My friend just found this and sent it to me.  Samuel is wearing a white shirt.  He and some of his classmates are singing a couple of songs for the Christmas program.

Last night, Samuel went with Jess to a meet.  He enjoyed the independence.

The kids are having a lot of fun outside the last two days since the thaw began (albeit messy fun).  This morning, they were "scientists" with all the gear . . . magnifying glass, notebooks, rulers, camera, gloves, etc.  They even packed pbj sandwiches and crackers.  They found a really cool seed pod that I need to help them identify.  It is times like this that I want to absorb every aspect about the moment and tuck it into my memory to stay.

Sophia has been really into playing games, although she doesn't usually finish them.  Dominoes, Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders are her current favorites.  I had to rest after they came in (getting over a virus) so I laid on the couch and she sat next to me on the trampoline and we played games on the trampoline.  The boys watched a movie but Sophia doesn't like to let me rest much so I'll settle for that.  :)  Sometimes she'll watch a movie but I am glad she isn't too easily addicted, like one of my other little kiddos!  (Although, in Samuel's defense, he asked to turn off the t.v. to head outside today--wow!)

Philip has lately been really intent on working with scissors, yarn, tape and a hole punch.  He and Samuel worked together yesterday to make me a bead necklace.  Samuel added a nice little love note as well.  So sweet!  Making Valentine's last week really got him hooked on crafts again!

I hope all is well with everyone.  Have a blessed day!

Beads, Legos and Hair Clippers . . .

The kids had fun the last two days making the bead crafts.  Here, Samuel is making the beads stick together with the iron.

 Here are the bead designs they made first.

 The balloon was from the grocery store in town.

 We retired the baby blanket from Grandma Lynn to Buddie.  He likes it.

 LEGOS!

 Jess and the boys spent a lot of time searching through all these Legos for missing hands!

 Haircuts for the boys!

 Here, we are skype-ing with family.

Snow much fun!

Cute quote of the day:  Sophia is looking at the new hutch Mary and Phil passed down to us and sighs, "Mommy, I love Grandma and Grandpa 'cuz they give us that shelf."

 Sophia was in a puzzle mood today.  We would sit together and enjoy the puzzle together.  I really cherish times like this.  I am sure I will miss these moments quite a bit as she grows up.

 Cool kiddos in their shades!  (The snow glare is bright.--We didn't realize that Samuel forgot his until we arrived back home.  They were behind him on the garage counter!)

 Samuel really did a great job pulling Sophia a while so I just had to hold Buddie's leash.

 It doesn't show in the photo but this snow plow pile is steep and comes to a point--so you have to balance at the top.  Seeing how Samuel is the most durable (biggest), I had him do a test run!

 Philip did the weirdest things outside today--which I guess is consistently normal for Philip!

 Samuel brought the sled up and held it for Sophia while she got in (the sled is teetering on  a thin line of snow).

 What is Philip doing?  I will never understand his mind I think.  :)

 Samuel balancing at the top!

 Again, I have no explanation . . . what would make a person slide down a hill (several times) without a sled, on your belly, head first, with your face literally in the snow?  His cheeks were so red I was beginning to worry!  (By the time we had been home and put lotion on them and had chicken noodle soup and hot cocoa his cheeks were fine.)

 He seriously said, "Mommy, I can't see."  Really?

"Mommy, take a picture for Daddy."  The kids really like showing Daddy what they've done.

Just a little stay-at-home fun!

chess

kitchen set fun with assorted beans

 dyeing pasta

 Each of the kids made a recipe from the Hightlights--Highfive magazine today.  (Samuel is not pictured though because he is out shoveling snow with Jess.)  Sophia made the lemon cake.  Philip made the apple smiles.  Samuel made the mac'n'cheese muffins.  Thanks Grandpa Jimmie and Grandma Shirley for all the magazines!  We have a collection now that still gets a ton of use!

 The smiles are apple wedges with cream cheese and white chocolate chips.  Now, the teeth were really supposed to be marshmallows.  For all of you who know Philip, you won't be surprised that he took one look at the recipe, and before I could assure him that I had marshmallow substitutions, he despairingly cried out, "Aww, but I hate marshmallows."

Snow days!

Jess has been home from school for three days due to the weather.

 Play-dough sweets!

 When you learn at home, you don't really need a snow day.  The boys like for Daddy to help them.

 I have no idea what is going on in this little boy's mind half the time--but he sure keeps me laughing.

Jess went up to the attic to bring down some toys they have been missing, including the kitchen set.  They have played with it for hours today.

More moonsand!

 We took the kids to an exotic pets shop to see the lionfish, pirahnas, mini-sharks, geckos, chinchillas, starfish, etc.  Then, we headed to a gymnastics meet (boys and girls' teams) at the U of I.  It was neat to do something totally out of the ordinary for a change of pace.  We then made a quick trip to Dunkin' Donuts and then, off to Toys'R'Us to purchase something with their gift money.  Philip bought a tiny Lego set although he has more money than his brother and sister.  Samuel chose to save a little longer.  Sophia finally decided on yet another Moon Sand set.  She is so entertained by playing with any kind of sand or dough.  Too funny!

Imagination Station

 Samuel and Philip have been writing me a bunch of taxes to pay lately.  And, I have to pay them by a certain time!  I am paid up so far . . . whew!

 Philip made his sandwich by himself!

 Philip is playing like he is a ninja.

 Sophia is building with lincoln logs while sitting in the bucket.

 Samuel is very serious about this building business.

 Sophia is doing a dot-to-dot.

 Samuel is alphabetizing his spelling words for the week.

Sophia really enjoys her magnetic dress-up dolls.  It brings back fond memories of my paper-doll cards my Great Grandparents would send for my birthday each year as a child.