The Royal Garden

Layna got a super-cute princess (castle) greenhouse kit for Christmas and we thought putting it together would make for a great Saturday project. First, we had to soak the peat disk for a few minutes in order to create the moist soil for our little seeds -- Layna called them her "baby seeds." She loves all things baby. After the soil was soaked, but before she laid the seeds, she created a sweet little gravel path through the house.

She began with the pink rocks

...then laid the purple rocks on top.

She carefully placed each baby seed

Then placed the castle lid on top

Ready for the windowsill!

Bedtime and other things...

We haven't been overly busy lately, but there are a couple cute things I thought I'd share. Firstly, I watched as Brayden read a bedtime story to Layna the other night. I caught a fantastic shot of the two of them on the bed ...and then Layna realized she was on camera and began to pose, the cheese!

Then, when Brayden and I got our haircut on Saturday, I caught him enjoying a hot-towel treatment. So fancy!

And finally, and for this I apologize, I have a recommendation for you -- I made doughnuts the other day from this recipe and they were amazing!! So easy, I feel guilty for telling you about them...

Anniversary Art

Our 7th Anniversary was on January 1st. Since we were traveling back from Florida that weekend, we decided to postpone our typical anniversary date for a week or so (although a BIG thanks to our friends, Kasia and Matt, who met us when we got back from Florida with some champagne!) and we took the kids out to dinner. But last week, we did something new for our date -- Sips 'n Strokes. I'm sure something like this exists everywhere, but the idea is that you spend a few hours painting and drinking in an art studio. They publish the painting of the day on a monthly calendar, so we were able to choose to paint angels. Neither of us had ever painted like this before, so we were quite excited. The kids were even more excited (having seen an example of the angel online before we left). Layna requested that she get to put one of the angels up in her room, so I was on it!

After we put on some old clothes that could get painted, we were off! The painting process is pretty quick, but we still had a few moments when certain coats needed to dry, etc., so let's begin there...

Drying the base coat (love the painting on the wall behind her!)

Then it was back to work on the angel.

Adding the angel's hair

Nicole followed the suggested color palette very closely, but I tweaked it a bit so it would look better in Layna's room, mixing up a dark pink background rather than a dark red (her walls are ballet-slipper pink) and staying with gold tones on the angel, rather than dark browns.

The finished products

I added a little halo for my little angel!

Buggie with her new angel

Although there were some moments of frustration -- we had to produce a finished painting from a blank canvas in one night! -- we had a great time. We'll definitely go back, and bring friends!

Mentos + DC = FUN!

On Sunday afternoon, Layna was invited to join a couple friends for their 4-yr-old birthday party. So Brayden and I were left with some boys time. What to do?? Brayden had a great idea -- do Mentos and Diet Coke eruptions! I first told you about this unique fun some six years ago and we tried it ourselves two years ago -- click here for a refresher. The video from the previous experiment, with 3-yr-old Brayden and 2-yr-old Layna, is super cute. This time, Brayden was ready to use multiple candies in each bottle and make a pretty solid eruption. Let the fun begin!

Opening the package

Ready for the drop!

Time for another

Boom!

...and another...

...and another!

Boom!

It's all even better on video...

We had a great time (and yes, we played the Wii, but only after a walk!).

Experimental carnage

B wanted one with the empties, too!

Mystery Reader

Many of you likely know that Brayden is an excellent reader (in fact, Layna is becoming an excellent reader, too!). When Brayden was in 4K at Saint Luke's Day School, his teacher invited mystery readers into the classroom on occasion to surprise the students. When Brayden graduated to Kindergarten, he asked if he might return as a mystery reader one day. Well, that day has come! The Day School started back two days before the area public schools, giving Brayden a perfect opportunity to return. Miss Nan, his 4K teacher, was thrilled! She asked Brayden to pick "one of his favorite books about winter," so Brayden picked A Winter's Nap featuring Curious George -- an excellent choice! ...and when Layna found out Brayden was going to read to one of the 4K classes, she asked (actually, squealed) if he could read to her 3K class, too! Why not?! So, after talking about how best to read so everyone could understand and enjoy the story (articulate well, speak slowly, and show everyone the pictures), off he went, book in hand, to be the first mystery reader of 2012!

First stop, was to Miss Nan and Miss Stephanie's 4K class. I was really surprised at how attentive the students were during the entire reading (and in the 3K class, too!).

Group shot with the Mystery Reader

Then we headed down the hall to Layna's 3K class with Miss Marie and Miss Amanda.

Layna is so proud!

Before we left Layna's room, she ran to give Brayden a BIG hug ...and then slid down, holding onto his leg, saying, "stay, Brady, stay!" He just laughed and gave her a kiss -- just like a big brother.

Last Day in Lakeland

Our Christmas trip to Florida was over too soon... but our last day in Lakeland was full of fun! The kids made cinnamon ornaments with Gigi in the morning (a great little craft -- especially since they smell sooo good!).

Then we met Aunt Nancy, Jackson, and Nama at the best playground ever - Common Ground!

We had a wonderful time in Florida and can't wait to get back real soon!