Build & Grow @ Lowe's

Last weekend we took the boys the Lowe's Build and Grow workshop. If you haven't been to one of these it's a great way to spend a Saturday morning and it give your kids something to do for the rest of the day because they are so excited to have a new toy. The best part about it... it's FREE! Yes Free! They are always on Saturday mornings at 10:00 am. I would recommend signing up though, that way you get a spot.  I have been told that they always have extras so you can always just walk in on a whim if you want.

How it works is, you sign a release (you can print this online when you register or they sign it at the store) take it with you to the store and they give you your building set. Find a place to work & get started.

This was our first time going and the kids had a blast. I was told when you go for the first time let them know this is your first clinic and they will give the kids a free apron & goggles they should bring back to the next clinic. You also get a patch and certificate of completion at the end of your project. You can sew the patch on your apron. Super cute idea but I have say I didn't see anyone with goggle or the aprons. 

Pull out the instructions and get building!

  







Ian did an awesome job. He didn't need much help from Dad at all.


















Leland & Mom on the other hand... We needed a little help. Let's just say, I'm not the best at following "building" instructions. We needed a little extra help from Dad. Thanks Dad!!

 Leland was great at sorting the parts out and I was great at putting all the nails in the wrong place, even if there were per-drilled holes. I am willing to admit that building is not my forte!  

Once it's all built add the stickers & you're good to go.

MONSTER JAMS - MONSTER TRUCK - COMPLETE!

Take your finished project back to the table.

Wait in line.

Get your certificate. 

 

Get your Patch.

Project Complete!

 We are signed up for the next Monster Truck Build and Grow workshop. They have tons of different projects and there is a new one each week. Check it out online or at your local Lowe's store.

Back to feeling better

Finally we are all back to feeling better around here. After a case of croup, an ear infection, a couple sinus infections and a few crabby kids we are all back on the road to recovery. Ian is back to school after missing a few days and Leland is back to his wild self again. I think he may have even grown an inch! He was just putting a floor puzzle together the other day and he was so excited to get it all together.

Marble Run

Today Leland and I played with the Marble Run. I think we picked it up last year sometime. The boys just love it! 

You can read my review of it here.




What is so great about this toy is that the kids actually learn something from this toy. They learn about balance, cause & effect, it helps with hand eye coordination and creativity. 

You and make several different "Runs" It's endless fun.

 Leland loves to take them apart and put them back together to create all different kids of "Runs" 

At the bottom of the run there is a little place that will collect the marbles.

A February Hike.

Today was a beautiful day and I think we all have a little spring fever! So we packed up some lunch and a few snacks and headed out.

We ended up at one the the local national parks. 

After a High-Five

&

A "Let's go"

We were off.

After about 45 min into our hike we found the perfect spot to have our lunch.

 

Dad makes the best PB&Js!

  

 Once our yummy lunch was finished we did a little playing in snow and climbing on logs.

 

We headed back to the tail.

 

We even had some time to get a few family photos! That never happens, well not often anyway.

Once we got back on the trail someone got a little tired so we headed back.

We had a great day even if we did have to bundle up.

I added a couple photos to my lil' nature tab.

Don't forget to check it out.

 

Presidents Day

 Happy Presidents Day!

Valentines Day

 


Happy Valentines Day!














Today was all about hearts! First, we had to make up some Valentines for Ian's class.
I found this super cute printable fish bowl so I had Ian color it,

 sign his name and I wrote "I'm happy to be in your school"

Then I had him place each cut out it in a baggie with some Swedish Fish.

  I think they turned out really cute. 

Ian also made a cute little button heart valentine for his teacher and she loved it! 

 Ian had his Valentine Party in school and they made a really cute Valentine Mailbox & Envelope.

While Ian was at school I had my little helper Leland.

As you can see, he is a 
Handsome Devil just like Dad!

(wink, wink)

We got our little Valentine Tins filled with heart shaped marshmallows & hot cocoa

Then he worked on getting some candy heart window clings up for the party. We also made some Cherry Jello Jigglers and some brownies. We used a mini heart cookie cutter to make up the Jigglers & brownies as part of our special  Valentine dinner.

Once we picked Ian up from school it was time for the party to start!

On the dinner & movie menu we are going to have heart shaped pizza with heart shaped pepperonis some heart shaped jello jigglers & heart shaped brownies with hear sprinkles. I told it was going to be crazy about heart around here!

First we cut out hearts in our pizza dough. I just used the Pillsbury remade thin crust.

Prebaked it for about 10 minutes.

Used a mini heart shaped cookie cutter to cut the pepperoni into hearts.

Used a jarred pizza sauce.

Shredded some mozzarella.

Then it was up to the boys to add the sauce, pepperoni and cheese!

When it was all said and done I think we all enjoyed dinner and a Charlie Brown Valentine!

Happy Valentines Day!