"junk food"

Things I've Learned....

*painting is messy...but it keeps the kids QUIET and in one place for a very long time

*while the kids are taking a bath...clean the bathroom

*coloring with kids can be very therapeutic

*kids love to tell you ALL about what they color...so don't guess (because there is a good chance you will be wrong)

*cheerios can be used for so much more than just eating...glue them to paper, string them and make a healthy alternative to a "candy" necklace, etc.....

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AND

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*texting friends helps keep THIS mom sane :)

Brownie "NiNi" (nee-nee)

Emily isn't the only girl in the house anymore!!! Bring on the pink and purple!!!!

For some reason this picture won't turn, but this is our new puppy, NiNi!

She is so sweet! She is 7 months old, a shnoodle, and is very good with the boys!

rice

although i realize every mom does this with their kids at some point...
so i am totally copying all you moms out there...

but my kids love it!!!

Projects

making pillows (the flower designed one)
hanging new shelving

making a new curtain

painting Corbin's room

we painted the top yellow, middle blue, and then painted on the buses, cars, pickups, fire engine, and garbage truck. we left the bottom the dark blue.

2010 Christmas Program

"CHRISTMAS" skit

"Santa's Christmas Tree" skit

"Frankenstein and Myrrh" skit

All the kids sang Christmas songs.

Corbin is the letter T.

(T is for tidings the shepherds heard that day.)

Day 13: decorate rooms

Elias picked out some blue ribbon that he says is "red". (Everything is red.)

He put all of his homemade ornaments on it.

Corbin picked out red ribbon.

And he had to hang up some Winnie the Pooh lights and a star in his window.

Day 12: candy cane night

We read the book 'J is for Jesus'.
It is the story of the candy cane. It was made by a candy maker that wanted to make a special candy to celebrate Jesus. So he makes it in the shape of a J. Makes it red in memory of the cross and the blood that Jesus shed for us. And the white is to symbolize that we are washed white as snow when we as for forgiveness. The J also turns into a Shepherd's staff when turned upside down.

We read the book and then enjoyed some candy canes ourselves!

Day 11: Santa day

Corbin wrote several letters to Santa. He made sure to write his name several times on each letter to make sure Santa knew for sure it was Corbin that wanted those things.

The boys refused to get close to Santa, same as every year!

Day 10: special gifts for each other

On the 10th, we were able to get special gifts for each other.
We let the boys go to the toy section and pick out gifts for each other. They picked out some nice gifts for each other...you will have to wait to see them. :)

Day 9: make homemade ornaments

We made some salt dough.

Rolled it out, cut it, (over) baked it and let it cool.

Then we painted them!!!

They may have needed a bath after this project!

Target Practice

The boys got cap guns to go with their cowboy costumes for halloween. They were having too much fun shooting at things that were a bit worrisome. So, we sat down and made a target for them to shoot at instead.
"Squeeze the trigger. Don't pull it. Ok, brudder (brother)?"