SNOW...

The boys have been waiting forever to have snow to play in. Finally it's here. Unfortunately last week it was too cold to go outside for very long. Even at school they had indoor recess every day but last Friday. I let them play for about 20-30 minutes outside after school just so they could get some energy out and play in the snow they've waited so long for. They had some serious fun but Oliver was always upset when I told him it was time to come in to warm up. He kept telling me "I need more TIME outside!"

Lucius is so silly...

One thing that Lucius is and knows he is... is SILLY. His friends love that about him, and most of the time I do as well. I tried taking a cute photo of me and him while he was cuddling (something he also enjoys doing a LOT) and this is what I got first, his silliness.

He is also full of really nice compliments. Lucius said in-between photos: "you're too good of a mom. You're the best mom ever!"

Boy do I love this kiddo. Many days his silliness is just what this family needs.

On another note, I needed to give Lucius a haircut and he wouldn't let me unless I made stripes on the side of his head. I did my best, thankfully he thought it was awesome.

Quietest Play date ever...

I love our neighbors... all of them. I'm so glad we as adults are friends AND the fact that our kids are also friends. One neighbor from the next block has two girls, the same ages as our two boys. We often do a kid swap where we switch one kid in each house and have a play date. Or on occasion one or both of theirs comes up to spend some time at our house.

On such evening their oldest came to have a play date with our oldest. When she entered our front door they went straight downstairs. Oliver asked her "how do you feel about Garfield?". She didn't mind him, so they sat down to read a few books. An hour later they were still reading books. It was the quietest play date EVER.

I thought for sure they'd be upset when I told them it was time for her to leave and they hadn't actually played together yet. BUT NOPE- they both seemed content. It's amazingly awesome that they have each other to do things they enjoy, including reading together.

Dog Sitting...

A few weekends ago some friends needed a dog sitter. We volunteered to watch their 4 year old dog and they 4 month old puppy. Our friend dropped them off Thursday evening and explained how best to care for them, but also typed out instructions. Oliver diligently read through all of her directions and was intent upon following them all. He cared for those two dogs like I've never seen before.

There were lots of snuggles, books being read to dogs, and even a walk in the cold with the pups.

I loved seeing all his hard work. Both boys woke up early most morning just so they could be the ones to let them outside and feed them. Oliver had those dogs eating out of the palm of his hand, literally.

 

Another chess Tournament...

Lucius competed in another grade level tournament a few weeks ago. He and two of his other chess club friends showed up to play in the first grade competition.

We sat and listened to all the rules and such for about 20minutes and then the first game started. 

Lucius cane running out after like 3-5 minutes. He said he got a pawn across the board to get a second queen to checkmate the other kid. It happened so fast I almost didn't believe him. I felt bad for the other kid.

In-between chess matches for the tournament Lucius and his friends played each other.

Again playing each other cause they can't seem to get enough chess play at a chess tournament.

And if they weren't playing each other they were playing the computer on our chess apps. Crazy chess loving kids.

Lucius took 3rd place in the first grade level. His friend took 2nd place and all three took home the team trophy. 

They were so excited about winning. 

I'm happy Lucius has friends who love chess as much as he does.

Simple pleasures: game night

The boys are always excited to play board games. They even enjoy learning new and fairly complicated games like this one. The only thing they don't love is losing. 

Lefse making...

The day after Thanksgiving we decided to do a little Black Friday shopping. Then in the afternoon it was time to make Lefse! Jerimy had pre-made 10 pounds of potatos on Wednesday night (lefse works best with cold, left over potatoes).

My job is to roll out the dough.

Jerimy gets to cook them, though I'm certain he likes that job because he gets to use the lefse sword. 

He showed Oliver how to use it correctly and Oliver was very interested in trying for himself. 

We only make lefse only once every couple years because its a lot of work, but its always lots of fun too. And super yummy too!