Watch Me Grow

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The Birthday Boy

Every day this week William has been showing me the calendar, and how close we were getting to his birthday. He was so excited he wanted to go to bed at 5:30 yesterday so he could wake up and have his birthday. (He ended up going to bed at 7:00 as usual).

Of course he started the day with the most important thing to any three-year-old: presents!

He loved all his presents, and was excited to start playing with them right away.

His special breakfast request was "rainbow waffles." Hmm, that's a new one. Oh well. What's a kid's birthday without a little food coloring?

Following waffles and more playing, it was time to prepare the cake. Will requested this fire truck cake, which he and Esther were able to decorate.

I put a spoon in the frosting in order to better load the piping bag. William assumed that a spoon meant the frosting was for eating.

After even more playing, we were off to lunch at William's favorite place in the world: Chuck E. Cheese's.

We spent the afternoon relaxing at home. In the evening we had some very special "train" tickets.

We enjoyed a bus ride around the city past some of the more impressive light displays, all while listening to "The Polar Express" book on tape and some Christmas music. Then we arrived at the North Pole.

Santa's elves were serving hot chocolate and cookies.

When we left, William was surprised to see our van in the parking lot. He figured that someone must have driven it to the North Pole for us so we could take it home.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILLIAM!!!

The Four-Poster Bed

We've got some amazing books for homeschool this year. One of our favorites is this:

Whenever Esther sees it in the work pile, she wants to read it right away. It's full of all sorts of interesting tidbits of ages past. Sometimes there is an accompanying craft or recipe too. Yesterday we were reading about "A French nobleman's home" which included instructions on making a four-poster bed.

Esther couldn't wait to get started. We've got a rule that she has to finish all her core subjects before starting a craft - otherwise experience has shown us that she will use all her energy on the craft and have nothing left for academia. She quickly finished the rest of her school work without dawdling or even wanting a recess. Then out came the scrap box, and Esther was in crafting heaven.

Esther wanted this to be extra-nice, so she learned how to sew in order to hem the curtains and make fluffy pillows.

After two days of fun, hard work, Esther finished this masterpiece. She did have some help, but really did quite a bit of it all by herself.

The dolls in her dollhouse are enjoying their fancy new bed.

Tomorrow there are instructions on making a model teepee. Esther can hardly wait.

Wilmington, OH

On Friday Cameron had an interview in Wilmington, OH. It's only four or five hours away, so we all drove together. Our kids are getting pretty good at the long distance drive thing. One tip for you who venture on such expeditions - kids books on tape from the library are lifesavers. We've listened to so many great books on these long rides, and for the most part they keep the kids entertained. The "Little House" books have been the favorites so far, but they like listening to just about anything.

While Cameron was interviewing the rest of us wandered around Wilmington looking for something to do. It's a small city, and we weren't finding much in the way of morning child entertainment. But what we did find was a bowling alley. That worked for us. This was Esther and William's first time bowling.

I like their different techniques.

First is William's gentle roll...

Then there is Esther's throwing approach...

After a few rounds a more experienced bowler had pity on us and had them bring out this ramp. The balls were able to go a little faster with the added momentum.

More pictures just because my kids are cute:

And finally - after a game and a half, William was getting tired. By the end he didn't want his last turn, so Alex took it for him. Esther did some great camera work for Alex's first time bowling.

We'd like to give accolades for the inventor of bumper lanes. That was a stroke of genius.

Proud Boy

Here's Alexander's moment in the spotlight. Tuesday he not only got up on his knees all by himself, but kept on going and grounded his tootsies too. It's not quite standing straight up - hard to do with such a low step for support - but we'll still call it his first time pulling himself up to stand. He was amply satisfied with himself for quite a while.

Hallelujah

Santa Fest

It was a member appreciation Santa Fest at the Detroit Science Center tonight.

The Detroit Science Center is a very educational place. Here are a few things we learned tonight.

1. If it's a machine, little boys WILL stop to play with it, no matter where you are actually trying to go.

2. Cookies make the world go round. Especially if you get to decorate them yourself.

3. Don't go to an IMAX movie right before it starts, or you will have to sit in the very front. (No pictures of this because, um, we were watching the movie.)

4. If it is a craft, little girls will take their time.

5. Socks are an insult to the beauty (and delicate flavor) of toe-hood. They will not be worn.

6. No matter how many times we've already seen Santa, or how long the line is, or even if Santa is currently on a break and won't be back for five minutes, it is imperative to visit the Jolly Old Elf. (pictures to come soon, whenever the Science Center processes them).

7. I'm not the only one who thinks my kids are cute. There was an ESPN cameraman taking some footage to be shown at tomorrow night's game. If any of you happen to be watching, keep a look-out for a clip of William eating his cookie.

Pizza Anyone?

This year Esther has joined The American Heritage Girls. AHG is a Christian based girl scouting program. They're actually affiliated with Boy Scouts of America. For their first fundraiser this year they are selling Hungry Howie's coupons that look like this. They really are an awesome deal - just the free pizza coupon at the bottom makes it worth the $10 you pay. So if you like pizza, and want to support the American Heritage Girls, you know who to contact.

A Message from Esther

After math today Esther wanted to keep playing with the pattern blocks. She put together this and asked if she could take a picture of it herself and post it on the blog so her grandparents could see. From left to right this is Papa, Nana, Grammy, and Grandpa.

A Little Thing I Don't Want to Forget

Today was beautiful. The weather was warm, but with the crispness of autumn. The kids and I went outside to rake leaves. I raked up big piles. Esther and William scooped the piles up in snow shovels and pushed them into the street for the sweepers to pick up, racing and smiling, having a great time. Alex watched happily from his seat in the stroller. When we got close to the door we could smell the cornbread Esther made (with just a little help) baking in the oven. Right when we were finishing up, Cameron arrived from his walk home from the hospital, making our family complete. I love those moments in life that you can’t help but stop to savor.

hmmm

We always know something interesting is happening when the kids play quietly in their rooms.

Happy Boo-Day to Me

The puppy, devil, and dragon wish you all a Happy Halloween!

Alex knows what Halloween is all about.

And thank you for all the birthday wishes!

Birthday cake's don't have calories, right? So I can eat all of this strawberry mousse goodness?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Monster Mash

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Almost Free

I'll go ahead and be cliche. There's not such thing as a free lunch. But this comes pretty close. Boston Market has a deal right now where you get two free kids meals with the purchase of one adult meal. The also have a coupon here where you can get a meal for $1. Combine the two (like we did this afternoon) and you get three meals for $1 plus tax. The total came to $1.06. Below is a picture of what I found while raking the leaves today. That means our lunch for three (four if you count Alex munching on his siblings' sweet potatoes) cost us six cents. The pb&j we were going to have would have cost quite a bit more.

PS For those of you who also like amazing deals, this promotion just lasts through the end of the week.

Teeth and Graham Crackers

Alex has been enjoying his two new teeth tremendously.

Pioneer Days

Yesterday we went with our homeschool group to Pioneer Days at the Port Huron Museum. We made our own soup and cornbread, washed the dishes, dipped candles, punched tin, wrote with quills, played with pioneer games, churned butter, got a look at cabin life, and visited the museum. We had so much fun that the kids want to do it all again at home (even the washing dishes!)

On the Road Again

Cameron's second residency interview was on Friday in Altoona, PA. When they were on the phone with him, they asked Cameron if he'd like to bring his wife and kids too. He let them know what a young little pack we are, but they were still happy to have us.

Thursday we headed out in the van and enjoyed an amazing autumn ride. PA in the fall is something worth seeing!

While Cameron interviewed, the rest of us went to the Altoona Railway Museum. It's the only part of the trip that I remembered to take pictures.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

After interviews, they gave us all lunch at the hospital cafeteria, then took us on a community tour. It looks like a great place to live.

They took us out to dinner that night with some residents. One of the residents brought her husband and two little kids, so we made quite a crowd. We had a really nice time and got along together very well.

The program looks good (they have a great rural track which is what Cameron is most interested in). Everybody was incredibly friendly. Even the people we just happened to meet while around town were all nice. We really appreciated how thoughtful everyone was, and definitely wouldn't mind ending up there.

Booked it with Book-It

October was the kick-off for Pizza Hut's Book-It Program. Cameron and I figured that a challenging yet reasonable goal for our beginning reader would be to read 20 books (or chapters, if the books were long) in a month. A few days ago Esther realized that she can read more than one a day. This morning she had 10 left to go, when she announced that she was going to read all ten books today so she could get her free pizza tonight. Even when the going got tough and I offered her a bail-out, she kept at it and we had pizza for dinner!

Then, after dinner she read two bedtime stories to William. We've got quite a reader on our hands!

Can You Guess What We Did This Weekend?