Project Saturday

We've had an eventful week, and an especially eventful Saturday.

Yesterday, Andrew was sick in the morning on the day of his music performance. It was ironic that half an hour after the performance started, he declared himself all better and wanted to go outside. Needless to say, he spent the day indoors nursing his sickness. In fact, he was pleased in the evening that he still had pajamas on and didn't need to change.

Christopher and I got up early in the morning and painted the first coat on the kids' playhouse that we've been working on. We're nearing completion and are both looking forward to turning it over to the kids. I'm just sick of the project because most of the work has happened in >100 degree weather or in the dark. :)

I spent the rest of the morning cleaning up the garage, which hasn't been truly cleaned in a year and a half. It is interesting the things you find in a garage, such as toys that have been confiscated, electronics that no longer work, and long lost cans of paint that could have been used on a playhouse. When discussing whether to chuck the ancient TV that doesn't work, we remembered the printer in the house, which also no longer works. Then all the kids and I proceeded to take a timeout so we could see the innards of the printer before it's disposal. As could be expected, Christopher was so taken by the project that he has snuck back out to the garage at least 6 times since them to harvest a few more parts and secretly take them back to his room. He plans to build a robot car with the pieces. Natalie claimed the print head because it looks like a little computer for her dollhouse. Andrew was pleased with the small board that has the lights showing that the paper has run out. He boasts that his board has lights. The kids seemed to love the project and I loved getting a clear path from the car to the door to the house.

In the second picture, David is saying "Cheese!," after taking a big bite of red cabbage. It does wonders for his appearance, no?

First week of school

We have now adjusted back to our typical routine as two of our kids are in school again. (It's less difficult get back to schedules when you've been out of school for only eight weeks.) While it has been known to cramp vacation plans, we're used to this modified year-round stuff, and look forward to some of the mid-year intercessions. I'd still like to have more time with my older two, but it is difficult to drag all four kids in this heat to stores, dr. offices, etc. so I try not to complain about our school district. These are pics from the first day of school.

The twins were more nervous this year because we're trying a different kind of class at a school a block or so further than our neighborhood school. It's no fun to recognize so few friends and teachers, but it seems like it will still be a great school and they have an excellent teacher with a great teaching style for both of them.

Our silly littlest guy will often sit down and say cheeese when I get out my camera no matter where we are. In Andrew's picture, his right eye was red and uncomfortable that day. He had originally had problems with it on the night of the 4th of July, with no complaints in between. Tomorrow we're having it checked by an eye specialist, though the redness has again gone away since our doctor visit last week.

Can anyone send a bit more of this excitement in the sky our way?

We'd really like more of the rain that should come with it. These pics were taken in mid July along with tons of beautiful Sunset shots that perhaps only my mom would truly appreciate! :)

We're now waiting for some moisture to give us some respite from the heat that we're mostly immune to now.