Snow Day!

We woke up Tuesday morning to snow on the ground. Carson was so excited. He was so worried that it would melt while he dressed. After playing, he really wanted to keep some snow in the freezer to make 'Blueberry snow cream' when his blueberry bush produces fruit.

Hibachi

We hardly ever go out to dinner (4x/year). Tonight we went to a Hibachi grill called Geisha. Carson was so excited - he especially loved the onion volcano (bet you couldn't have guessed that!). He loved the food. We had sushi roll for an appetizer which is one of his favorite foods. He and I shared fillet mignon and lobster (his choice). He has been wanted to try lobster forever and was thrilled to see it on the menu.

Bam-Bam

Cameron has a little ball pounding toy and he just loves it. He could do this all day. The video shows what he likes to do. He is doing so much and it just blows me away. He is officially crawling and has even ventured down the hall exploring without me. He is 9months old today and I just don't know where the time has gone.

Park Day

We go to the park two times a week with one of our homeschool groups. Last friday was such an awesome day for the park, we were there for almost 5 hours! The day was well attended and we had a blast. I love that Carson gets to play with children of all different ages. I tried to get some good pictures of everyone, but getting kids to take a picture together is like herding cats so I only got about 1/2 of them in the picture.

High-tech skin cells?

Last night I took a bath with the boys in our huge tub and for some reason, Carson and I started to talk about skin cells.

me: "Old skin cells die and new ones grow everyday"
carson: "Really?"
me: "Yes, right now we are washing off the old ones"
carson: "Yeah, the bath is deleting our skin cells......CLICK!"

Cameron is Famous!

A friend of mine teaches Baby sign language classes and the ABC morning show did a segment on it this morning. Cameron was one of the babies showing signs. He did great! He signed ball on cue. He is only 8months old and he has 4 signs so far.
Carson was really excited to go to the studio. I had to explain what a TV station is since he hasn't really ever watched TV and doesn't know there are different channels. I don't think he really understood that the video in the greenroom was being played on everyone's TV.

Follow this link to see the video:
http://www.wfaa.com/video/nspparent-index.html?nvid=222216

How tasty is that orange?

Take a look at the video and I think Cameron can show you just how tasty that orange is!

Baby wearing

Carson has been wanting a baby sling to carry his doll, Tommy for a long time. I finally bought one for him and he wants to wear Tommy everywhere we go. It is so cute!

Live Wildlife Show

On Saturday, I nursed Cameron to sleep in bed and left him with Daddy. Carson and I went to the library where the Fort Worth Zoo was having a live wildlife show. It was so cool and free! During presentations, Carson is beginning to really listen to what is being taught. He is facsinated by what they know and what he can learn. Only a few months ago, he was a wild child during any presenation and did not want to listen or sit still. It amazes me how quickly he is maturing.

Our new garden

Carson and Mark are building our new organic raised garden beds. There will be 4-4'x8' beds. They are also making a special 4'x4' bed just for Carson. We'll probably put herbs in that one. They also planted a blueberry bush and we are thinking of putting a fruiting tree in - maybe apple or fig.

Carson Swim Lessons

Carson started a second session of swim lessons last week. We take them through the Plano Park and Rec and have been happy with them. The pool is perfect for him - the entire side of the pool that Carson is on is 3ft high. They have open swim for $1 and I think we'll take the whole family soon during those hours.

Cameron as a Native American?

Cameron was wearing Carson's feather headband from last year's homeschool daycamp. Too cute for words!

Cameron pulling up

Cameron has been pulling himself up for a few weeks now. He does great holding on to the edge of the train table - take a look. Yeah Cam!

Valentine's Day

Today is Valentine's Day. Carson has been looking forward to this day for a long time. This was one of our busiest days in a while! I'm exhausted. First, we went to pick up our dairy from Mr. Mike (farmer). Then we went to Whole Foods and bought some filet mignons and merlot for a special dinner surprise for Daddy. After that we went to Carson's swimming lesson. It is a small class with only 2 other children. Carson forgot his goggles and one of the instructors let Carson borrow his so we avoided a major catastrophe. He put his head under one time and was very proud. Cameron and I played near the pool with his toys. They have a class for 9month olds and I am thinking about maybe putting Cameron in a class next session.
When we came home, I put Cameron down for a nap and we worked on Carson Valentine's box. We used a laundry soap box that worked just perfect.
After lunch, we went to our homeschool valentine's party. We reserved Jump Town for our group and Carson had the best time. There were so many children (almost 50!!) which means a LOT of valentines for his box. He was so excited that he started opening them in the van on the way home. He loves to read them over and over. It is nice that the party is candy-free so we don't need to worry about a bunch of junk food.
I put the nice dinner together and took a picture of Daddy as he walked in the door. He even brought a pot of mini roses for me! It was a such a nice dinner. Carson loved the candles and Cameron LOVED playing in the mashed potatoes! After dinner, I gave Carson a valentine's gift of homemade heart shaped cookies, a heart balloon and a book. He was so excited about his day. I think we are going to stay home tomorrow and sleep all day (I wish!)

Playday

We went to our friends' house for a playday yesterday. Carson had a great time. Afterwards, we came home and he rode his scooter in the cul-de-sac. He loves riding his bike and scooter. We are so lucky to have found such a great home with a place for him to ride. As usual, Cameron is along for the ride! He loves to be in his carrier.
We also started a crytal growing experiment and erupted a volcano. So much to do when you are 4 years old!

Dallas Symphony Orchestra

We went to see the Dallas Symphony Orchestra today. It was a special performance for Pre-K - 1st grade. We bought the tickets last year and they sold out quickly. Carson really enjoyed it and Cameron flapped his arms and smiled when the music played loud and fast. There was a harp and Carson loved that. He was concerned that they didn't play it continuously and kept telling me so thoughout the perfomance. It was nice to go to this and we'll plan on it again next year.

Daily calendar

Carson has a calendar that he updates daily. I took a picture of him putting up today's day. Many days he does it on his own initiative. He really enjoys it. He is counting down the days until Valentine's day. It is so fun doing holidays with children. Their excitement is contagious.

Lipizzaner Stallions

We went to American Airlines center today to see the world famous Lipizzaner Stallions. It was a really neat show. Mark and Carson really liked it, but I was a little disappointed. I guess I expected more, but after all they are just horses. We sat in a suite and there was a buffet. It was nice to be able to get up with Cameron if necessary and still watch the show. I feel so spoiled when we get to sit up in a suite.

Still erupting volcanoes

Carson is still excited about volcanoes and this weekend he finished his latest creation. He was so excited to erupt it. Unfortunately, he was really hoping for a pyroclastic flow...instead he got baking soda and vinegar reaction.

Beginning a tradition?

I typically cook all of our family meals. However, it seems lately that Daddy and Carson cook breakfast on the weekends. This weekend it was pancakes and sausage. Yummy! They even cleaned up their mess-YEAH! Carson loves to help in the kitchen and helps me with almost every meal. He is such a cute little chef. Take a look at Cameron patiently waiting in the background while I get a shot :)

Homeschool open gym

Carson has been wanting to go back to the open gym that they have for homeschoolers. We finally made it back last Thursday. It was fun! Carson played with his friend Adam. Cameron loved watching. Pretty soon, Cameron will be out there with them!

Dallas Museum of Science

I took the boys to the Museum today. We spent 4 hours there and had a blast. It was such a perfect day to go. There were only a few other people there so Carson was able to check out all the displays without waiting in line. Once we went to the museum in Houston on a Saturday - it was insane! I love homeschooling - I get to go places without lines and crowds!
There was a baby area for Cameron to play and Carson loved it too. We took our lunch and had a little picnic. What a great day.

Just give a kid a box...

On Saturday, Carson found a large box in the garage and decided that it was his project. He brought it inside and taped it together with masking tape. Then he drew windows and a door and punched a hole and tied a string to it which made the doorbell. Mark ended up cutting the openings for windows and a door. Carson and Cameron had a blast inside the box. Cameron loved playing peek a boo through the openings. Later, Carson took it outside and painted it. He ended up with dried paint in his hair. Good thing he was due for a haircut! I did the best I could for such a squirmy little fellow.

Carson's new plant

Carson has been wanting his very own live plant for some time. Finally, we went out and he picked his own plant for his bedroom. He was so proud. After he watered it, I thought it would be fun to do an experiment illustrating how the plant drinks the water. We used food coloring and white carnations. After sitting in the colored water for 24hrs, the carnations slightly turned color. It was so fun.