Winterfest Fun with Archie

Last weekend we headed up to Roanoke for some Winterfest Fun. (Winterfest is a free festival at the civic center with free games, food, and ice skating - we weren't brave enough to try that, though.) Grace was there, too, but this day was filled with stuff more aimed at Archie's age.

I was so proud of him for having his photo made with this big polar bear. He camped out around this really cool inflatable I think Archie went through 200 times.

He also made this cool snowman craft out of graham crackers and marshmallows. So easy! I've decided to host a marshamallow snowman making party for my Mom's club :)

Archie does not like to get his hands dirty so he chose a non-conventional way of sampling his treat.

Archie's favorite part was the fire stuff outside. We got to go through this cool fire safety house. The house would fill with fake smoke and then they would put the "fire" out by beaming lasers at it. Archie liked the truck best, though.

Growing with Grandma and Grace!

Grace has really grown since she was the sweet little two-week-old who could barely raise her head to look at Grandma DeJ.

At 17 months, she's already talking up a storm with Grandma.

My personal favorite conversation to have with Grace (while eating)

Grace: (points at food on table) mor-uh, mor-uh

Me: Grace, do you want more?

Grace: Yeah (satisfied grin)

I also enjoy hearing her call any muppet type creature she sees "Elmo"

Grace's First Day of School!

Grace started Mother's Day Out today. After dropping her off and running a quick errand with Hunt, I dropped him off at school and it sunk in. FREEDOM!!! I had freedom. This feeling is a first since Archie was born. Sure, Hunt watches the kids sometimes and grandparents are great when we're visiting, but now I can have freedom in a whole new way. Usually, I save someone-else-watching-the-kids time for something really monumental, but now I can use it for more ordinary tasks such as running to the bank or house-cleaning (or even blogging). Grace's teachers said she had a good first day despite a wipe out during Ring Around the Rosie. (I know, I know - dangerous game.) She's in the same class with Archie, which I think helped with the transition. He didn't even seem to mind having The Gracer tag along. She'll be going on Mondays and Thursdays. Here she is at the school sign, modeling her new outfit from Memaw.

Archie wanted in on the fun.

Archie on his first day of school in September. Grace started much earlier than her brother.