Making friends and finding fun in February

It is no secret that I really struggle with the winter months around here.  February is usually my least favorite month, but this year it was better (March turned out to be the stinky month).

Puppet show with new friends.  It was pretty chaotic, but fun.

Popsicle stick creations.  Beck wanted to take my picture.  I am about 29 weeks along here.  

Ramsey then needed to take my picture with Beck.

Beck at the bookstore.  We were hanging out in the kids' area, but Beck was not in my line of vision (but the exit was).  Ramsey periodically went around the corner to check on him, and would tell me he was fine.  Then a lady came up to me and said, "you have to take a picture of him" and was smiling ear to ear.  I have to say it was nice that someone thought it was cute rather than the normal condemnation  that happens in NOVA when I am not hovering over my kids.   

Happy Valentines Day!  We tried a new burger place and it was delicious.

No stomach ache afterward to boot!

We went to another new friend's house to decorate cookies for Valentines Day.  

Lots of icing!

Here are my two bakers creating our own cookies.

I really had to convince the kids that the white apron is for boys.  The lace was the dead giveaway.

Beck was serious about rolling the dough.

Beck wanted to take a picture.

Then Ramsey.

Icing and sprinkles.  

Barbecue at Famous Daves.

I was on the phone with my Mom, and she was having a bad day.  Ramsey overheard and was concerned, so she wrote Mimi a note and insisted we put in the mailbox immediately.

"I love you Mimi.  I hope you feel better.  I hope I can go to Florida.  I hope you have a great day.  Love Ramsey."

I went on a solo-trip to Florida.  First time being away from the kids.  It was hard!  But fun.  Above is the only picture I managed to take (I went to the Cummer with my Mom in Jacksonville and there was a great Russian exhibit).  I was originally going on a "girls cruise" but realized way too late in the game that the cruise company's policy was...no pregnant ladies past 24-weeks.  So, I went ahead and flew down to Florida anyway since I already had a non-refundable plane ticket.  I rested, and rested some more, and it was really nice.  Not a cruise, but still. 

Beck's welcome home sign.  We all really missed each other.

Ramsey's welcome home sign.

Beck is drawing more and more and I cannot get enough.  Self-portrait featuring Ramsey on the left. 

There were a few warm days at the end of February.  Rooney and I went on a walk, just the two of us, while Ramsey was at preschool on a Wednesday morning.  It was delightful.

The dentist in February

I took Beck to the dentist for the first time, and Ramsey for a scheduled cleaning (and x-ray).  3 is a little early, I think, but I couldn't hold off because Ramsey was already going and Beck wanted in on the action.   Who could blame him?  Tooth Town is amazing!

He really enjoyed it, at first--there is a TV on the ceiling.  

But then the cleaning started...

He held it together pretty well, and I was going back and forth between Beck and Ramsey because their cleanings ended up being simultaneous.  Finally Beck's Dental Hygenist asked me to stay out of his room because my presence was making Beck upset.  It was true--he was totally fine until I came in, and then he would tear up.  Luckily my hormones were pretty calm that morning, or else I might have started crying hysterically.  I just teared up and put on a brave face :)

All in all, he was pretty awesome.

 Ramsey's was a breeze.  Even the x-rays, which can be a little painful as they are jamming those films in between your gums and lips.  I couldn't be with her to hold her hand like I wanted because pregnant ladies can't hang out near x-rays.  

A friend recommended this dental practice to me, and one word she used to describe it was a "circus."  It really is.  TVs everywhere, videogames, and even this cool dinosaur to ride on.  We did not wait before our appointment, so the kids had to play after our appointment.  They got personalized dental bibs for the cleaning and a bag of prizes at the end (that did not include candy thankfully).

I had to pry them away from this place because it was so fun.  

January 2013

Ramsey's first book: The Foot Book, by Dr. Seuss, 1/1/13.  She read it by herself as we were entering a store.  We have been working on reading lessons, but Ramsey has been reluctant to read books herself.  She picked this book up in the car, and started reading it herself as she was walking.  It was the cutest.

Part of Ramsey's reading lesson includes writing.  I found this--"this is my homework."  It is, Ramsey, it is.  

We visited the Natural History Museum, it was a blast, but very exhausting.

We checked out a short film in this "movie theatre" in the museum.

 Two days later, the kids made their own movie theatre.

It had a shocking number of pillows and patrons (stuffed animals).

Here's Bella with Beck's "stuffies."  This is totally cute, until Bella decided to start fighting (complete with growling and biting) the "stuffies" and Beck started crying.  

Beck's self portrait.  At his parent-teacher conference, Mrs. Reeve pointed out that Beck hasn't chosen which hand he writes with, and in fact he colors with his right hand on the right side of the paper, and his left hand on the left side of the paper--aka, he doesn't "cross the meridian."  

Beck at music class--the kids are pretending to be airplanes.  

Ramsey helping with dishes.  Wow, this lasted all of a few weeks before I lost the energy to include her  in this.  Tough time of the day!

Ramsey had a January midterm "informal" recital.  She wore her pink leotard with a fluffy tutu.  She was excited to wear makeup and even though she has lovely long hair, that bun was tricky!  Ramsey was seriously the best in her class, and she wasn't scared.  I wasn't really crazy about the quality of the recital--several raunchy songs and skeezy outfits.  We'll see how the end of the year recital goes!  Ramsey was thrilled.

Ramsey's art--she told me, "this is the world, and this is the love of the world."  

I love it when they hold hands.  Just runnin through the hood.

This is how Ramsey likes to organize her money.

We went antiquing and we found old Beatrix Potter books.

And an old toy phone.  Sad to say my kids rarely see a real phone.

Bath time fun with bubbles in his eyes.

Buckled in tight--brother and sister forever.  Interestingly, Blue Doggie (Ramsey's lovey) is a boy, and Baby Panda (Beck's lovey) is a girl.  Lately, Ramsey has started insisting Blue Doggie is a girl, although not consistently.  Blue Doggie was originally a gift for Beck that Aunt Patty sent right before Beck was born, but Ramsey was 18 months old and ripe for a lovey.

We had a little snow dusting, and got all geared up.  

They really wanted to catch snowflakes on their tongues.

Snow angels.

The snow was too fluffy to make any snowballs.

We went on a walk.  This was at the height of my placenta previa, and it was all I could do to make it up that hill.  But it was worth it.  

Our house in the snow :)

This is the kind of foolishness I deal with at bedtime!!!

Trains reigned supreme in January.  

Matt's birthday celebration--we had 5 different treats.  Homemade chocolate chip cookies and chocolate pie, and macaroons, creme brulee, and dulce de leche from Matt's favorite-Silva's Patisserie.  

He set it all up himself.  He picked the table cloth, plates, cups, etc.  SO Matt.

Family festivities--the kids got Matt presents that were really for themselves.  Following in Matt's footsteps.  

Bike ride on the W&OD trail on Matt's "warm" birthday.

Matt's birthday dinner.  Pork chops, mashed potatoes.