More Snow!

January is nearing an end already! Where did this month go? As I think back about the month I think of snow days, getting rid of a pacifier, Jacob's birthday, dealing with a cold, stress, and I can't think of any more. Sometimes the days merge into each other. With this snow fall, the children haven't been too excited to go outside. I guess the thrill of snow is over. So we have been playing games, cleaning, reading books, playing in the basement, and I think they have been having fun. Rachel is running around with a bit of a blackened eye due to an encounter with a light saber. And really, she didn't even cry that much, so I was surprised this morning to see how dark her eye looks! Church was cancelled this morning so we have an enjoyed a laid back, relaxed morning. Hopefully the day will continue on that relaxation note. At 11:00 in the morning I still have a child to get dressed and hair to do. Very unusual for me to be such a procrastinator.

Milestones

We're moving on to another stage in our lives. This morning Rachel was walking around with her pacifier in her mouth. Ben told her to go put it away. Rachel came back running saying she threw her pacey in the trashcan. Ben said "no way, show me" They went to the trashcan and with a flashlight saw the pacey way down in the trash can. Rachel went running to Ashley "come see my pacey!" Ashley and Jacob both looked into the trash can and saw the pacey. Then Rachel started saying "I'm ready for my birthday!" (we have been telling her that when she turns 3, no more pacey.) We were so proud of her, I told her I would take her to the store and buy her something to go to sleep with tonight. And we did. We took a trip and bought a new baby doll. Of course, then tonight there were quite a few tears and she no longer wanted that baby doll, her pacey instead. She did settle down in Ashley's room, with her doll, after I did a lot of talking and convincing. But the pacey is GONE!!!!!

I walked around this evening capturing the events of the evening. What a beautiful smile, showing off 6 teeth!!!

Playing Battleship

Rachel and her new doll.

Ashley playing with her Christmas gift from Grandma Bast, and a new tiara that Ashley spent her own money on.

A sight I often see, followed by mass destruction. Emptying out a basket seems to be quite a lot fun!!!

One other story about Rachel. Rachel was put in time out (for some reason). Time out means you sit on the steps, you are quiet and you are to think about what you have done, and what was the right thing you should have done. (something like that, I'm not sure exactly how I say it) So, Rachel is sitting on the steps, whimpering a little and talking. Ben tells her to be quiet and Rachel replies, "I'm talking to Jesus"! Well, that made us pause and go hmm.... what do we say to that? Yes, she's breaking the rules, but we don't want to tell her not to do that! Boy is she smart. Got out of that one. Sometimes, it is really hard to discipline, not to deviate from the rules and to keep a straight face!! So many times I feel like cracking up and laughing in the middle of enforcing manners, rules, etc..... So, I guess my new outlet is blogging. Hope you enjoy it and are able to smile.

The Case of the Missing.......

1. The missing baby. Where has she gone? Just a couple of pictures to prove that my little baby is growing so fast! So adorable! How I love those leg hugs and those smiles that just light up the room. How I love when I hug her she pats my back and is beginning to say mama and dada to the appropriate people. So happy to see me after a wonderful nap!

2. The missing cookie sheets. I try to keep homemade foods around for desserts and after school snacks. Yesterday, as I was preparing to make every ones favorite chocolate chip cookies, I only had ONE cookie sheet. Where in the world? I wondered as I started to roam around the house. Found one cookie sheet holding a volcano that erupts red lava (dormant now, since the master is in school), one cookie sheet holding a magic crystal rock growing in a glass tank-precious now especially since a two year old stirred and destroyed the first growing stage on Sunday morning as we were walking out the door. (yes, we were late to church that morning-due to disciplining issues-couldn't let it wait until after church!--plus we had a crying 8 yr old to calm) And another cookie sheet high up on a shelf holding all kinds of teeny tiny little Star Wars legos. High enough to protect from a 10month old's little hands and mouth, and the destroying habits of the two year old. Oh, there are the missing wonderful cookie sheets, my favorite ones......Well, since they all had such an important function in their new roles, I just couldn't bear to make any changes. So on to making cookies with only ONE cookie sheet. Now one must know, I can whip out a batch of cookies really fast, baking 2 sheets at a time and 2 working ovens. But, it does take 4 cookie sheets to do this. Well, back to the old fashioned way.... one sheet at a time. Took a little longer, but they were delicious. With a family of 6 (yes, we let Violet have one-little bites at a time) these cookies were disappearing as fast as I could take them out of the oven!

Celebrating

On Jan 8th, we celebrated Jacob's 8th birthday! I am a little late posting this event due to, well that's just the way life is right now. But anyway, Friday morning we woke with a dusting of snow on the ground and school was cancelled. So the children all enjoyed being home and playing together. They do such a good job! Jacob was very happy not to go to school! Usually our families from out of town come and we have a party together, but this year it was just us. Jacob chose our supper of mini meatloaves, mashed potatoes, lettuce (and only lettuce, nothing added to it)and applesauce. Then our birthday cake, which this year was a star wars light saber. Star wars figures are standing guard at the side of the cake. I enjoy seeing their faces when they see their cake, and this year Jacob was so excited. He wanted a star wars cake soooo bad!

Jokingly Jacob had been telling his sisters he just wanted rocks and dirt for his birthday, so the girls were all excited to gather a special rock from the driveway and wrap up their rock to really surprise him back. (mud was absolutely not allowed!) Ashley and Rachel worked on this together and there was a lot of giggling and whispering going on. Of course Jacob was all excited about his presents and this was his expression when he saw his rocks. You can tell the girls also had some fun with this.

Star Wars Legos!!!! Jacob's facial expression says it all!

It was a little hard on Rachel, she is ready for her birthday and presents as well. March is coming fast, honey!!!! Violet, well she was ready to tear into the wrapping paper, what a sweetie.
We ended the evening with a family movie night and staying up late. So much fun!! Jacob's birthday continues on Saturday when a couple boys from his class are coming over to play with him. So in a way, I am still in birthday mode for Jacob!! Happy birthday son!