TravelingMel

I've been taking a lot of pictures, as always, but haven't gotten around to posting any. So here you go.

Big H found some tunnels and tents at a garage sale and we have been loving them ever since. We use them inside and out, but you know that. They are a great distraction when things start getting a little out of control. Not that that ever happens.

Baby duck, Jesse and Anders in the tunnel.

Giving Finn a lesson in tunnelology.

The boys got bubbles in their daycare Valentine's Day bags. Since the weather had been pretty warm, we figured it was time to get out and blow bubbles. Since I am the only one who can reliably blow bubbles I didn't get pictures of the actual bubbles. I figure most of you are here to see the kids, dogs or scenery anyway. Or maybe to steal a glance at my super hot husband. (You're out of luck on that account. This is a Henry-free post. Sorry.)

Looking cute while waiting for mom to open the bubbles.

"So that's how you do it."

After chasing bubbles for a bit, we went looking for trains. We walked near the tracks, but didn't see any locomotives. Luckily there were rocks and sticks. Anders liked looking down the ground squirrel holes and imagining them sleeping down there.

Looking for trains, finding sticks.

Dousing for ground squirrels.

Finding tracks in the mud.

Then it was time for home and lunch. After some indoor play the boys were more than ready for their naps. Or was it me that was more than ready for their naps? Hard to recall.

Tuckered out after a morning of tunnels, bubbles, and trainspotting.

Fast forward a few days.

We like a good game of hide and go seek around here. Anders LOVES it. He is so excited about being found that he usually announces his location while we are looking for him. Good thing because he and Finn come up with some challenging hiding spots.

Look closely. You'll never guess where Finn is hiding.

There he is!

Anders has found an equally challenging spot to hide.

There he is!

Fast forward again...

I used to use scavenger hunts when I worked in environmental education. They are appealing to kids because they feel like a treasure hunt. And they are a treasure hunt. They are appealing to outdoor educators because they get kids to tune in to their surroundings. They can also be a good way to introduce a topic.

Debi at Go Explore Nature recently posted about a scavenger hunt they did. The list she linked to was perfect for us, so we printed it out and went on our own scavenger hunt.

We found a smooth rock. Cross it off the list!

Yeah! There are ducks here, too.

Finding a rock naturally leads to throwing rocks into the creek.

Finn takes a moment to enjoy his surroundings. I love how he crosses his legs when he sits.

Berries. Also on the scavenger hunt list.

Throwing rocks in the creek naturally leads to playing in the playground.

Throwing rocks from the bridge, of course.

Tuckered out after a morning outside.

So now you are pretty much caught up.

More pictures on my Flickr page.

A little video for Scott. This one was shot in our underground lair, hence the darkness.

The other night we made sushi. Although H and I have eaten our fair share of sushi, neither of us have ever rolled it ourselves. No time like the present to try. We spent the afternoon preparing the ingredients and then rolled our little hearts out.

Turns out we all love sushi.

First we made the sticky rice. Rice + water, washed in a little vinegar and a bit of sugar.

Broccoli. That's Anders' favorite vegetable. And carrots.

Delicious portabello mushrooms marinated in a secret sauce. Finn loved these.

A little Japanese green tea.

Carrot slice to please Anders.

Plum sake to enhance the mood.

Asparagus to further increase Anders' (and ours) happiness.

A little cream cheese and wasabi.

All the ingredients ready to go.

Oops, forgot the avocado and smoked salmon.

H spreads the rice on the nori.

Getting ready to eat.

We love sushi!

It's not pretty, but it sure was yummy.

Today the boys and I decided to experience the west. That's what was promised to us by the Wild West Winterfest organizers.

And experience the west, we did. As we do everyday since we live in the west. We did have fun though. There were kids' activities, a horse sale (good thing Big H wasn't with us or they'd have another horse ), dog agility, wagon rides and a whole lot of animals to check out and even some to pet.

Anders ropes a (wooden) steer with the help of a Bridger Rodeo Club member.

Anders is ready to ride. Finn watches on. In this flag event, Anders must ride his steed to a couple barrels, and plant his flag.

And, he's off!

The flag is safely in the barrel.

The boys check out a horse trailer.

Checking out a horse trailer.

Taking a ride on a horse-pulled wagon.

Holding hands and goat watching.

Cute, cute piglets.

The rare chicken-pony.

To beat the winter blahs we've signed up for gymnastics. (I'm just kidding about the winter blahs, more like the winter yee haws!) We're just doing it because it is so darn fun.

Last year, Anders and I did the parent/kid class while Finn rode on my back. I knew there was no way Finn would hang out in a backpack and watch his brother have tons of fun, so we waited until Anders turned 3 (that's how old you need to be to be in a class without a parent) and signed them both up.

Anders is in Gym Kids and Finn and I are doing Movement Mania at Lone Mountain Gymnastics in Bozeman. Anders is rocking the big kid class (after a little separation anxiety that lasted all of ten minutes) and Finn is climbing over everything he can find (unless one of the teachers comes up to him, then he begs to be picked up by me and kept away from those who clearly intend him harm).

A little disclaimer on these photos: it's inside, I'm trying to keep Finn from diving off things, and Anders is at the other end of the building, which requires a lot of zooming. All those things = blurry photos.

Super Finn tackles the slide. No fear.

Jumping off that half ball thingy whose name I forget and tapping the balloon.

The tunnel is a favorite.

Nothing but a blur as Anders hops down the tumble track.

A careful crossing.

Anders' class. This photo is actually pretty cool.

I tried to take a group shot before we sang the goodbye song, but the camera only focused on me. It knows who owns it.