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The TV experiment

This was HARD!
I banned TV for a week. An entire week. The very thought was daunting, but we were out of control--not hardly speaking to each other, just necessary communication and that was grumpily. I had been up nights with the baby and wasn't getting enough sleep,which meant I was gladly using the boob tube as a baby-sitter and the kids had the tv on for most of the evening. Nothing was clean, nobody got along, just grunt shove and mean words. So I said enough is enough. I want my family back. Actually Monday and Tuesday was easy. I had errands that we went on, activities to do, chores and piano to learn. But then Wed I was stressing over my calling-- had to prepare and go buy one more thing for ornament making with Activity Day girls--and hadn't slept, and the kids were whining. BUT! I didn't give in. We forged ahead. Then Thursday was too much and I let them turn it back on.

So three whole days! Are you proud of us. I may make this a habit of sorts. TV only on certain days. It will certainly make little persons a whole lot more reasonable.

I gotta share this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAckfn8yiAQ

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Advent Calendar to drool over!

http://www.gingerbreadsnowflakes.com/node/107

New family photo...finally

Well we finally got us all looking nice all at the same time enough to take some family photos. Here it is.

Christmas stockings

I finished Alexa's Christmas stocking and it went pretty fast. Scott and I have made each of us a stocking (as each kid came along) and I think this is the best one yet. And I think she likes it!

snow

It snowed for the first time this winter. already?! uggh! But we are prepared with new coats for the kids. I'll be getting a few sleds soon. Yeah for winter!

even better

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Monster Mash

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Jace-ism

This week at FHE:
Dad Q: Who is Jesus?
Jace A: He's that guy in the sky who is so good that we have to do what he says.

The things kids say...just gotta smile!

What is it about a 2-year-old...

...that makes me want to run away to Africa and hide
...that makes me sigh out loud
...that makes me laugh
...that makes me groan
...that makes me pick a box-full of cheerios off the computer room floor
...that makes me pick up 1000 beads off the art room floor
...that makes me scrub the marker off the walls
...that cuddles oh so sweetly when she is tired
...that says more puzzles, Mommy, please!
...that makes me chase her giggling, naked self down the hall after I have dressed her for church
...that makes me ever so glad she is mine

Buckskin colt

Isn't he fabulous!!! I just love the white socks.

Funky Lunch

fun edible lunch ideas for the pickiest kids:
http://www.funkylunch.com/index.htm

Savings!

I have been hyper-vigilant in my couponing, and today did a competitor match at Target for Big G cereal. I bought 6 boxes of honey nut cheerios normal price 2.49. The match price was 1.88. I used 3 target coupons for $1 off 2, and 2 manuf coupons for $1 off 2. Which brought the price to .86 ea. Woohoo! High Five!

Free Friday Chocolate

go to this link to get Free chocolate vouchers. Every Friday thru September.
https://secure.realchocolate.com/

Marley and me...and tears

Wow! I don't know the last time a movie has been so emotional. Me, yeah I had a couple tears. What can I say I'm a sucker for stuff like this. Did you like it? I didn't know the kids were paying that much attention, but the kids were bawling at the end when Marley gets sick and it shows the Vet putting him down. Jace actually fainted and Lyssa was inconsolable. I guess TV is still reality to them, especially Jace. So we used this as an opportunity to answer all their questions about graves, and resurrection, and dying, and I told them about my two pets that died. And we just did a lot of cuddling, and talking, and comforting before tucking them in tonight.

The Writing on the Wall

Oh the creativity of a two year old. Here is some fantastic artwork...at least she thinks so.

Message

Sleeplessness

I should be asleep right now. There is no real explanation for my alertness at 2 in the morning, except that maybe just maybe it is because I am not being pulled in 12 different directions at once: the baby doesn't need me, the 2 year old isn't pulling me by the hem of my shirt, and the older two aren't bickering... ahh the bliss!

But all that aside, I think the real reason for my sleeplessness is that my oldest daughter is away for two weeks. She left tonight. The first time to be gone for such a long time. Sure she has spent the night many times over at cousins houses, but only one night at a time. This is a new experience for Scott and I. Kind of a strange feeling not having my "baby" at home with us right now. She will be staying with Gma with 4 girl cousins and attending a theatre camp, and performing Alice in Wonderland at the end of the two weeks. They are so over-the-top excited for this adventure. I hope Gma survives. lol. I will be sending care packages to her...such fun! Jace and I will be getting the first one together tomorrow.

7th Birthday

This is the kitten that Lyssa will be able to bring home in a few weeks. It has a dark stripey tail and those 2 dark spots on her head and the rest of her body is white.

So, Lyssa turned the big 7. She was planning her big party for months! Lists, and lists. Written and re-written. Hmmm, I think she is related to me... here are some pics of the day.
Fruit kabobs. Yum!
Hearts on the cupcakes, in pink of course.
Happy Birthday to you!

Friends and cousins.
Playing Handy Manny-type games.
Mrs Handy Manny herself.
Lyssa, Alexa, and Kasey.

Hand-sewn doll

What fun! I have gotten the sewing bug. In the past few weeks I have attempted to make dresses for all 3 of my girls, and this doll that I hand-stitched. I have also learned a new quilt pattern and need to finish up Kiara's purple quilt in time for her birthday.

June Birthdays

I don't know about your families, but ours seems to have a plethora of June and summer birthdays. This past week was my 35th and my oldest daughter's 7th. Now, I love birthdays and I love partys--I just wish someone else could do all the planning and prep work and the shopping. Whew! It wore me out and I was stressed that I wouldn't have enough food and the kids would get bored, but no of course it turned out just fine. Next year I need to remember that kids will be happy just playing in the dirt-- no need to make it a big production. GRIN. Next year I told my husband I'm handing the party planning over to him.

Laugh

ok, I nipped this off someone else's blog, but it made me laugh out loud and who doesn't need a good laugh about nothing every now and again.......GRIN!

What I wish I heard every time I got on an airplane rather than the regular flight attendant spiel:

This flight is a non-smoking, non-crying and non-whining flight"
"We are expecting a smooth flight, if we weren't, we would've called in sick"
"The flight attendants will come through the cabin to make sure your tray tables are locked, luggage is properly stowed, seat backs are up and that your shoes and socks match your outfits."
"Sit back and relax, or lean forward and be tense"
"We are going to dim the lights to enhance the attractiveness of your flight attendants"

Letterboxing discovered!

We tried something new last weekend with the kids. I want to avoid the long, tedious summer and am looking for ways to keep our minds and bodies active and invigorated. Go to letterboxing.org to get info on this fun treasure-finding activity. We got the clues online and then went a-hunting! lol. The nature park nearby had 3 hidden boxes to find all in a relatively small area. So for our first venture, with all four kids in tow, we gathered our log books and picked our individual stamps, and off we went. The day proved to be HOT HOT HOT. We left the house at 10am and by 12noon it was at least 90 degrees. We were done. But we all had a blast following the clues and counting steps and looking under rocks and in caves.

Turn that crank

Ok so I was tired and therefore a bit cranky when DH called me from work in the middle of the day on Friday. A new baby, broken sleep, hungry children, all combined to make me a bit short. But he really turned everything around with his comment to "turn the crank the other way!" lol. A good piece of advice to lighten the moment.

Britain's Got Talent--take a look at this

Think you can dance? Take a look at this pair!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gHvATmUsSg&feature=related

Fam Fun

Alexa enjoying a bath--5 weeks old












Oh My gosh! I've taken nearly 100 pictures in the past week! First Jace's birthday then the garden and yard and of course our precious and much loved new baby

We got a free rototiller from someone this past winter when Scott shoveled off their roof of tons of snow--and it even works!

Happy 5th B-DAY Jace! He is riding a new 20" 2-wheeler...no training wheels..

All cuteness

Alexa at 3 weeks old. The first picture is with her 18 month old sister sitting next to her...I used to think she was small...

Alexa or"Lexi" as she is coming to be called, all bright eyes and cuteness.

New Baby!

Here she is. Alexa Nikalena Henderson. Born March 10, 7lb 7oz, and absolutely perfect!





The kids are so excited to have a new baby Sister! These are some of the first few days with Alexa. I suppose we need to get some pictures with Mom and Dad in there too...