The month of February has been full of fun, but as usual, we didn't remember our camera for half of our family activities! I guess I could make "Bring the camera--take more photos!" a belated New Year's Resolution, but I'm not sure it would make a difference. :-)
We began the month with a celebration of our long-time friend, Brandon Moore's, promotion to Major with the U.S. Army. The Moores have recently moved to the Boston area so we got to be at their house to congratulate him in person and spend time with some of his fellow Army Chaplains and their families. The Moore kids and our kids had a grand time together--they are so close in age and interest that it seems they're well-suited for great play times. The next day, we had Isa's gymnastics birthday party, about which I previously posted.
We then went to a special Pajama Storytime event where the kids enjoyed stories, songs, crafts and a snack before bedtime. It was good to get out that evening because just a couple of days later, we experienced "Nemo", the Blizzard of 2013, and were snowed in for a few days.
The main event in February was Yiayia's visit! She arrived on Valentine's Day and stayed for parts of six days. The kids had a wonderful time reading stories with her, doing the crafts that she brought for them, dressing up in their new clothes and dress-up outfits, watching a movie together, and having an all-around quality time with their Yiayia. I enjoyed the time to catch up on conversations, visit the Boston Tea Party Museum, and go to part of a Women's retreat at church with my mom.
During Yiayia's visit, the kids had a parent breakfast at school and they were so excited to sing with their class for us as well as Yiayia. Lukas sang a song about the months of the year and Isabel sang her class' Good Morning song and one about playing musical instruments. (See the videos below.)
A couple of days after Yiayia returned to Colorado, Olli also flew to Denver for his host dad's retirement party. While they had a special family time together, the kids and I did lots of fun activities during the week they had off from school to keep busy and pass the time more quickly. Lukas and I went to a traveling planetarium show where he was fascinated by the information he received about some of the constellations in our night sky. During the week, the three of us went to two wildlife shows, a couple of craft and storytimes and a Build 'N Grow at Lowe's.
All in all, it was a very busy and fun month!
Lukas and Isa in front of the snowman we made after the blizzard
Our snowman--not-so-creatively named, Frosty
Lukas and Isa opening the fun presents that Yiayia brought them--there were lots of smiles, hugs, and genuine gratitude for the fun gifts
Isa decked out in her new princess attire--a tiara, sash and marshmellow rose from Yiayia
Yiayia helping Lukas complete a craft that she brought him
Lukas working on this coded-sticker craft. The completed version is still proudly displayed on our stairway
Lukas singing "Die Jahreszeiten" song with his preschool class
Isa singing the "Guten Morgen" song with her preschool class
Lukas standing inside a snow fort that he and his Papa built after we had more snowfall the weekend of Yiayia's visit
They built it with a snow shovel and one of my loaf pans
Isabel turned three this past Thursday and had her birthday party today. Olli and I were remembering how she was just four months old when we moved to Boston and that Lukas' first birthday in the States was when he turned three. How quickly time flies!
Isa, on the other hand, has long been anticipating turning three years old because she knew that she would get to start preschool. For weeks she has been readily telling anyone who would listen, "On January firty-first, I turn free!"
This afternoon, we went to Isabel's gymnastics party at a nearby gymnastics hall. She had a blast tumbling, sliding, swinging and jumping and it seems the other kids did too. This portion of the party was nearly a full hour! We had pizza and cupcakes with pink frosting (a special request from Isabel) in an event room at the gym afterward. All in all, it was a fun time!
Lukas eating oatmeal before school on the day before Isa's birthday
Isabel on her last day as a 2-year-old
The gifts from family (and a couple from a friend who couldn't come to the party)--quite a spread!
We normally have a "birthday breakfast" for the kids on their birthdays regardless of whether or not they have school that day. However, this day, Olli had to be at work by 7:30a.m. and I had to leave at 7:15a.m. to take the kids to school, so Olli came home from work early and we celebrated in the afternoon.
This is a Cinderella doll (and some extra doll clothes) from Yiayia and Grandpa. The pink "princess dress" is from Tante Steffi and family. Isa made her pink paper crown at school and it was cut by a classmate, so there's an ample amount of tape holding it together at this point. Yet, as you may know, a princess cannot be without her crown so she wore it regardless! :-)
The "boiling kettle" set that Thea Lesley and family got for Isabel. Both kids like using it to "pour" hot water for tea, hot chocolate etc. because it makes noises.
The doll that Isabel got from Thea Lesley and family. She calls it "Aurora/Sleeping Beauty" even though I don't think it's actually intended to be. This doll, and the Cinderella doll, are perfect for the dollhouse we gave her for her birthday.
This is the tin tea set that Oma and Opa gave Isabel. It came with it's own storage case and serving tray. We've had a couple of "tea parties" already and I predict many more to come!
Isabel walking across the balance beam at her gymnastics party
This is one of Isa's favorite positions! :-)
They had a large bouncy castle set up with a slide and here's Isabel going down it.
Part of the obstacle course and a few of Isa's church friends going across it
The "big brother" swinging like Tarzan!
Getting ready to move to another section of the gymnasium for more activities
Isa getting excited about being the "example" to show the other kids what to do on the next part of the program
After jumping down a long trampoline, the kids jump into a large foam pit--a highlight for many
Lukas getting some air on his jump into the foam pit
Isa's friends and a few of their parents--the rest were watching from the balcony
The "pink" cupcakes and part of the Hello Kitty theme
Isa listening, very soberly, to her friends sing "Happy Birthday"
Isa had a hard time blowing out the number 3 candle on her cupcake, so after three tries, I helped her.
