Laundry Hypnotism

"Look at that!"


"The water swishes in as the clothes go round and round.  That is so cool!"


"Sorry Rachel.  I can't look away.  I'm hypnotized."

Rachel's First Birthday Party Invitation

Rachel was invited to a neighbor friend's birthday party. 


She didn't show much enthusiasm at the door.  But her exuberance grew bigger and bigger as she thought about all that might be entailed.  She danced around and showed me the invitation over and over again. I almost had to let her take the paper to bed.  She couldn't even take her eyes off the paper long enough for this picture.
 

Midnight Soup Fiasco

I made the most divine corn and potato chowder with sausage the other day.  I started it late so it wasn't completely finished and ready to refrigerate until midnight.  My hand slipped as I was putting the crock in the fridge.  The soup that was fantastic in my mouth was a fiasco in the fridge.


 
 

Nothing like a midnight scrubbing to make you wish you were in bed.

Kipper at Bedtime

My kids love to watch an episode of Kipper as part of their bedtime routine.  It doesn't happen every night but they are so happy when it does.  I thought this was an especially sweet night with Rachel cuddled up on her dad's lap with Dumbo.


Joseph's thinks this is the best "seat in the house."

January 12th

Rachel greeted the morning dressed as the cutest "bag lady" of all time.  Dumbo loved his ride.


I greeted the morning with a clean kitchen sink.  Doug and I are determined to do better at putting the house to bed every night.


Rachel helped me make her bed.


Cinderella is Rachel's new favorite movie.  Dumbo is always close at hand.


I was playing on the computer (email, pinterest, facebook, blogging, etc) when I realized it was far too quiet.  I started looking for Joey.  He had crawled through the dark master bedroom to get to the master bath.  Then he shut the door behind him.  "Uh oh!  You found me!"
 

Joe is fascinated by all things bathroom.


During Joseph's nap Rachel got to play our fishing game.


I made these fish and the pole when Doug and I taught the Sunbeams.


I had high hopes of making stuffed shells for lunch.  But by the time lunch rolled around this is all I could muster.


Joseph's lunch was a lot more nutritious.  He is on a high fat diet so he got a tablespoon of butter with his veggies.


These two are great friends.  I'm so glad they have each other.


"High five!"


Rachel takes her nap right after lunch.  Joseph stays up with me for another hour.  Then he gets a bottle and his second nap.  "Peek-a-boo!"


He entertained himself with his reflection for a while.


Then he practiced putting a jingle bell in his mouth.  Now you see it.


Now you don't.


After retrieving said bell I let him watch Baby Einstein.


Phew!  So, now that everyone was asleep I went to work on my paper station.  "What is a paper station?"  Well, I'm glad you asked.  Tada!  I got this piece of furniture for $65 through the classifieds.


Here is what's hidden inside.  All paper arrives in the box on top of the credenza.  Then it's sorted.  Garbage goes in the red bin.  Shredding is shredded immediately.  Receipts are scanned (upper right corner scanner) then shredded if unimportant.  Bills, things for Doug and my "To Dos" are filed in the file folder on the right.  There is space for used magazines and things to be filed as well as "keeps" like cards and such.


The top drawer has mailing supplies, the label maker, stapler, etc.


 For two days I sorted paper stored from the last 2-3 years.  Then shredded and shredded and shredded and shredded.  I ended with 7 garbage bags of confetti.


Rachel had a hard time getting up from her nap.  This picture should lay to rest any illusions of eternal cheerfulness.


"No pictures please."


In the meantime I found my little MacGyver under my desk.


"You caught me!"


This little man altered the use of the paper station.  Now the shredder is on the left side.  My computer is now protected in the right side.  My skilled husband drilled holes and fixed cooling fans so that Joe couldn't play with the computer any more!

Rachel loves having access to all of her books.  This great reading system she's playing with actually reads stories, plays games and songs, allowing her to really explore words.


She like to keep an eye on Joey any time he is near the books.


That evening I met with these beautiful ladies to continue our visiting teaching marathon review of companionships.  It only took us 4 hours of concentration over 2 days.  I am so grateful to serve with these amazing, inspired women.  They are always thinking of the ward's women and serve selflessly.  Thanks Melissa, Barbara and Kim for letting me rub shoulders with you.
 

My day's activities didn't work out exactly as I planned.  But, I am happy with the results.  This was a wonderful, happy, productive day.
 

Joseph Playing

I left the room for a couple minutes.  When I came back I found Joseph had squeezed himself  behind the rocker to get to the toys under the table.  He was having a ball.

Snow Fun

Doug took the kids out to play in the snow.  Rachel was hoping to build a snowman.  The snow was too dry.  So he took the kids for a ride on the sled.  (Don't let the Santa hat fool you this was January 16th.) 



Rachel had a blast. 


Joe was having fun until the inevitable face plant occurred. 
 

"You said this would be fun!"


We helped Rachel and Joseph make their first snow angels.



Joseph's little angel was made against his will.
 

I felt bad the next day when Joseph had snow burn on his face.


It looks like he's forgiven me though.