“It is better to play than do nothing” ~ Confucious

The weather has been perfect for outdoor playtime. We make good use of our driveway as we do not have a yard. Works out perfectly.

 Started off with some painting. 

 Then drawing with chalk. Gabriel joined Louis.

 Then we had some apple slices for snack.

 Bubbles with Thomas the Tank Engine

Rockin' Big Bro!

Louis lives up to this t-shirt's saying, no doubt about it.

Play for All

Eisenhower Park has a wonderful new playground. Something for everyone, of all ages, of all abilities. We will definitely be back, many times. Louis and Leah dressed themselves today from head to toe. Can't get enough of their fashion choices.

Like some slime?

We made a batch of purple slime/gak. Super easy to do. Found a recipe online.

1/2 cup of Elmer's glue
1 1/2 cups water
Food Coloring (optional)
1 teaspoon of Borax

Pour glue into a bowl, add 1/2 cup water, add food coloring. Stir.

In separate bowl, add 1 cup of water, add 1 teaspoon of Borax, stir.

Slowly add while stirring glue mixture to Borax solution. It will start to clump up. Continue to mix until you have a dough of sorts forming. Knead the dough until it is no longer wet & sticky. The more you knead it the firmer it will get. Takes a good 5 minutes or so of kneading it. The kids can do it.

"Heaven is a playground"

Is there anything more simple and amazing (and fun) than a playground? We've lived here for 4 years and the kids have been to the playground 100 times and then some. Still? They love it. Every time.

Simple joy.

Baby Legs & Arms

Louis absolutely loves to accessorize. Shoes, socks, hats? LOVE and now he loves to wear his Baby Legs on his arms.

Walks, Talks & Driveway Art

Louis loves taking walks. We usually take at least one morning walk to say hi to the fish and walk around the complex we live in a few times. Louis points out the seasonal changes, leaves on the trees, flowers---I really never noticed how much these things change from day to day but Louis notices. Mostly he talks and I listen. We even have our own 'secret' spot. Not really secret, just a path that goes through a set of buildings that has a gazebo in it but it's special to him.

 Afterward we took a break and Louis left us some artwork on the driveway. Best canvas out there.

Bye Bye Curls...again

While at Leah's dance class today Louis asked if he could get a haircut. As much as I didn't want to have all his beautiful curls cut off I said yes. He picked out the haircut he wanted and I let the barber know what it was. He really enjoys the process. He sits still and is very quiet. Afterward he told me he liked how the front looked which is exactly what he wanted. I always feel a bit sad after his haircuts but I know he loves them. He told me that wants to have long hair. We'll see how long he'll last before requesting another cut.

Baby Love

Every day since Leah gave Louis his new baby he has taken time out of his day to love it, care for it and wear it. He hasn't named her but he told me he is thinking about it. When it is time to feed Gabriel, it is time to feed his baby. If I can't nurse her for him then he goes to get her a sippy cup or bottle. He pretends to change her diaper or put her on the potty, the same way I do with Gabriel during the day. It's all very adorable and sweet.

Construction Trucks!

While at Target last night I came across some mini CAT trucks and I knew they'd be perfect for our sand box at home. Louis picked out a set that included different types of trucks. Today he couldn't wait to take them out and play with them.

Babywearing Fun

Louis loves to play with Leah's dolls. He is particularly fond her American Girl Bitty Baby so Leah has given him the doll. He was so happy to hear it was his now. He asked me to get him some 'baby stuff' for him so he could 'take care' of his baby. This included a request that I make a sling out of a blanket for him!

Leah wore her baby, and Louis wore his.

Hats Galore

As noted in past posts Louis loves hats. My friend Christina visited us a few weeks ago and bought Louis one of the best hats ever! He absolutely loves it and it suits him so well. I love his curls and how they frame his face so beautifully.