I made these carrot cake cupcakes this weekend from one of my favorite sites, and let me tell you... THEY DO NOT DISAPPOINT!
The boys started a new round of swimming lessons today at a new pool. It was Ben's first time ever taking classes. He was hesitant at first but loved it and has NO fear. He went under water, jumped in off the side and splashed everyone in site. 
Sam's school had a special Chinese New Year celebration yesterday. They made Lanterns (see photo), masks and had a parade around the school. In the afternoon they had Chinese food donated by Safeway. He loved it and keeps asking when we can have "Chinese New Year Food" again.
Last night we had family over for Valentine's Dinner. Aunt Susie and Uncle Dennis were here from Bend and the cousins had so much fun playing with them this weekend. Dad made awesome pulled pork... we all ate too much of everything - including chocolate. 
This morning the kids requested pancakes. :-) They spent a few hours with Ian and Lizzie while Brian and I worked out, grabbed coffee and ran to Costco. Tonight Ellen and Colin are going out and the cousins will play here. Fun babysitting swap!
I took the boys over to see Ellen's new school Friday afternoon and they fell in love with these simple wooden blocks. She let us borrow them this weekend and they have been making castles, towers, statues etc. 
Ben will stop coming out of the bathroom like this.... He has no problem being independent in every other way! I guess his lunch was just way more exciting than pulling up his pants.
Sam is super excited for Valentine's Day. Yesterday he made Valentine's for all of his friends at school and for a few other little friends. We are having a special dinner this weekend with the cousins to celebrate. 
Brian surprised the kids and brought home a basketball hoop this week. He and my dad spent about 4 hours putting it together last night... even after dark they were determined to get it up. 
The Red Volcanoes had Game 2 yesterday and are pretty fun to watch. Eight kindergarten boys running around being silly and playing a little basketball. 
Ben likes it too but needs a little boost.
It was both fun and entertaining to watch the Red Volcanoes. They had a great time... and did you know kindergarten boys spend half the time playing with their shorts, have their hands down their pants, and spend a lot of time on the ground? 
We actually saw the sun today! It has been so grey and wet... but today the clouds parted and we saw BLUE sky. So I ran outside and let the sun shine on my face and didn't want it to disappear behind the clouds. But then the rest of the clouds left, and it was a gorgeous afternoon! The kids played outside...bikes, scooters, tag, ball, pushed the fertilizer cart around etc. It was great. :-)
Ben was painting the other day while I was making lunch, cleaning up the kitchen etc. Then I heard "Mom... I am finger painting!" He dumped the whole bottle of paint out on the paper and went to town. He kind of looks like the hulk....but yellow.
S
