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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When I Grow Up I Want to Be a Mother

Today I had a delightful experience. My children and I went to a mini concert given by Janeen Brady. For 40 years she has been writing music to teach and delight children. When I was a little girl, my favorite song was When I Grow Up, I Want to Be a Mother. I was just in tears thinking of how much that song means to me now, as I have five little babies of my own.
Janeen was so sweet and fun! She showed us how she can play the piano blindfolded, with gloves on, with the keyboard covered, and even lying on her back and playing over her head - at 80 years old! We sang lots of Christmas songs, with instruments even. All the kids, even Oliver, had a great time!
Janeen Brady's music is available at www.britemusic.com. One of our family favorites is Take Your Hat Off When the Flag Goes By. We downloaded her Christmas music CD, after hearing one of the songs performed by a friend of DJ's today at the concert.
Music is such a gift and can be a great tool for teaching, for playing, and for expressing yourself through song and dance. I am so grateful for everyone who creates good music and shares it with us!