February 2017

February always get a little dreary.  It's been cold for a while now and the kids' boredom becomes acute!  I decided to pull out the puzzles and my wallet.  50 cents a puzzle and $1 for ones 100 pieces or larger.  Pathetic, yep.  But hey, it killed a few hours and I got to make sure our puzzles still had all their pieces!

Another great boredom buster...cleaning.  But usually not very relaxing for me!

The twins love drawing rainbows.  I love this cascading set Xander drew me...

The door of Christmas love!

I changed out our shoe bench for my ikea cubes.  (Per kid)...One cube for socks, one cube for shoes,and a junk bin on top.  My organization book says to stop organizing and start de-junking, but I may have to wait a few more years for that!

Candy crystals.  I saw a cute tutorial on Pinterest and we had to try it.  

It was surprisingly easy and fun to watch grow!

Another boredom buster...one of our favorite activities is building designs out of these wooden shapes.  Cache usually takes the lead on this.  Most of these creations are his.

This beautiful thing just keeps blooming!

The twins have been enjoying swim classes before preschool 2x a week.  They get to swim in the warm pool (yeah!) and for a few weeks they were the only ones in their class.  Otherwise, they have had 1 or 2 other people in their class and they have been learning so much! Side breathing, multiple strokes...they are masters!

The twins also enjoy playing games before preschool.  Especially the ones they don't play with their big brothers as much (since those are usually the big-kid strategy games).  Who doesn't love a round of LIFE!?

I finally took a picture of the Costco gas hours.  They are open much earlier and later than I remember and I hate waiting in line.  Love my Costco gas.

Another sweet message from Xander...

I love you even when you be mean I love you.

I love that mean is men with a line over the e.  His reading book teaches him to say the long e when there is a line over the letter.  Otherwise it's the short sound.

Does this count as healthy?  Top Ramen with scrambled eggs and spinach.  

Well, it tasted good and was warm at least.

January 2017

Yep, our big snow for January!  

Not quite enough snow to play in...

 

We still had a gathering of boys for the day off...Today's game...Super Farmer!

One of my favorite garage sale purchases...a telescoping dry erase board for $10.  I often use it to write notes for the boys (especially if I plan on being home after them on a school day).  Usually I use it as a reminder list of things they need to do.

Easton thought it would be fun to provide his own list...Cheryl's great directions for when you get home.  Do the computer for long time (30 hours).  No chores ever.  Watch tv and have fun.  Then we're going to Great Wolf Lodge.  Do not erase!  -Mom.

This pretty hawk decided to hang out in our front tree.

Movie time.  David hates having a tv on the main floor, but I love it! 

Cache and Joshua still enjoying playdough, dinosaurs, and army men.  I was told boys take a long time to outgrow toys, and I love that about them!

All about teeth!  Xander has the tiniest baby teeth.  This little guy is holding on for dear life.  Unfortunately, he has the same crowding issue as Easton.  Here is what he has in store....

Easton, age 11.  Easton got expanders - top and bottom.  Don't get me started on this process and how every orthodonist has a different strategy and price.  Easton has 2 teeth on either side of his front teeth that won't drop because there isn't enough room.  Then on the bottom, he has rows of teeth like a shark.  Time to fix this before lasting damage is done for a price tag of $3,200!

Poor kid, these expanders do not look comfortable!

Xander the pirate!

Xander the puzzle man.

Xander the Costco-statue.  

Xander the defeated.

Xander and Declan helping me make bath bombs.  

Why?  Hmmm.  Why not?  

A fun fizzy and therapeutic toy for the bath!

I drive my family crazy by always moving the furniture around.  Seriously, sometimes it's weekly.  

This weekend we moved the desk to the family room and created a dedicated space for legoland. 

Every week we have a family dinner at the Macphersons.  Katie makes us something absolutely delicious and we gather around to eat it all up!  Jason insists on sitting at the head of the table.  Katie and I usually eat once they all clear out!

 Ahhh...January.  A time to re-focus on healthy eating.

Homemade granola bars.  I love the idea of buying less processed food.  Usually it's just an idea, but sometimes I actually do something about it!

Cache's all-time favorite dinner.  Sweat & sour meatballs.  I've now improved my meatballs by using the cookie scoop to make small, even balls! (and I love not having to use my hands!)

The most beautiful amaryllis and hyacinth sent from my mom..

Among other things, January also represents the season of pinewood derby.

At our house this means hours of work as we have a defending title to maintain as champion 3 years straight!  This is Cache's car this year.

Ok..I think this says: Winner Xander Wells Svir, you are playing monopoly.  

Then the next line... Loser Mom, Loser Declan.

Don't you love when kids learn how to write?!

Our poor Leopard Gecko.  The kids keep saying they want a dog.  I say, learn to take care of a simple pet and put your shoes away every day, then we will talk!

Me enjoying some sun and blue skies in January!