Playing on the ice

Here in Southern IL it's been pretty cold. We didn't get as much snow as our friends in the upper parts of the state.  It was cold enough Prince Charming said we should walk on the ice.  Oh course at first I was like, didn't we tell them not to, now were going to say its okay to do.  We talked with the them about the temperature and to tell how frozen it was and I said yes.  I love being a yes mom!! 

When we first went out I had them hold the dock.  But once they got it we were off.  

Our dog Jessie loved the ice also.  She ran and ran.  Sliding as she tried to stop. She must have hit her nail while we were playing because I noticed a little blood. She never indicated any pain.       

Here is our little princess walking with no hands.


 

We got the sled out and I pushed and pulled. We were out for about an hour and a half. We pushed nap back a little, so thankful we did. The sun kept it bearable.  We all had a great time.

Our super hero keeping asking if we can go out again. If the temps stay low enough, I'm going to say YES!

Searching for Tadpoles

We were given some tadpoles a few weeks ago.  I did a water change, not the first time.  But this time I killed them.  All of them  there were about 50.  The kids were really taking an interest in them.  So I thought we should go and find more.  We didn't find any but had a good time looking.  We also looked in the lake and in the pools around us.  We will get some more this weekend from where we got the others, in a pool.  So silly.  I think I will take them to the bigger lake tomorrow to see what we can find.  

It's a bad picture sorry.
She (R) is telling me its cold.  Notice none of the others seem to notice.  

We brought with us two pitchers and two nets.  Everyone shared.  The littles ( what I three younger ones age 1-2) spent more time pouring out the water.  It's their favorite thing to do right now.  The older ones spent their time seeing if they could jump across and looking under rocks.

We had a friend and her two kids ( same ages).  She made a comment about this moment "stretching her wings as a mom".  That she doesn't know if she would have thought to let the kids do this.  Funny because I don't really know what else to do with them!!   ( I think I just found a new post idea)

Where do you take your kids to find Tadpoles?

The great dirt pile!

After hill jumping we set off to the great dirt pile that is on the other side of us.  

R could spend hours making "chocolate milk"

There go the "big kids" off to create something as far away from the littles as they can.  

I brought these over and they spent a long time sitting there by themselves.  I thought CJ would have picked them up.  

F is gathering her materials and her plans.  She wouldn't tell me. 

They are starting to play together a little more each day.  They still like that side by side play.  They are usually together. 

The stage of fill it up.........

.......and pour it out.  Covering his leg I might add.

C went and go some other materials along with those tucks. They were really working together and talking about what they were going to do and who should do what.  They really work as a team.

I made CJ one of his most favorite things....  A MUD BALL!!! 

Again dump it out and............

Oh where it as a hat!

F and I made a mud man. 

 

They created a fire pit out of materials laying in the area.  Looks great doesn't it!

Good times had by the great dirt pile.

The neighbors have plans to put trees here.  Bummer :( maybe I can get a smaller version for our yard.   

Hill Jumping and exploring the great outdoors

 As you know my now we enjoy being outside.  The kids also enjoy trying some new skills.  I think it started out by us running down this hill.  It is the ditch between our houses.  CJ loves to do what C does.  In the first you will see.  He trips and laughs about and goes back.  The true sprite of a 1  year old.

They also just love to look in the grass to see what they can find.  Collecting rock is also top priority during these outing.