April Activities

   As a April comes to an end we thought we would share a few tidbits about all the activities the boys have been up to. Last weekend we took advantage of a small break in the weather to get out and do some Earth Day cleaning. The boys really took their job of picking up litter around our house, street and alley seriously. They also like watching a few Earth Day videos online. Owen also played teacher to Gavin telling him all the things he learned about Earth Day at school. After they finished their handwork we got in a few minutes of bike riding. Gavin has really improved his pedaling skills and has pretty much got the hang of riding his trike. See the video below!
   Owen participated in basketball this last month and wrapped up the last game today. He really did enjoy basketball and says he would like to play again sometime. He would like to everyone to be clear that soccer is still his favorite sport! We did get some shots of him during practice and the game. It was fun to see how his skills improved. He can actually somewhat dribble down the court now and his shots can typically reach the net so he is getting closer to making baskets on the 7ft hoops. Just need to build up some more strength in those little arms!
   Both boys started swimming lessons last Friday and LOVE it! Gavin in particular can barely contain himself on the drive over because he is so anxious to get there. This session has turned out to be really hassle free for mom & dad! Mostly because Gavin is now able to be a class that does not require parent participation, but also because both boys are in lessons at the same time and in small groups right next to each other. Hooray!! The boys have also been going to the Y with Daddy to practice in between lessons. Joel reports that they continue to be fearless in the water. In fact last weekend Gavin was jumping from the side to Joel but would go all the way to the bottom and then climb Joel's legs "like a ladder" to reach the surface. Once he caught his breath he would yell, "again!".
    We also visited the dentist this month and both boys have healthy teeth! Once again they got to enter the "no cavities" raffle drawing. They both cooperated nicely for the staff and Dr JoAnn. Owen even got through his second set of x-rays without any trouble. We were reminded once again to start saving for orthodontic bills. :( They both have an overbite and some significant crowding. Good thing they're good about flossing!
   We are hoping that May brings us better health and more sleep. It's been a tough few months with one of us having a some kind of virus every couple weeks. Wish us luck!

PS-Owen has been reading single words and small phrases since the beginning of last summer. We haven't pushed him too hard with this because he typically would get frustrated and lose interest. Throughout the fall and winter he became more interested and started reading short books and some level 1 readers. In the last few weeks he has gained the confidence to take on a few pretty long books. He has now read Green Eggs and Ham and several level 2 readers. Go Owen!!

Enjoy the photos, video and check out the latest quotes!

Gavin riding his trike

Easter Fun!

It was another fun filled Easter weekend for the Caruth's. The boys enjoyed many Easter themed activities at Grandpa Mike and Grandma Jeanie's.  They also enjoyed eating a few Easter treats and playing with their Easter toys including coloring books, peeping chicks, bubbles and dig and glow dinosaurs.

Here are some funny stories/quotes from the weekend-
Gavin was looking at a Grandma Jeanie's chick decoration and asked "Where is the mommy?" Jeanie suggested that maybe she went for a walk. Gavin replied, "Noooo. She went to yoga!"

Owen had Lovey sitting with him on the car ride down. He pointed out interesting landmarks as we drove along, "See Lovey this is Minneapolis"and "This is the country side Lovey". He also played "I spy" with her. We were not along to play along, only Lovey.

Owen also told everyone all weekend about how he wants to be a "scientist who learns about space". Last night we dug out the dig and glow dinosaurs and read a new dinosaur book. Today he told everyone at Target he wants to be a "scientist who discovers about dinosaurs".  

Enjoy the photos!

Drive-in movie night!

What do you do on a chilly spring night when you are feeling a little bored? Make cars out of boxes and have a "drive-in" movie night of course! This idea was happily borrowed from Pinterest and the boys LOVED it! We started out by turning the kitchen into our design studio and began decorating the cars. Owen really got into the details. He drew on door handles, added tail lights and suggested they each have license plates. Gavin enjoyed snipping paper to tape to his car. The movie of the evening was Curious George and it was a hit! The cars were also a hit. First thing this morning they began using them to drive their stuffed friends around the house and down the stairs. This became a bit of a science experiment figuring out how many friends (how much weight) needed to ride in the car so that it wouldn't flip over. We also worked on seat belts to keep the friends from falling out during the wild ride!

Enjoy the photos!

Spring has sprung!

    Spring has sprung really early here in Minnesota! Yeah!! We just wrapped up a gorgeous week that also corresponded with my spring break. We got to spend a lot of time outside and wrapped up the week by celebrating St Patty's Day with Grandma Theresie and Aunt Cailin. We had a great time wearing green, hanging out on the deck and enjoying some Irish food and drinks.
    The boys continue to enjoy all their favorite activities from last fall. For Gavin a trip to the park is not complete without spending lots of time on the swings and playing in the sandbox. Owen is always playing super heroes or pirates throughout climbing equipment and backyard. They have also become interested in a few new activities as well. Gavin is working on pedaling his tricycle and can't wait until he can ride it to the park like Owen does. He also loves playing soccer! We spend most afternoons kicking the ball around and working on dribbling and stopping the ball. He also continues to be my snuggle bug! He loves to give hugs and kisses. The other day he was playing ball at a kids play gym and every time he made a basket he ran over to for a hug and smootch! He also knows how to play the little brother card perfectly. Whenever Owen is in trouble, Gavin immediately starts in with hugs and "Thank you mom" or "I love you mom! You're a nice girl mom"just to get one up on Owen!
   Owen is loving the scooter he got for his birthday. It is necessary for him to wear his helmet and pads whenever he uses it because he frequently bails off of it when he looses control! However, he is getting better and is really having fun with it. Joel is also thrilled that Owen is really getting into basketball! He began playing through the YMCA a week ago and did really well. His favorite part was playing defense.  It is hilarious to watch him guard/block people!! I don't have any pictures of that yet but will add some soon. He also loves to shoot hoops in the driveway and is getting much better at it. I do have pictures of that as well as St Patrick's Day, Owen's last day of tumbling class, some of what Gavin does while waiting for Owen to come out of tumbling class and some other miscellaneous pics! There is also a quick video of the boys dancing to their new favorite dance party song "Hand is right" according to Gav. Pretty funny!

Enjoy!

Keeping busy!

The boys have been keeping busy lately with lots of fun and play! They love to do projects and activities that seem special or different from their everyday routine. They really like using the science kit that Owen got for Christmas. They have become quite the little scientist changing pennies from dull to shiny and making mini volcanos! They also like to build and create with legos, builders and household items. They are constantly rearranging the furniture, pillows and bins to make "stadiums" and "tracks" for car and monster truck races. Tonight the boys enjoyed playing carwash. This was a huge highlight for the boys, "Mom this is the best day ever!" Who knew! I just wanted to get rid of some of the extra germs since we have been passing a cold back and forth for about a month now! Lastly it hasn't been a complete week without at least one round of "Ready, set, go! Tackle Daddy!".  Check them out in the photos below!

Owen had his 5 yr check-up today which went very well until they brought in the needles! Poor buddy! He is now 3 ft 8 1/2 inches ( I guess when you are five they give it to you in feet and inches rather than just inches. It seems taller to me that way!) and weighs 37 lbs.  Even though he's somewhat of a slender guy the doctor says he is right on track and very healthy. His motor skills and coordination are also improving. He has really been enjoying his tumbling class and is excited to start basketball next month. 

Gavin would like everyone to remember just how big he is as well. Owen's recent birthday celebration has made him impatient for his next milestone. He is always asking when his birthday will be and standing up really straight to show me how much he has grown. "I bigger now mom! Is it my birthday yet?" Gavin continues to be mommy's biggest helper. He follows me around joining in with, laundry, making coffee, cooking and of course reminding Owen about good behavior! ;) Funny it doesn't seem to stop him from repeating the bad behavior later!

Never a dull moment! Just love my little guys!    

                                    

Owen is 5!!

Our big boy is officially 5 yrs old today! Even though 5 seems monumentally older than 4 it is a fitting description of Owen. He is blossoming into a very clever, curious, thoughtful and independent boy.  Joel and I are regularly reminded of just how much he has grown and how smart he has become. Dinner conversations have regularly include questions about which continents are experiencing snow, which planets are the most like earth, can we remember which theropod is the biggest, etc. Let's just say we have  already reached the point where we don't know the answers to many of the questions that Owen has for us!

Of course Owen continues to LOVE all things auto. There isn't a day that goes by where he doesn't spend time playing with his cars. He has a fascinating imagination and becomes immersed in the schemes he creates with his cars and monster trucks. We do not see an end in sight for this interest! We joke that next year Owen will again ask for a car themed cake/party, it would be the 5th time! 

We are anxious for what Owen's future holds as he prepares to start Kindergarten. Joel and I are excited for him to expand his education, but also for him to gain the sense of culture and community that his dual language school will provide for him. So much will change for him before his next birthday!

We want to thank everyone for helping make his birthday so special. He had a wonderful party with so many good friends and family. He was truly thrilled with how the day went and thankful for the thoughtful gifts he received. 

Here are a few pics from the festivities!

                  

                                

A Very Merry Christmas!

We are feeling very blessed to have just wrapped up a wonderful Christmas here at the Caruth house. We spent our first Christmas at home and enjoyed having the extra time to hang out as a family and start some traditions of our own. On Christmas Eve day the boys happily helped bake and decorate cookies for Santa, played board games and gave Skeeter, our elf on the shelf, some last minute reminders about how good they were.  After nap we headed to mass, which was lovely if you exclude one hilarious/embarrassing moment courtesy of Gavin. While heading to the bathroom with Joel he spotted our friends the Springer's in the back and yelled out, "Derek I'm going to change my big poop!". A lot of of people heard this and turned around laughing. Joel laughs about it now but was pretty embarrassed in the moment. (As I'm sure Gavin will be when we remind him of this story in 15 yrs!) Christmas Eve night we let the boys open 1 gift each. It just so happened to be their new Santa jammies and a few new bed time stories! The perfect thing to wear while getting Santa and the reindeer's treats set out before heading to bed!

Christmas morning the boys were very happy to see that the cookies and carrots were eaten up. Skeeter left them a sweet little good-bye note too. Gavin occaisionally looks and asks about him, but cheers up when we remind him he went back to the north pole with Santa. The boys were really sweet exchanging gifts with each other and agreed that their brother did a good job picking out a gift for them. They  were really interested in what the other had opened. Owen would show Gavin his gifts and explain what they were and Gavin would say things like, "Oh that's a good one". After all the gifts were open we had Santa pancakes and then the boys spent the morning playing and setting up all the new toys. Both boys were excited about the gifts they'd received. When I asked them which gift was their very favorite they both named the gifts they had requested from Santa, the race track and the Diego underwear. Good thing they got them!

After lunch Grandpa Carroll and Grandma Cyndie arrived from Iowa. Then after nap Uncle Jennon, Aunt Beth, Cooper and Drew joined us and we had Caruth Christmas at our house. It was a bit chaotic trying to keep the 3 older boys from ripping paper off of everything at once, but so fun to see how excited they were. Owen was really excited to get a scooter and Gavin and Cooper both received new tool benches. Even little Drew helped open some of his own gifts. We had a wonderful dinner and had fun playing the new game Carroll and Cyndie brought up.

Later this week we will head to IA to celebrate and visit with Grandma Theresie, Aunt Cailin, Uncle Adam, Uncle Daniel, Grandma Jeanie and Grandpa Mike. We will also get to see to go to Flattery Christmas in Fort Dodge. We can't wait to see everyone! Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas as well! Enjoy the photos!