Ashes, Ashes...

We tried going without a fire for a few days, but the return of cold, grey, drizzly weather forced us to get the wood stove fired up again.  First we needed to clean out some ashes (for those sensitive to messes, don't look)...

He actually did a pretty good job.  The big mess came later, when he and Shane were filling the wood box from outside.  A heavy piece of madrona from this adventure hit the divider of the pass-through, which fell over and hit the ash bucket, which had no lid and went flying sideways...

...we had a great visual/kinesthetic lesson on how volcanic ash could block out the sun...

Poor Daniel

Imagine Ian's surprise when Daniel came running outside, crying and sobbing, begging Ian to put his "tomato bugs" on his tummy so they could eat them.  "Why?" asked Ian.  "Because Mama is mad at me!"

Hungry "tomato" bugs eating bread

Why was Mama so mad?  Let's rewind to this morning, right after Daniel woke up.  He was feeling like such a big boy because he slept in his own bed all night long.  The first thing he decided to do was take himself potty.  And take care of his own hygiene afterward.  He came scampering out for breakfast, so proud that he had gone potty and dressed himself!  Mama was so proud of her big boy!

Still hasn't figured out how to smile for the camera

Until she took Lula back for her mid-morning diaper change and saw the lack of water in the toilet bowl...which could only mean one thing...  Mama looked at the toilet paper roll and noticed the brand-new roll was half-gone.  That confirmed her suspicions.  Daniel clogged the toilet.  He came around the corner just as Mama was plunging for dear life.  This Mama happens to be sick with a laryngitis/bronchitis sounding voice and she squeaked/cracked/hollered, "YOU ARE  NOT ALLOWED TO WIPE YOUR OWN BOTTOM!!!!"

Poor Daniel ran out of the room, crying and sobbing.  He ran out the front door, crying and sobbing.  And he begged Ian, crying and sobbing, to put his "tomato bugs" on his tummy so they can eat him.

My poor, sweet, independent, little/big boy!  I will try harder to not lose my patience with him.  And he will try harder to be careful with TP and not "cwog" the toilet.

My Kids are Full of Hot Air!

Today we measured lung capacity for our science project.  Biology for Every Kid by Janice VanCleave has instructions for building a complicated contraption involving a milk jug, aquarium tubing, and a dishpan.

I found these lung volume kits to be much easier.  Yes, they are more expensive, but when I'm working with a $4500 budget through the school district, I don't need to worry too much about finding cheap supplies around the house.

Inside the box is a long, plastic bag with liter markings.  You take a deep breath...

...and blow!  Wow, Shane, I didn't know your lungs had such a high capacity!  It's amazing your lungs even fit inside your body!!!

They had a lot of fun finding out how much air they could hold in their lungs and how long they could hold their breath for. 

Last week we tested their blood type with these kits, but I was so busy worrying about poking my babies' fingers that I didn't take any pictures.  Their science guide had them building blood with water, cornstarch, flour sugar, and red food coloring.  They were supposed to mix it all up and watch it settle.  This was supposed to prove that blood parts can be separated.  All it proved to me was that flour, sugar, etc could separate, not blood.  Instead we found out something useful: Ian and Shane have A negative blood (just like Mark) and Evie has O positive (just like me). This led to an interesting discussion about blood type being determined by genetics.

Next up...digestive system! OOoooo, what kind of fun things can I think up for THAT?

Welcome to Babyland

Evie has the greatest little game she is playing...

She has set up a daycare center downstairs and babysits Lula while I get things done.  She charges only $1 an hour, which she donates straight to Ian's Boy Scout Camp fund.  Isn't she the greatest?

Lula really likes Babyland.  Evie plays and plays with her and only bring her to me for diaper changes.  She even had Lula's breakfast ready for her when they woke up this morning.  These two have developed the sweetest relationship.  I am really going to enjoy watching these two grow up together.

Another Fiona Story

Fiona, Fiona, Fiona.  She is so funny.  Her brothers are learning how to take things that annoy them about people and try to find another way to describe that characteristic.  Fiona is a bossy know-it-all, but I gently remind the boys that she is just very confident and will be a great mother in her own home someday.

New Favorite Pastime: Looking at Dresses at Old Navy

Last night at Awanas, Fiona's teacher was reviewing the preschool version of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.  Because Fiona heard four versions straight out of the Bible a few days ago, Miss Know-it-all kept popping her hand in the air to add details to her teacher's story.  Pop is the only way to describe the way Fiona raises her hand.  She is like Hermione Granger, only younger.  "They didn't just hang Jesus on the cross, they nailed his hands and feet to the cross! When he was still alive!"  And, "He didn't just die, they stabbed him with a spear in his side, right here [points to her own side], just to make sure!"  And the best was, "Everyone is a sinner!  All of YOU [points to classmates] are SINNERS!"  Oh, you should have seen the big eyes around the table.

Meanwhile, the little boy sitting next to her was leaning in closer and closer, trying to sneak a kiss!  This little boy is the youngest son of one of my bestest friends and he is such a little sweetie.  I watched him getting closer and closer with his smoochy lips, just waiting for a chance to land a kiss (if she ever stopped raising her hand to add details to the story).  When Fiona finally stopped talking and looked over at her buddy and saw he was going to kiss her, she snarled and snapped her teeth at him!  I just about died laughing and had to leave the room and tattle to my friend.

I am so glad I have a place to share Fiona's stories! 

Fiona's Lie

Last October, the kids dressed up as their favorite Bible character for Awanas.  Ian was King Josiah, Shane was Moses holding the Ten Commandments, Evie was Miriam, and Fiona chose the Queen of Egypt because "she wore makeup and jewelry."  We gave Fiona a little boy Cabbage Patch Kid to play Baby Moses.  Well, she decided he didn't look enough like Moses, so she added some details:

Moses had whiskers, even when he was a baby!

When asked if she was the one that colored on the doll, she denied doing it.  I explained to her that if she told me something that wasn't true, it was a lie and she would be punished.  Her punishment was for the lie, not for coloring on the doll.  She lied four times until she finally confessed.  And she knew that she would have to be punished four times for her four lies.

This story came up today while Ian and Shane were working on their faith emblems for Cub Scouts.  The lesson was God loves you, no matter what.  The boys were supposed to share a time when they had made a mistake and were forgiven.  I was surprised when Fiona popped her hand in the air and shared the story of her big lie.  But like this story I read to Evie about lies, Fiona's story has left an impression not only on her, but on all the kids.  I'm amazed (and happy) at how few lies are told around here.

And that is why "Baby Moses" is a favorite doll around here!

Charlie

My (okay, our) little grandson is so adorable.  Mark brought Evie and Fiona to Ami's house to visit them all last week:

Grandude

Sweet Smiles!

Expert Baby Holder

Aunties

...which was great, but Charlie and company came HERE for a few days!  I haven't seen him (in real life) since he was three days old. 

Play nice, Auntie Lula!

Lula was funny.  She has never acted jealous of her siblings, but she did not like me holding Charlie!  She even crawled across the couch and sat in the spot Ami and Charlie had just vacated like she had to "own" the couch too.

I was happy to shoo Ami and Kris out the door for a walk in the sunshine while Charlie was sleeping.  "I'll holler for you when he wakes up!" I reassured the new mother.

Watching Baby Einstein

Of course I didn't.  Ami had already told me that Charlie is happiest and full of smiles when he first wakes up.  I hogged that sweetness all to myself!  If he had shown any little tiny sign of distress, I would have called Ami back right away because I know what it is like to worry over a baby who loves his mama.

Its helps that I'm a Nanna that still remembers how to hold a 3 month old and what songs they like to sing. Charlie was very content to sit with me.

We are so very thankful the weather cooperated and Charlie could go experience his first trip to Twin Firs outside!

But by the time he had his first "pond picture" he was ready to go inside for a meal.  And a nap, which he didn't really get.  He just isn't used to the constant noise that six other kids make-even when they are outside.

Boy do I love that lip.  And that baby.  I can't wait to see him again!