Wanna See Something Scary?

This is a scene from today. Just where are this baby and her brother playing? That would be on the top bunk of this brother's bed. I was struck by the quiet in the house after lunch--where was everyone (expecially Sarah)? And why were they all quiet? Good golly. Jack says, "I'm doing an okay job watching her." "Okay" from the top bunk isn't exactly what I was looking for. Maybe I should be thankful that Sarah is not on the floor of the boys' room as it is covered with about 6000 tiny Lego pieces.

What Is Your Word?

What child of the 70's doesn't have fondue for New Year's?

Cream puffs and candy for dessert.

Tacquitos per Jack's request.

For the past several years on New Year's Eve, our family had chosen a word (for each of us) that describes our personal goal for the coming year. It must be something positive, something that encourages principles that we believe in. The younger kids get a gentle suggestion for choosing their words. This year we are as follows:

Jon: Peace (though he states his word was actually going to be "independent")

Jack: Self-control (just a little direction in choosing this one)

Madeline: Tolerance

Julie: Sharing

Bill: Joy

Crawling Sarah

Saturday

More snap circuits. This time it was a radio.

Jon, ironing. "I am an ironing fool." he says.

Such a nice and quiet day. Went for a walk this afternoon in the mud. Yuck. This evening found the kids all engaged in their own activities. Madeline read her new favorite book--Rolling Stone's Rock and Roll Encyclopedia. (Thanks to Uncle Jayson for the idea.) Jack graduated to the "big" experiments in the snap circuit book. Jon decided that ironing was the greatest idea ever. Sarah slept. Now, what will tomorrow bring?

Just a Few Christmas Pictures

Sarah, sucking her finger, looking sweet.

Sarah with her new teething doll.

Jack putting together snap circuits. (Which I highly recommend as a toy)


Madeline, reading as always.

Jon, as only Jon can be.

A lovely, simple Christmas. The requisite pajama presents on Christmas Eve, Chinese food for dinner, early morning wake-up call (even by the older kids!), staying in our pjs until mid-afternoon, playing with new treasures. No cooking for me and a nice party with friends to finish off the day.

I spent some time this morning researching Epiphany. Anyone celebrate this? It's a holiday that culminates with a cake, so I'm thinking about hopping on board this one. Any holiday with a cake is a good holiday in my book. The only part of this idea that won't work for me is that you're supposed to leave the Christmas decorations up until the 6th of January. Then have an undecorating party. NO WAY! I am all about putting it all away today. As in the day after Christmas. I'm ready to reclaim the space. Note though, that I do keep up twinkly lights in our living room all year, so we are not totally without cheer.

Only 7 more days until Jack's birthday. I'd better get going on this.

A New Quilt For A New Baby

Started piecing a simple baby quilt for my good friend who recently found out she was expecting. Not sure if it will be for a boy or for a girl, so decided on a brown/blueish/greenish scheme.

Finished top.

This is what I saw outside my window, while sewing.

Cut and ready to sew.

I Won't Ever Make It As A Meteorologist

Well, I said it wouldn't snow. I mean, it didn't even look like a snow sky. I guess I was wrong. This is what it looked like this morning:

We had about 3 inches by last night. Very windy, sleety, and cold overnight. Not sure what today will bring, but I know that we will be warm and cozy inside the house. There might be some snowman construction and fort building by the boys, but it won't last long. Jon always takes his gloves/mittens off, believing that they hamper his ability to handle snow. Then he becomes hysterical when his hands "are freezing/burning!"

While standing in the kitchen, looking out the window towards the chicken coop, I feared I saw a dead and frozen chicken just laying in there. I watched for several minutes and it never moved. Yikes. I woke Bill and made him go out and offer mouth to beak resuscitation. Luckily, Ms. Chicken was only gazing about, enchanted by the winter beauty surrounding her.