More Snow and Basketball

We had another big snow storm last night. We went out after dinner yesterday to play with Aaron and Sam while it was still coming down. This morning, the boys went out again for quite a while before Will's basketball class at school. Unfortunately, I only had my phone so I have a lot of video clips instead of a "best of." It is an 8 week class and they will focus on a different sport each week. He seemed to enjoy it.

Had to climb the tree!

The snow was almost as tall as Alex

The day before the latest snowstorm - painting the snow with spray bottles

Making his own snowman

Brothers on a walk

Taking a knee

 

We have been reading chapter books with Will - the Magic Tree House series. He loves them. This Lego project was based on Mummies in the Morning.  Inside the structure are his Lego zookeepers who he decided where the two main characters - Jack and Annie.  He also built a set of stairs (key to the plot) and put a black cat in there.  He wanted to build torches but we didn't have the right pieces.   

Banks, Glow Sticks, and Glasses

We had a pretty low key weekend. On Friday, we took the kiddos out to dinner. On Saturday, we played around the house in the morning. Phil had a noon tea time for the Ice Tee Classic on Reeds Lake. They set up a 9 hole golf course (drill holes in the ice) and have teams come out to play to raise money for charity. It was cold and snowy but he seemed to have fun. On Saturday evening, some of Kristen's former coworkers came over with their kids for pizza and a short visit. On Sunday, we went for sled rides and Phil and Will went to the playground for a bit to play in the snow. Then we went to the mall to let the kids run around for a while. After naps, Phil and Will went to Calvin College to walk the nature trail.

On Thursday, Will's school had a program sponsored by PNC Bank and Sesame Street to teach kids finances.  Kristen and Will (and Alex tagged along) got to play games in the big room and make 3 banks - one for saving, one for spending, and one for sharing.  Will emptied his entire piggy bank into the sharing jar and says he wants to spend all his money on his friends and family.  So sweet.  

Alex and Will had their first joint "glow bath" on Thursday night. Will has had them before but it was Alex's first time.  They stayed in the tub for over 30 minutes and probably would have stayed in longer if we let them!  They are good little buddies.   

Our little book worm

The Boys

Four Eyes

Alex's first glow bath

I caught him hard at work at school

Night at Grann's

Kristen, Will and Alex took a quick overnight trip to Detroit to visit Grann. We drove down early Monday morning. We stopped at her condo for a potty break and to play for a bit. Then we met her at Somerset (she took a half day off work) to ride the escalators, moving sidewalks, and have lunch. Then we went back to her house for an afternoon of playing. We were even able to take the dogs for a nice walk since the weather was fairly warm. On Tuesday morning, we played for a bit and got back on the road around 9am. It was a fun visit!

Strutting on the Sky Walk

Big Dog, Little Dog



Mickey Mouse Club Before Bed

Will got some new Wii games for Valentine's Day: Nick Jr. Fit and Dora/Diego Dance Party. He seems to enjoy them!

William Maguran - Professional Bowler

At least according to Wii. And technically, he lost his pro status on the very next game when he barely broke 100, but for a brief moment he was a pro and had the fancy bowling ball. He was very proud of himself as you can see from the photos below. We also went "regular bowling" this weekend. Will always has a good time.

I included a few of the pictures that were sent out in the Generations newsletter showing the fun stuff they do at school.

Chicken Dance in the Big Room

Snow in the Sensory Table

William reached Pro Status in Wii Bowling

The game that got him to Pro Status

Watching Big Brother Bowl

Nice Throw!

Happy Valentine's Day!

William absolutely loves Valentine's Day. We have been decorating hearts and putting the cards the boys receive on their doors. We had fun making Valentine's for our family and friends this year. The day before Valentine's Day, we drove around town and delivered them to our friends' houses. Will was very excited to be at school on Valentine's Day for their class party. They painted mailboxes, made treats (yogurt dipped strawberries and graham crackers with cool whip and sprinkles), played games, and handed out their Valentine's. Will came home with a boxful of cards and goodies. He and Alex had fun looking through them all. We stayed in for dinner but did dress up the table a bit for the occasion.

Matching PJs

Festive Dinner Table



William and his Valentines

Checking out his Valentines from school

The Valentine Will made for us

Snow Day!

We had a very snowy weekend. It all started on Thursday around 11am. Alex and I braved the roads for Gymboree but they were definitely getting icy by the time we got home. It continued to snow until about 3pm at which time Phil's boss sent him home. There wasn't any snow in Kalamazoo so he was able to make it home without any trouble. We had a nice anniversary dinner at home with the boys. During the night, we got another 6-8 inches bringing the total up to around 12. Even East Grand Rapids schools were closed. By mid morning, however, the sun was out and the roads were plowed. Alex and I took a trip to the mall so he could run around and we ran into a few friends at the breakfast food. On Friday night, we ordered in pizza. Phil and Will had a camp out in the basement. Will really looks forward to their camp outs!

On Saturday, we went to the library for a while in the morning and then ran a few errands. Then we went out to play in the snow! We build a small sledding hill off the deck that Will enjoyed going down. Alex had fun crawling/walking in the snow. Then we went for a quick sled ride around the block. Grandma and Grandpa came over around 6:30 to watch the boys so we could go downtown for a nice anniversary dinner. We went to Bar Divani and had a delicious meal.

On Sunday, we went downtown to walk the skywalk for a bit. This was the first time that Alex was actually able to walk parts of it himself. Then we came home for lunch. After naps, Phil and Will spent more time in the snow building a snow fort and a snowman.

Sound asleep

Blazing a Trail

Going for a ride around the block

Just a few photos and videos from our week

Brother to Brother Chat

3 1/2 year old getting dressed in the morning

Quality time with Grandpa

 

I love my presents Grann - especially the bubble wrap!

A little bit of this and that

Phil had to go to Amsterdam this week for work. He left on Sunday afternoon and came home late Thursday night. The boys and I filled our time with play dates, a trip to the Public Museum, dinner at the Hofmeyer's, and playing outside in the 50 degree weather. 

On Friday night, we went to the Lakeside Carnival. It was crazy! There were games in the different classrooms, bounce houses set up in the gym, and pizza/salad for dinner. Will played a couple games but was most interested in the bounce houses. We met up with a lot of friends and their kids. Will had a great time and was sad when we ran out of tickets and had to head home.

The weather changed dramatically at the end of the week.  We had snow on and off on Thursday and Friday.  It was snowing pretty hard when we left the carnival on Friday night, but we weren't expecting what we got.  We probably have over 12" on the ground right now.  We finally have winter!

On Sunday, we were invited over to our friends' house for a super bowl party.  The kids (9 in total) had fun playing and chasing each other around. 

Below are a few videos of Alex.  He has figured out how to get on his rocking horse, rock for a bit, and get off.  He is also getting better at the shape sorter.  He doesn't pick the right hole yet, but he can get a few of them in (circle, star, and square) without help if they are lined up for him.  When I don't line it up, he gets frustrated and starts banging them on the top.       

Tractor at the Museum

Streets of Grand Rapids

Pushing Buttons

More Buttons

It was 50 degrees on Tuesday and Wednesday

Snacking like a big boy

Puddle Jumping

Lakeside Carnival



Playing at the Gardens

Sibling Duet