Where haven't we been?

We've been busy getting through R, S and T week. We doubled up on R due to snow and Chris being home. The birtday parties were thrown in there. We went to a model railroad exhibit on a Sunday. They had G scale outside with much to Elijah's delight a Thomas car. The inside of an old C & O car was outfitted with an HO scale layout. It was a good kick off to R week. We played with the rabbit and made rock animals. Jessica came to the sad conclusion that the oldest two kids are fully functioning, imaginative beings. This wouldn't be such a big deal except for the fact that Caleb's crocodile and Rebekah's chicken with eggs totally outdid her zebra.

Chris decided it was time to finish the Thomas cake off. Strange minds, but you have to admit it's funny.

Oh, and of course now that we're almost 6 (at the time,) Rebekah decided giving herself bangs would be a good idea becuase her hair was hanging in her face. Sometime between morning company, the contractor stopping by (which was quiet time) and the Jeromes' arrival Rebekah gave herself bangs. She said it was during quiet time. Her hair was nicely done and out of her face for the day. There were supposed to be no scissors in her room. She managed to trim herself bangs not cut out chunks of hair. They went unnoticed until showertime that evening when Paula washed the Bek's hair and Jessica dried it. What is one to do?


Can't take the bangs away. 6-year-old picture is scheduled for Sunday. So Rebekah got ALL her hair cut now instead of in April. It was a shame she had just grown it out enough for it to go up in a ponytail which she was quite proud of. Things could've been worse but Chris and Jessica thought they had missed the haircut phase with Eldest. Neither of us remember cutting our hair? Apparently we're abnormal.

We took advantage of the Inauguration for social studies. The kids generally watch anything but seating all the members of the House and Senate and other important people, they ran a little behind and the kids got squirrely. Hey, we were learning about the "Ruler" of the United States though. We discovered they'll do anything if popcorn is involved so






we popped popcorn and settled in for the long haul. We streamed it in using the Senate's feed so there was no commentary. Chris has amazingly run internet to the ner TV thanks to his old laptop whose screen no longer works. We only heard and watched the ceremony. They had their pictures taken with all the fancy people including a last picture with their first president "W". The whole screen thing could've been cropped to look almost authentic except Senate live streaming had closed captioning. They enjoyed the quartet after Jessica explained that the "guy who wrote the 'Star Wars' music" arranged the piece being played. Well, mostly they were giggling over the name "Yo-Yo Ma." We talked about what "swearing in" meant since the kids know our family doesn't swear. Each kid practiced what swearing in would be like. They swore to be the best son






or daughter they could be "so help me, God." We talked about how the president-elect got to choose what Bible verse the Book would be opened to. They decided that they should use their baby verses....see right hand column. Rebekah was compelled to pray for now President Obama IMMEDIATELY after he was sworn in. What an awesome heart she has!

After Elijah's birthday but before Rebekah's birthday we were in a precious window when our kids hit 3 kids in 3 years. For almost 3 weeks they are 5, 4, 3. Whew. Then they're not for 11 more months and introducing them sounds so much better.

God was good once again and gave us snow for S week. We had two days with Chris and home. The snow and ice were not bad and we were able to go out each day. We went to Costco on Tuesday and then had every intention of going to the library on Wednesday but it was closed. Never fear--the sleds and snowsuits were packed and waiting. Time and time again, God has provided for our kids. Rebekah was handed down ski pants last year through our contractor's family. The LL Bean pants have been through 3 kids already. Another family from church handed down excess handme downs to us and there was a snow suit for Caleb who was wearing ski pants last year but really missed Carson's snowsuit that had gone down to Elijah. Still with blessings comes complacency at times. We found out the kids needed new mittens because like socks they separate and disappear. Our park hill was barely covered in snow but it had a good layer of ice on it. Rebekah proved the master sledder navigating the hill all by herself on the sled and the saucer numerous times and most impressively. The boys were content to ride with us. Elijah did announce that he would walk up the hill and just watch after a few runs. The problem with the ice was that enough momentum could be gained to reach the side road. An adult plus kid took you into the road so Jessica had brake duty with the boys on the racer. When Rebekah finally rode with Jess, she freaked out and tipped the more than half metal sled. Jessica took the brunt of it with leg and knee bruises. Rebekah scraped herself on the ice. Jessica rode solo down the hill at the end with thoughts of video taping it. The battery was too low to sustain the video mode. In an effort to stop though Jess had to pull the sled up instead of veer to the side. The result was a steering wheel to the lip which became split and bloody. We wouldn't have it any other way. After sledding in the snow for S week we sorted seashells and made creations out of those. Jessica redeemed herself with the shells creaitng a goose with a welk shell.