We have had so much fun this week and it is not even over yet!
Last weekend Lauren started a new gymnastics class at Quiggs School of Gymnastics here in Bellingham. She was certainly not the most coordinated kid in the class (she seems to be lacking in upper-body strength as well) but she had fun and wants to go back. It is very different from the free-for-all that was Gymboree. Here she needs to follow the teacher (whose name happens to be Lauren) and the routines which is much more structured than she is used to doing. Until she turns 3, John or I will do the class with her. After she turns 3, she will get to do the class on her own while we watch from the sidelines. I’m glad we started now so that by November, she will understand the rules and she should be more willing to go it alone! My littel girl is growing up!
Sunday we wandered the outlets with Addison and Leslie. We are so glad spring is finally here as we have missed our weekend walks through the outlets all winter. There are a lot of fun things to look at, not to mention yummy chocolate covered strawberries to eat and caramel apples to bring home for an evening snack.
Monday I got to spend the day with my kiddos. They are both not only so good about Target runs and grocery shopping, they actually seem to enjoy it! It was wonderful to be able to get these things done during the week so we are not so busy with errands on the weekends and can actually do something more fun as a family. I can’t wait for the summer for this to be our usual routine rather than the nice exception. Carrie and her girls came down in the afternoon. It was fun to get to hang with her. It seems so long since we have been able to do that. We took a trip to Whole Foods since she does not have one near her and then we had dinner together. It was a great time for me and Lauren loved having new big girls to play with. Carter was mesmerized by Carrie. Not surprising though. All babies love Carrie!
Tuesday and Wednesday the kids went to school. This week is the “Week of the Young Child” and there were some really cool activities going on at school that Lauren didn’t want to miss. Tuesday there was a storyteller that came with puppets. Following the show, the kids got to make sock puppets of their own to take home. There were also different “dress up” days each day and parents were invited to join their child’s class for Gerry the music guy which was fun for both of us. Gerry is Lauren’s favorite! While they were at school, I got a lots done at home, like countless loads of laundry and putting away winter clothes and bringing out the spring/summer stuff for the kids and me! I also put away a lot of baby stuff like the swing, bouncy seats, bassinet, and infant tub because Carter is getting too big for them. We are bringing out the bigger baby toys for him this weekend. He is getting so big! It was bitter sweet though….will we ever need those items again? Notice I’m not putting them up on Craig’s List just yet….there is still hope for #3 someday!
Today (Thursday) is Carter’s special day with Mama. Lauren went to school for “Princesses and Pirates” day. Carter even wore his pirate bandana this morning for the photo op. (Check out the pictures from this month, John has updated most of them and the rest I’ll have him update tonight.) Carter and I went to Starbucks (of course) and the pet store to get different food for Dorothy. Oh, did I mention, Lauren got a pet Betta fish last weekend as well? She named him Dorothy, after Elmo’s goldfish. Anyway, Carter has been trying more and more new foods, fruits and veggies and cereal. While he was not too crazy about them at first, he is really getting the hang of it now and seems to be enjoying most of what he is eating. He is up to 2 meals a day and his current favorite is bananas and rice cereal. This weekend, he will try green beans! I love having this chance to be home with just him for a day and to spend a lot of time playing together on the floor. He is sitting up so well and loves raching for and chewing on toys. He is so vocal too, laughing and cooing, and talking non-stop. I think he is trying to talk to the dolpins sometimes with the high pitched noises he makes! I’m trying to remember all the Gymboree song and games Lauren used to love as an infant. I’m sad I didn’t have the time alone with him to do baby Gymboree like I did with Lauren. I feel like I’m way behind with how much I have been able to sing and play with him. Oh, the reality of being second born and my needing to go back to work so much sooner this time around. Good thing his daycare teacher, Caitlin loves him so much. She does all those things with him that I can’t…
Tomorrow will be Lauren’s special day and she will get to spend it with Mama AND Daddy! Johnny is taking tomorrow off and after taking Carter to school, we are going to drive into Boston to take Lauren to Elmo Makes Music at the Agganis Arena at BU. The show is at 10:30 so hopefully we’ll be home in time for her nap! We have not told her yet where we are going so we hope she enjoys her surprise.
Saturday we are going to find a nice sandbox, water table, and slide for the backyard. Lauren loves the sandbox at school and I really want a few fun things for her to do outside in the nice weather. She has a new tricycle and a bat and ball with a T-stand and a swing and pool and hand-me-down picnic table from last summer so hopefully with these new additions, she will be all set for some fun backyard play for the spring and summer. And as Carter gets bigger, he should be able to join her in some of these things. She will also have her gymnastics class again on Saturday so maybe while I’m there with her, Johnny and Carter get get everything set up in the yard. The weather is supposed to be great this weekend!
Sunday it looks like we are going to check out the Southwick Zoo with Leslie and Addison. It is a little pricy for a morning out but I’ve heard great things about it and it is SO close to our house! Hopefully it will all work out. Check back after the weekend for all the updated pictures of our fun outings!