She "Let" Me Sing and Tunnel Time

     Mikayla loves listening to the Fearless album by Taylor Swift, especially the song "You Belong with Me."  Just to give you an idea of how much she likes it, she goes to sleep to it replaying every night on her IPod and every time we are in the car she asks us to turn it on the radio.  We normally oblige her knowing how much she likes it.  Listening to it is not enough for her though, she has become quite the little singer and loves to sing with it.  However, she does not like to share the stage.  If Mike or I start to sing along with it she will make it clear that she is the only one who can sing.  Last night we were listening to the radio and "You Belong with Me" came on.  Mikayla came over put her arms up for me to pick her up.  I picked her up and we danced and sang together.  It may seem like such a small thing, but since she makes such a big deal about us not singing with her, it let me know that she is still occasionally willing to share that stage with me.
     We have a tunnel that Mikayla got for one of her birthdays and Noah loves to get it out and play with it.  He uses it like a fort and likes to fill it with toys.  And since it has four holes he gets a kick out of getting in and out of it.  It just makes me smile to see how much fun he is having.  I can't help but LOVE him.

Kids Can Say and Do the Darndest Things

     So the saying is true that kids say the darndest things.  On Sunday Mikayla did the cutest thing (so I'm a little biased).  One of my friends had called and invited either Mike or I to go to the Monday came of KU vs. Oklahoma.  Mikayla heard the conversation that we had about whether we would be interested in attending the game.  She always likes to go places with us and of course asked if she could come.  A convincing argument that there would be other kids there was put forth.  Just as we were deciding to pass on the ticket, Mikayla went into her room and came back with two partial tickets from an event we took her to awhile ago.  She happily said "look I have two tickets so now I can go with you?"  It was hard to see how disappointed she got when we explained to her that her tickets would not get us into the game. 
     As for something they can do...Since converting Noah's crib to a toddler bed we have been closing his door when he sleeps.  Each morning we hear the banging of the door and his calling out as he is letting us know that he is awake and ready to come out of his room.  One of us will go to his room and greet him at the door.  As of today I am not sure closing his door will be necessary any longer.  After months of trying he has finally managed to figure out how to open his door.   How is it that he can figure it out so young?  We thought that closing his door would at least get us to his second birthday.  It just makes me a little nervous that he can get out of his room himself, but something tells me he will be just like Mikayla and his first stop outside of his room will be our room.

Date Night and A Wrong Turn Leads to Yummy food

     Thanks to my brother and his girlfriend, Mike and I were able to enjoy dinner and a movie sans kids last night.  It has been a while since we have had a "Date Night."  I find it funny though how when its just us conversation always seems to drift back to the little beings back at home.  It's almost as though they are the only things going on in our lives right now...well at least the most important things. :)  Anyway we enjoyed the opportunity for the evening out by dining at Panera prior to going to see "Valentine's Day."  There were a lot of actors in the movie (all good looking), making it a little more difficult to keep up with who ends up with who.  Anyway it was good movie for entertainment and a break from the every day.

     This morning we had swimming again.  Noah did better during his lesson, but getting into the pool was still a bit of a challenge.  Mikayla of course loved it (except for the fact the water is cold) and showed a bit more of her adventurous side by not hanging onto the side of the wall.  After swimming we like to stay in Lawrence to have lunch.  Instead of heading back east to head toward home Mike decided he would continue on Iowa St. to the south part of town where we found a McAlister's Deli.  There used to be one by us but it closed before we ever got to try it.  Their food was good and the prices were just right.  It might just become our new favorite place to eat in Lawrence.

     When we got home this afternoon time was spent with us cleaning and the kids coloring.  Coloring is fast becoming one of Noah's favorite things to do.  They both go through a lot of paper, but they love it.

What is that thing in the sky? Oh yes, I remember it's the sun.

     Okay so I know I keep talking about the weather, but when we have had a winter like this there is not much else to talk about.  Today the weather was on the upside.  We finally saw the sun...and gasp, I was even able to take the kids outside.  Yep, that's right it was in the 40s and the snow from over a week ago was melted enough that I was able to take the daycare kids outside.  I knew they needed the outside time, but sometimes I think I need it even more just to have the change of venue.  And it could go without saying, but the kids really enjoyed the time outside and were sad when we had to come back inside.  To say the least, we can hardly wait for Spring!
     Tonight we had a "Transition to Kindergarten" event at Mikayla's elementary school.  It gave us our first look at the school and Mikayla a little taste of what Kindergarten will be like.  Next month we will do Kindergarten Roundup and put in for full-day kindergarten and rank our school preferences.  After that she will be pretty much all set to go to school next year.  It is still hard to believe she will be going to school in the fall, but I think we are all ready for it.

Valentine's Day Weekend

     We decided that we would take it easy this weekend instead of stressing over Valentine's stuff.  On Saturday morning the kids had their swimming lessons.  We decided to try out the swimming lessons the KU offers.  I was excited since it is the first time I have been able to get Noah involved in any activities.  I was sad when he had to miss his last week's lesson due to a fever.  His class is both good and bad in that it is just us and one other little boy and his mom.  It allows us more freedom in the pool, but I have to admit that I was hoping for a slightly larger class.  Mikayla's class is small too, but I like that so that she can get more personal attention.  After swimming we came back home and relaxed for the rest of the day.
     Sunday started off pretty much the same way that Saturday ended.  We ended up lounging around most of the day.  Mikayla spent a good part of the morning decorating her "diary" that came as part of the book set she got for Valentine's Day.  Noah enjoyed finding toys to bring into a tunnel playset that we have.  After naps we set out to find Noah some spring/summer clothes and new shoes.  He is growing so much that clothes I originally bought for next fall he is wearing now. 
     Since Mikayla has a Parent's Night Out at her gymnastics on Friday, Mike and I thought we should wait until then to celebrate Valentine's Day.  Although he could not wait and gave me flowers earlier in the week, a card and gift the day of.  We are thinking of possibly dinner and a movie.

Great day for baking and the Super Bowl

      Okay so we are again expecting another snow storm tonight.  So I took the opportunity today to do a little baking.  Every year around Valentine's Day I always like to have red velvet cake.  Normally I would take the easy way out and just buy it at the store or last year I bought a cake mix.  This year I wanted to make it from scratch and found a simple, delicious red velvet cupcake recipe here. 

      Now for more baking.  I had a can of pumpkin left over from the holidays and thought I would try making some pumpkin muffins.  I found a recipe here and they smell great, but we will have to wait until tomorrow to see how they taste.  I am hopeful though. :)

     Now onto the fun stuff.  Any one who knows me, knows that I love to watch football.  What bigger game could there be than the Super Bowl.  Yes, that's right I will be watching the game tonight and not just for the commericials.  This year there are actually two teams who deserve to be in the game.  And as most people do, even though neither of my teams are playing, I have a picked one to win the game.  And the winner is ....The Indianapolis Colts.  I am aware that New Orleans has a great team and that they are the fan heartfelt favorite, but Peyton Manning was my fantasy quarterback and Joseph Addai my running back.  I feel a certain loyalty there and plus I think the Colts have what it takes to win the game.  We'll see.  My next post will probably include some mention of the game and it's commercials.

Elmo, Dinosaurs, and Avatar oh my!

     Saturday was jammed packed with action and each of us went our separate ways.  Mikayla and I started off the day with a little shopping out at The Legends.  It is my favorite place to shop since I love Old Navy, Carter's, and Gap and they are all right there.  Plus you can't beat an outdoor mall.  I just love to walk around it even if it is freezing cold outside.  We did our shopping prior to heading over to the TRex Cafe for a birthday party for one of Mikayla's friends.  Mikayla and I went our separate ways after the restaurant.  I left her digging for dinosaur fossils and then she went to stay the night with her friend.  I headed to the theater to see Avatar with my sister.  I was surprised that I actually liked the movie since I am not really into Sci-Fi movies.
     As a Christmas present we got Noah tickets to go see Elmo Live.  He absolutely adores Elmo so we thought it would be fitting for him.  We made it so Mike would take Noah to see Elmo and I would take Mikayla to see Disney on Ice in March.  Noah seemed to really enjoy the show and kept asking where Big Bird (the narrator) went even after the show was over and he was back at home.  Adorable!