Childcare Friends

For nearly a year, I have been providing in-home childcare for three two-year olds. So, with Jane, that makes FOUR 2-year-olds. You may think I'm crazy, but I have really enjoyed it!  It has been an especially great experience for Jane, who has a blast with her friends Claire (aka Claire-Bear), Liam, and Will. I look forward to seeing them become preschoolers together. I'm already planning some extra fun field trips for after winter is over.

Here they are with the snowman we made a couple weeks ago:

 One week later, due to unseasonably warm temps, our snowman looked fairly sad...

Silas Turns 7

Silas recently turned 7. He's in first grade and is enjoying his new school and lots of new friends. He is an excellent student (he hasn't missed one word on his spelling tests all year, as far as I know). Silas is conscientious, achievement-oriented, competitive, and responsible. He is also sensitive and sweet. Although he is only 7, he consistently wakes up on his own at 6:30, practices his piano for 25 minutes - and almost always without having to be asked. He can clean a bathroom without complaining. He gets his homework done every day after school on his own, as well. I was thrilled to attend a parent-teacher conference and hear the teacher say, "Silas LOVES LOVES LOVES geography and history. I always know Silas' eye will be on me at all times as he intently listens during those subjects." Silas frequently likes to wow us with his knowledge of all things history.

Silas absolutely hates to lose. I have yet to see him lose a board game without getting upset. We are working on that. He enjoys talking in a fake baby voice to get us to laugh. He LOVES to impress his older brothers. He tries hard to tell funny jokes to get them and all the rest of us to giggle. If Silas only knew, all he has to do is start giggling and we'll laugh at HIS laughter. He has the best laugh!

Silas enjoys Lego, Wii, Computer, Reading the Secrets of Droon book series, playing soccer, playing with Jane, playing with friends, and much much more. He is a great brother - very accommodating and helpful. His siblings really like him. We are so grateful to get the opportunity to be around Silas each day. He is a gem! We love you Silas!

 Silas' Birthday Party.

New Year's Eve

For New Year's Eve we went to a local event for kids. It had a mini circus. Each of our kids took a turn walking on a tight rope, spinning in a circle thing, and so forth. There were also bounce houses, face painting, balloons, and a live band. We stayed out until 10 p.m., then partied even longer at our house.

Ephraim on the tight rope

 Ephraim, Silas, Azael

 Lorelai

 Azael on the tightrope

 Silas on the circle thing

 Ephraim on the tightrope

 Silas on the tightrope

Ephraim enjoys the circle

 and Lorelai takes a turn

 Jane was there, too. :)

 Jane had a balloon sword and had a fun time sticking it to her head with static electricity

 Lorelai was painted like a clown

 the whole gang all decked out

 Our kids were enthralled with the band. They all stood at the stage like groupies. Ephraim & Silas are on the left

 Lorelai is the little girl in red

 even Jane had to join in (in pink)

Happy New Year! Hooray for 2012!



Christmas 2011

Throughout December I took each of our boys to see a concert, play, or ballet.

Azael and I went to see the Symphony's Christmas Concert.

 The view from high high high up...

 Azael was almost sick with worry. I guess he has a fear of heights.

 Ephraim and I saw "A Christmas Carol"

Silas and I saw the Nutcracker ballet.

 

Other fun from our Christmas season: Buddy the Elf visited our house every day prior to Christmas. He hid in a new place each night... here is a photo of Lorelai with Buddy the Elf and her preschool "friend" Buddy the Bear.

We had a good time opening gifts, although I didn't take one picture of it. However, here is a photo of Jane wearing her new Tweety Bird hat & gloves.

 And we enjoyed eating fondue, our family's all-time favorite meal.

 Heathcliffe's sister designed these fantastic monster shirts and sent one to Jane & Lorelai. Aren't they great!?

Christmas 2011. Hooray.

Pretty Hair

I just had a good chuckle over an argument between 2-year-old Jane and her 2-year-old friend Claire. Jane, who is still nearly bald, was briefly able to wear a barrette in her hair today. She walked up to Claire and me to show off her barrette and said with a smile, "Pretty hair." Then Claire responded, "MY pretty hair." Jane screamed back, "NO, MY PRETTY HAIR!"

More Fall Photos

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Azael, age 10, enjoys: Dragonball Z, lego, video games, drawing, Fablehaven books, Wonka candy, friends


Ephraim, age 8, enjoys: Pokemon, lego, computer games & video games, friends, jumping around

Silas, age 6, enjoys: playing lego, TV, being silly, Secrets of Droon, going swimming in summer

Lorelai, age 4, enjoys: dancing, ballet, preschool, birthday parties, Nick Jr. on the computer, reading, drawing.

Jane, age 2, enjoys: dolls, strollers, toy shopping carts, chocolate, friends, hugging Mom & Dad.