Indoor fun

Since the weather around here has mostly looked like this...

 and this...

 we have been spending a lot more time inside entertaining ourselves lately.  Maya has mastered a new talent....two-handed coloring!  She really loves coloring and drawing (even though her artwork style is still considered abstract) and spends time almost every day doing some type of art.  She loves to color with markers on blank white paper and then get her kid scissors and cut it up into small pieces.  Then, she gets an envelope and decorates it and puts the little pieces of art inside.  Although she used to demand a piece of tape to seal the envelopes, we finally convinced her to "lick it and stick it" which works for her most days.  These become "gifts" to those she loves and is such an endearing treat for us.

 The kids have also fallen in love with mazes.  Nolan in particular has taken a shine to them and both kids have gotten quite good!  Must be their little puzzle-minded brains at work.  I found some free printable mazes so it is a quick way to keep them busy while I am exercising or cooking.

Success!!!

 This picture cracks me up.  We decided to do another science experiment with these mini balls that absorb water.  See Nolan's face behind the glass bowl?  I already did a post on this particular activity so I won't bore you again, but the kids enjoyed squeezing and cutting up the gelatin balls after they were fully grown!

 The kids find amazing ways to entertain themselves.  They play "store"  or "owner and kitty" or sometimes throw birthday parties for their animals, among other things.  On this particular day, they made a parade of animals and asked me to take their picture with their favorites.

 These Max and Ruby dolls are on loan from school and Maya's panda is standing up on her hind legs.  Maya insisted on this picture as well.  :)

 And finally, a sweet and quirky way to wind up this post.  Each night we read books in bed with the kids.  Most nights, Maya insists on laying on our back while we read and she usually does these weird poses too. I was so happy to finally get this on camera because usually I am the one reading! She also likes to watch TV this way and it cracks me up.  Silly girl!!

 Ahhhh.  That's better.  Snuggles with Daddy!!