4 years, 4 months & 2 years, 1 month

Monthly picture time!

We were dealing with a few issues during our photo shoot:
1. Big Sis didn't want to move away from the nice warm vent.
2. John didn't want to be in the pictures.
3. Keillor was more interested in his bone.

John trying to avoid being in the picture!

Our weekdays and weekends have been filled with excitement in February. 

Johnny started swim lessons a few weeks ago on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It's the parent/toddler sessions like he did last year, so Dad is in the pool with him. The first session was a little rough while John got used to the water again, but the next few classes after that have been a blast. John is really good at kicking his legs. In fact, he loves to actually say, "kick, kick, kick" while doing it! He's getting more comfortable floating on his back and blowing bubbles, too. His favorite thing seems to be jumping in from the edge of the pool. We'll post pictures if Mom and I are able to go watch the guys sometime soon. 

As some of you know, I was naturally attracted to the upright bass from a young age. Well, it seems as if John has identified his instrument of choice: Trumpet! Hand him a paper towel tube or anything of that shape/size and he'll play it like a horn with a "doo, doo, doooo!" Like his big sister, he also loves the Okee Dokee Brothers. Probably because we play the CDs a lot in the car. 

Tons of basketball this past month. The in-person games will wrap up this week, though. The Regis ladies have a playoff game tonight (we're skipping swim lessons) and then Dad is taking us to the last Buffs' home game on Saturday. The good news on the sports front is that the Regis softball and baseball seasons have started already. John has been practicing his umpire signals for out, foul ball, safe, and home run. 

One quick Regis basketball story: We have a favorite heckler. The fiance of one of the star players on the team has a wonderful deep, loud voice and he hollers at the refs every once in a while. John and I love it! He never uses bad language and doesn't yell too much. But when he does say something, we both stop, stare, and giggle. 

Mom and Dad have accused me of growing up too much this past month. I love to help John with almost anything and often do it without being asked. In fact, Dad recently asked me to let John struggle with a few things on his own like removing shoes and jacket, etc.

I've always loved cooking and baking with Dad, but I've now branched out to some more complicated recipes. On Sunday I helped form and cook our fish cakes (turns out they don't really taste like the kind of cake John and I were hoping for) and last night I got to be in charge of dunking our chicken tenders in the toasted bread crumbs before we baked them. They turned out really well!

I have always been good with routines (because that's the right way to do things according to Dad) and a few weeks ago I asked for more morning chores. I am now responsible for getting dressed, making my bed, feeding Keillor, and doing my ab exercises (crunches and bridges) before school each morning.

Monthly questions asked to me by Dad.

1. Favorite movie: "My favorite favorite movie is...it is...uh...Star Wars!"
2. Second favorite movie: Frozen.
3. John's favorite movie: Star Wars?
4. Favorite game: Hisss (also our newest)
5. Favorite thing to do on a weekend: Go to Sunday School
6. If you and John could go on an airplane, where would you go?  Back to Montana
7. Favorite breakfast food: Oatmeal! (specifically, the oatmeal at school)
8. Favorite dessert: Brownies.
9. John's favorite dessert: "Ummm...I think...cookies."
10. What kind of cookies for John? Girl Scout cookies.
11. What kind of Girl Scout cookie does he like the best? The little ones.
12. Favorite player on the Regis University women's basketball team: Kaylie!

Stylish

This guy is impressed with himself because he got the black sunglasses before his sister could grab them and he was able to get them to stay up on his head.

Dog show

Family trip to the Colorado Kennel Club Dog Show this past Monday.

We saw dog agility, dog obedience, and dog jumping!

Entranced by the dog agility.

Mom and I decided to sit in the top row. John and Dad enjoyed watching our heads track back and forth in unison as we followed the dogs on the agility courses.

Goofballs.

We all agreed that the jumping was our favorite. Dogs would run along a green strip of fake grass and leap as far as possible into the pool!

Backyard

Goofing around on a warm February afternoon...

"Dad, this rock looks like South America!"

Baseballs

We know many of you have heard this before, but our dog is really good at finding long-lost lacrosse balls and baseballs over on the Regis campus.

Happy kid until he learned that we had to leave the balls in the dugout.

Big fans

We followed the Regis Women's team to Metro State University last weekend (about 12 minutes away). The players were excited to see us! Mom joined us in the 2nd quarter, but all of the pictures were snapped before that, unfortunately!

Beer and Braids

Our local brewery teamed up with our local hair salon to host a Beer & Braids event last Sunday. The dads got to drink beer while learning how to braid our hair. It was super fun and the place was packed!

Yes, we know that it looks a bit messy with the three large hair ties!

Wendy's

Daytime doctor visit = Frosty

Quick note: John's new tubes are looking great and he is not experiencing any hearing loss. The audiologist was impressed with the improvements over the last month!

Another quick note: The past five times that Dad has taken us to an appointment and then to Wendy's afterwards, the crew member at Wendy's has given us the two Junior Frosties for free. The cool part is that it has been three different Wendy's and never the same staff person. There must be something about a dad and a kid walking in at 10:30 for a treat that brings out the kindness. Thank you, Wendy's.

New sunglasses

Children's Museum again

We made a return trip to the Children's Museum last Wednesday. It's only about 2 minutes away from school so it's very convenient. We even packed a picnic supper!

We can't remember what John was building, but he was focused!

Office visit

We were off from school last Friday so Dad brought us over to the office for a little bit of fun!

Regis basketball

Ladies' basketball games last Friday and Saturday!

Beer and games

Fun over at our local brewery while John was napping!

Wednesday night

We recently learned that the Children's Museum is open until 7:30 pm on Wednesday nights, so we tried it out after supper last Wednesday. It was amazing. It felt like we had the place to ourselves!

Cake

A few shots from birthday cake on Sunday evening...

Blowing out the candles.

Saying cheese!