 4 bottom teeth and now, his top two teeth are loose. 🙁 Growing up so fast!
Thank You Notes
We have received some really great gifts this Christmas. Now, we need to thank everyone who gave them. We’ll be doing our thank you notes starting this week. In this past, it’s taken us a week or two to get them all done. I try to make the activity fun, and let them stop when they show signs of loosing interest. My almost 6 year old will write a few sentences, my 4 year old might do the same this year. I usually get them to dictate what they want to say, then I write it out on paper or on a board in front of them to copy. I get out stickers, glue, scissors, markers, colored pencils, the whole tool box of fun. I was browsing around this morning and found a neat site on this subject on the PBS site I thought I’d share. Check it out!
Happy writing!!! 🙂
Indie making a birthday card for his stuffed animal. 🙂
Lots of stickers and colored pencils.
Gingerbread House
Yes, we bought a kit. I thought I would be making a gingerbread house from scratch this year…. maybe next year. We have been baking and doing a lot of crafts and this is just easier and just as fun… maybe even more fun! I “glued” the house together and the kids put all of he candies on.
On the road
We are on our way to see family. Happy Thanksgiving!!!
On our way to Virginia.
Easter Photos
Our Easter was rainy but we made the best of it. We had dinner at GG’s (grandma’s) and had an indoor egg hunt because it was really raining at the time of the hung. We are fortunate enough to be in south Florida so the kids and hubby even got in a little swim….. as it sprinkled.