(Definitely not) Picassos in training

After a great visit to Charleston, where we got to snuggle our adorable nieces and catch up with Janelle and Mike, it's back to reality for Mom and Dad.  Thanks to the Varlas' for hosting us, we had a great time! 

Cal, Janelle, Elise and Avery in the stroller.

We've been spending our time playing pretend, and taking care of our stuffed animals.  I really enjoy watching them feed their baby dolls, and make them "go night night".  Dylan loves to feed me pretend food from their kitchen, and give me medicine.  We are able to converse and better understand each other lately. Most of my conversations with Hudson end up with him telling me "no".  And instead of saying yes or no, Sloane replies "Okay" or "No".  

Making sure Donald has enough to drink

It got warm enough this week for Dyl to go out and mow the ice.

We have had some warmish (high 40s) weather recently, but the last few days have been back to our usual winter forecast, so we've been trying to come up with some indoor activities.  In addition to indoor playgrounds, I've decided to try to incorporate some arts and crafts time to our days.  We started with coloring.  Here's how it ended:

Technically it won't end until I'm changing rainbow colored diapers.

Next, we tried some finger painting.  I intended to use this canvas art to decorate the playroom.  I imagined them being whimsical additions that I'd cherish forever.  What I didn't anticipate was the sheer anguish it would cause the kiddos.  Dylan was up first, and had a cow when I dipped his hand in the paint.  The only way he would put color on the canvas was with the paint brush.  He ended up coating most of the canvas with paint, eventually.  

Very carefully, creating a masterpiece

Sloane was up next, as she not so patiently waited her turn.  Once I got her prepped and in the chair, I dipped her hand in the paint when this occurred:

That's all the paint that made it on her canvas.

Hudson was up last, who didn't hate it nearly as much as Sloanie girl.  He didn't cry when I painted his hand, and reluctantly spread the paint on the canvas.  I got him to add some color before he decided that he, too was done.

"No Mommy, all done."

It's the effort that counts, right?  I think we are done with arts and crafts for a little while.  They love music and signing, so we are going to stick with that for now.  It's less messy, too!

Happy Thursday from these 19 month olds!  Hope you have a great weekend!