Day 5 started with hauling out a LOT of trash and junk in the garage out to the curb, then the usual making of the coffee and feeding of the baby chicks. Aidan requested chocolate chip pancakes and I couldn't say no. Shortly the bigs and one little made their way outside to explore, and the last little decided to stay close to home. He kept me company at the kitchen table with his work while I pecked away at the computer. Mimi had just asked if I thought he would like a Play-dough fun factory hamburger shop for Christmas. I think he'll be fine with that.As I worked on my blog for Day 4, I was distracted by the compost pile in the back yard. The kids seem to find projects constantly that involve various forms of garbage for building forts and such, and it appeared they had dug into the old squishy pumpkins. I know, ew. Anyway, I stepped out just to turn the compost and gather the bits of veggies that had been dispersed and put them back in. I was delighted to find a nice, rich, earthy-smelling pile of compost and soil underneath as I turned it - just as it should be! I then raked up a few scattered leaves in the yard to add to the mix. As I was raking, I found a little friend in an overgrown "weed bed" (project #45628 awaiting us).
Whats HILARIOUS about this is several weeks ago, Marc and I ran across How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack at Barnes and Noble. There is a whole chapter on recognizing whether or not you're at risk for an attack, and one of the risk factors is actually having gnomes in your yard. Another is when you notice that something different is in your yard, or if a gnome is in a different place one day than it was on a previous day. I will be sure to check his location today, and also search for any others that may have joined him in the night.
After my intruder discovery, I found the boys sharing their library books with some neighborhood friends. I ADORE this about our neighborhood. The kids all play together, outside, everyday. The migrate from one backyard to another, riding bikes and creating adventures. And as much as it drives me bonkers to constantly find debris in the yard from one of their latest projects, I'm overjoyed that they're using their imaginations building forts and acting out elaborate scenes. Yesterday I was served a leaf and grass pizza in a mangled Pizza Hut box. Love it!!Speaking of neighbors, shortly after a lunch of pigs in a blanket (for the wee ones) and homemade tomato basil pizza (for me), our neighbor from across the street knocked and asked if I would be home for a couple of hours and if I could keep an eye on his kiddo while he and his wife finished up their Christmas shopping for him. Uh, duh, of course! So, on our errands to Akin's and Wally World, we had a stowaway!
Along with two happy littles and one disgruntled big in the back seat.
While at Wal-Mart, Alec wanted to be the leader, so the others marched behind him while he sang, "We're following the leader, the leader, the leader..."
We needed a few more supplies for oreo ball and crownie making, as well as projects for the kids, who, even with beautiful weather outside, can still get cabin fever on Christmas Break!
$3 Dino Dig for Carter (go figure):$3 Clay Art for the others:
And $9 Apron Kit for Mom:
I also bought Uno for the kids, which we'll work on teaching them tomorrow. Wish me luck!
We took a break in the projects to meet Marc at Carl's Jr. for dinner. He was pretty pooped from a long day, and he's growing out his hair; doesn't it look great?After dinner, we headed home to finish our art projects and settle in for a movie (Night at the Museum 2 from the Library!)
But before we started the movie, Carter finally dug out his dinosoar:Aidan made a cat out of his clay:
Alec made...something...
Corrinne made a bee and an owl, very impressive!
And Cheeto (the gecko) got a Christmas present. Corrinne found a kid's meal toy in the play area and decided to bestow it on him. Merry Christmas Cheeto!
And I...am pooped...
Recent Comments