Random Activities with Friends

I recently added a subject to K's curriculum -- Cooking/Baking. She has been baking with me since she was one, so this isn't technically new, but we are making a more deliberate effort at her education in the kitchen.

When Katarina was here, we combined baking bread with a Swedish lesson. Katarina took the lead in baking the bread, and we kind of made it up on the way, building on her basic recipe.

K times two

K wasn't the only one who enjoyed Katarina's visit. AJ really opens up to her, and here he is sharing a story with her in Swedish.

I love the looks on his face. I can really tell that she holds a special place in his heart.

Afternoon Hike

Last Sunday, a dear friend from Sweden came for a visit. I picked her up Sunday morning, we packed a picnic lunch, picked up some friends, and drove up to the monument for an afternoon outdoors.

After eating, we headed out on the trail with the kids.



Pausing to look at the view before the trail started



Katarina

 The kids hit the trail with great enthusiasm. They loved running, climbing, and exploring the trail.

K climbing up a fallen tree branch



H finding a "treasure"



"Look what I found, Mom!"



K and her friend

The four kiddos found a little overhang carved out in the rocks



Katarina volunteered to carry all the water bottles.

This trail was short enough to keep the kids' excitement from waning, yet it still offered magnificent views. Plus, it was level, which made it easier on this pregnant momma.

One of the views

The kids loved climbing around the rocks

H holding a tissue to his hurt knee.

A face carved out in one of the rocks

Can you find AJ?

Sweet boy

 Another view

We all enjoyed ourselves thoroughly, and I look forward to future hikes. I did appreciate the extra sets of eyes on the trail, and I believe I will need the help in any upcoming ventures. With the winding trail coming quite close to the edge, the ratio of three adults to four children was much-appreciated.

AJ's 5th Birthday Bash

We celebrated AJ's birthday a day early as Timo was flying to Sweden the day of his actual birthday. He chose fishing cupcakes like the ones I had made for K a couple of years ago. This time, I let the kids put the straws, floss, and fish on the icing themselves, and they really enjoyed contributing.



One of AJ's birthday cupcakes

 Timo came home early for this event, and AJ wanted to open some presents right away. We obliged and allowed him to open a few before dinner.

AJ with round one of his presents



H waiting patiently for AJ to open the presents

  AJ chose the largest present to open first. No surprise there: he's 5.

AJ and his roundhouse

 Next, K convinced AJ to open a present from her -- her colored pencils and a card she made with a neighbor lady. Next, he opened a present from my parents.

A cube puzzle: six puzzles in one for my puzzle-loving boy

 After opening the puzzle, we ate dinner. AJ had chosen ribs, mashed potatoes, and mixed vegetables. Once he finished his vegetables, it was time for cupcakes.


AJ and his cupcake. Happy birthday, big boy!

 We still have presents coming for him, and he also has another party coming with his friends. My sweet boy gets a whole week of celebrations.

Home Economics 101

I decided to start a new subject in homeschooling this week: home economics. Once a week, K will cook something. This month we are baking breads. This week's bread: pumpkin with a chocolate spice frosting. She did a fabulous job, and she even gave this loaf to a neighbor lady. We found out later it was her birthday, and she ate a slice of this bread as her birthday cake. The other loaf didn't last long at our house.

I'm a Ballerina Now

K has been learning a lot in her ballet classes. She is so fun to watch as she learns new steps and dances around the studio. Here is a taste of the end of one of her lessons.



Thanking her teacher with a curtsy

 I didn't get any great action shots, but I am hopeful that future lessons will yield better pictures.

Tenth Anniversary Vacation: Day 2

On day two of our trip, the morning greeted us with blue skies and plenty of sunshine, a welcome change from the day before. It was still cold, but the day held promise of warmer weather.

After breakfast, our first stop was at Target, where we purchased some warm gloves for the kids.

View from the Target parking lot.

After leaving Target, we headed back to the hotel where we parked our car and headed for the sky tram. We then rode up to the top of the mountain, where our day of fun began.


The tram ahead of us.

 

My three kiddos bundled up for a day outside.

Once we reached the park at the top of the mountain, Timo headed off with AJ to ride the Alpine Coaster, and I took K to the 4-D theater. She watched a short show while I stayed outside with H. I took him over to a little climbing cube, but he was more interested in brushing snow off of the nearby picnic bench.

H playing with the snow.

After the show, K came out and wanted to climb around the Speleobox. H then decided it was okay for him as well.


At the exit of the Speleobox




H taking his turn.

 Soon, AJ and Timo came back from the Alpine Coaster, and he took a turn climbing around the labyrinth while Timo took K for a ride on the coaster.


AJ




H wanting to pose for the camera again.

 While Timo watched them climbing, I walked down a path for a photo of the trams ascending the mountainside.

When the kids were done climbing around, we decided to go ahead and eat lunch. The restaurant at the park had an incredible view from the dining area. It was very peaceful to eat and look out across the valley.


K admiring the view

 After lunch, Timo took the older two kids to play a couple of rounds of laser tag. Then, we headed to our 1:30 tour of the caverns.

Waiting for the tour guide

As everyone filed in the first room of the cave tour, I started snapping some pictures.

AJ isn't so sure about this

Always ready with a smile

Strategically-placed lights illuminated interesting portions of the caverns, and I tried to capture their beauty as we walked through the narrow passages.

The second portion of the cave tour takes place in a cavern below the first ones. This one holds many formations that look like other things.

A fairy

Bacon hanging from the ceiling

Oscar



Snow White and the dwarfs on the left, and a castle on the right



Looking down into the most decorated room in the caverns

A crab



The cave's "heart"

After the cave tour, the kids were anxious to get outside and get back into the activities.

K conquering the climbing wall

Almost there

Repelling down

AJ climbing

Daddy and AJ on the Alpine Coaster. This looked like so much fun, but it is not recommended for pregnant women.

Daddy and K

H and I found a huge sandbox, where he happily played while the older kids took their turns on the other rides.

H sifting sand

AJ on the bungee trampoline

Pure joy

A view of the valley from near the bungee trampoline

K enjoying the bungee trampoline

Way up high

Doing a flip. She got really good at back flips.

K and AJ back at the climbing wall/tower

AJ did much better the second time around.

Both kiddos climbing

Around 5pm, we decided to head back down the mountain. We played one last round of laser tag, with H and me joining the rest for a family laser tag feud. Then we rode the tram down the mountain, stopped at the hotel for a few minutes, and headed out to dinner.

I think the weather ended up working to our advantage. It kept the crowds away, but it was nice enough to enjoy being outside. It actually ended up being a beautiful day in the park, and the kids were able to visit the attractions without waiting in long lines. Everyone seemed to enjoy the trip, and the kids even asked if we could do this every year for our anniversary.