Snowflakes That Stay On My Nose & Eyelashes

We were inside this morning playing a board game with Grace while Jack was taking his morning nap. In the blink of an eye the snow that was falling outside transformed into the biggest snowflakes I have ever seen. It was one of the most beautiful snowfalls I have ever experienced. We quickly seized the moment, grabbed our hats and a piece of paper and headed outside. We ran outside to catch the large snowflakes on the paper so Grace could see how each one was different. Those big and beautiful snowflakes only lasted several minutes before they began to change over into tinier flakes. It is moments in life such as these, the sweet and simple ones, that are a few of my favorite things.

Indoor Fun

We took Jack and Grace to a fun-filled family facility this afternoon that had indoor playground equipment and a large jungle gym area. Jack and Grace had the best time sliding, climbing, running, bouncing, and riding on rides. We can't wait to go there again on another cold and snowy day!

Rainy Days

playing

splashing in puddles

falling asleep to the pitter patter of raindrops

Outside: It's Raining, It's Pouring...

...but inside: It's snowing!

We were expecting a big snowstorm today but it ended up being too warm to snow ~ it rained all day instead. So, we decided to bring some of winter inside and we created our very own snow party. I brought Grace & Jack's picnic table inside our kitchen and filled it with cotton balls, snowflakes, and animals. This was a fun sensory activity for Grace & Jack and it brought a little bit of winter back to Limerick, Maine (we haven't had any significant snowfall in weeks). The best part was that no hats, mittens, thermals, snowsuits, scarves, heavy socks, and boots were required!! Let it snow!

Hibernation

Since the beginning of winter Grace has been very interested in animals that hibernate. Today, Grace was so excited to make a picture of animals hibernating in their winter homes. Grace cut out a picture of a ladybug, squirrel, skunk, bat, beaver, snake, frog, bear, and a gopher. Grace glued the animals into their winter homes ~ a burrow for the snake, chipmunk, & skunk; a den for the gopher; a hollow tree for the ladybug and squirrel; a cave for the bear; an empty barn for a bat hanging upside down; the bottom of a pond where the water does not freeze for the frog; and a lodge for the beaver. Grace has really loved learning about all of the animals that are considered true hibernators and those that are not considered true hibernators (like bears!). How exciting it is for Grace to know that the hibernating animals will be waking up from their long winter's nap very soon!

Grace was very proud of her picture and she chose to hang it on a wall where Jack would see as soon as he woke up from his morning nap. Here is a picture of Grace describing her picture (quite enthusiastically!) to Jack. What a great teacher Grace is and Jack has learned so much from his big sister!

Our Beautiful Day Outside

We were so lucky to have some warmer weather yesterday so we thought the best way to enjoy it was outside at Deering Oaks Park in Portland. Grace and Jack loved their time at the playground too. What a treat!

Grace and Jack Take Boston!

Grace prepares to rule Boston - starting with Long Wharf!

Jack is ready to conquer the tallest of buildings - with a little lift from Daddy.

The conquest continues at Quincy Market.

Jack sees the whole world ahead of him, one little sailboat at a time.

Grace is ready to deploy an army of butterfly balloons to help her plan!

Jack's plan starts to take shape.

N0thing like a little chocolate Gelato to refuel!!!

The Perfect Son - Jack is more interested in his Mommy than the general of the free world!

Grace needs a higher vantage point to perfect her plan.

Every good army needs its horses.

Every great leader respects the value of education and preparation.

Make Way For Ducklings

Boston

We spent a perfectly wonderful day in Boston today.

More pictures to come...

Grace jumps for joy to be in Boston!

L.L. Bean's Winter Fun Week

We went to L.L. Bean today to take part in their Kids Winter Fun Week. Jack had a great time playing in a large tree house that is located in the children's section.

Grace enjoyed writing words on a very large chalkboard wall.

Jack LOVES clocks and he couldn't have been any more excited to see such a big clock at L.L.Bean!

Grace greatly enjoyed worked with a local Maine artist to make a red cardinal collage using felt.

Jack and Grace had fun playing in a tent. They went on their very first camping trip together today!

Oh, how I love Jack's pointing!

Our beautiful Gracie girl.

Swimming with the fish!

Grace and Jack loved seeing a large pendulum clock in motion. What a fun way to learn about how a clock works.

Visits From Memere, Maddy & Uncle Adam!

We have had great fun over the past two weeks with visits from Maddy & Uncle Adam last week and Memere this week! Thank you for all of the fun times, for all the laughs, and for all of the special memories that we created which will stay with us forever! We miss you all so much.

Happy Valentine's Day

Hand Delivering Valentine's at Daddy's Work

Jack, Grace and I were so excited yesterday afternoon to go to Daddy's work to deliver the sparkly Valentine hearts that Grace and Jack made earlier this week. Grace looked so very pretty in her Valentine outfit that Maddy made for her. Maddy also made Grace a very special Valentine bag that Grace used to hold her sparkly Valentines. Thank you, Maddy, for making Grace feel so special.

Jack was so excited to see Daddy at work. Maddy also made Jack his adorable Valentine outfit ~ reversible pants and a shirt that reads heart breaker! Jack helped deliver his Valentine's in a special cloth envelope that Maddy made for him too.

Everyone at Daddy's work was very excited to see Jack and Grace. Here is Grace hand delivering one of her special hearts!

An extra special thank you to Maddy for all of the hard work you put into making this Valentine's Day extra special for Jack and Grace.

Sparkly Valentine Hearts

Earlier this week Grace made salt dough and shaped the dough into Valentine hearts. Grace also added red food coloring and lots & lots & LOTS of silver and red glitter to make the hearts extra special and sparkly. Jack enjoyed playing with the dough while Grace made the hearts.Grace and Jack are giving these hearts to all of our friends and family for Valentine's Day. Grace and Jack also hand delivered their Valentine hearts to Daddy and his coworkers at his office yesterday (pictures to come!).

Be Mine

Grace used all of those hearts that she cut out last week to make a special Valentine heart lei for Jack-a-roo! Grace used a hole punch to put holes in the middle of all of her Valentine hearts. Grace then cut several red drinking straws into small pieces approximately one inch in length. Grace used special Valentine ribbon to thread her paper hearts. She placed a straw piece in-between each of her hearts in order to separate them. We think Jack is a little Valentine sweetheart!

Hand Stitched Hearts