Weekend in the Woods

A friend of ours has a cabin in the Ozark Forest. And when I say "in", I mean in the middle of nowhere, afraid my truck won't make it, in. On Friday afternoon, Geoff hooked up the trailer with the Ranger in tow and we all headed a couple hours south to meet our friends and their family for some muddin' and sight seeing. The cabin is right on a ridge with a super view of the Ozark Mountains, and is feet from trails leading in all directions. Trails to walk or ride, your pick. We took the ranger out on a day trip Saturday. We went through streams, over rocks, and through (deep) mud puddles. We saw three different waterfalls, had a picnic, did some rock climbing (haha) and lots of exploring. The kids had a ball! Landon was in his element...dirty! Claire wasn't always so sure about it, but still enjoyed the picnic and exploring. We also roasted marshmallows, took several hikes and just sat and enjoyed the view while the kids played. It was a great time!

Pizza Pie

The kiddos helped me make pizza last night. They tossed the dough, pressed it in the pan, smoothed on the sauce and sprinkled on the cheese (mommy put the meat on, 'cause it was hot). They had so much fun, they were calling each other "Chef Claire and Chef Landon". They even told Daddy he couldn't look in the oven when he got home because "they had baked him a surprise". (Daddy was a little worried!) Anyway, it turned out yummy and I think they ate more than if I had just put it on their plates...because it was WAY better than mine!

Landon and I had a "date" today. We went to Jumpzone, then to Target (ours just opened!) and then to the mall for a carousel ride and lunch. We played outside a little bit at the mall until he came up to me and said "Mommy, I'm pooped! Let's go home." He had a little rest and was ready to go again when Claire got home. My little guy is growing up so fast, I wish I could just press 'pause' and relish for a while!

Boy's Lunch

Today in celebration of one of my friend's son's birthday, the boys headed out for a nice lunch! It is never too young to teach them where the best chicken wings come from! It was fun to get out with just Landon and I, and he loved all the attention, as the pictures show!

Chugga, Chugga!

Our family went to a model train show yesterday morning. It was lots of fun to see these "enthusiasts" with their trains set up and in full swing. Landon was in awe...there were little people and houses and bridges, etc. He even got to drive a couple of them. We all enjoyed and appreciated the time and effort put into the presentation. Geoff so much so that he came home with another train! Landon was beside himself and showed our new "26 train" off to the Symons' that evening.

We went to the train show in the snow. It was beautiful, big flakes that did not stick to the road until nightfall. It snowed during the night and then all day; we had probably just over an inch! It was too dry to play with, and too darn cold to go out and try! I mention this only because it was nearly 80 degrees on Thursday and in the 60's on Friday. And I thought Kansas weather was crazy!

Roller Skating

The kiddos and I went roller skating again last night. You might remember we did this a couple weeks ago, but this time, I was determined to keep both of them on their feet and get some pics in the process! I accomplished this, but most of the pics were not very good...bad lighting and lots of movement! Claire did much better this time, and seems to be getting more comfortable. Landon just had fun going as fast his is little preschool skates would take him, and dancing to the music with his buddy (we met some friends there so we had lots more fun than we would have if we'd gone on our own). Not nearly as many bruises this morning, so I say success!

Claire had "sports day" today at school. She made a pennant and got to wear her favorite shirt to school. Their homework this week was about college and what you do and learn there. Landon had to get it on the fun as well!

Bragging Rights

I'm the mom, right? I ask that question repeatedly during the day: after arguing over eating food off the floor, or not flushing the toilet or why people really do care if you wear pants. So I decided this also gives me the right to do some bragging about my generally wonderful children! Besides the above conversations that have happened (not just with Landon!), here are some great things that my children have accomplished in the last weeks.

Claire:
Claire can read! And not just a, it, the, I mean really read! It is so fun to listen to her just pick up a book and start reading it, sound out the words she doesn't know and then actually understand what she just read. She has also started putting inflection in her reading, not always appropriate, but a good start! Claire has also gotten 100% on all of her spelling tests and never missed a sight word. At dance class, she can shuffle fast with the best of them, and can finally leap with both legs. She also can do a Y-scale (stand on one foot with the other foot held up so the legs look like a Y). Claire has recently had an emotional accomplishment, too. A hard one, but a good one. She sees kiddos in her class get color changes for lying, but watched an adult at her school lie to a student. She had major questions about this, which (I think) we have successfully maneuvered around and she now has a good understanding of why nobody should ever lie. Heavy stuff...

Landon:
My little man is officially taking the big boy class at Gymboree, but has now started asking me to leave (sob)! He did great during the soccer unit, he kicked the ball accurately and even learned to stop it. Landon also recognizes the letters in his name and is writing an L. It's not the prettiest thing, but it's legible. I also realized the other day he could count to 16 and actually can recognize all the letters in the alphabet with the exception of 5. Where did all this come from? Landon's newest phrase is "What up, dog?". He said this to the greeter at Walmart Monday...I about peed my pants watching the look on the guy's face! Right now he's playing computer games all by himself, "I don't need your help Mommy, I am smart!". His speaking abilities have really gotten better: he uses I instead of me, or you. We are still working the potty training thing, although we are doing it more often or not. My little guy is becoming such a big boy!

Gram & Poppy come to visit

Gram and Poppy came to Arkansas Thursday just in time to put Claire to bed. Landon had already fallen asleep; he was so excited he wore himself out! Friday we had lunch with Claire at school, played sports outside and read books. That evening Gram and Poppy took the kiddos out to eat, and Geoff and I had a nice dinner out by ourselves! It was a nice treat, and everyone had lots of fun with their respective dinner-mates. Saturday morning everyone was up bright and early and the playing began instantly! Gram brought lots of good crafts to do. Painting, beading, stamping, jello jigglers, and alphabet stickers...just to name a few! Daddy made yummy ribs for all of us that evening, and although the kiddos didn't eat much, the adults indulged and enjoyed! Sunday morning we played some more, fed the birds and went out to lunch before embarking on a Ranger ride. Gram and Poppy experienced the thrill of going up our big "hill" (dirt pile). Then we said goodbye. Landon took a great nap Sunday afternoon, but Claire couldn't. She did, however, have a hard time getting up this morning! It was a fun time...thanks Gram and Poppy!