Snowy Days & Mondays Always Make Smile

I admit that I am late in publishing this post. On Monday we had some Seattle snow. It was such a slight dusting that we could barely call it snow. But that did not stop my children. Before the sun was even up, Jackson dressed for the snow and headed out.

This was the best snowball he could muster.

Kennedy joined him after she woke up.

Harrison, on the other hand, was more interested in his oatmeal than going outside in the cold morning to play in the paltry precipitation.

Indiana Jones Adventure Night

Tonight we sere sitting around the dinner table brainstorming what kind of an activity we could do as a family. Playing Trouble (the dice-popping game) and making up a praise band were a couple of the suggestions. But then Dad had the best suggestion of all: Indiana Jones Adventure Night.

He quickly finished his dinner and then went outside to hide a box of cookies. In their great excitement and anticipation the children polished off their supper and raced to put on their coats and shoes. Dad lit a torch and let the children take turns holding it as we searched the front yard for treasure.

The children won't soon forget this adventure! When it was over they hurried into the house to enjoy their Candy Cane Joe-Joe's and asked when they could do it again. I'm just glad we didn't have to call the fire department.

The Boston Tea Party

Kennedy's home school co-op has been studying the 1700's. Yesterday they reenacted the Boston Tea Party by disguising themselves as Mohawk Indians and heading down to Boston Harbor. They boarded the Dartmouth, took the keys from the captain, and threw boxes of tea into the harbor. They then swept up the mess and dumped out their shoes and pockets to be sure that they were not taking any of the tea with them.

"Rally Mohawks, bring out your axes!

Tell King George, we'll pay no taxes...

On his foreign tea!"

That was the chant that the colonists shouted out in the streets of Boston on the night of the famous "tea party." The children had fun with the chant yesterday.

Mikey's Motions

Mikey has been getting better at his sign language. He signs more (clapping), please (patting his chest), and of course, bye-bye.

Ticklin' the Tots

Can you see him under there? Dad's on the bottom, giving a good tickle before bed time.

Saying Good-Bye to the Snow Birds

My grandparents are snow birds. They leave after Christmas each year to spend the remainder of the winter in Arizona. I always miss them dearly while they are away. Since they fly (actually drive) south tomorrow, I took the kiddos to see them one more time and say good-bye until spring.

We walked down the beach to Tully's Coffee. Harrison bought Gram's coffee with the gift card he gave her for her 75th birthday.Then we walked across the street to play at the beach for a while. It was Mikey's first time at the beach. Since it is winter though, he didn't really get the full benefit of sand between his toes!

Despite his grand efforts, Jackson was unable to catch the pigeon

All bundled up, it was a good day to visit the beach. But it doesn't compare to the lazy days of summer when we can run through the tide pools admiring the sea creatures and spend the entire day with the sand between our toes.

Archers Are Us

Jack woke up this morning and before he could even eat his breakfast, grabbed his bow and arrow set. He took off his pajama shirt so that he could pretend to be an Indian brave.

Dad took them out after breakfast to try it out.

Jack was kind enough to let his sister and brother each have a turn.

Mikey had a front row view of all the archery excitement.


Jack and Harrison played outside for quite a while today in the sunny but cold weather. I brought them out some hot chocolate to warm them up. Despite Harrison's insistence, there was no snow. Watch the video and see Hair Bear spill his cocoa at the end.

You Say it's Your Birthday...

Jackson and his cousin, Ava, shared a birthday dinner at Grammy and Papa's tonight. Jack's five and Ava is three. Jack-O was really excited about his hamburger and french fry cake. Even though we purchased it from the bakery, he thought the (cake) fries were real!

Jack's big cousins made him his very own bow and arrow set. He can hardly wait to go outside with Dad tomorrow and try them out!

Aunt Becky sewed the pouch and even put a "J" on the flap! Willem and Anders are getting so big! Willem rolled over several times for the cheering crowd.

The three youngest grandsons in the fam were held by the three oldest dads.

Ava wasn't too crazy about her birthday jumping game, but she was happy to let her cousins try it out.





Mikey is always in good hands when Ava and June are around!

Fun with the Fam

Tonight Uncle T, Aunt Jen, and Cousins June and Willem came for a visit. The men worked on setting up the new shelves in the garage and getting it organized while the cousins and moms had a nice time together.

Cuddling up together, Kennedy and June enjoyed reading a few books.

The Pajama Gang!Tickle time with Uncle T!

I wish I had a before photo to share. It would make this after photo look even more impressive.

Why Such a Sour Face?

Tonight the children tested limes after dinner. I had to record their reactions. Harrison declined the treat.

You are probably thinking, "This poor child! Take it away." But actually, he kept putting that lime back into his mouth for more. I finally had to take it away from him, but he would have kept going!

Music to My Ears

It started with Jackson and Michael. Soon Harrison joined in and finally, Kennedy played her part. It may just be noise for now, but at least it is joyful!

The Many Faces of Our Baby Bear

He is my youngest. If you believe in the birth-order philosophy, the youngest child tends to be the life of the party, the most easy-going, and friend-to-all. That's my Harrison.

All of these photos were taken in the last two weeks. There doesn't seem to be a shortage of pictures of my little guy being silly or up to something. Harrison with his Happy Meal Hat. There were three other children at the table and he was the only one who decided to put the box on his head.
He loved this Christmas gift from his friends.

Here he is donning Jackson's football helmet and Kennedy's skates and pads, while holding his rubber hunting knife and Jackson's new dog, Zero.

He called himself, "Santa's Bad Elfer"

He asked me to take a photo of him in this get-up yesterday. Some day he may regret it.

Okay, this wasn't so silly. He broke a pen while jamming it into my stapler. It got all over his face and hands...and my coffee table.

I Have a Problem

I have a problem. I can't stop collecting children's books. They are taking over my home. I have five shelves of children's books scattered throughout my house. I can't resist a book sale and I will never turn down an offer for free used kid's books. Children's book shelf in the playroom.

Children's book shelf in the living room.

Kennedy's favorite books.
Books in Kennedy's closet.

Children's books in the boys' room



Books in the school room. Most were my husband's from his childhood.

But there is nothing like cuddling up with my children and reading to them. Eric Carl, Max Lucado, Watty Piper, Laura Joffe Numeroff, and Sandra Boynton have become like friends to us as we enjoy the talents of these authors and welcome their stories into our special reading time together. And for that I can put up with the piles of books I seem to find forming all over the house. Yes, I have a problem. But it is one I plan to hold on to for as long as my children will allow it.