Artistic Beginnings

This week at Griffin's preschool, a group has come by to teach them artistic beginnings. It is kind of over their heads but pretty neat. Yesterday they did a lesson on Edgar Degas and how he uses motion in his art. That didn't go so well. Griffin's teacher said that at first he refused to make the project. Then he sat back in his chair and informed her that he would do it but he would throw it away as soon as he got home. Not sure why he was so adamant against it. Today went much better. This is a picture of the sculpture project he made. He was very into it. He explained the rocks were like the alley behind our house. I asked him a little bit about which artist they talked about today and he did not know. Luckily they send home a sheet of paper about who they cover. My guess was right...it was Claude Monet.

Warm Days

This weekend we finally had some more warm weather. Griffin had a lot of fun learning how to hit a baseball with Brent. He really got into it. He made a big deal of telling me how much more fun it was than soccer. Anyway today is cooler but nice and sunny. Here are the boys eating Girl Scout Cookies on the back deck. Griffin practicing his ball skills.

And a big smile from Gray.

Do Lord

Not such a great picture and no video...but Griffin and the Children's Choir sang at our Wednesday night dinner last week. They sang, "Do Lord", and he really belted it out. I was surprised. He rarely looks like he is paying any attention at practice, but I guess some of it might be sinking in. Here he is front and center.

Practicing

Some of our friends gave Gray a baby doll for his birthday this year. He really likes carrying her around and then promptly dropping her on her head (usually head down). The other day he was carrying her around, gave her a kiss, and said, "I love you baby".

St Patricks Day

Griffin got into St Patricks Day more this year. When I went to pick him up from school, he was very animated and told me how leprechauns visited his classroom. He was furious that they had played tricks on his class and made a mess. Putting the chairs on the table, scattering gold coins, and leaving green Mardi Gras beads behind. When we came home, I couldn't help but mess with him a little bit. So I put green sparkling sugar in his milk. He was so amazed by the green sparkles that the leprechauns put in his glass. It is funny to see how much he believes at this age. I hope it stays that way for awhile. One negative note about St Paddy's Day...he got Lucky Charms at school for their snack. So guess what he wants for breakfast now? Lucky Charms.

Video from Gray's party

Gray's 2nd Birthday party

On Saturday afternoon we had Gray's 2nd birthday part at the Little Gym. It was a great place to have a party- it was super organized and the kids seemed to love it. Grandma Belding came in town from Indiana for the weekend so that made the party extra special. Here are some pics from the weekend. Gray loved opening some of his gifts from the family. We had a little issue with the cake. "Happy Birthday Gary!" Not so much. I had to fix it myself which was a little chaotic since my decorating supplies were in storage and we had a last minute showing of our house on Saturday.

They got the sign right at the Little Gym- Happy Birthday Gray!

Gray and Mommy before the party got started.

The kids had the whole gym to themselves.

Gray had a special birthday seat and the kids came up one-by-one to give him a high five.

The Birthday Boy!

Gray, Claudia, and Beck sitting on the banana wall.

A picture with Mommy and Daddy before we cut the cake.

The boys after the party- it was hard to get everyone looking at the camera. This was the best attempt.

It started to snow just a little bit yesterday afternoon. I wanted to get a pic so we could see the before and after of how much snow we got since we rarely get snow.

Joey and I took the kids out into the back yard for a few minutes. Gray hated the snow and was just frozen in place.

Griffin and Kaleigh were "snow monsters". This morning we woke up to a ton of snow. About 6 inches which is a lot for Richmond. Needless to say Brent didn't make it in last night. He got stuck at Dulles and is trying to come in today.

It isn't easy trying to get an IG out into the snow. Elvis made it about 2 feet from the back door.

A view from our deck this morning.

The front porch when I went to get the paper this morning.

The boys went back out this morning and had fun. Griffin really got into the snow- making snow angels and throwing snow.

I finally got a smile out of Gray by throwing snow balls with him.

Kaleigh and Griffin loved sliding in the snow.

Griffin and his snow mustache. Hopefully Brent can make it home in time today to enjoy the snow with the boys and attempt to build a snowman.

How much snow?

About an hour ago it started snowing here. I have heard various weather reports everything from flurries to 6-12 inches. It is coming down pretty heavily right now (beautiful really) and is supposed to continue through the night until mid-day tomorrow. I REALLY hope Brent can make it back tonight. He left Jackson Hole around noon and is connecting in Chicago. Supposed to land in Richmond but I am not sure if things will still be clear by 10 tonight. Tomorrow is Gray's 2nd birthday so I was really hoping he would be home in time for that, but he may be stuck in Chicago. Pretty sure this snow will lend itself to some pictures so expect some tomorrow.