My Stick Family from WiddlyTinks.com

No Need For an Alarm Clock

We have it on good authority that if you bang your head on your pillow ten times right before you go to sleep, you'll wake up ten hours later!  William has been using this technique to get up at 6 am to read his scriptures.  Maybe you should try it...

Fun in the Sun July 2010

Lyman, Oliver, and I hiked Fergusen Canyon early one morning in mid-July.  It was beautiful!

All the Jones grandchildren had a tea party in Spokane -with matching dresses and bow ties!

Fun times at Temple Square with Dale, Emily, Melanie, and Beatrice

This is near the Provo River in the Soapstone Basin.

We tried to go to Donut Falls, but it was being blockaded.  So we hiked to Lake Solitude instead.

We're still hiking.  Still reading lots and lots of books.  Oliver has been crawling for 2 1/2 months and thinks it's time to start walking.  Amanda earned a trip to the Zoo with her potty sticker chart.  William jumped off the railing next to the stairs onto the tile.  Thankfully he didn't try to jump down the stairs!  Gwen is swimming every chance she gets.  DJ is mowing the lawn - yay!  I'm in Cub Scouts again.  Lyman installed some sprinkler updates.  Until next time...

No Soliciting

Last week I decided I had had enough of door-to-door salesmen!  I started looking at Amazon for a "NO SOLICITING" sign.  I liked the painted wood ones, but figured I could make my own.  So that was my plan...

Today, the doorbell rang at 5pm.  It was a young man selling "No Soliciting" signs.  I laughed!  And I bought one.  And, hopefully, that will be the last salesman to darken my door!

This is not the sign I bought, but I like it!

Amanda is 3!

Happy Birthday, Amanda!

For The Birds

We spent Sunday afternoon underneath the apple tree.  It was glorious!  We enjoyed watching a family of hawks, with the two babies learning how to fly.  We noticed how quiet all the other birds were while the hawks were above.
Later, there was a bird in our living room that needed some coaxing to get out.
There is a bird's nest in the bricks under our mailbox.
I can only use half my clothes line, as the half under the maple tree tends to get bird droppings on it.
And yesterday, there was a robin under the kitchen table, having a feast!
We had a little chat yesterday about the importance of keeping the doors closed...
This morning, three of us were awakened at 4 am by the clamor of birds in our backyard.  yawn

Getting Things Done

Do Ye Next Thinge

“Lose this day loitering, and ’twill be the same story

To-morrow; and the next, more dilatory:

The indecision brings its own delays,

And days are lost, lamenting o’er lost days,” -Marlowe

Somedays it is hard to get up.  Especially when I've had less sleep than I planned.  But, not getting up until later doesn't solve any problems. 
So, we've made a goal in our house of being early risers and being productive.  Early for me means before 6:30.  The kids are up by 7 am. And it's great!  Even the two children who are prone to sleeping till 9 am are adjusting.
I've always loved mornings.  They are so peaceful.  I had a job once with flexible hours.  I chose to be at work at 5:30 am, getting off at 2 pm, and I had the rest of the day free.  It was so enjoyable and productive.
Each day I ask the Lord what my biggest priority should be, and I work on that first, until it is done.  Everything else, including dishes and laundry, is optional.
Yesterday it was getting the garden planted.  Today, it's reading.  Specifically finishing the book Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne.  I was surprised by that being the priority, until Oliver threw up on me this morning and I realized that my productivity would be severely hampered by a sick and clingy baby.
God should always be involved in our goal-setting and daily planning.  He knows what our final destination and the best way for us to get there.

The Kids are Working, too

It's been 3 1/2 weeks since we locked up 95% of the toys.  No one has complained once!  So, what do they do with all their time? 
In the mornings, we work.  Our house has never been so clean!  It is such a joy to have a child say, "I've finished that job.  What's next?"  They are more diligent because there are less distractions.
In the afternoons, we play games or play outside.  Some of us read or study.  Whatever we want.  It is fun to relax in a clean house!

Lyman is working again

Lyman started a new job on Wednesday.  We are grateful for the income, but sad to not have him around the house anymore!  I dream of the time when work outside the home will no longer be necessary.
In the meantime, I love the spring snow.  It reminds me of my first spring in Utah, 20 years ago, when it snowed on my birthday.
Oh yeah, I had a birthday.  No big deal.  Just a nice day with cute cards from all of my children, even Oliver.  And Lyman.  I love that man!

Homeschool at our house

This is what homeschool was like at 10:30 am at our house today:
DJ was working in his Brain Quest workbook (from Costco).  He was learning about synonyms and antonyms.
Gwennie was writing a song on the piano.  She later put it in the music writing software program on my laptop.
William was playing with a calculator, testing my knowledge of math problems like 52+26.
Amanda was also testing my knowledge with questions like "What's 8?"  (Correct answer, 6+2 the first time, 4+4 the second time she asked.)
Later in the day, we went to the Zoo.  It was a great day!

Spring Update 2010

A few weeks ago I changed our homeschool format.  It went from next-to-nothing (new baby, remember) to 1-2 hours in the morning.  Here's the catch.  They could do whatever they wanted during school time.  In our newly finished schoolroom, (Lyman did such an awesome job!!!) each child has their own shelf with their school materials.  I spend the time cleaning the house, and if any child doesn't want to "do school" they are welcome to help me clean.  Surprisingly, I only had offers to help clean the first day of this new schedule. 
DJ is certainly entering Love of Learning phase, for those of you who speak TJed.  He spent over 2 hours studying this morning.  Of his own free will, and in the subjects he chose.  It was awesome! 
Gwen is happily reading two new Bobbsey Twins books she bought with her allowance.
William is learning how to add multiple digits.
Amanda is learning letters.  She is also potty-training - finally!
Oliver is a master at sitting, and launching himself onto his face.  He loves the backyard baby swing.
Lyman is planting trees - cherry, plum, and blueberry.  He's had some interviews and promising leads, but no job offers, yet.
I am so excited about our backyard turning into an orchard and garden! 

Under Construcsin

Our master bedroom/school room has been under construction for a few months.  But with Lyman's extended leave from work, he is making great progress.  The whole room is primed and the doors and baseboards are painted.  The ceiling is being  painted as we speak.  Then we'll pick the color for the walls, something to match the yellowish color in the kitchen.  Maybe next week we'll have the floor in!
Then we have to decide if it is a school room or if it is our master bedroom.  There is major renovation needed for both upstairs bathrooms.  I would rather wait till that is done before moving upstairs.
What home improvement/yard improvement projects are on your list?  (Or your list for your husband!)

We had birthdays!

We got to celebrate twice for Gwen and William.  On their birthday, Lyman took all the kids but Oliver swimming.  Then we went out to dinner and opened presents.  Gwen was thrilled to get her own sewing kit and a children's sewing book.  William loved his maze books.

The following week, we had a family dinner with Nama and Nampa and Ben and the kids.  It was fun evening!

Lyman also had a birthday.  The big 4-0.  He's getting younger every day, now!  There was no big celebration, because he's not into that sort of thing. 

A rare picture of DJ with his eyes open.  (Just because he tends to close them against the flash.)

Amanda with a smoothie mustache, a daily occurance.

And Oliver, grabbing his toes.  So cute!

Catan

This is what homeschool looks like at our house today. (We did have our scripture study earlier in the morning.)
Settlers of Catan is a great strategy game. Pictured is Settlers, plus the Cities & Knights expansion, plus the Seafarers expansion.

Dead Dryer

Our dryer died Friday night. My first reaction was "Yay! Now we can get a front-load washer/dryer!" We ended up ordering them online from Costco. The bad news is it will be three weeks before they get here.

I optimistically pulled out the clothesline outside and hung a load of wash. The temperature was around 38 degrees with sunny skies. But the clothes never dried.

So, we went with Plan B. An inside clothes line. In the rarely used TV room. Have I ever told you how much I adore hanging the wash? Well, I do!

Seatbelt as Bookmarks

Lillian, does this beat your best bookmark find?!?

The book is The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale.

Feliz Navidad!

We thoroughly enjoyed this Christmas season! We had such a fun time singing songs and playing games and reading stories. Our third annual Christmas Sing-Along was our best one yet! Thanks to everyone who came. We look forward to doing it again next year.

The kids got the traditional new pajamas on Christmas Eve, and wore them for two days and nights straight.

The kids put the Christmas tree together by themselves, and decorated it by themselves. I think that is awesome!

DJ's favorite present was a huge Lego Medieval Castle 1600+ pieces. All the kids play with it, but DJ uses it the most.

Gwennie's favorite present was the book The Three Muskateers. That girl loves to read!

William's favorite present was the animal-themed kids Mastermind. They play all kinds of games with it, not just the original game.

Amanda's favorite present was a huge cardboard house. It is like her own little world inside.

Lyman's favorite present was the Seafarers expansion for Settlers of Catan. You can find us playing Catan at least three times a week now. DJ, Gwen, and William love to play it, too!

Jennifer's favorite present was a guitar. She's teaching herself how to play.

Oliver didn't get any presents, but he was just happy to be here!

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