Best Dad in the Universe

 Gymnastics open gyms are getting too easy for this girl :-)

 If my Mom and I talk at all while Laney is on her ipad she gets up and leaves the room to watch her ipad videos in peace and quiet.  How did this girl get this big?  I mean really.

 Look at me all dressed up with Mom's earrings, bracelets, and necklaces!

 Laney sat her baby next to our photo of her cousin Eliana one day.  She didn't know I was watching and it was so cute because she was telling her baby all about how cute and little baby Eliana is.  "Isn't she soooo cute baby?"- in Laney's highest pitch voice possible.

 Carson calls Patrick, "The best Dad in the whole entire universe!".  I have NEVER heard that I'm the best Mom in the universe.

 Some more private ipad time in the guest bedroom at Grandma's house.  She definitely makes herself at home.

 This week we met our friends Will, Leah, and Ms. Jen at the Children's Museum.  Laney did some ball painting and played dentist!

 One night Carson and Laney built a lego city, together.  Yes, together.  They talked to each other politely, took turns, listened to one another, and just plain had fun together.  This went on for about 15 minutes and I would call it nothing less than a mini miracle.  I was sitting in a chair nearby and I honestly was frozen stiff.  I didn't want to move or speak and cause them to go back to their usual bickering selves!

 Carson had a school Chucky Cheese Night this month!  It was Carson and Laney's first experience at Chucky Cheese and they loved it.  Carson can't wait to go back because he didn't realize until afterwards that the more tickets he won the bigger the prizes he could trade them in for.  He's mad that he "wasted" some of his tokens on rides instead of on games that he could have earned more tickets on. He thinks way too strategically for me in these "just for fun" situations.

 On Carson's day off of school I took the kids to the local ice arena for open skate time!  It was a learning experience for all of us.  Apparently good parents send their kids there with a helmet....oops.  Next time!  This was Laney's first skating experience and it was HILARIOUS.  When Carson falls or gets frustrated he whines.  When Laney falls or gets frustrated she gets blazing MAD!  You should definitely watch the skating videos.  She was so angry when she fell.  She did take a short break and sat out for a few minutes but after she cooled off she was right back out there.  I also had no idea just how cold it would be in there.  So, next time Carson will be wearing gloves.  But overall lots of fun!

We also went out to lunch at Culvers with Grandma and Grandpa per Carson's request on his day off.  Look close he is balancing our order number up on his head hoping that our ice cream order will come out faster if they can see his number better.  This kid!

 My kids love that Griffey Dog!

 After a late night with Auntie at Grandma and Grandpa's this is what we saw when we pulled into our garage from our 10 minute drive home.  Laney is still going strong singing and Carson is OUT.  This is very typical.

 This past weekend we went to the Grand Rapids Kids and Family Expo for the first time.  It was downtown at the Devos Center and highlighted some of the cool things Grand Rapids has to offer kids.  We got to play in the bounce house, the big bouncy slide, make necklaces, Laney joined in on a dance party, and Carson went on a zipline!

 Feed a horse....ride a mechanical horse.

 Look at the story telling face on this girl as she gets her tatoo put on!