Thursday: Joshua

I went to pick up Joshua from school today and he was adamant that I close my eyes while he put something in his backpack.  It's Christmas time, so I figured it was a present.  I was rather surprised when the teacher came over a minute later with his present to give to us.

Once we got home he showed me the paper (the green one).  It's our family, a table (which was going to be a cat but then was too small), our cats, and four houses.  It's super cute, but I don't know why it was such a secret.

The boys also got a little bit of Christmas money today.  Isaac thought of something very reasonable to spend his on.  Joshua, on the other hand, said that he's saving for Great Wolf Lodge, a Disney cruise, Disney, and Animal Kingdom (although he meant Epcot).  But probably not in that order...probably Disney before the cruise.  I asked him if he realized that those were all expensive things and he said he realized that, but he really wants to do MagicQuest at Great Wolf Lodge.

Wednesday: forgot to post

Today was a rather relaxing day.  The kids were at school and I didn't have to work.

I did a little bit of quilt stuff that is easier to do with no one at home.  I continued to work on wrapping presents.  I went to the Wednesday morning karate class.  (Which was quite empty and wonderful.)  I took a nap.  Picked up the kids.  Heated up leftovers for dinner.  Helped the kids get through their chores.  Watched TV with Ben.

Tuesday: with pictures

First, last night's pictures that I missed.

Joshua made about four Christmas trains (without any help):

Tornado tried to help Isaac with his homework:

This morning I finished grading and got grades in.  Yay!  Most people that were worried will be happy with their grade, but there are a few won't be happy.

I finally trashed the diaper bag.  It had been riding around in the back of the car for the last two years, barely touched.  Then it sat in the garage for a while.  Anyway, it did a good job when it was just Isaac but gave up the ghost by the end of Joshua's time.  I was not sad to see it go.  Nor am I sad that I don't have to change diapers any more.

I got my hair cut!  It's been donated.  I keep thinking I'm not going to grow it out that long again and then I do.  We'll see what happens this round.  Oh, it's a bit wet in the picture.  It poofed a bit.

Isaac brought this song home.  It promptly got stuck in my head...except I couldn't remember any of the verbs.

The amazon guy had his arms full!  It's a bit sad (in a first world problem way).  I had our house helpers wrap the other half of the gifts and after the boxes came I realized they had barely finished half.

Isaac is the star student on Friday.  When he grows up he wants to be a scientist on magnets.  (I.e., using magnets to develop new applications.)  Is there a name for this specific field?  Ben and I couldn't find one.

Monday: cats

Oh, the cats are still cute.

They like to lie upside down on the runner by the garage.  Well, there are several places that they like to lie on their backs and it seems like such it silly pose.

Sunday: surprise!

Remember those random fevers I used to get a few times a year several years ago?  It came back last night.  Achy back, too cold to get the medicine that I knew would help...it was mostly the same.  I was a bit out of it today too.  I did some things, but I sat around more than normal too.  Hopefully it'll be gone soon.

We finished our ginger bread houses today.  It was almost serious business.

My houses:

Isaac's house - the bear laying down in front is baby Jesus:

 Ben's area...a little house with a fenced in tree:

Joshua's house.  He mainly put things next to his house, but he did it himself!

Saturday: graham cracker houses

Today we started our graham cracker houses.  Joshua did most of his by himself, with just a touch of help from Ben and me.  It was wonderful.

We put them in cages to dry and protect them from wandering kitties.  Unfortunately, they're also hidden from the camera.

As part of a Lego group I'm part of we were challenged to make a small scene that showed something that is better together.  I chose doing laundry, I think because the day the challenge came out Joshua helped me put away extra clothes and it was so nice.  I think it turned out ok...I really wasn't feeling it until I put the floor in, which was the last step.  But that gave it a much more polished look.  (Isaac was slightly upset that I took all the hands out of the shirts, but I told him that I couldn't wash hands.)

Friday: twins, errands, books

Guess who were twins today??

After they left for the day, Joshua and I did a few chores and some Legos and then started our errands.  We had 10 places to go!  Usually I spread them out and go to two places at the most, but with Christmas coming several of these needed to be done.

1. We went to the pet store.  (Joshua looked at all the animals.  We got cat food (the real reason) and some kitty presents.)
2. We went to Joann's...I needed a bunch of thread.  Joshua didn't enjoying helping me find just the right color as much as I thought he would.
3. We went to the south side Meijer and stocked up on Lego bins.  We also found a new carpet runner because we happened to be going through the aisle.  And donuts, because 10 places!
4. Gas station
5. Hope college - Dad's office.  He wasn't there.  Joshua got his treat from the office.
6. Hope college - library.  I had been planning to find the things I needed yesterday, but then suddenly the day was packed.  There were some shapes made out of chalk board material that Joshua wrote on while I found what I needed. 

7. Present store - closed
8. Present store - got presents and a few things for us too
9. Back to the first present store: open
10. Herrick Library - Joshua elected to stay in the car.

Fast forward to this evening, around 9pm.  Ben and I hear a child coming down the stairs.  We were expecting Joshua.  Instead it was Isaac, crying.  Whatever could be the matter??  It turns out he finished his book series and was so sad that they were done.  I understand...it actually seemed like a good reason to be crying.