Spring Begins, and a Frozen Party!

I love that the kids can totally play independently now. I regularly walk into the play room to have Olivia tell me to leave, that she is playing with 'only kids', meaning her and Carter. They communicate well enough to play together without translation, and Carter wants to play with his big sister enough that he pretty much goes along with whatever she wants. It's the perfect combination for now.

Ice cream faces!! Alex and I usually enjoy our ice cream after bedtimes, so this was a huge treat. About 30 seconds in I was reminded why we usually give them other treats...the mess was huge!

Frozen came out on DVD in the middle of March, so on the 19th we got together for a Frozen party! The moms may have been more excited than the kids, and we went a little overboard with the food :). We had authentic Norwegian Meatballs (which were delicious), then we added all sorts of plays on Frozen characters. Everything from Olaf buttons (cookies) to melted snowmen. Olaf noses, Kristoff's ice blocks, reindeer droppings, the list goes on.

Maely, Kade, and Elli worked hard on beautiful decorations and fun activities to do, then we sat down and watched the movie. I could see it 100 times and still love it!

At some point toward the end of the movie, we realized that we had no idea where the three youngest were. Actually, Chrissy knew where her baby was, Amber and I were the only irresponsible ones! Luckily they were all together on the trampoline, having a blast. I love Olivia's pose in this picture :).

The party was a huge success. More family get-togethers are in the very near future. Any excuse for the moms to chat while we mostly ignore the kids...who love playing together anyway! 

The kids are totally enjoying the spring weather...and please ignore the horribly irresponsible mom who lets her toddler play with a sucker in his mouth! Sometimes you pick your battles and watch carefully ...

This was the only picture I got from March Madness...we had a little family pool going, and based on this picture, you can guess who won :)

As I mentioned before, we have two new cousins! They spent a few weeks growing and getting cared for in the NICU before they were able to go home. During this time, Olivia really wanted to see them (or pictures of them) and get updates every day. She is so excited for 'two babies!!' at the same time, and one day she made them this card She made the pictures, and I transcribed her words:

Front: 'Dear baby Reese and baby Zoey, I love you, I hope you come out of the hospital now. I will come to your birthday. I want to hold you and give you hugs, and a kiss. I can hold two babies. I like to play with you.
Love, Olivia    I have some toys at my house'

Back: 'I have Frozen. And it is so funny. I love when the guy is Olaf. I love you soooo much!
I drawed all things that are breakable. Those are breakable flowers, if you rip it I will not color another one.'

I love the thinly veiled threat surrounded by exclamations of love. She is definitely a kid with a plan, who loves her cousins.

We finally pulled out the last of the Christmas toys, Carter's new Tball set! I am proud to say that we had no shots to the head, and only minor tears. We do need to help both kids learn how to hold a baseball bat, but they had a blast.

These two pictures aren't related at all, but I just love both of these faces. O is so serious about her work. This particular day of 'preschool' she was coloring all of her vegetables, and she was SO careful to get them the right colors. I love watching her work! Later that afternoon, Carter had a project that he was proud of also! He managed to get his football into his snack bowl, after about ten minutes of trying. He loves to fit balls into spaces that they shouldn't go, so this success was much anticipated.

Some fun with Amber and family! We went in full costume to The Muppets Most Wanted, and were just about the only people there :). We did get some good stares from the employees and other movie-goers, and had a blast. The movie wasn't all that I hoped it would be, but the experience was! In traditional family style, we don't always win the game, but we always win the party!!