Ornament Activity

Grandpa Nichols came over last night to drop off the gifts for the kids. He had two for each, so they opened one while he was there. They each got an ornament to paint, so that's what we did today, after they were done with their school stuff (and lunch). It was so fun to see the kids being so careful and trying so hard to make it look nice. Then there was Harmonie. I tried to help her but she wanted to do it all by herself. I tried to let her do it on her own, as much as possible, but I did have to keep her hand under control. It was a fun activity!

Finished works! Domonique's tree, Xiomara's snowman, Kemiah's Santa, Harmonie's stocking, Marissa's sleigh, and Emily's penguin. They look so great hung in our window.

Ben wanted to hang his in the tree so here is his nutcracker. He didn't want the paint to fade from the sunshine.

Walking through an icy wonderland

With moisture and freezing temperatures, it usually adds up to ice. Church was cancelled today because of this combination. I eventually wandered outside to take some pictures because it was amazingly, stunningly beautiful! The sky was blue (as you can see), the sun was shining, and everything was glittering and sparkling! It was amazing. Unfortunately, you can't really see the true effect of sun and ice but believe me, it was amazing.

 

Poor Harvey.

(The only thing that could top this, was when I went into town on Tuesday, and the sun and ice combination was truly spectacular. When I arrived home, Kevin and the kids were out moving wood into the basement so I had them take a break and go to the backyard to see the amazing sight. It was magical! I only wish they could have been with me because it was so far away in our backyard that it wasn't quite the same, but it was still wondrous!)

Literally

Me - I'm going to run to the store really quick...
D - Don't run. You have to get the car.

Giving Rides

Harmonie is happy being involved in the games with the other guys. On this particular day, she was being a dog or a horse and gave a baby doll a ride. It was a good way for the two girls to share the doll. It just made me smile!

 

It was hard to capture because the girls wanted to see the picture every time I took one.

Oh so sleepy!

11.29.2013

I put Harmonie to bed for her nap.

She did not stay in bed like I thought she did.

This is what I found when I checked on her...

She pulled out the blanket tub under her bed.

She ended up snuggling with my baby blanket.

What a silly, sweet thing.

11.30.2013

I forgot to put her to bed for her nap.

Fortunately, she was wise enough to put herself to sleep.

This time she was found in the library,

curled up with a blanket from her bed.

I wonder if I could get away with just sleeping any old place.... No, probably not. It must be nice being a small little thing.

Can't be good

when you hear one child say to the other, "Come see, she got it all over herself!"

I was busy with the older guys in the school room. Kemiah, Domonique, and Harmonie were supposed to be watching a video on the computer in the living room. Then I heard D say the above to K. I went out and found quite a mess. (They were actually walking her to the bathroom when I found them but I took her back to the scene to capture the pictures.) Fortunately, the paint came off the table... and off Harmonie with out too much trouble. The shirt got tossed out because I wasn't willing to work that hard when she has so many other shirts to wear. What a creative one she is!

 

Tree Update



I was able to put the tree up into the stand the next day (after we glued it) and it seemed to be working just fine. A few days later, I was messing with it and heard it crack again, and the tree listed to the side. Agh!  I quickly grabbed a ribbon that was on the tree and looped it around the top of the tree, then looped it around a hook in the ceiling. Fortunately, it worked to hold up the tree.

A few days later, I noticed the tree was off to the side. I wanted to stand it up straight. I wanted to make it look right. I wanted to forget that the stand is broken, not be reminded of it every time I look at the tree. I want to fix all the ornaments that are not hung carefully around the tree. I want to make it just right! Then again, no one really looks at it. No one comes over so no one outside our little family will ever see it. I am not a perfectionist. My kids enjoyed doing it and I can enjoy what they did! I have since straightened it but the ornaments have not been rearranged. I have enjoyed looking at the random craziness of the ornaments. It is just right the way it is.

You want what?

Kemiah has asked for a toy chainsaw for Christmas last year, her birthday, and is asking for it again this year. It just makes me laugh. I finally asked her why she wants one. She said, "I want to chase my siblings around the house with it." Really?! "Yes, they like to be chased and the chain saw would make it more fun. The pokey things would poke them. Domonique would love it and Harmonie would fall down laughing." I wonder why she thinks a chainsaw would make it better. I remember a scary movie when I was a kid, where a guy chased people with a chainsaw. I never saw the movie but it didn't sound like fun. I guess we have different ideas of what would be fun.