Kilbane Happenings

This past week we had unseasonably warm temperatures for February in St. Louis....60's and 70's. It was so beautiful and we just HAD to get outside and enjoy every second of the warm weather! On Wednesday, we headed to zoo around 11am, had our first "picnic" (as Kaitlyn calls any meal eaten outside), rode the carousel, the train and visited the children's zoo. We were there almost 4 hours and then Kaitlyn had ballet, we got frozen yogurt and headed home...it was a great day! Then Friday was a great day too so we visited Suson Park - a working farm with a great playground. Kaitlyn had fun visiting her horses and Brady enjoyed the freedom to be able to run, run and run some more! The weather is a little more typical this week (in the 40's) so we haven't been able to be outside and Brady is really upset by this. We are looking forward to Spring - anxiously! Bring on the warmer weather...we love to be outside! Brady waiting for the carousel Kaitlyn's favor...

While Kaitlyn is in school all day tuesdays and thurdays, I try to do things with Brady that I used to do with her when she was his age...since I only had HER. Today we went to The Magic House. Now that Kaitlyn is older, she wanted to try new things and explore different places at The Magic House, while Brady needs to stay in the toddler area where there are exhibits and activites that are geared more to his age and gross/motor skill level. HE HAD A BALL! We checked out all the common areas: the sand table, different doors, the toddler climbing area (that's all new to me...). He really loved the steps - they were just his size, and the water table. Then we checked out the new Bob the Builder exhibit. This is a TV show that we watch on occasion. Brady loved all the different things to do and it was perfect for him to try new things. We will surely be going back to see this exhibit again - Kaitlyn will love it too!

Kaitlyn attends school on tuesdays and thurdays. She often misses some of the fun extras that the class does on mondays and fridays. Kaitlyn's class celebrated Valentine's Day yesterday with a party! They exchanged valentine cards, had yummy treats, played a game and made a special valentine to give to someone at home. I took Kaitlyn to school for the party and she had a blast! Brady and I stayed for the fun - although all I did was chase him all over the cafeteria! Kaitlyn and her BFF's Grace and Lily. Having fun!

Kaitlyn has started ballet class again. Here is a short video of her class. It's shot from outside her ballet studio through a one way mirror - I can see her, but she can't see me. It's kind of nice that I can watch and she doesn't know I'm watching! enjoy!

Well, we're iced in right now and the snow is barreling toward us. The kids are playing games (Brady's favorite is Lucky Ducks) and I'm jsut hoping we can get out sometime before the end of the week. Here are some pictures of the ice that's been coming down intermittenly since yesterday. This is currently changing over to sleet right now and will be snow by evening and overnight - the predicting we could get anywhere from 7-15"!!! Little St. Louis tidbit of information: last 2 big storms (blizzard of '82 dumped 22" of snow and shut down the city and the ice storm of '06) - both years the Cardinals won the World Series...hmmmm??? Playing Lucky Ducks (Brady now smiles when I have the camera) Ice covered tree limbs Deck railing Deck chairs The kids' picnic table - oh, how I can't wait to be outside picnicing soon!!

Kaitlyn started a new session of ballet at the Center of Creative Arts (COCA) here in St. Louis. She just loves her class and her teacher, Miss Sara. It teaches the basic concepts of ballet including listening and following directions. She's doing much better in this session and really getting into the concepts of the dance. I see lots of recitals in my future. Waiting for class to start Doing kicks with her classmates Plie's (I think that's how you spell it) In her tutu - her favorite!

OH MY GOODNESS! We are in for it! The freezing rain has started and I'm starting to worry that we will definitely be stuck in the house for the better part of the next 3 days. The forecasters are calling for up to 1" of ice now thru part of tuesday and then followed by anywhere from 6-12" of snow (depending on what part of the city you live in). To say that St. Louis has a bullseye on it is an understatement. Me and the kids are staying put and letting mother nature do its thing. I've printed off several Valentine craft ideas from a great website called All Kids Network - very few materials needed and great for keeping small hands busy and out of trouble! For everyone that is in the path of this this storm, please be safe if you have to be out and driving in it. I was in Cincinnait this past weekend celebrating my sister Molly's 30th birthday and had to come home a day early to beat the storm and so my driving partner (mom, he he he ) could catch a late flight ba...