Big Brother Abuse

Look what big brothers (Azael) do to you when you're not looking!

I'm sure Jane couldn't figure out what kept hitting her back.

One Decade

Azael is 10 years old - one decade!

Opening his new Wii games with everyone looking on...

Azael's likes: Drawing, Lego, Star Wars, Computers, Wii, Cub Scouts

Best friend: Matthew (these 2 are peas in a pod. They both dislike sports, both LOVE lego and Star Wars, both are smart and talk like adults)

Talents: Drawing, being responsible (most of the time), creative thinking/asking questions

Azael has really matured this year. He gets his homework done and practices the piano without being asked. He has made a whole new group of friends at his new school. He plays piano, is now becoming a Webelo in Cub Scouts, he is in a lego robotics club, etc. We love him!!!

Happy Birthday Azael!

Burning Zoo Gangsta

Today was our first "brush burn" of the season. All the kids helped, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover their "help" actually WAS help this year. They accomplished a lot. It probably helped that they got to put their "contributions" on the fire.

Yesterday I took the kids to the zoo. They all had a good time trying to impress each other with their knowledge about all of the animals. Our zoo has a nice playground structure with a climbing wall. Jane went right up, climbing like a pro. Azael showed Jane what it would be like to be a turtle. Lorelai running over, yelling, "You've got to see this!" She had found the goats across the fence from the playground. Silas on the rock wall. Ephraim on the rock wall.

Although I didn't see him doing this when I took the photos, while loading these pictures on the blog, I noticed Silas had a special "gangsta" pose in several pictures (cool/mean face, arms crossed).

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Silas is "all that and a bag of chips."

Love at Home

This weekend we stayed at home and enjoyed time as a family.

Lorelai put together several puzzles

Jane is still beautifully bald. And she almost smiled for this picture. Azael wore a wig for a while Then Ephraim took a turn

Then Silas accessorized the wig with armor, Incredible Hulk boxing gloves, and Mom's slippers.

It's always comforting to have such a warrior in the house.

We love our children. While they may be little Bedlamites (creators of Bedlam), we know spending time with them is the most important thing we'll do in our lives.

As Harold B. Lee stated,

"The most important work you and I will ever do will be within the walls of our own homes."

Homemade Maple Syrup

Mystery Man has been tapping our box elder trees, which are part of the maple tree family, so he can make maple syrup. He made a tap out of a drinking straw.

After collecting gallons of sap, he boiled it, and boiled it and boiled it... ...until it cooked down into a light syrup.

Now we have a few bottles of syrup for MM's yummy homemade waffles.

Interactive TV

All our kids have enjoyed watching Dora the Explorer at some point or another. Lorelai really gets into it and actually responds to Dora's question and suggestions. Here's a video of her watching an episode yesterday. She actually stands up and shouts "I Scream for Ice Cream!" Sorry about the nose picking at the end... :)

What's New?

Our kids have kept us busy this winter... it's overwhelming and exhausting, but also fun and rewarding. I made a new rule at our house: everyone has to give me 10 hugs a day. It's the best rule ever! It has led to some great laughter when I demand all my hugs.

Other than that, we're just waiting for winter to end. We stay busy with schoolwork, afterschool chores, lego, dinner, cleaning up from dinner, reading, and sleep. Friday evenings and Saturdays are "way more fun," according to the boys, because they get TV and Wii. Fridays are generally Pizza Night if we don't have other plans. Weekends are great!

Ephraim teaches Silas, Lorelai, and friend Alex how to meditate.
Azael made a lego camera (he covered his real camera with lego)

Ephraim's homemade hat for "crazy hat day"

Lorelai and her doll "Adrianna Carla" dressed up together.

Jane climbs all over now... the table, all the chairs, even the piano. 'Tis that age again...