Alex often walks the track at the Y during Kaitlyn and Teague’s swim lessons. Wade even set him up with podcasts for entertainment.
These kids loves boxes.
Books with Mom.
Morning.
Thursdays are for pink hair. At least this Thursday is.
My rule is you are supposed to physically walk the dogs outside. Madison because she tends to wander away (bad hearing and bad eyesight). Pepper because we are trying to teach her to go to the bathroom on command (best thing we ever did with Madison).
You see how well that is working…
Crazy hair day at school – of course he wanted blue hair.
Shower painting got a little out of hand.
The desired quantity of Veggie Straws has exceeded normal toddler snack container sizes.
It wasn’t too many months ago that we would have told Madison to get down. But she’s 14 this month (14?!?!). I’m honestly impressed she can get up in the chair. At this age she is an amazing dog. She puts up with 4 kids, a crazy house, a hectic schedule, and then we got a puppy. Madison – you can get in the chair if you want.
We believe in teaching life skills early. Learning to make Jiffy Pop is definitely a necessity.
A very self-satisfied Teague.
I have been wrangling Ben during ballet class for months and it never once occurred to me to build him an enclosure. I bring Teague once and he solves the Ben problem immediately.
Storytime is for preschoolers. (Ben tags along.) Kaitlyn listens to the story. She somewhat participates in the kraft. She loves the bubbles and the dancing at the end.
The minute Wade walks in the door, all the kids want to be with him. It doesn’t matter what he is doing – even checking email.
Kaitlyn was handed-down this gymnastics leotard from her cousin. It was too big last summer and is still huge on her. However, it is obviously a favorite. She would wear it daily, in all weather, and to all places if allowed.
Evidently I was a little too slow cooking dinner. I walked in the living room to check on Ben and found that he had helped himself to a huge bag of Veggie Straws.
(Also – I need to consider child locks for the chip drawer.)
Today was a another last first. Ben had his first haircut. He was a champ and happily sat in the chair while the lady cut his hair.
I was so glad he did well that I forgot to get a picture of him when he was all done. He did get a certificate though!
Sundays are for napping.
Ben is napping and I’m folding, ironing, etc. The big kids get to watch a movie and keep me company.
Fort building – again.
Usually Wade dries Kaitlyn’s hair on Sundays. Evidently today she is doing his hair.
Look what Ben found!
I keep a grocery list on the side of the refrigerator. I add things as I think of them or run out of them and then grab the list before going to the grocery. Theoretically, my family should add items they would like me to purchase. Wade will add something every once in a while. Today I found that one of my children (Teague) decided to make his first request. It’s the cutest. I definitely bought him an avocado.
Pepper strikes again.
Hiding place uncovered.
Brothers.
Teague had a tooth pulled a week ago Monday. The tooth is still on the kitchen counter in it’s little container. Obviously he has no intention of putting it under his pillow. Is there a time limit on how long I have to keep it? Will he notice if it just disappears? I don’t feel like I should have to remind my child. This is one of those things where if you want the treat you have to do a tiny bit of work. Our tooth fairy even pays extra for teeth pulled by the dentist.
Someday he will thank me.
We have discovered a new way to measure the kids’ growth. Teague is almost as tall as our latest CVS receipt.
Morning routines.
We went to the grocery and bought a container of blueberries. He started eating while I put away groceries. I looked over and realized he had eaten every single blueberry. I’ll bet he eats his lunch too.
Thursdays are for field trips. There is no preschool and we often plan an outing with friends. Today we headed to the Ecotarium with Laila. Ben was content in his stroller (with a favorite book). The girls had lots of fun exploring all the exhibits.
This boy does homework or walks the track during swim lessons. It has made the waiting much easier for both of us.
(If only Ben could do the same…)
Swim lesson Thursday.
He knows what snacks are good and is pretty sure he wants them for breakfast. He is almost doing his darnedest to try and climb up to them.
Somedays they do all get along.
Rote memorization doesn’t come easy for Alex. He has to memorize his multiplication tables this year and it is a struggle. He taught himself the concept of multiplication in first grade after overhearing some big kids talking about it on the bus. He would much rather calculate out the problems each time. Having to memorize the answers for so many problems is much much harder for him.
Another new creative reading spot for Teague.
We have just discovered the digital books at the library. Kaitlyn is thoroughly enjoying the Fancy Nancy series.
This is a new development. I was hoping I had a little more time before he discovered the stairs – especially that he could climb them.
These are the pictures I actually wish were framed and up on my walls. However, they are never the ones with pretty backgrounds and professional camera settings. Maybe I’ll request one next time. I love the personality behind them though!
This perfectly captures Alex at age 9 (almost 10)
They were so excited to show Daddy the newest coolest things on Minecraft.
Ben decided Kaitlyn’s pretend kitchen bowls (made by Pop) were just his size for snack.
We still have quite a bit of chaos in the house from the downstairs room switching. I looked up today to see Kaitlyn using the mirror leaning against the wall in the hallway to her advantage. She was not pleased with her hair.
I know my limits. I can cook with one child at time – maybe two. I definitely cannot cook with three. When Alex wants to cook, the answer is only yes if I have the time to help or Teague is willing to do so. Then I can ensure the recipe will be followed and my kitchen will not be a disaster. Today Teague supervised while Alex and Kaitlyn made cookies. I think Teague was a little stressed but the cookies were good. (My kitchen didn’t suffer to badly either!)
I thought all of my kids were good eaters. Then we had Ben. He will eat anything we put in front of him. Here he is clapping for spaghetti.
We got the promised snow! Everybody played and played – even Wade!
Snow Day!
Snow Day!