Basketball

John played basketball with the Tinton Falls recreation department again this winter. This year we had practice during the week and games on Saturdays. John's skills improved immensely as the season went on, but he has decided to not play basketball again next year. He says he doesn't like it. 

Saturday was his last game. They had a round robin tournament with all four of the second grade teams. His team played very well together. After the games the kids all got trophies. 

Team True Blue. 

Proud John!

Proud little sister!

And the very important picture of the sister holding the trophy!

Girls are mean - part 2

A little while ago, I wrote about Gillian having a hard time making new friends at John's basketball game (check out my post titled "Girls are mean"). Yesterday was John's last basketball game. Gillian was prepared. She brought her Anna and Elsa dolls and Minnie Mouse for baby Mackenzie. When we arrived I made sure we were not close to the "mean girls." Gillian sat and played for a little while by herself. Then a little girl started inching closer and closer to us. Gillian noticed the little girl and held on tight to her dolls. The little girl was wearing an Elsa dress and was very interested in Gillian's dolls. Gillian was very hesitant to let go of her dolls. Finally (after a little encouragement from Mommy and Daddy), she handed the little girl the Elsa doll. And that was it. The two of them played and played. I am so glad that Gillian made a friend and that there was no drama. 

Empty Room

Daddy and I are in the process of updating our bedroom (well Daddy is). So we have temporarily moved to the basement and our bedroom is completely empty. On Thursday we let the kids run around the empty room. I found them pretending to be characters from the show Slugterra. They found water guns and were "shooting" each other with slugs. 

Here are a few pictures of the action. 

It's snowing

John woke up a little while ago and snuggled up in our bed. I said "John, you can snuggle for a little bit, but then we have to get ready for school." He said "Umm, it's snowing." I said "What?" He said "It's snowing." Daddy caved and said "No school today!" John smiled and said "See! It's snowing. Snow Day!"

Walking

I dropped Gillian off at school on Monday. On our way up the sidewalk, I asked Gillian "Wanna skip?" She said "No." So we walked up the sidewalk to the building. When I picked her up that night, she decided to pout right outside the door. I wasn't tolerating the attitude, and I ignored her. I asked "How do you want to go down the path? Hopping? Penguin walk? Skipping?" Gillian giggled and said "Let's hop!" And we did. It was so much fun! Today when I dropped her off, I asked her how she wanted to "walk" up the path. We were going to walk like penguins, but Gillian changed to walking on our heels. It's a short sidewalk but oh so much fun when you are with Gillian. 

How was your day?

Every night at dinner we ask the kids about their days. This has taught them to ask others how their day is and listen to other people stories. Basically we are teaching them how to hold a conversation. In the long run it will be very beneficial for them, but now it sometimes seems too routine for the kids. 

Whenever I pick up Gillian from school we have the following conversation:

G: How was your day?

M: Good. How was your day?

G: Good. How was your day?

M: Good. How was your day?

G: Good. How was your day?

And we will continue this round robin until one of us gives up. Today we did it a little bit different. 

G: How was your day?

M: Good. How was your day?

G: Good. How was your day?

M: Awesome. How was your day?

G: Good. How was your day?

M: Fabulous. How was your day?

G: Fabulous! How was your day?

M: Amazing! How was your day?

G: Awesomesauce! How was your day?

We continued with different adjectives until Gillian had enough. She loved it. Let's see if she remembers them tomorrow. 

Science Center

Mimi and Poppy took the kids to the Liberty Science Center yesterday. Mimi told me that the museum was huge and that they didn't get to see everything or all the shows. She said that they got to see a really cool light show that was powered by music. Everyone had to wear head phones. 

The kids told us about it. Gillian said "It was so loud, but I liked the purple light the best." "Gill! There wasn't purple!"

Mimi also told me that the kids desperately wanted to go to one floor in particular because there was a big climber. 

When they finally got to the climber, John took one look and said "I'm not going in." But that didn't stop Gillian. 

But then she got stuck and John went in to help her get out. 

They got to go rock climbing. 

And check out all kinds of cool exhibits. 

John got to see his favorite animal!

They had an awesome day!  Thanks Mimi and Poppy!