Kilbane Happenings

This week the theme at preschool was - SNOW! Unfortunately the camera battery was dead, so I didn't get any pictures. She had a great time painting snowflakes, reading snow books, building playdoh snowmen (the playdoh this week was white and peppermint scented), and playing in the kitchen and making "hot cocoa". The sensory table this week had "snow" in it - its called "Grow Snow" and its these crystals that when you add water they absorb it (something like 50x) and becomes all fluffy and light - like snow! But it doesn't melt! I think they are used by florists. She really liked that! She even sang a song about melting snowmen. She is really thriving in school and making new friends and we are looking forward to the next step in her development - a more structured precshool program 3 days a week at our church. Watch for next week's theme and I will surely have pictures to post!

This past week at preschool, the theme was the circus! Kaitlyn loves the circus - Grandma and Grandpa K took her back in September when the were in for a visit. Brady was still too little for such a big outing! She LOVED this day at preschool. She did magic painting (water color over white crayon), played with strawberry scented playdoh (supposed to resemble cotton candy...and it did!), played in the sensory table (rapidly becoming her favorite thing!) AND played ringmaster in the BIG TOP!

I took my annual winter trip to Cincinnati and thankfully this year, did NOT get snowed in! The past 2 years, enormous snow storms had trapped me in Cincinnati longer than I had planned. This year the weather cooperated...just in time! While there, I tried some new fun things with the kids. We went to Recreations Outlet, an indoor play place with several large pieces of play equipment as well as trampolines and riding toys. Kaitlyn and Brady both enjoyed being able to enjoy playing - eventhough we can't get outside! While home I was lucky enough to be able to celebrate a great friend's birthday (Sara). We celebrated with a dinner out and bowling - just like old times. And the cap off the week, I took the kids to play at this new place called Jumpin' Joey's. Unfortunately, I heard it's not going to be open much longer. It's an indoor toddler tumbling play place with lots of climbers, mats and slides. Kaitlyn really enjoyed playing and Brady even discoverd he CAN ...

So what a busy Saturday we had! Brian read about this "Ice Fest" that was going on in the Delmar Loop area (lots of unique restaurants and shops, along with Fitz's root beer brewery!). With the weather warming up (it was 44 degrees today) we decided to bundle up the kids and get out of the house...the weather has been such a downer, it was nice to be able to get some fresh air. There were ice carvers, hula-hoopers, jugglers, stilt-walkers, mimes and lots of fun ice scupltures to look at as well as all the pubs has "putt-putt" holes (there was also a "putt-putt" pub crawl) made from various items (ice, pizza boxes, etc). Kaitlyn enjoyed playing. After leaving there, we felt it was too nice to go home, so we headed to the zoo! It was nice seeing the animals out (or in, in some cases). Kaitlyn enjoyed taking us on a tour of the zoo - telling us where to go and what to see! Makes me long for spring, but know I have a long ways to go! A tiny taste of the ni...

Kaitlyn headed back to preschool (My First School) this week at The Magic House. She has a class of about 10 kids and has the same teacher. She goes on thursdays from 9:30-10:30. This week's theme was shapes. She painted, made a shape placemat, cut shapes out of playdoh, and even found all kinds of shapes in the kitchen. She was so excited to get back to school, that she walked into the classroom and said "Miss Dorie, I'm back!" It was too cute! She had to sit right next to her during circle time (this is the time at the beginning of the class where they are read a story and they do some sort of song/word play on the theme of the week). More pictures to come as the weeks go by! Next week is Winter Circus - and she LOVES the circus!

Brady has become quite the chatterbox! He must to keep up with his sister!!

Happy 2010 everyone! We have had a tremendous start to the new year and, looking back, had a pretty amazing 2009! Kaitlyn starts up preschool again this week, the kids and I will be taking a trip to Cincinnati for a short visit the month and I have BIG plans for all the toys that Santa dropped off at our house (along with grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles!). Brady is doing well - weighed in at 18lbs 5oz at his 6 month check up - thriving as he gets bigger and bigger. He is just about sitting up and is grabbing at everything and even watches us eat with envy...he will be stealing our food soon, I am sure! We have a very busy 2010 planned (I know, already?!)...Brian turned 34 (this past Wednesday), my birthday (#31) is in March, we will be attending March Madness regional games in St. Louis as well as the final four and championship game in Indianapolis, Brian and I are planning our trip to Hawaii as we celebrate 5 years of marriage - along with milestone birthdays for Kaitlyn (#3)...