At the Firehouse

In an effort to make blogging easier and faster I am trying out a new format. I think I am just going to load up all the photos and then write what I have to say at the bottom. It so much faster this way.

We went to a Fire Station in a nearby town with our local co-op. We had such a blast. It was super interesting as thy had yellow trucks and told us all about how they fabricate all of their own trucks and vehicles on site. Most other stations spend millions on their trucks. By fabricating their own this particular station only spends a few hundred thousand dollars per truck. We also loved climbing all over the trucks, and watching them do their demonstration. The propane fire was pretty intense. This was a first time for us as we hadn't visited a Fire Station before. It was really fun and it inspired us for safety.

March Madness

March is flying by. We have been so busy. Winter has been hiding for a few weeks now and spring has been heading our way. It always gets to be more fun on our nature table when spring comes, there is just so much more to find and we are outside more so the kids bring all sorts of stuff in to pu on it. 

I had a birthday and made my own birthday cake. I choose German Chocolate. I had to make it gluten free and I choose to make it sugar free too. It turned out super good. I also got a hair cut for my birthday I have been loving how easy it is to take care of. I basically get out of bed and fluff it and go on my way.

We are trying to be more crafty. I am always crafty but I am trying to be more relaxed and let my kids help. Things like needles make me nervous when it comes to 3 and 4 year olds. It gets hard when my boy who is capable of doing more "dangerous" crafts wants to make something and then the girls want to do the exact same thing. I have to get creative or deal with a lot of crying. 

We made these little dolls for a friend who was turning 3. They were fun but they were also a lot of work. We really enjoyed making them and learning from them. My kids couldn't keep their hands off of them. Now I know something to make for them this next Christmas! I am going to be busy this next week trying to finish up our Easter crafts and gifts. It feels a bit like a race when Easter is in March. March madness I guess, good thing its Spring break for us this week. 

The Last Few Weeks of Winter

March is for playing indoors while it rains or is windy outside. We often look out the window and think it looks nice then go out to find it is still quite chilly. 

Right now, once a month we paint. I think we really could do it more, and next year when my oldest gets to be in first grade we will try to do it once a week. For now though, this is about all I can muster.

It is a fun activity that lasts about 10 minutes and I spend 3 times that cleaning and setting up.

We are just experiencing color on paper. I have to remind them to wash their brushes before they dip in color. I feel productive when we complete this activity.

We have all these fun toys. In my head they seem super useful and beautiful. I made these gauze sheets for them to use for tents a couple of years ago and they often forget they have them. 

Sometimes I think that I should pass them on to other kids who would use them. Then my kids pull them out and surprise me by setting them up and really making a day of it. I thought this was fun as they really got into the house play in their fort. 

And yes my boy is still in his jammies. Sometimes its not worth fighting him. I guess he just likes his comfort. 

Cozy late winter days.