Little Drummer Boy

Paul has been drumming a lot lately. Mostly at the table when we are eating, which does not help his level chart status. He keeps asking if he can get a drum set. I smile and nod. I encourage him to visit Uncle Chris. Today he asked if he could bang on some pots and pans. I said sure. We created a drum set for him complete with cymbals. It was loud for some time, but he sure had fun.

Wooden spoons and spatulas for drumsticks.

Snowy weekend

Lots of snow this weekend. It kept us inside all day Sunday. It just. kept. falling.

 Here's what Aunt Sara and I don't have in common. She can read in peace whenever she wants. I began reading in peace, then Hannah slid in behind me, cranked up "The Muppets" music CD, turned up her karaoke microphone, and sang her heart out to Starship's "We Built This City." I tried to continue reading about Jean Valjean but was not very productive.

This morning's view from Paul's window. A 2-hour school delay. Some sad kids here, they were hoping for a snow day. One happy mom can go to the store with just Kate =)

Goofy sisters

The girls wore the same shirts to church on Sat eve. When we got home we realized they also had matching socks. A silly dance ensued.

Cooking Buddies

The girls were cooking buddies this weekend with us being basically snowed in. They made scrambled eggs and other treats in their super cute outfits. Kate made her "chef's hat" with Sandee at Aaron's office on her Daddy Day.

The smock Kate got for Christmas

They made cupcakes on Sunday and Hannah did our main meal - breaded chicken, dipped in egg wash then breadcrumbs - all by herself.

such concentration

doin the chicken dip

Aaron's Birthday

It is a cold, snowy February 22nd today. Aaron took the day off. He started with a fancy cup of espresso and Kate helped him open his cards. But first she walked around the house reading her lenten prayer from the devotional the church gave out. =) How cute is her new hair cut?

Praying and walking, such a multi-tasker!

Then Kate got all dressed up to go on a Daddy day. They had lunch with ERS at 11, then lunch with Hannah at 12:20. Stopped at the office, library, and picked up the girls. I stayed home with Paul who is not feeling well.

But you wouldn't know it to look at him. (He's playing minecraft, very unusual for a weekday). Later he helped me make the cherry pie before zonking out for the whole afternoon.

After a tasty birthday dinner we had our traditional Cherry Pie.

How cute is this princess?

These are the candles Hannah and Paul made at their Pilgrim Day in Kindergarten.

And Hannah got this shot before dessert was served.

Finished product

Kate finished painting the box yesterday. This one is for Aunt Sara.

Thank you Aunt Sara!

Minecraft Weekend

This is a typical scene in the kitchen every weekend. Someone on minecraft and someone else watching, and waiting for his/her turn.

Chef Hannah

Yesterday the kids were out of school. Hannah put all her chef things on from Aunt Beth and used the cookbook that came with it. She made me one heckuva tasty grilled cheese and tomato sandwich and then, hard boiled her own eggs!

She helped me brown some ground beef last week too (my least favorite job)

Paul's OJ this morning

Paul used the juicer this morning and made a nice glass of OJ with 2 oranges. Tasty!

Kate's New craft

Kate was SO excited to get a new craft in the mail from Aunt Sara. Here she is, painting the bottom of it. Finished photo coming once it's done.

Lazy Lunch at RCS

Every Friday we go to Ridgeview for lunch, picking Paul up at 10:50 and waiting for Eliz to start lunch at 11:05. Kate came bounding down the stairs at 6am, so she was a sleepy girl. After lunch Paul had a friend come to play. Eliz was sitting next to a friend at lunch so I knew if I pointed the camera at them she'd get embarrassed. oy. Paul has blue teeth from a dum dum lollipop. (I keep telling him not to call me that.)

And lately on Wednesdays we have had our neighbor's daughter Leah over to play. They are 4 months apart, and Leah has 2 big brothers and a little sister, so she loves coming to play with Kate. They do great and Kate has a playmate while Paul's at school.

Father-Daughter Dance

Here are a couple pictures of the girls on their way to the Father-Daughter Dance on Saturday. A good time was had by all (and a lot of sweets eaten).

Chess Club Tournament

Last Saturday Hannah participated in her first Chess Tournament. She met most of her goals: to 1) have fun, 2) learn more about chess, and 3) do her best. (She said she did not learn more about chess. Hmm..) She earned herself a ribbon for participating and we were proud of her for attending.

"Ok girls, smile on the count of three. 1, 2, 3." click.

Then I got this.

Then Hannah wanted to man the camera.

we took more because we were waiting for the next round to start.

It was a long break between rounds. 

like I said.

Kate occasionally joins me for my Monday morning biblical school class. She does great with her snacks and quiet things we bring for her to do.

my little buddy

Silly Paul

The kids got ahold of the camera this weekend and took some goofy pictures.