Stockings

Cente heard us call them stockings and figured they went on his feet.

Installing a Window

Todd and our friend, Trent, installed windows in Nan and the little boys' room. Eight windows done...six left to go.

Ping Pong at the Community Center

Physical Science "Labs"

GIve Thanks

Another organic Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa's this year with a lot to be thankful for. (Can I end a sentence with preposition? Our gradeschool textbooks say no but I am thinking maybe more advanced English allows for this.)

Dreaming of Tulips

Last week the kids and I planted close to 200 tulip bulbs in our back yard. Each time I glance outside now, I imagine how it might appear in the spring...a delightful anticipation.

Practicing...

Whenever the big boys pull out their band instruments, Cente runs to their room and grabs the recorder and then just plays along with them.

Physical Science "Lab" - Atom Model

Waiting

Highchair positioned at the window...a good distraction for a few moments. Here the boys are looking for Todd's car to come driving down the street.

Haircut for Marcos

Marcos did not like having a haircut.

What all the boys are up to...

Making music together.

Making a mess together.

Blond Mary

I ordered this Advent centerpiece for December. I really like it except I am pretty sure Mary was not a blond. (Or baby Jesus...) So we are going to take a colored pencil and try to create a darker shade without ruining the nativity. We may leave the shepherd as is.

Marcos and Vicente with Baby G

Music and Sewing

I heard Ethan and Levi practicing their instruments today and was confused by the third horn I detected. When I investigated, this is what I found. Cente wants to join the band.

Another Colonial American History project...

Levi is tired of "girl" projects. When does he get to make a musket or cannon ball?

Too Skinny?

My son informed me that according to the growth charts he is "malnourished."

I told him to start eating more of the delicious food I serve him.

Friday

Friday...
We have significant amount of school work to complete.
The kitchen needs put back together after having a new oven hood installed.
There is a visit from the little boys social worker in two hours.
We are out of chicken feed and milk.
The two little guys have been fighting over a little car since they woke up this morning.
It is raining outside.

But,
We are all healthy.
The three older kids are happy.
We get to be home all today.
We get to be home this evening. No babysitting jobs for Nan or elders mtgs or classes for Todd.
The cats are "flea free" and can be admitted back into the house for the winter.
I have a full pot of coffee brewed.
My house (except for the kitchen) is relatively in order.
I have a pile of books I am looking forward to reading.

Should be a good day.

Colonial America History Project

Levi is none too happy about doing this cross stitching project. (It's a worm bookmark.) He is convinced it is girl work and cannot believe I am making him take this history class. He thought the bead work he did several weeks ago was girl work too.

Time Management

What do I do when I have more to do than can possibly fit into the time I have to do it?

11 - 10 - 09

Levi just pointed out to me that today's date is pretty special... consecutive decreasing numbers. And knowing the kind of mom I am, he asked "So that means we can celebrate it?" We are always looking for an excuse to celebrate, though right now we are sitting at the table doing school work. With the craziness of our days at the Charter School and the little boys, we work best in the quiet of the evening. I think we may convert to Night School. We will celebrate the date with cups of hot chocolate and marshmellows.

Complications

Yesterday was supposed to be the permanency hearing for the boys. But surprise, surprise! DHS located our kids dad in Mexico 1 week ago. We are not exactly sure what that means.

So the permanency hearing is reset for late December. DHS has to sort through all this new information which I am sure will just complicate the case further. At that time, Cente will have been with us for over a year.

I am a Calvinist...which here in particular means I affirm and promote a high view of the sovereignty of God. And so, as He is the one in control, we ask that you please be in prayer for the boys and their placement and us, as we trust Him.

Haircut

Carmel Apples at Grandma's

OMSI Fun

Natalie is strapped into a "Falling" fear exhibit.

Chemistry Lab.

Physics lab...Ethan with Jonah.

Completing a circuit.

Game Faces

Halloween A Couple Years Back

Can you guess the historical era we were studying then?

Ethan

Several people have mentioned that Ethan looks taller and older lately. So I am reminiscing. Ethan has always had a very sweet disposition...although I supposed that won't sound like a compliment to him right now at 13.

My sweet baby Levi

Halloween 1973

I am not sure what I was dressed as...maybe a witch. My sister was a hobo. I remember trick-or treating in the snow as you can see outside. Winter comes early in Alaska.