Bracelets and work

Today, I got out the beads for the boys to make bracelets. At first they were so super excited and began beading. Unfortunately, their excitement only lasted about 3.2 seconds and then they began irritating each other. 

Soooo, I quickly moved to plan b and got out the "learning jobs". I need to make some more of these, the kids love them and they are intensely busy for at least an hour everytime I get them out!  

I took this picture of Finli and thought it was a fluke that she was winking. 

So, I said, "wink" and she did it again!!

Thursday, may 23rd

The boys love these big trucks. You think Debbie will notice if I "borrow" them indefinitely??  Probably so, everyone keep a look out at garage sales,I NEED some here!

The kids fought over this one white basket. I got out another one and they loved sitting in them. 

And another of, "what are they thinking?" Moments. The kids all put these rings on their feet and made the loop no less than 50 times. They had fun!

Friday, may 24th

On Friday, we played duplos. We played with them ALL day!!  We built everything imaginable. We also listened to 50s music!

Playing catch up:: Tuesday, may 28

I took pictures for everyday we've had daycare and look, now, I forgot to post, so I am going to play catch up!

I pulled out the little people yesterday. The kids had the best time and I saw lots and lots of imaginative role play!

Saying "cheese"

This camper was by far Kiernans favorite. All day long, he would get quiet or I would "count heads" and I would find Kiernan laying down playing with this. 

We are increasing how much "self serving" occurs at meals. The boys love the independence of scooping food and putting it on their plates. Today, I couldn't get them to stop eating. They sat and ate and scooped(you don't get to scoop until you've tried everything on your plate and you've eaten all of whatever you want more of) for almost an hour. Finally I ran out of food and made them move on!

LOTS of silliness today!

Everyone was so super silly today.  They all did silly things and just laugh at themselves and their friends. 

Kiernan promptly entered the house and began playing this morning. Before playing, he of course, had to "fix" his socks!

These two boys got silly at breakfast and began putting food on their faces. They thought it was positively hilarious!  During this time, Kiernan kept saying, "my name is Alacay!"  

I always get scared when these two team up, most likely they are full of T-R-O-U-B-L-E!

Drew pulling B around in the tub. And yes, he can move her anywhere!

The squirt bottles made an appearance again. Today, we wrote letters on the fence and "erased" them with the squirt bottles. It was too cold to spray each other, but lots of fun still occurred!

Kate finally accomplished the feat of climbing up here independently and she was so proud!

The minds of boys always amaze me. They discovered that these bottles hang her just right and thought it was great!

Stop getting so big Kate!!  Seriously, quite growing!

Kate kept putting herself in timeout. Maybe she knows something I don't?

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Kiernan is in heaven with two rolls. Finli "shared" Axels roll!

And it's nap time. B is convinced Finli is going to nap in the living room. I'm about to move her!  Axel says he's laying in his pillow!

Piggy tails, scooping, and a Dhs visit

Kate has piggy tails this morning!  She looks so much cuter than the pictures show. She's a wiggly little booger!!

We've been practicing some family style dining lately. Usually at snack, they get to use a scoop or spoon to serve themselves. This morning, they served their own cereal and then at lunch their own peas. They feel so big and often try to finish that food so they can scoop again!  

After breakfast, Shae and Kiernan snuggled up and talked and played together. They crack me up. They seem to be naturally drawn to each other. 

We then went for a walk. It's crazy enough walking with them! So, no pictures ;(. We took the rings and the boys did pretty good. Finli and Andrew insisted on walking through the weeds(note to self--purchase bug spray!). They did pretty good but were exhausted afterwards so are of course sleeping soundly right now(even Kiernan and Shae). 

My DHS lady came today for her regular visit. The only problem was that she was here well over an hour because she was training someone and their "noninvasive interviews" take up so much of my time!  Oh well!  They are gone and it was back to normal!  

It's been a fun day and I am happy that we got to go outside even for a bit. 

A stormy day with Auntie Ally

Auntie Ally was here today and all the kids enjoyed playing with her. They sang and signed with her and snuggled!

The boys fought over the white basket holding the toys. It was such a hot commodity that I pulled out a second one. 

We covered the table with paper and colored with crayons. 

Uncle Ja made a quick visit around lunch time!  Andrew thought Uncle Ja was the "bee's knees!"  He left to head back to recovery efforts. So many men and women are helping with the devastation, remember them in your prayers for the next few days. It's not only a physical challenge, but emotionally devastating. 

Kate has learned to remove the outlet covers. I know, safe, right??  She brings them to me saying, "jijis, jijis, jijis"

One last picture of my girls. Rarely are they this calm and sweet, I had to forever preserve the moment....

Squirt bottles and a storm shelter

This is one of Andrews favorite places. He pulls all the napmats down and snuggles in!  

Today, I pulled out squirt bottles full of water. The kids squirted bugs and the house and chalk and the fence and the house and the doors!

Then the orneriness arrived!!  They thought it was beyond hilarious to squirt me!  Don't worry, I retaliated appropriately!

They kept coming back for me!

After lunchtime we play the game, keep Miss Kate awake for another an hour!  Shae usually plays with her while the boys finish eating. Today, they read books and danced and tickled!  

Now, it's nap time and of course the storm shelter guys arrive!  With a BIG HUGE TRACTOR. So, as you can guess, the boys are elated and really not feeling a nap right now!  Oh well, the safety of a storm shelter is worth the fight!!