There was a lot of construction going on around here today. Check it out!
They started by reading stories under the futon (where else?)...
Then decided to do some construction under the futon.
Did I tell you about this toolbox that Eve made (with help) at preschool? It's awesome. She loves it and often "works" on it.
Love those curls!
Builder Eve. Isn't she cute?!
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve… excitement is mounting!
Check out my snazzy new curtains in the kids room. I’ve been thinking about it for awhile now and slowly, slowly finally got around to doing something about it. We used to (until about an hour ago!) have a dark blue fleece blanket nailed up over the window and hanging down weirdly, but now there is a nice smooth curtain covering the window and a nice smooth curtain covering the ugly brown and painted door into storage.
A big thank you to Julie for making the window curtain. It has 100% light blocking material on the backside so hopefully it will keep their room dark when needed. I had no confidence in my ability to sew multiple pieces of fabric together, sew on velcro, and make it all straight and perfectly measured. Good thing Julie can do all that!! As it was, it took me nearly forever to make the door curtain. Measuring, pinning, sewing (mostly) straight lines… hard work!! But doesn’t it look awesome!? The colors look much better in person, so next time you’re around remind me to show off the kids room :)
While I was taking pictures of the curtains Lex wanted me to take pictures of him. OK! He did some “super hero poses” for me. I’m not sure what kind of super hero this is, but I love it anyway!
Crazy Lex posing for the camera. These are his super hero poses :)
My children do not handle the holidays well. I like to think I’m not the only parent in this position. I don’t know if it’s the excitement, the anticipation of family visiting, Santa, chocolate before breakfast, ice cream sundaes at school… or just the the proliferation of sugar in the air. Probably all of the above. We live in a great area with tons of things to do and sometimes I feel bad that we don’t take advantage of hardly any of it, but my kids just get so easily overwhelmed. Lex has been fighting school lately and I’m sure it’s because of this holiday craziness. He went to bed in tears tonight because he was hungry, but wouldn’t eat dinner. Eve has also been a whiny ball of fussiness. She used to be my best buddy for errands, but these days she never wants to leave the house. Maybe because it’s cold. I’m not sure. She stays home with Alan when I bring Lex to school and she even fought with me this morning about going to the grocery store. She used to love the grocery store! Now whenever you ask what she wants to do, she just “nothing, just hang out.” :) Anyway, one more week(ish) and then back to boring life. Sigh.
Joyce came to visit yesterday. Yay! (Hi Joyce!) Barney got here tonight. The parents arrive tomorrow. I’m super excited. I can see why the anticipation gets to the kids. It sure gets to me!
Fun with Joyce
We sent Lex to school yesterday, more or less happily, but got called back about ninety minutes later because he had cut his lip. Apparently a boy pushed by him, knocking him over and he fell against the back of a metal chair. He somehow cut right through his lip. I was on my way to drop Eve off at a playdate, so Alan (who has the week off) went to pick him up. The school nurse suggested a trip to the doctor, so off they went. The doctor said that it looked ok and didn’t need stitches. Alan bought some ice cream and they came home for some cuddling on the couch.
When Eve got home from her playdate she joined Alan and Lex on the couch.
He cut through under his lip and scratched his chin. Doesn't he look sad? I don't think it hurt too badly though because he was up and bouncing around pretty quickly.
Our new printer has fancy features that let you print projects and coloring pages. Alan taught the kids how to use it, then they all sat down and made some cars and pixie houses. This might be the most arts and crafts Alan has done in years. :)
This morning when I dropped him off at school all the kids were staring at him and trying to get a peek. His best friend came over and put his arm around Lex and asked if he was ok. Another little girl gave Lex a big hug. He told me today that the hug helped make his feelings better (because the boy who pushed by him hurt his feelings). It was cute. Before I left the room I explained to Lex why all the kids were looking at him. His teacher said they all had a ton of questions yesterday and were very concerned about him. I wonder if he’s the first real injury of the school year. Go Lex! :)
Just a few more days…
Look at this adorable present Lex brought home from school. Inside was a little candy dish and a tree ornament.
Saturday morning we did some painting…
Eve, painting a bird house. She starts off with beautiful blues and greens.
Lex, painting a picture frame. It looks really nice here, but unfortunately they don't get the idea yet that adding wet paint to wet paint just makes brown. I wish he had stopped here! :)
See what I mean? Her lovely blue and green birdhouse is now completely black! But she is happy with it and that's what matters.
The ultimate piggy back ride! Eve and Alan were having fun... I think Lex was a little squished.
We have barely an inch of snow, but that’s enough for kids. They’re having a blast!
Eve, going on a bear hunt
Eve on the sled
Lex, silently adjusting his sock :)
Parrish has his own personal ice patch. I love how kids can find fun in anything! :)
Snow angel
Mod squad
Parrish said “Hey everybody! Are you thinking what I’m thinking?! Follow me!” I think no one was thinking what he was thinking! :) (he actually went first, but this is Lex in the video)
We had a great day. Spent the morning painting mini birdhouses and picture frames I bought from the craft store awhile ago. I set the kids up and they painted for about an hour and a half, then took a bath (at 9am), then ran around naked upstairs for awhile while I cleaned up the paint mess downstairs. It was a great way to pass the time. I have pictures, but they are still on the camera. You’ve seen enough pictures of my kids sitting at the table anyway, right?
This afternoon we went to a birthday party at the swim center. The party was for a boy Lex went to pre-K with. He’s now in kindergarten at Lex’s school, but in a different class. I’m not sure they are even friends, but when Lex saw a birthday party invite he got excited! Cake?! Swimming?!?! Heck yeah! The best part was that the whole family got to swim as part of the party, so Alan came and we all had a great time. We swam for an hour, ate store bought SpongeBob Square Pants with blue frosting, and then swam some more. The kids were awesome (mine anyway, a few others were trouble-makers!). Then we came home to bagels for dinner and an early bedtime. Eve was out by 7:15 (which beats 10:30 from last night!) and Lex shortly after. Fun, fun.
Tomorrow we have no plans and we are all looking forward to that! :)
No one should have this much fun with laundry :) Maybe it’s time I start using dryer sheets?
I made this video “unlisted” (thanks Sarah!), so let me know if you have any trouble viewing it.
I started my holiday goody making today! Yum! (already ate too many) There will be more to come, but these are by far my favorite.
Peanut butter blossoms. Yum! The kids were really helpful this year too.
While Lex was in school and Eve was napping I tried my hand at homemade gumdrops. I was flipping through a Better Homes and Gardens book called Christmas Comfort and Joy at the library a few weeks ago and this gumdrop recipe jumped out at me. It took me awhile to work up the courage to try it, but I finally did and they came out pretty good!
Orange and Lemon gumdrops
Christmas Gumdrops
Ingredients
Butter
1 c. sugar
1 c. light corn syrup
3/4 c. water
1 3/4 oz package powdered fruit pectin
1/2 t. baking soda
sugar
Directions
1. Line a 9x5x3″ loaf pan with foil, extending foil over edges. Butter foil. Set aside.
2. Butter sides of a heavy 1 1/2-quart saucepan. In saucepan combine sugar and corn syrup. Cook over medium-high heat to boiling, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until sugar dissolves (about 10 minutes). Avoid splashing mixture on sides of pan. Carefully clip candy thermometer to side of pan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until thermometer registers 280° F, soft-crack stage (about 10 minutes). Mixture should boil at a moderate, steady rate over the entire surface.
3. Meanwhile, in a heavy 2-quart saucepan, combine water, pectin, and baking soda. Mixture will be foamy. Cook over high heat to boiling, stirring constantly (about 2 minutes). Remove from heat, set aside.
4. When sugar mixture reaches soft-crack state, remove from heat; remove thermometer. Return pectin mixture to high heat; cook until mixture just begins to simmer. Gradually pour hot sugar mixture in thin stream (slightly less than 1/8″ diameter) into boiling pectin mixture, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute more.
5. Remove saucepan from heat. Add desired flavoring and coloring (see below). Pour mixture into prepared pan. Let stand 2 hours or until firm. Use foil to lift candy out of pan. Using a buttered knife, cut candy into 3/4″ squares. Roll in sugar. Store loosely covered. Makes about 72 pieces.
Flavorings
Orange Gumdrops: Add 1 1/2 t. orange extract, 1 t. finely shredded orange peel, 4 drops of yellow food coloring, and 1 drop red food coloring.
Cinnamon Gumdrops: Add 3 drops oil of cinnamon and 7 drops red food coloring.
Mint Gumdrops: Add 3/4 t. mint extract and 7 drops green food coloring.
Lemon Gumdrops: Add 1 1/2. lemon extract, 1 t. finely shredded lemon peel, and 7 drops yellow food coloring.