PVC Construction

Most kids have K’NEX and Erector Sets. Not my boys … they have PVC pipes and fittings to build huge towers. These pipes are actually Tim’s solution for Alex always begging us to build him a tent. Tim’s thought was that we could easily fit a few pipes together, throw some sheets over it, and bam … a tent. Who knew the boys would actually enjoy building with the pipes as well?

The original purpose for the PVC pipes.

Turns out building with the pipes is fun too!

The pipes are also great for our Hot Wheels track.

Winter Creativity

We had to get creative with all the cold rainy days we had earlier in January…

Alex and Daddy playing games on the tablet in the massive tent.

Thanks, Great-Aunt Cyndi, for the pool last summer! It became a great ball pit last week!

Alex quickly decided to take creative liberties with the ball pit (hint, they are under it!)

I had to stop Alex before he tried to make it into a slide.

It stayed this way most of the week. I actually just gave up and picked up the balls the next morning.

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Trains and a Thank You

One of Alex’s birthday gifts is a woodworking set. He picked out the train for our first project, so last weekend during Spencer’s nap, Tim, Alex, and I painted and built a train. We had lots of fun! Thanks, Grandpa Art and Grandma Karen! I’m thinking the racecar is next!

Since it was cold and wet and gross outside today, the boys and I went to the mall to ride the train and buy a new Christmas book. While we were getting our tickets, I found out they had a new frequent rider card … for exactly the amount of birthday money Alex and Spencer had just gotten from Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Strunck! So, thank you for the next 15 train rides!! The boys love this train!

Here is a photo, borrowed from the Loco-Motives website, so you can see a full view of the train.

Spencer’s First Art

Spencer woke up while Alex and I were in the middle of Play-Doh fun, so we decided to let Spencer join us. He loves sitting in his high chair and watching us, but last week, he seemed very interested in participating. I loved watching Spencer with the Play-Doh – he just kept poking it until he decided he might want to eat it. Then, slowly, he’d raise a piece to his mouth, I’d say, “No,” and he’d lower it back down …. over and over again! Spencer also tried out the Color Wonder markers. Once again, he was having fun until he decided they might be tasty!

Looking very serious here.

Do you see that he BIT the marker tip?

I wonder if this will taste yummy?

Sheet Tents

The week before summer camp, we all had a bit of a summer cold. Add that to a couple of rainy days, and you have some crazy little boys! So … we made tents in the living room …. every day for 3 days. Tim and I have had our fill of tents for a while!

After a tent reincarnation, I was cleaning the kitchen and came back to find my children on top of the tent. They were having so much fun!

Such silly boys!

Trucks in the Water

I don’t know about you, but we are getting tired of all this rain! Tim hasn’t been able to cut the grass, so the yard is out of control, and parks are out of the question since so much of Charlotte has been flooding. So what do you do when you are tired of playing inside, but not willing to join the crowds at all the indoor play spots? You turn on the sprinklers, of course!

Alex and I filled his water table boat with soap suds, turned on his sprinkler ring, and added much more water to our flooded yard today. Alex had a blast “bathing” me, all the while telling me that I was dirty and needed to be washed. I was soaked and cold! He also spent a lot of time crashing his trucks in the rocks and rescuing them with more trucks.

Washing baby dump truck.

Big truck to the rescue of baby dump truck and dig.

“Sitty down in the water, Mommy.”

“Beep … beep … beep.”

Play-Doh Fun

Aunt Beth and Uncle Eric gave Alex a bunch of Play-Doh for Christmas, but with our move, we haven’t had the chance to break it out. Tuesday’s rainy day seemed like the perfect time, and boy am I glad I pulled it out! Alex and I sat at the kitchen table with the Play-Doh for almost an hour and a half! That’s amazing for a two-year-old! And … every time I’m busy in the kitchen, he tries to pull it all back out for more play. This boy is a Play-Doh-aholic!

Please excuse the crazy hair! Tim bathed Alex the night before and slicked his hair straight back, meaning he had a crazy hair day! Plus, he is way over due for a haircut … hopefully that’ll happen in the next week.