Another Weekend with Buster

Cade got the opportunity to have Buster home with us for the weekend. We did a lot of activities but forgot to bring Buster along with us for everything.
On Saturday, while Dad was at his track meet, we visited the library to get some new books and cleaned the yard up of pods. We spent the evening watching Wreck it Ralph with a movie coupon we were given.
Sunday was a big day with the cantata. Cade had a morning and an evening performance. Though he wasn't willing to take a nap, he still made it through the evening performance without a total breakdown. It was a great experience for him. And of course we forgot Buster, but Cade practiced on him plenty over the weekend.

PCA Talent Show Night

Last Friday night Cade got to be a part of the PCA Talent Show. We had a nice time listening to some performances from fellow school mates from kindergarten through eighth grade. Cade got to sing two songs with his choir. Plus he was able to show me his two pieces of artwork displayed in the gym. Enjoy the videos (I guess they don't work, bummer). Cade is on the left (stage right).

Swimming Treat

Joel and I have consistently gone to our Mom and Tot Swim Lesson on Mondays this school year. It has been a lot of fun and Joel has really grown in his swimming abilities. It is also just a great time to get out and enjoy life together. We have made some friends at the pool with our attendance. One lady we met, named Gerda, treated Joel and the rest of the kids with an Easter surprise - bubble gum machine, bubbles, peeps, and chocolate. She told the kids they could have their treat if they put their face in the water. Joel has struggled with this, but this little motivation had his face in the water in no time. He loved his goody bag. What a special treat!

Joel's Artwork

Joel has been growing in his ability to draw. He drew our family in this picture, along with our good friend Tori.

Lambert Visit

At the end of our week with Daddy away, Aunt Kim and the kids arrived! It was a great ending to our many long days without Daddy. Cade decided to "live" over at Pop and Grandma's while the Lambert's were here. Though he couldn't sleep very well because he was SO excited that his cousins were here, he successfully "lived" at Pop and Grandma's for the weekend! We enjoyed many moments together, doing nothing special, but being together. It was great!

Spirit Week at PCA

During the first week of March, the kids at PCA got to dress up each day for Spirit Week. They had mismatch day, crazy hair/hat day, pioneer day, and red/white day. Cade's favorite was Pioneer Day. And he was ready for it! He loved sharing his outfit with everyone, especially showing all his REAL spurs his Pop just found for him at an auction. It was definitely a smiling day!

Bloomington Children's Museum

On March 1, we took an adventure down to the Bloomington-Normal Children's Museum. We took Pam and Kaylyn Friel with us too and met Debi Houk and her girls at the museum for some fun adventuring. It was a longer trip than I expected driving through the country, but we made it. Cade just loved the museum with its many activities. What always cracks me up is that we start on the bottom floor, where we putts around and then by the time we reach the top (where the boys really like it) we are out of time. Next time I think we should start on the top and go to the bottom. Joel enjoyed being with his friends and just following along wherever people went! The TOP favorite would be the "hanging maze." Cade was really scared the hanging maze would not hold him, but after a friendly lady at the museum convinced it could hold an elephant, he was all over it finding new paths, up, down, and all around. Joel really enjoyed the painting! Cade keeps asking when we can go back!

More Snow!

We got hit with another snow storm! Our little snows were the perfect size, enough to get us out of school but not too much to cause big problems. We had a snow day on this Tuesday in March and spent most of our morning out in the snow shoveling and building our snow fort bigger. Daddy was gone so Cade and I had a big job to shovel. We did it all though. It was great! Cade is such a hard worker. I love that God made him this way. Joel was a trooper to stay out with us as long as he did. He gets cold and wet so fast being so close to the ground.

We really love the opportunity to play in the snow but now that we are three weeks out from this last snow and it will be Easter in a few days, we are ready for Spring. Cade even is. We have gotten a couple small snowfalls since this big one and he has been out riding his bike in the snow. He is ready for Spring. Hoping it will be here in a few days!

Dr. Seuss' Birthday

At the beginning of March we went to the library's Dr. Seuss birthday party. We had a really fun time doing many different activities from feet painting to dressing up to balancing many items just like The Cat in the Hat did. Cade and Joel just loved it. It was a great activity for us to attend because Curtis was gone to California for his pastor's conference.

Sledding

We were treated to a friend's home for an afternoon of sledding and evening of fellowship. The boys had a great time and the sun was shining so we were not too cold.

Hands On

Joel can't get enough of play doh style fun! He loves making play doh girls and hair. His favorite color is pink and he loves the soft pink play doh Cade and I made for Valentine's Day.
We made slime, which is similar to play doh and we have enjoyed making hearts with it. Slime is Elmer's glue, Borax, water, and food coloring.
Recently we were given some ubleck when we went to the library. Cade did not like this at all. It is a concoction of water and corn starch. When you try to hold it is is liquid, but when it is on the table it is a solid. Joel loved painting with it, since he couldn't pick it up or it went through his hands. Funny stuff.

Snow Finally!

Finally we had enough snow to play in. Crazy it came in March, but we will take it. Cade really enjoyed getting out his trucks to move the snow and make tracks. Joel and I attempted a snowman, but the snow didn't pack very well. We successfully made a mini snowman with a little carrot nose.
Later Cade and I started to make a snow fort over by the playground. Sled full after sled full we made a mountain and the Daddy did a nice job carving a cave in it for complete coverage in a snowball fight. Joel and I attempted him sledding down the hill too.
When the next snowfall came, just a few days ago, Cade and I enjoyed expanding the fort. And we even had ourselves a little snowball fight.
I really enjoy playing in the snow with the boys. It reminds me of the many many hours I spent outside with my brother building forts that covered our yard.