Day 24 (Ice skating)

These first pictures are of our pretzel time.

On day 24's link I wrote Free Day, meaning free from mom-work, but they interpreted it as free to do whatever they wanted. I wondered why they didn't run out and open the link and shout, 'Hooray! We are going ice skating!' Instead they played video games and ate breakfast and when Dan said, 'open this link up,' they looked skeptical, unsure if it really meant that was what we were doing.

A few things, if you have not been on the ice in a while, go do a lap before you escort your children on to the ice. It is easier to herd one child around the edge than to take two at once. Also, if you watch sesame street you can learn a few basic things to say to your kids as you 'march' them around the rink.

Macey started screaming the moment I showed her the skates. She was happy to be held on the outside of the rink and watch. No natural ice skaters have been born at our house.

Some surprises. Alex almost enjoyed ice skating. I think he would be willing to do it again. On the last lap I took with him I kept him away from the side and I even made him do it without holding my hand. Ryan did not enjoy ice skating, and although Dan was trying to encourage him play hockey, I don't think that will happen. However, I think that Dan IS going to sign up for skating lessons and join an adult hockey league. (My apologies to the Wrights... but the rink is just 5 minutes away...)

The ice skating rink is in the mall by us, as well as a Lego store. Dan let them get mini figure packs. Alex got a ice figure skater (nice souvenir).

Ryan got a musketeer. As a side note to that, I loved the Disney 3 Musketeers with Chris O'Donnel a great deal, but there is yet another movie coming out this year that might be a good remake. And if you haven't read the book, I urge you to do so. It is a French classic that is easy to follow and humorous.

days 28, 27, 26

Tuesday (day 28) a trip to red box. We got Gulliver's Travels and the Wimpy Kid movie. We liked them both but I was surprised by the language in G.T.

Wednesday (day 27) make soft pretzels. I got an Aunt Annie's pretzel kit. Yum! The boys had fun making their own pretzel shapes.

Thursday (day 26) a trip to the larger of our community pools. Lame, I know, I was told so by the kids, but since we haven't been to the pool for more than 20 min this week, it might be exciting.

Day29

Yesterday was day 29. The boys first had 'mom-work' including reading, fractions and starfall. Then they had to decipher the clue from the count down chain, which turned out to be lunch at Burger King. The boys have been begging to go to this Burger King ever since we had to wait at the car shop next door while we got the oil changed. Lucky them, I splurged on kids meals. Why does it seem so expensive to me? Really, $15 for the four of us eat? We could all eat at home for about $4. Maybe I'm just old and reminiscing about my childhood food prices. Also, it cost me $63 to fill up my car tank yesterday. I remember when mom would send me to go pay the gas attendant $10 for a full tank. Progress and inflation...

30 Days to Play

We have 30 more days until school starts. I was inspired to make a chain with 30 different activities to mark off the days. The catch is that the boys have to do 'mom-work' before they can open the day's link.
The chain will be safest up on the mantel.
Today's mom-work was to read for 20 minutes and to decorate their reward jars. They get puffs to put in the jar for homework and stuff. Full jar = $2. A great way to supplement their $1.50 a week allowance.
I put the clues in code. Ryan can't read, so I'm not too worried about that little cheater, but Alex is a smart cookie and I didn't want him to ruin his fun by 'accidentally' reading the clues.
I came up with '30 days to play' partly because I wanted the kids to get in the habit of reading 20 min a day without complaining, partly because there are few places we want to check out being new to the area, and partly because it will be a great family tradition.

Mid July

Future astronaut.

I being the awesome mom that I am, took the boys to Lowes and bought PVC pipe, connectors and cutter. We came home and cut the pipes into different lengths.

They now have a variety of pipe lengths to build into forts, tunnels, lemonade stands, etc.

I hope they think it is fun. It will be more fun when it cools off and they can build a club house in the backyard.

Macey likes to play babies. 'Mama play babies with me?' This time Dad was recruited.

She was telling me how Minnie was crying because she needed a nap. This was inspired by the board book, 'Boo Hoo Baby'

Today she also came into my room and took a book I had on my bed and said to me, 'I'm taking your book. Come and get me.' And ran off! Little sneak.

what we do

Someones husband at church asked me, so what do you do all day? Which I thought was weird since his wife also stays home, but maybe he is still perplexed by the housewife!
So for those inquiring minds I'll give you the inside scoop. I eat and feed my children, I get dressed and then dress or make sure they are dressed.
I deny them electronics usually so that they will use their minds for playing and making messes and then I clean after them with their help, I read to them.
I play board games with them or babies (which should be fun but is actually tedious with a 18 month old). We do scout activities and sometimes crafts. We go! When I want to go they want to stay and vice versa.

I take them to the library, I buy them food, clothes, and toys that they don't play with because they just want to have electronics. But we get out so that we can break up the begging for electronics... they love the McD's playground. I am a cool mom when I get them happy meals AND a trip to the indoor playground. I'm just OK when I'm cheap and only get them the basics (which is smart since they are in a hurry to play and don't want to eat all their food anyway)
Parks and pools are best with a friend in tow. Museums, zoos and theme parks are always great excursions, but sometimes we like to share them with dad on Saturdays.

Mostly what I do all day is love my kids. I want them to feel their Saviors love. I want them to love each other and our neighbors.
If you have stood outside our windows and heard tantrums, slamming of doors, crying, name calling and other sundry noises, remember that it takes a lot of days to civilize us heathens. We are a work in progress... I love going to work every day!

Macey playing with the water

Most toddlers visiting our house have a turn holding down the spigot and letting the water flow. Usually my own kids try this once or twice but never really get gung ho about it. However, I guess I left sister unattended and she was having a good time playing. I know this was a long video but I wanted to capture her conversation skills also. Did you see the look of excitement when she realized she could fill all the cups in the cupboard with water? Thankfully she didn't, but was diverted to the bathtub with all her bowls to play for a while.

Texas House

I have had a few of you beg for these pictures. So here they are.

We are heating and cooling a lot of vaulted ceilings. The color scheme isn't great, but it is doable. The tile is nice, but work to clean. We are no where near settled, but since we are renting it is hard to know how much we really want to unpack anyway. I won't need my Brittanicas all that much...

Life in Texas

We are living in Texas! It has just been crazy trying to unpack, to keep the kids happy, and to find our way around town with a camera in hand!
The kids swimming. We swim everyday but Sunday (which Ryan still doesn't understand!) I love to walk down the street, swim in two beautiful pools and then walk home. I don't have to clean it or worry about finding Ryan at the bottom of it. There is a baby pool that is 1 1/2' deep and probably 10' square. Macey wades in it and the boys nearly drown her playing football in it.
Ah well, who could resist putting this cute picture on their blog?
This playground is in the pool area. Macey goes down the slide a few times and then goes back to the pool. Whoever dreamed this up was brilliant. The kids usually play on it and dry off just before we head home.
Happy Birthday, me! Here the kids have shot off confetti poppers as part of my morning surprise.
A wonderful message on the living room windows for me. Bruce, do you see I'm wearing your birthday present from two years ago?
Dad and boys made me a yummy cake. Sister helped me blow out the candles.
The kids enjoying the new bunk bed.

This is the most ghetto thing I've probably done since being married. We are watching the city fireworks from the WalMart parking lot. It was a nice view and an interesting crowd!