Monday
Car wash with tooth brushes 

Painting with shaving cream and paint

Tuesday

We learned about the letter B today! 

Thursday

Caroline Swenson is doing the activity: Played with blocks, big room, group time, dance party with glow sticks, practiced using scissors, looked at books, played with cars. 

Friday

Friday night Joel and I attended the ACEC banquet, and Grandma came over to babysit the kids. Bennett was easy, she said, but Caroline was another story. She wouldn't stop calling when it was time to go to bed. When we got home around 11, I thought I heard her say something, but was hoping it was my imagination. The second Grandma left and closed the door behind her, I heard a little voice call out, "Mommy? Daddy?" Oh Caroline. She was wide awake in her crib. I honestly don't know if she slept at all before we got home.

Saturday we went to Williston Treehouse in the morning. We went through with the kids for a while, but towards the end, Caroline worked up the nerve to go through with Bennett. It was a pretty big deal, since she is always so hesitant, but such a great turning point, because now we can lazily sit on the bench like normal parents!

After naps we went to Mall of America for their Chinese New Year celebration. Caroline wore her new Chinese outfit and was very pleased about it.

Posing in front of her favorite waving cat:

She got bored during the performances and discovered her own little heaven: The American Doll store. We're destined to go bankrupt. She had a lot of fun walking around, playing with the dolls and definitely did not want to leave. We tried a few times and always ended up going back.

We all watched the lion dance. Towards the end of the performance, the lion came into the crowd, and I just had a feeling they'd stop near us, which they did. They were less than a foot away, and of course, Caroline clung onto me like her life depended on it. To be fair, the head of the lion always looks very intimidating, and I had to remind her a few times during the performance, that it was just a mask and people were under the costume. I'm just glad she didn't cry when the lion was near us.

By the time the performances ended, it was past dinner time and the kids were hungry. Caroline threw a few classic temper tantrums while waiting for food:

And of course, we undressed her so that she could eat and not get her dress dirty:

Sunday we were able to bribe Bennett into wearing his Chinese outfit, so that we could get pictures of the kids in all their glory:

Bennett's face says it all:

Monday

Tuesday

Bennett had a great day today. He was able to go sledding with his friends. For small groups, he took his pointer finger and traced the letters in his name. This activity should help with letter formation in the future. Later on today, we will gather ingredients to make Pumpkin Pie in a cup. 

Friday

We're learning about gears! 

Saturday

The kids slept over at Grandma and Grandpa's, while we went to the Barr holiday party.

 

 

 

Sunday

We picked up the kids and went to Minnetonka Winterfest. We went on a horse drawn wagon ride:

Then the kids did a lot of dancing. They had a dance-off, where kids could do a solo in the center of the dance floor, and like last year, Bennett did it again. I couldn't be more proud!

Caroline eating crab. She's so picky, I'm surprised she wanted to eat any... or maybe she was just that hungry, she was eating out of desperation.

Monday

Tuesday

Joel was out of town presenting at a conference in DC, so we went to Noodles and Co. after daycare. I think this is probably the first time, since Caroline was a baby, that I've taken the kids to a restaurant to eat alone. I honestly don't know the last time I took them by myself. Usually Joel is with, or other family members. When I was on maternity leave, I'd pack bag lunches for us, so we were eating in an informal setting. But an actual restaurant this time. Caroline wasn't into eating and let out some shrieks, so that was annoying, but Bennett couldn't have been any better.

Wednesday

Another evening without Joel. The kids got baths:

Friday

Caroline had crazy hair day. I attempted a fauxhawk. It wasn't the best, but at least it was crazy.

I was home from work for the day, because of dental surgery, and went to Kohl's to spend some Kohl's cash. I think my total was the lowest I've ever paid.

Saturday
Joel took the kids to New London, to give me more time to recoup. Bennett got to go ice fishing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday

Caroline refused to take a nap, so I took her to Hy-Vee while Bennett napped. Of course, she was dead asleep when we got there and napped in the cart most of the time: