Oh My Funny Family!

What a blessing a three day weekend turned out to be! Plus, I cancelled ALL of our activities this week, so we could rest and catch up on home stuff. This included getting Christmas cards going, gift shopping locked down, the tree put up, lights on the house, schoolwork sorted and filed, the list goes on and on and on . . .

Thanksgiving Day was a quiet one at home. We cooked turkey (okay, Buck cooked the turkey--Buck did ALL the cooking, by himself, while I watched the parade with the kids and did lesson plans--he is a very good cook :) The kids played some outside, we dined in our pjs, and we ate apple pie. I like Thanksgiving!

Of course we must do our annual Ritz turkey decorating! I only had two takers on the tradition . . . C wasn't feeling great, and B was watching football, which is what he's done a large portion of the past few days :)

Buck made asparagus, green bean casserole, bought mashed potatoes and Kings Hawaiian rolls at Costco, he cooked the turkey, smoked eggs then fancied them, made the pistachio salad . . . we feasted, I tell you!

My sweet guys decking the halls!

The next day, after running some errands, well specifically, after running to the store to buy more Christmas lights (we threw away strands and strands last year, and replaced almost everything we had, but somehow when we plugged in what we saved, THEY didn't work either! Now I wonder if we tossed the good ones and kept the bad ones . . . lol :) for the Christmas tree . . . we could decorate the wee little darling.

Buck says that trees didn't do so well this year, actually he said there was a "tree shortage" before he popped our little 5-footer into the stand--funny guy :) But it is a soft fir tree, a smelling good tree, and its dainty little self gives us the opportunity to rearrange our Christmas cheer.


Instead of in front of the mirror, we put our tree in the front window, swapped the leg on the couch and found a needle in the cushion, ouch! Once the decorations were on the tree (which didn't take very long since only half of them fit :) I mentioned that dad had a Santa suit they could try on  . . . and then the hilarity ensued! If I get a chance to upload the video, I will . . . good grief, G$ had us in tears!




Graysen looks like a tired Elf on a Shelf, ha!



Mrs. Claus . . . or perhaps for now Ms. Claus :)


See how pretty the house looks now that the new lights are lit and the laser is beaming? The kids like the green holly setting best, but I couldn't get the camera to catch it quick enough.

And look what Little Buddy made me . . .

Buck asked if I'd purchased any new Willow Tree figures for my nativity. I told him I don't think they make new ones any more, but it would be nice if they added a manger. Graysen said, "I can make you one, mom!" First thing he did the next morning was run downstairs and build me a little manger for my nativity . . . he set it down in front of me while I was drinking my chai. Inside, he cut little strips of yellow paper to make straw. Such a sweet heart this boy has!!!

Knitting Crazy!

This year, Buck's co-workers are getting a homemade gift from our own knitting professional. She made A LOT of hats, and will be well paid for her skill (although she did work out a deal with her dad when it came to covering the cost of materials and price per hat :) Now she's working on another order for mom and dad . . . I wonder why her arm was bothering her during the Thanksgiving Parade viewing, ha!

Boys Build Egypt--Wow!

Maybe I'm a nerd, but my favorite thing about teaching the kids homeschool style is when they shape their newfound knowledge into something completely creative, tangible, and downright impressive! Such was the case when the boys decided to build an Egyptian Nile scene. We've been studying this time period pretty much since the beginning of the school year. B even went to our computerized encyclopedia to find out what the Egyptians stashed in their pyramids . . . because his has a hinged side so you can see IN-side! Wowza!

See how the blue runs into the home to provide water?

Pop-open pyramid (they included a minor pyramid to the side for a pharaoh's wife or favorite servant) . . . and check out the sphinx!

We studied the hanging gardens, and I guess the boys decided their palace needed one too :)

Here's a pharaoh (his feet can't touch the ground) being guarded by soldiers and carried to the palace.

We read about the crocodiles in the Nile, including how they were often hunted from boats (with sometimes disastrous results!). The boys even included a few fish to make the river scene more realistic :)

Overview of the village, the palace, the gardens, the entourage, the pyramids, the stables (with working draw bridge to the second level), and boys in matching PJs (they thought that was pretty funny :)

Christmas Card Outtakes

We had big plans for this year's Bronco's champ-inclusive Christmas greeting! But, we also have a busy schedule, don't know any photographers, and kept forgetting to ask the neighbor over to take our picture . . . so . . . :)

I have no idea how he know how to *dab.*

The apron worked . . . the spatula, not so much :)

Us saying to photographer child number three . . . "What do you mean it won't focus?"

Lol! Reality picture! We let each kiddo take 10 pictures with a combo of two cameras, and sometimes the results were hilarious!!! Ha!

Piano Duet

Ever since C began taking piano lessons, G has kept pace--sitting through every lesson, answering questions along with her sis, learning right along (without the homework assignments). This week, their instructor told her to hop up to the piano bench to play with her sister. And, of course, she could! They played "Go Tell it on the Mountain" together and I was too teary-eyed to video record. We've been waiting to see if she was as interested in piano as Caelan is, and it appears she is . . . so, I guess we're adding another pianist to our lesson list. Doesn't bother me a bit! I love that they are learning music!!!!

Serving Up Food and Fun!

Our church calls it the "Season of Giving." As a "community" (that's what our pastor likes to say instead of church body, it's something I'm getting used to . . . :) we're trying to supply the full need for Christmas and Thanksgiving turkey and ham for our local food pantry. That means 550 birds and pigs! At our annual "community" Thanksgiving meal, we were at 502 . . . I bet we'll reach the goal no problem :)

So, what are you looking at in these photos? Well, once again the girls were super excited to serve meals at our church's family feast. There are no pics of Doodles, because she was serving food in the youth wing, rather than the main gymnasium space. I saw pics on my FB memories of last year, and B wore the same outfit both years! Looking spiffy (and needing a new suit, because this one has reached hand-me-down stage :)

Baby D trying mashed potatoes (her mama's favorite!) for the first time! I got to be the photographer for this event :)

Looks like your potatoes are safe, Mom :) She sides with dad on her starch preferences, lol! I also got to hold Baby D to sleep and visit with her mama. That was so nice! It was also nice that Buck went to work early (but forgot his medicine :( ) so he could attend with us for the first time! He took the boys and scooted pretty much right after dinner though, because he was in a lot of pain. Some things even gravy can't fix.

Last night was another opportunity to serve . . . all four kids helped with the Operation Christmas Child shoebox packing during Wednesday night youth group. More than 115 boxes stuffed (Gabby's job), checked (my job), rubber banded (Caelan's job)! It was such a loud and crazy night, but I just love shoebox stories and the lives that are touched around the world through this ministry! We did our own shoebox shopping last week and dropped off our supplies on Sunday. Our kids liked seeing the things we'd provided along with all the other donations. My throat still hurts from being heard above the crowd, but it was worth it to delight those little ones who will receive their possibly first ever Christmas gift this year :)

As a keep busy activity, they had these cool worksheets the kids could fill out with to send with the shoeboxes. They included things like "where I live, my favorite thing to do, a Christmas greeting from me to you," and they could include their address to see if someone would pen pal with them. Pretty neat!

You can see G$ in line--just look for the cowboy hat :) My neighbor (in the white sweater) also volunteered!

Here comes B in the gray striped shirt! I snagged a couple of pictures between swarms of kiddos getting their boxes approved by me :) I am curious to hear from my sis-in-law and bro what the process looks like at the next level. There were definitely some things that could have not been included in those boxes (people donate weird stuff). I snagged as much as I could, and tried to keep the tiny erasers and deodorant out of the 2-4 year old boxes :) It is quite a process!

But this kid packed like a pro! He didn't stand still very long, so he looks like he's ignoring me ;) *Here's a gift for you to check, mom!* I love my family!

Homeschool Kids . . .

Whenever the boys come in from playing outside . . . they have that "outdoorsy" smell that all boys get when playing in the great outdoors. This offends the delicate nostrils of their delicate sisters and has become a point of contention in our household ;)

Here's yesterday's conversation:

G$: "Mom, Caelan banished me from her room, because she says I smell bad."

C: "It's a small, confined space, and he does smell bad."

G$: "I wish she would stop saying I smell bad!"

Me: "Right."

G$ . . . a few minutes later . . .



G$: "I made a petition that says you have to stop saying I smell bad!"

C: "I'd like to meet all those people you got signatures from . . ."

LOL!

Gotta love homeschool kids :) Combatting the injustices of the world with a petition, and preventing voter fraud all in one afternoon . . . I mean, "SteveymaKevin" does sound a LITTLE suspicious ;)

Outtakes . . .

It's always an adventure getting the kids' pictures taken each fall :) This year, I thought we had a great thing going . . . you know, the "picture in the weeds" look that is so popular right now? Well, the sun didn't quite cooperate, so we're still working on our backyard lighting needs :)

Little Buddy didn't have any outtakes--that kid meant happy smile "get this over with" business! His pictures all look exactly the same, which might be an outtake in itself :) So, here's your sneak peek at the crew's annual photo shoot :)

Getting our Christmas On!

This boy knows how to frost a cookie!

This boy knows how to eat a cookie :)

Gab gets "Best decorated cookie of the night!" (Not an official prize, but we think she earned it :)

For weeks, Buck has been helping plan a family event for work. He interviewed a number of Santas, ordered hundreds of cookies, and made sure to wear his ugliest Christmas sweater :) We all rolled in before the store closed, and our girls went to work directing the cookie decorating table and the ornament craft making table. Buck disappeared for awhile to make sure the store got closed down properly, that someone was available to check out workers' families who were doing their Christmas shopping, and to keep a steady supply of pizza coming from the kitchen.




The Santa was great! He walked around greeting people before the party began, then sat for two hours getting his pictures (professionally) taken with all the employees' children. He even knelt down on the cement floor and read them all *The Night Before Christmas.* Our crew was the very last for pictures . . . Santa might have been a bit worn out at that point :)

How many more kids?! :)

One little girl told Santa her wish, hopped off the chair, snagged a present out of his big red bag and took off running! She was 4, it was hilarious :) Her dad caught her and returned the toy, btw.

The idea behind all this is that Christmas goodies sell out quickly. When you're working, it's hard to find time to shop and get some of the goodies. So, they kept the store open just to employees so they could get their Christmas shopping started while the kids were entertained and fed. They played Christmas music over the speakers while we shopped . . . it was a great idea!

And this guy made it happen . . . ;)

Pretty sure we need an 11 x 14 of this on the wall . . . any other takers? I'll print you a copy :)

Another Birthday in the Books!

Well, wouldn't you know it . . . somebody had a birthday this week! It's becoming strange to me to see how many memories we've made in this house. It's felt so temporary all along, but the kids have really done some significant growing up in our current location!

Little Buddy was perhaps the most excited that his brother had a birthday. His rendition of Happy Birthday (with a microphone in hand) put us all to shame . . . in fact, we were too busy giggling to do much singing at all. Really, we weren't necessary because G was providing music, dancing, and entertainment in one energetic package :)

Sibling 1--super excited it is morning and it is BIRTHDAY TIME!!!

Sibling 2---not so much ;)

This was part of the reason G was so excited to get the party started--with his own money, he bought B this really cool LEGO book that gives illustrations and instructions for architectural wonders of ancient history through now. In fact, the whole first half is filled with buildings we're studying in school. I love it when a plan comes together!

Another birthday surprise--dad took a vacation day! All the fun plans they thought were postponed til Friday were happening NOW! Yes! Buck made a big breakfast (D's eggs, farm bacon, chocolate chip pancakes) and we packed up the van for . . .

 . . . LASER TAG! Always a birthday favorite :)

The guy running the place said I could stand on the 'deck' and take pictures. This is what my pictures look like :) Glowing, blinking family members running by "phasering" each other. They had a "blast" and came out sweating, ha! They were the only ones playing, so that was fun . . . no strangers to wrangle with.

This time around, B decided to forego the other activities available at said location, and instead head to the woods. Well, first we stopped to get lunch at a deli we discovered in Galveston on our spring break trip. The kids like it because you get free ice cream :) But then we headed for the WOODS . . . oh, wait. No we didn't. Caelan needed a craft supply and since we were near a craft store (we didn't find what she needed, boo!) AND THEN . . . nope, wait. We were also near the gun emporium where Buck got his shotgun, so we wandered around there for a good 45 minutes. And THEN (for real) . . .

The woods! Well, this part was a bird rehab place, but it was really neat to wander through . . . and I do enjoy a good educator discount ensuring return trips in the future :)

Somebody really liked the musical instruments in the woods :)

Birthday boy shares a tune (notice his admiring audience in the background :)

We liked the boardwalk . . . though B prefers off-roading. We did some of that too, but at racecar pace. Those boys were hiking with cake at home in mind ;)

We did pause several times to observe wildlife--a red-headed woodpecker, a turkey we could have tickled, loads of squirrels, and (hunting practice for the lads and ladies . . .)

Can you see what we see?

This one is even easier to see :) A mama and three deer children were wandering the woods; when the little ones failed to keep pace, mama came back and BIT them, ha! Aren't you glad we don't have to parent that wild way :)

Awww . . . I wish my sweetheart had more moments like this in his week. Sleeping in the bird watching room while the kids play nearby.

We headed home for cake and gifts, oh right and the "steak, potatoes, and green beans" requested by our boy for his special dinner :) C made the cake the night before (between karate and art lessons, whew!) It turned out really tasty! But the powdered sugar kind of melted into the frosting, so we had to re-powder the day of B's birthday. The second round was not quite as crisp, line-wise, but still tasty (I did a similar cake the last time he requested a football-themed birthday day :)

So handsome!

Check out the identical eyebrow action on G$ and his dad, lol! Gift opening was a lot of fun; the kids were very thoughtful in their gift-giving this year--not an actual LEGO in sight :)

Oh but first, his gift from Grandma J . . . he opened the card and discovered some cash for new brown boots! I said, "give me the cash, and you get your next gift" :) We had a coupon that expired last week, so I let him pick out a pair of brown boots online. They arrived, I wrapped them, and he waited til his birthday to see what they look like in person.

I think they sent a men's size 7 rather than a kid's (like I ordered) because I CAN FIT in these boots--comfortably. We're planning to swap them out a local version of the online store this weekend :)

Here is the big gift from his family! C bought him the Old Timer knife he's been scouting at gun shows and talking about for MONTHS. Gab got him a leather finger shield. His dad and I got him the whittling book and wood to get started. Today he used these things for the first time. He came in with two hands dripping blood and said, "Mom, I'm not having very much fun." Poor dude! We got him super-glued shut and bandaged up (he said, "We should take another picture with all my stuff AND my bandaids on my fingers." :) He also said, "There's blood all over the concrete; it looks like someone hunted out there." He's decided to wait for a full leather glove to keep things safe for future whittling adventures.

  Here are a few of the designs the siblings came up with for football décor. I super love that they do all the decorating the night before! They are so creative (that 18 guy is taller than me!)