A New Day

This morning while I was trying not to hurl my travel size sewing machine across the room after the 39th time the thread came out of the needle, Ian saunters up to me with an interesting question.

“Mommy, it’s 10 o’clock. Can I have ice cream?”

I have no idea how these even remotely relate to one another (and when did he have ice cream before lunch?), but apparently Ian felt quite sure he needed a sugar high mid morning.

I plopped him in front of Sesame Street instead.

After four (FOUR!) pieces of pizza tonite, Emma says, “I’m still hungry.”

“Well, think about all the people in China” Jeff says. I think he meant, “Think of all the people in Somalia or Uganda or ???

“I don’t know how that’s gonna help” Emma replies.

To which Hannah states, “Thinking about all the people in China will distract you from being hungry.”

Ah. Yes. 100,000,003…100,000,004…100,000,005….

I’ve been very lax about updating my blog lately and thought I’d just post some pics from our last month. The holidays were busy and joyful. Belated Merry Christmas and Happy 2009 to you!!

Putting up the artificial tree…

Christmas morning:

We all got new stockings this year - all monogrammed!

One of Daddy’s funny stocking stuffer items!

This year, in observance of an economically scaled down holiday, I’ve decided to save the drain on my camera batteries and my sanity and choose from only 2 photos for our Christmas greeting cards. Even though my batteries are rechargeable (thanks to the good friend who clued me in after 4 years and $2,987.00 of disposable batteries later…) and my children enjoy displaying an amusing array of poses and expressions (none of which tend to produce that elusive and serene shot worthy of the Hallmark quality their mother seeks, though cuteness is never lacking), I choose to boycott the stress and par down the selection.

Hence, Exhibit A.

And Exhibit B.

Personally, I’m leaning towards the tummy shot.

One holiday decision (almost) made, only 583 to go!

Since my dear 7yo, along with her older sister, has been unloading the dishwasher for the past few years, I assumed she knew how to load the dishwasher.

At least that she had the general idea.

Alas.

I was wrong.

Bless her dear heart though. She will make a fine packer someday.

This evening Ian was careening through the family room and kitchen with his big trucks. As he rounds a corner, he ends up on his face.

“Whoopsie daiseys!” I sing, in an obvious attempt to divert him from the whimpering sure to commence if I but show an ounce of sympathy.

In a gallant show of united support, Jeff cheerily chimes in, “Daiseys and whoopsies!”

Ian, a bit perplexed and clearly perturbed he’s not getting the compassion he feels he’s due, whines, “Nooooooo! Is not daiseys and whoopsies!!!”

Oh how I wish I caught more of these on video.

had some very amusing thoughts recently.

I say we start a campaign for Cart Washes!

A few weeks ago we were blessed to be able to attend a homeschool family camp up in the beautiful (and fah-reeeezing cold) mountains. Brr.

We had fun.

No, really, we did.

The girls enjoying the paddle boats. Note big bubble jackets.

We needed snowsuits.

 The mess hall.

Because no camp sharing photo collage is compete without it.

Here’s Hannah getting harnessed up to the ginormous swing.

Note helmet.

Also note teenager wearing t-shirt in 40 degree weather.

 I failed to get a picture of the large group just outside the picture and to the right. They hold onto the attached rope, run down the hill with it until Hannah is far enough back and yells “STOP!” Then she has to pull hard on a harness over her shoulder that detaches her from the pulley rope and hurls her forward so that she can swing.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

 Emma needed encouragement. She really didn’t want to go, and who can blame her? It wasn’t until she watched Hannah go that she braved it!

That’s my girl!

 Safety first.

And last, but you wonder why no one ever says it, huh?

Emma pulling her harness..

And swinging!

Trust me, just moving 3MPH in this cold was hard enough.

Ian showing off his pinecone.

It was pretty much all he did this weekend.

Another view, because pinecones are something you need to really stand back and appreciate from all angles.

The cutest kids there are!

Do I look cold? Because I am. Really, really cold. Do you see the clothing I have on? Do you see padding in that hoodie? Or a nice fleece scarf? What about a warm hat and ear muffs? No? That’s because I didn’t bring any. I froze all weekend. Do you see the icicles forming on the tips of my hair follicles? Oh believe me, they’re there.

See hubby on the left? He’s laughing because I packed warm clothing for everyone but me.

Har, har, honey poo.

More camp pictures to come….

After church this morning, my sweet friend Nancy came up to say hello.

Looking at Ian she says, “Hello Ian, you look very handsome today.”

Ian replies, “Yeah. I’m BIG!”

After we giggle a bit over that reply, Nancy asks him if he sang at church today.

“Sang ‘Jesus Loves Me’” (which we didn’t…lol)

“Ohhh,” says Nancy. “Yes, Jesus loves Ian. Mrs. Nancy loves Ian too.”

Pause.

“Well, not as much but…”

Too, too funny!