the kids and my tragedy

I've captured some great pictures of the kids during some of our latest adventures and thought I'd take a break from "holiday catch up" (I know, I've only done one!) and give you something recent to check out. Hope you enjoy. (this is for you mom!) :)

So I've been trying to find ways to better organize the kids' toys so when I found these awesome colorful trash cans at IKEA I had a "THAT'S IT!" moment. I got this green one for the big legos we bought the kids for Christmas and it fits them perfectly. Apparently it fits the kids perfectly too! They had lots of fun getting in it.

Emma was not into sharing the bucket!

She was MAD!

Getting silly...

...then worn out!

I think this face is hillarious! She will do it for you if you scrunch your nose and breathe in and out really loudly like you're sniffing something. (she may have been copying me when I got the picture- I don't remember.)

Playing more with the bucket after daddy came home.

It snowed big time on sunday, so monday we finally broke out the winter gear and went outside to play in the snow!

This is emma's first time in the snow.

I mostly just took them around the neighborhood in our sled. They loved it! While we were sledding, Aiden said "go dis way!"

(Aiden pointing)

I don't know if you can even really see them but he wanted to see those sticks poking up out of the ground.

So he got out and explored the sticks, and I took pictures...

Emma discovering snow.

He got his cheeks wet with snow and they were cold.
So I breathed hot air on them and he was happy again.

So I taught him how to make snow angels.
(he wasn't impressed- maybe next year?)

I let Emma sit in the snow but it didn't last too long before she wanted to get back in the sled!

Aiden thought riding his scooter would be a good idea.
I convinced him hot chocolate would be better!

Evidence that I have the sweetest husband...

He scraped all my windows clean so I wouldn't have to!

Thanks sweetie!



I decided to let Emma test drive the spoon today...

It actually didn't go that badly.
At least she got the concept!

She did eventually give up and use her fingers. oh well!

So today something happened I've been anxiously awaiting for a long time.
Aiden wanted to paint!

I got out this craft paper we had saved from some packaging and my cheap craft paints and set up the easle for him. He LOVED it! He was entertained at least a good 30 mins. Much longer than his usual 3 min. time span. I was in heaven watching him make each brush stroke.
Our little artist! :)

After he finished his first painting he asked me to paint.
So I did his profile and let him finish it.

We had so much fun, and then as I was cleaning up the extra paper I heard him behind me fooling with something on the table. The next thing I hear is my camera falling off the table and onto the kitchen floor! NOOOOO! It was too late. The damage had been done. The barrel of the lens is broken in 3 places- completely unrepairable. It looks horrible. It might have been okay if I hadn't had my lens full extended, but it was and that made the middle of the barrel easier to break. I'm so sad because lenses are expensive which means I won't be able to use it for a while. So I hope you enjoy these pictures. You won't be getting any nice ones for a while. (any one want to donate to the "laura barnett's camera recovery fund"? Just kidding!) Luckily tax returns are just around the corner. I still have our point and shoot, but it's not near the same quality. It's my own fault for not putting it back in my bag right away. Kids! What can you do but be extra careful about your things. You can't leave anything you care about laying around. So that's my sad story. I AM grateful I got those pictures of him painting before the tagedy! I love them.
Live and learn right?