Ben obviously felt like morning came a little too early today.
Toadfrogs
The kids had a half day today. Alex went up to the Common with some friends right after school. (They later appeared back at our house for snacks and an impromptu snowball fight.) I picked up Kaitlyn and her friend from school so they could start their play date with lunch. They made pigs in a blanket for lunch and a big cookie cake for dessert. Teague and Ben showed up right on time and enjoyed having the rest of the day at home. Teague made a cheesecake and Ben enjoyed everyone else’s cooking.
I ran across these height prediction charts and decided to do the math for my kids. According to their current ages, current heights, and my math, here are their predicted heights. It’ll take years to see if these are accurate, but I’m curious.
Alex – 5’7″
Teauge – 5’6″
Kaitlyn – 5’1″
Ben – 5’8″
Knowing it was supposed to rain/sleet/snow all day, we decided to stay home from church. For the most part everyone was lazy. Kaitlyn took the day to try out three new recipes so she spent quite a bit of time in the kitchen.
Kaitlyn decided muffins were needed. She had her recipe ready to go this morning and started baking right after morning cartoons. The recipe of choice was Double Chocolate Love Muffins. I knew when they came out of the oven something wasn’t quite right. They looked delicious but more like a chocolate chip muffin and not a chocolate chocolate chip muffin. I asked Kaitlyn how much cocoa powder she put in, 1/2 cup or 1/2 teaspoon. She got a look on her face and verified she only put 1/2 teaspoon. That definitely explains the color of the muffins. They still tasted great.
When Ben and Kaitlyn were playing scientist this evening, they both kept refilling the water from the kitchen sink. Kaitlyn can reach the faucet. Ben always does a hop up onto the countertop so he can reach the faucet. I watched him do that. Then I watched him fall down to the ground. I didn’t see him hit anything but he started to cry. (Ben rarely cries and has a high pain tolerance.) It took me a few seconds to find where Ben was hurt. Then I saw a huge gaping wound on his chin. I’m still not sure how or on what he hit it, but we cleaned it, iced it, and put some butterfly bandages on it. Poor kiddo.
Alex has decided to modify a computer case. He has asked for all kinds of supplies to do this for his birthday. Today this means he is working to learn the ins and outs of our 3D printer. That also meant we were all hanging out in the basement. Ben used that time to race the cars he built with his dad and make a new video.
Wade is experimenting with other possible food options for his Sunday School class using easy to store and easy to cook methods. Wade’s current appliance of choice is the toaster oven. Tonight he tested out s’mores on the kiddos. They were all big fans.
Tuesdays are always a crazy day for us. Kaitlyn gets off the bus and rushes to get ready for ski lessons. We pack a snack for her and Ben, and drive to pick Ben up from school. Then we drive straight to Ski Ward for the kids’ ski lessons. Ben got to try the t-bar for the first time and Kaitlyn has officially graduated to the chair lift.
Then we rush home for dinner before everybody runs out the door. The bigs and Wade have handbell practice at church. The littles have swim lessons (which is 30 minutes away).
While the kids were swimming, I spent some time at the front desk trying to arrange some makeup lessons. Then I returned to my seat to watch and realized Ben was being given a swim evaluation to move up to the next level (he passed). As I was walking in to get the kids, I was told Kaitlyn had also passed an evaluation and moved up a level. I was proud of my kids! They have never both moved up a level in the same day, but that also means all my work scheduling makeup lessons had to be redone because they were now in new levels. (Kaitlyn actually graduated from lessons and is joining the swim team. We are going to try it out next week to see if she wants to commit.)
There are a lot of games in this house. Ben’s current favorite is Zelda. Kaitlyn’s current favorite is Skip-Bo.
I went in the laundry room looking for a shirt and instead found that Ben had locked himself in Pepper’s kennel and was happily reading his books.
Today everyone wanted to bake. Most of the time the big boys don’t eat breakfast and the littles have a bagel or toast with their fruit. Today everyone wanted something a little fancier.
We celebrated Wade’s birthday today. We had his requested dinner of biscuits and gravy and then angel food cake (which Kaitlyn helped me make). The kids love breakfast for dinner (of any kind) and the littles enjoyed helping Wade open his presents.
I was walking by the bathroom when I did a double take. Ben was standing on the stool, holding a comb, and working on his hair. He informed me he could do it better. Then I noticed his shirt and told him it was on backwards (which he does sometimes). Ben told me it was on purpose. He wanted to be able to put the hood over his face and be a ninja. I laughed and agreed to let him wear it.
I had already tucked everyone in bed and said goodnight. Sometimes that means the littles go to sleep and sometimes they spend a little time reading. Tonight as I walked back by their bedrooms, both kids were reading and Ben was reading his first chapter book.
Today we had all kinds of extra kids in the house! Kaitlyn had a friend over. Ben had a friend over. Then Alex had two friends over to spend the night.
We made cookies. Played games. Built forts. Danced. Jumped on the trampoline. Cleaned up. And then Alex’s friends arrived right after we finished dinner. I got the little kids in bed and then took Alex and his friends out to load up on snacks before they stayed up all night playing games.
After the littles’ playdate but before dinner, I laid down on the couch to take a quick nap. When I woke up, I had sleeping kids beside me and Wade was watching TV. He later sent me this video and it cracked me up.
I was heading to the kitchen to cook dinner when I did a double take. Ben was sprawled out in Wade’s lap completely asleep. Ben is never shy about asking for a back rub and evidently he put himself in Wade’s lap and asked for a back rub. Then he promptly fell asleep.
Ben and Kaitlyn spent part of their evening in the shop with Wade. Kaitlyn built a stage. Ben built mini tables and then moved on to more robots.
Ben told me he had a new game he wanted the family to play. We put him off a day or two, but he was very insistent. We tried to sell him on just Wade and I playing, but he really wanted the entire family to play. We finally convinced Alex and Teague to show some interest and excitement and we all set down to play “Left, Right, Oink.”
Ben had found my bag of random die. There was a die with “Left”, “Right”, and a “pig face” on the various sides. With Ben’s game, you roll and then either hop to the left, right, or say “oink.” When we asked if there was a winner, he just grinned. We finally agreed that the first person to reach four “oinks” would be declared winner. (Spoiler – Wade wins)
Once again, Ben and his outfit choices continue to amuse me. We were headed for his yearly checkup and he (and his medals) jingled all the way.
We had our first snow day of the year! We waited all weekend for the snow to come last night. We woke up to white! The prediction was 9 inches. We are guessing more like 6, but we’ll take it. It continued snowing most of the day but the kids got out and played in the yard before coming in for hot chocolate and some electronics time.
Then we convinced almost everyone to join us for sledding.
Ben has never lacked personality or confidence. He was really excited about his birthday party today and obviously added the “flair” to his outfit.
Dinner was almost ready. The kids had set the table. Everyone left the kitchen and I was finishing up the last few things so we could sit down. Then I glanced over at the table and realized we had one more joining us for dinner.
I normally go by Ben’s room to shut his door before I go to bed. Tonight I just had to laugh. He evidently had quite a bit of trouble falling asleep. None of these books were on the floor when I said goodnight to him several of hours ago.
Today was the first day of the littles’ six week ski lessons. Ben was begging his instructor to go higher up the mountain and leave the bunny hill for the magic carpet. Kaitlyn was a little rocky at the beginning but by the end she was doing much better! She tells me next week her group is going to use the t-bar (which she always refused to try last year).
My kids have been so excited for New Year’s. We started the day at church, played some games, and then got ready for dinner. The kids love our annual snack dinner. They love the sparkling drink we cheer with. This year we got to celebrate with Granny and Pop too.
Today’s entertainment was candlepin bowling! We haven’t been in quite a while and thought it would be fun to introduce Granny and Pop. Ben once again managed to beat most of us.
A few weeks ago as we were driving home from swim lessons, Ben started asking about the math Kaitlyn has been doing at home. She has been working with flash cards to memorize her multiplication tables. I explained the concept to him and was shocked that he got it with no issues. Before we got home, he could do simple problems like 2×3 or 10×5. I put counting blocks on his Christmas list so that he could work on harder problems.
Ben got the counting blocks for Christmas and was pretty quick to ask for multiplication problems. Kaitlyn wanted some of her own to do (of course she only needed blocks for a very few of them). The card is Ben’s after he finished writing all his answers.
Granny and Pop arrived today! We had some lunch, played some games, and then had our last round of Christmas.
My favorite part of the day was when the littles decided to sled down the stairs. Ben instigated the entire thing and went first. I attempted to take a video but was so caught up in watching him that I videoed the wall and not his slide. Only after his successful slide was Kaitlyn willing to go. Then Ben wanted to go again so I could get him on video. On this attempt, he leaned forward and tipped the basket halfway down and that ended the sliding for the day.
Today was the perfect day for the kids to do the crafts they’ve been patiently waiting to paint.
Today we enjoyed being home. There was a lot of laziness and playing with new toys. The kids are still loving games with Gram. Kaitlyn and Ben got new toys and have been equally playing together and then taking turns playing with Gram. I have had lots of time to read and cook. The big boys have had a lot of unlimited computer time (a Christmas treat). We are going to hate to say good-bye to Gram tomorrow.
This is the first year that I woke up before everyone else on Christmas morning. If I hadn’t left our bedroom to see if anyone was awake (and waiting in their room as requested), then KitKat wouldn’t have gotten up and started meowing, and everyone would have slept later. Instead, Ben and Kaitlyn were woken up so then everyone was up. Then we all went downstairs to see what Santa had brought.
Then we had our traditional Christmas breakfast, got dressed, and took a few family pictures. Then we moved on to opening presents. The kids are always fun to watch. Teague and Alex had very sad want lists this year so Gram gave them mostly money, but delivered it in a creative way. She put cash in balloons but the boys had to find the balloons with their names on them and then pop them before they could count their money. It was a wonderful day and we ended it with naps for the adults while the kids were entertained with all their new things.
Today is one of my favorite days of the Christmas holiday. We had a leisurely day of reading, games, baking, an evening church service, and then setting out cookies for Santa.
Alex has his own routine. He joins us for meals. He sometimes plays video games with his brothers. But mostly he disappears in his room till his siblings are asleep. Then he comes downstairs and wants to hang out with Wade and I. Sometimes that sounds good and we are feeling social. Sometimes we are ready for some alone time ourselves.
Tonight Wade was feeling social and they played cards and then ended up wrestling (which they haven’t done in 10 years…). They were so loud that Ben got out of bed to join in the fun. I was laughing hysterically from my chair.
Alex wanted to learn to play piano. He started lessons in September and today was his first recital for all of us. We loved that Gram was here to see it too. His teacher played all of the songs with him and her husband had made a plate full of wonderful treats.
Ben’s winter class party was today. The other class mom wasn’t able to attend so Wade agreed to help me out. We came prepared with the always popular Snowman building relay race and the materials to make Snowman shooters. Wade and I had a great time with the kids and are ready for break to begin!
Basket presents have been a thing in the Harper house since I was a toddler. My mom has gone from making two sets of basket presents (14 presents total) to now creating 10 sets (70 presents total). She often says she feels like she has completed Christmas shopping before she even begins. My kids love them and today we opened them almost as a family and got lots of pictures.
Ben is definitely his own person. I sent him upstairs to get ready for swim lessons. He returned wearing one sock (he went upstairs with two on), his swimsuit, and a hat. I didn’t even bother trying to convince him to change.
Kaitlyn had a playdate this weekend and the girls wanted to make friendship bracelets. I have been waiting years for this (like 30+ years). I knew where my old box of string was in the basement and immediately pulled it out. I did have to check the directions (which I still had), but then I had them set up and they were threading bracelets.
Today was a busy, busy morning. Both big boys and Wade were performing handbell pieces with their handbell choirs. Then, Wade and all of the children were in the Christmas pageant. (I was in charge of pictures.) There are pictures from the rehearsals before church and then pictures from the actual performances in church. (You might notice that we gained a second star between the rehearsal and the actual pageant!) There are also some pictures from the general craziness that goes along with the Burch family in general.
Today was our church’s annual Breakfast with Santa. The littles enjoyed all the crafts while they waited for breakfast. Teague disappeared to help with something (no clue but he seemed happy). Some of our church friends were there and we met some new families. (Alex voted to stay home and sleep.) Finally, the kids were called upstairs to meet Santa. They were so excited!
Then we gathered in the sanctuary to practice for the Christmas pageant.
Today was Ben’s last lesson of his second skiing session. Today’s lesson started with everyone taking a turn down the bunny slope, but then the kids moved to the magic carpet. They all did great and spent the rest of the lesson going skiing down the bunny hill in a line behind their instructor. I only got a video of the very beginning of class (before it got dark), but Ben has come a long way this six weeks.
Ben got a really cool robot building kit at his birthday party. Wade’s been helping him build one or two a night. Tonight they built the one he has been most excited about – the bubble robot. Kaitlyn was excited to see it in action and was very anxious for Ben to finish. She couldn’t wait to help find our bubbles and see it working.
Ben got a new iPad for his birthday. We finally got his new one set up and were attempting to switch everything from the old to the new. Ben was very insistent that he needed all of his old videos and pictures. Wade was transferring them and then called me to come quick. We had no idea Ben had created his own video series called “Ben’s previous videos.” They are probably only funny to Wade and I but we died watching Ben and his personality. I’m only going to post one, but just be aware there is an entire series spanning months.
Every Christmas season the bell choir has a concert. Alex and Wade have performed the last few years, but last year was the first year I felt comfortable taking Ben to watch the concert.
This year Alex, Teague, and Wade are all performing. I sat in the back with Ben, Kaitlyn, and our friend’s two little boys (She is in the bell choir with her daughter). I thought the boys did a pretty good job of staying quiet and entertaining themselves. (The man in front of us only “shushed” us once.) Ben loved when they called all the kids up front for Jingle Bells.
Ben asked to have a friend party this year (for the first time) and of course we said yes. He didn’t have any strong feelings on the party location. After a little thinking and research, I settled on Chuck E. Cheese. The much harder part was picking a date. Schedules between Thanksgiving and Christmas are busy! We had one free Saturday so that narrowed our options considerably. We sent out the invitations and had people saying they were coming up until the party started (just a little craziness added to our day).
Ben woke up super excited about his party! Alex, Teague, and Kaitlyn were pretty excited too. Everybody had plans and strategies for winning tickets and playing games. Ben couldn’t wait to see his friends, play games, but mostly – the Ticket Blaster!
After cake and ice cream but before their game time was done, it was Ben’s time in the Ticket Blaster. He had been talking about this for weeks. Our party host said he could pick a friend and he picked Solomon, a friend from church. They ran inside and started picking up tickets from the floor, before the air started blowing. The sweet host didn’t stop them and let them get their hands full before she turned it on. Then Ben held on super tight and didn’t move a muscle once the air started blowing. Solomon felt the air and immediately threw up his hands and let all the tickets in his hands start blowing.
Ben is still taking his weekly ski lessons. He spends equal time goofing off (throwing snowballs, rolling in the snow, etc) as actually skiing, but he says he loves it.
Alex told me a few days ago that he wanted to build a gingerbread house. Alex only sometimes joins in family activities and almost never initiates them. I grabbed the first gingerbread houses I saw. I decided to get two and let the kids to work together on them.
It was chaos from the beginning. Alex was frustrated that I bought premade houses and he didn’t get to do house construction. (I hadn’t paid close attention and just grabbed the first ones I saw.). Then I bought two different kinds (gingerbread and Oreo) thinking variety would be fun. The kids all wanted the Oreo house.
Everyone recovered. The kids split two and two without too much argument. Alex constructed a tree and helped Kaitlyn with the icing where she needed it. In the end we had two houses and everyone had a good time. (Next time I will buy four identical houses.)
One of my least favorite Christmas activities is Elf on a Shelf. It’s one of those things I wish we had never started and there is no way to end. Our Elf, Kanga, comes as close as possible to Christmas and simply moves locations every night. Kanga doesn’t do any of the cute antics the other kids (and instagram) talk about. In fact, most nights I’m amazed our Elf remembers to move. Last year it finally got easier because someone mentioned the idea of setting a recurring alarm on their phone for about 10:30 pm. (GENIUS).
This year, Alex has taken some interest in helping out. He waits till he thinks the kids are in bed (and staying there) and then begs to move Kanga. I love having the help!
Kaitlyn has been running all fall with her Girls On The Run team. When we were in Memphis, Kaitlyn and I went out twice on practice runs. On the first, Kaitlyn didn’t like the cold and ran less than half a mile of the three. On the second, Kaitlyn did much better but only ran a few blocks at a time before walking. I decided at that point that the run was not something to worry about and that we would be walking more than running.
Today we woke up to a cold, rainy morning. We dressed in layers and headed to the course. The boys were grumpy, but they knew when they signed up (and I paid) that they were committing regardless of the weather. We started all together but Kaitlyn was motivated. She ran at a speed that I haven’t seen before. She also ran a ton! There was some walking but not very much. The last mile (which also means the last loop of three) Kaitlyn saw that there were medals at the finish line. That motivated her even further and I had trouble keeping up with her. I was surprised and very impressed with how Kaitlyn ran her race! We waited at the finish line for Alex and Teague. We tried to cheer them on, but they were too grumpy to want cheering.
On the way home we stopped for donuts and hot chocolate. Then we all took hot showers and had a short rest. Kaitlyn, Ben, and I then met up with some friends to tour some of the Frosty Stops for “Grafton Celebrates the Holidays.” Due to the weather, there were a lot less people out so there were almost no lines. The kids had a great time and got bags full of goodies.
Kaitlyn asked to see the Nutcracker last year but not until it was too late to get tickets. This year, we made sure to get tickets early. Kaitlyn has been talking about it for weeks. Today we dressed up, drove downtown, and had a wonderful afternoon!