Another rainy day...

It's spring, so we've had several rainy days recently.  We are grateful that today was a sunny and warmer day, though!  With all of the rain, we've had to get creative with what to do with our need to move, which for a 3 almost 4-year-old boy means climb, jump, climb, climb, run, climb, oh and "Mommy, can I climb up you?"  Typically, this would be a great time to cue Daddy for some rough and tumble play (aka wrestling!), but Daddy is 2 (HUGE) papers and a presentation away from the end of his semester.

Since we had gone to the Dupage Children's Museum , where we have a membership (and love it!) on Monday, we were at home on Tuesday.  So, Tuesday (rainy day 3 in a row) we did a special Mother's day project in the morning.  This project was tons of fun and will get a post all of its own soon.  However, that left us with the afternoon with a Joel who did not nap (which is fairly common at this point) and needed to climb and be super active.  So here's what became of our "all the way downstairs" (we have a split level, so it's the lowest of the 3).

An Obstacle Course!!

Joel had to drive the Cozy Coupe Car to the slide, slide down, then crawl through the fort (blanket draped over the couch and coffee table), jump up and shoot hoops with 2 different size basket balls, crawl through the tunnel, then toss about 8 bean bags into a box, then run over to "Chair Chop" (a stuffed lamb chair) to sit down, put on his Buzz Lightyear hat, and play his trumpet!!  

Then, my creative child decided he needed to do it all again, but in reverse!  This worked really well, except the Buzz hat came off on the way back through the tunnel.  :-) 

Mission Accomplished!

On the move

I've been meaning to post some of these pictures for a little while, but here they are now! :-)  Our sweet little girl is on the move.

The first place she pulled up... her piano!  This was also Joel's favorite "climbing" toy at this age.

Sitting pretty on Valentine's Day (I told you this were a bit older of pictures).

Grinning at Momma

Climbing on empty boxes.  Various sizes boxes make a great baby jungle gym.

I can stand up.

Another common occurrence... she's down.  This occurs for 2 different reasons around here.  Reason #1 she loses her balance or gets tired and just topples over or Reason #2 (more common) big brother doesn't want her where she is anymore and he pushes her over.

Playing with Daddy, but oh wait... Kirstin sees Mommy and must get to me fast! (She is Momma's girl!!!)

Up close and personal as Kirstin climbs on me while I'm trying to take her picture.

Surpirse, she has something in her mouth.  EVERYTHING she gets in her hands goes straight into her mouth.

So sweet!!

Crawling through a tunnel with determination.

She thinks she is going to make it through to Mommy, so is almost smiling again.

Joel and Scheppy coming through the tunnel too.

Climbing through the dining room chairs.  You just have to love that sweet face and smile! :-)

Since this last picture at the end of February, Kirstin now pulls herself up onto anything she can reach: the couch, coffee table, dishwasher, Joel's big trucks.  She has also managed to climb up the stairs (trying to get to something she wanted to put into her mouth).  For her safety, I haven't grabbed my camera for all of her mobility and explorations.