Plumbing with kids

You may think that's the name of the newest David Sedaris book, but it's actually what Jeremy did recently when he replaced the stems on our antique bathroom hardware.

See how I didn't even mention that right after they turned the water back on and just before we left for a celebratory brunch I realized I was being rained on in the reading room? It's ok, the light fixture had about a 1.5 gallon capacity and Ernie had already been shown how to turn off the water so we got it fixed. We were pretty much done with that rug anyway.

Nature Journaling

Lenora earned enough for her school's Walkathon that she got a full nature pack and nature journal set. So she went out with Daddy and Judy Bear to journal some nature.

Ern Art

 Ernie has been expressing himself more through arts and crafts lately, even outside of school time. Quite a lot of his work is rocketship- or robot-related.

 This is the rocket Mohammed is building, with a layout of the three different living spaces so we can fit all our families in it. The real one is made out of cardboard, and Mohammed's dad really test flew it, but we still can't pick it up because there's always one more piece to add before it's really finished.

I'm not really sure what this one is. Jeremy?

And one of several robots. This one has a pouch in front to hold his batteries or other useful things, and of course, a walkie-talkie.

String Beans

Lenora was first introduced to the String Beans at Pioneer Park's Nature Market last year. It was pretty profound for a two-year old. She did not want to ever stop dancing and listening to live music. This year was no different. While Ernie went with Aunt Laura and Shaun to check out the elks, Lenora stayed right in front of the band and eventually won a signed posted for being one of the best trees for the song Trees.

I'm sure she felt as she had the previous year, that "The String Beans that we watched was a part of me."

Robots

We took the end of a nice afternoon to clean out the perennial bed out front, and when we started scooping away the leaves that the kid were using as a spaceship they were left to play on the porch. So they decided to turn our lawn bags into robots.

Thanks for the "help," kids!

Easter 2013

Grandma Chris and Grandpa Darrell hosted Easter this year and it was a lovely day!

 These two like to show up to parties where they are given novelty head-wear and can pose like dorks. They also made themselves useful by hiding eggs.

 A special stuffy was hidden in the yard as well. Ern found Len's and Len found Ern's but right away there was an exchange because "Lenora likes pink best." All were happy.

Superhero Day

Superhero Day at the Lincoln Children's Museum is one of those mixed blessings. There's always a good excuse to visit the museum, but it's hard for the kids to get enough playtime on their favorite stations with all the crowds. Still, they enjoyed it a lot this year.

 Here's Lenora with Channel No. Die (i.e. Erica Corwin) of the No-Coast Derby Girls.

I know they don't look it, but this was the most exciting thing for them that day. They literally chose a line over playing just so they could be photographed with Star Wars. Lenora really thought she met Hans Solo.

State Farm, and Ernie's First Foot Race

Jeremy is a great runner, and Ernie has aspired to be fast like him. Within the confines of our indoor living space, he's pretty certain he's as fast as the flash. So we asked him if he'd like to do a real race and he didn't hesitate to agree.
He did, however, hesitate to participate when the time came. Lucky for him his Dad can run a one mile right before a 5k without issue.

 Here they are about halfway through. He saw me and tried to stop then and there. I said that the donut holes are for finishers only, and I think if I hadn't lied he might have quit.

 Johanna also ran with Daddy Dusty and did great. Here's our two finishers!

And here's Dad after his race, too. Len successfully photo-bombed all post-race pictures.

Morgan's Birthday

 Miss Morgan had another lovely birthday party, and the kids always enjoy a chance to see their friends and play with other people's toys.

 Ern and Auggie are entertained by some computer-like toys.

Len and Johanna barely left the dollhouse alone.

And pink balloons kept everything exciting and difficult to photograph. Small Mom brag: I made her headband.

Pioneer Park Camp

Ernie received a scholarship from Elliott School to attend the Pioneer Park "Angry Birds" Nature Camp over spring break. He was the youngest member of the group, and here he is proudly accepting his "Best Hiker" award from his junior counselor, Gooseberry.
He had a ton of fun and learned a lot, and though we were worried initially that 8-5 days would be too long for him, he proved that plenty of outdoor nature access is the key to an enriching and happy day.

Wanna see my belly?

That's a reference to the way Aunt Laura would try to make friends when she was little. She had an outtie bellybutton, which pretty much makes her so very special that everyone would want to be her friend, so if she'd meet a kid at the park she had the easy pick-up like "I'm Laura. Wanna see my bellly?"
Anyway, she's got an innie (and a flattie) now for a belly, and she's working it in a bellydancing troupe. Mom got to go see her with Grandma and Grandpa Mohr after Ernie's birthday party.

Ernie is SIX!

Ernie has been steadily more and more interested in robots, and he was determined to have a robot birthday party. No actual robots could be booked for attendance, so we made due with decorations and activities

 Since the chocolate lava cupcakes in honor of Darth Vadar didn't work last year, this year he just asked for "lava red" cakes. Fine, I can do that.

 This had to be photographed because I practically lost a finger spray painting all these grocery bags silver so they could become robot suits. Aunt Laura was a big help in making the antennae.

 And grandmas and other moms were of course a huge help in the actual craft construction.

 Lenny was pretty direct and simple in her design. Honestly, she mostly wanted to make sure she got the pink heart antennae.

 Opening some of his gifts with his robot friends: Mohammad, Kittrick, and Riley.

I don't know who invited these dorks.

Nora's Yoga Party

One of the joys of starting school is having friends with birthday parties. Lenora and Nora are really good friends at school, probably due in no small part to their near-nameness. And both of them love being in a room with a giant mirror to view all their antics, so it was a great party.

Last snow?

Turns out it wasn't the last snow, but at least the last significant snow to play in. Here's the kids having some fun while waiting for spring to get serious.