Friday: cat box

 It's been really nice out, so I put the cat box out Friday morning.  The cats were immediately interested in it and Horizon got in first.  Tornado went in a few minutes later and Horizon gave me a look like, "really?!?  there's not enough room for both of us."

I am planning on taking it out when the weather cools next week.  They also don't seem to use it much in the summer, and since we don't have good insulation for it we'll probably take it out once the A/C turns on.  

Thursday: this and that

It was a pretty normal day.  Teaching went fine, although the first class had a lot of students out sick.  There are only four more classes, and as always I'm ready for the semester to be finished.  Spring fever hits everyone.  It's been a pretty good semester though; no major issues and the normal amount of minor issues.  With the change from four credits to three credits per class next semester I'm having a bit of a hard time finding student help for next semester.  Students need to take five classes for a full load next semester and while each class *should* be less work I think everyone is expecting about the same amount of work.  So students are a bit hesitant about adding extra work into their schedules (and with the extra class for a full load it's harder to find a student that has an opening at the correct time).

I took a nap this afternoon.  Tornado was overly affectionate and really wanted to break my nose with his head-butts.  He finally settled though and we both fell asleep.

The weather has been beautiful.  It'll cool off again next week, but it is enjoyable for now.

Wednesday: pictures

Last night I went to turn off Isaac's light and found Horizon on the bed with him.  Horizon does like beds, especially lately.  We have to keep bringing him out of Joshua's room at night because he plays with Joshua's feet when they move and Joshua doesn't like that.

I made curry today.  A lot of it.  It was a bit annoying, but at the same time I'm all set now for about four months and that is really exciting.  I made a double batch last time too and it was wonderful because I kept finding more containers in the freezer.  I did forget to start the rice at the right time tonight, but that's pretty normal.  I just can't remember it.

 

Reading

On Easter, before the kids' bedtime Ben was reading on the couch.  A bit later I joined him.  Isaac was bored, so we convinced him to join us.  Then Joshua finished his chores and joined us.  I think it was the first time we've all been reading our own books all together, and it was wonderful.

Last Sunday: Fort Wayne

Joshua managed to finagle a French toast stick and waffle sandwich from Aunt Liz.  Good thing she was making breakfast and not me.

The kids played some game with their stuffed animals all weekend.  There were very specific rules, although I'm not sure what they were.  Something about hitting people with your stuffed animals.  Sometimes they got thrown back up, sometimes they were brought back up.

Joshua was taking pictures with the phone.  This is (probably) the adults having breakfast.

We helped clean up the sticks from the storm.  There were a ton of sticks and even with six of us it took quite a bit of time.  I want to say an hour but that seems excessive.  The three younger kids won the "who can get the bigger pile of sticks" competition so they got to choose their post-stick hunt cookie first.  Below Joshua is turning into a stick.

After lunch we went to the wooden playground.  We've gone several of the past years as it is apparently the place to go and Joshua requested it.  It's always a bit cold for the adults.  We lasted about an hour and then said it was time to go.  Since it was a bit north of their house, we left for home right from the playground.  The trip home was uneventful and it was nice to see Ben.

Sunday: a juxtaposition

He is Risen!

He is Risen Indeed!

As we celebrated Easter today, I also remembered the Mom's death.  This is the first time (that I recall) that the two have fallen on the same day.

And really, it brings deeper meaning to the celebration of the resurrection.  Jesus conquered death, which means Mom is in heaven, praising God with all the believers.  What more could we want? 

Saturday: booby traps and scavenger hunts

It was Joshua's turn to choose the family time activity, and so he chose Lego Challenge: make a booby trap for Indiana Jones.

Amanda: half way down the hallway there's a stone that when you step on it missiles come flying out.  The other missiles are there as decoys.

Ben: When you step near the treasure the floor moves and the bolder comes crashing down.

Isaac: when you pull the diamond away from the stand the steps turn into a ramp and you slide down

Joshua: two with when you step on a piece missiles fly and one fake floor that sends you into a pit.  (Two of these he made yesterday.)

Here's the video of them in action:

Joshua and I also finished his scavenger hunt (and went to the Peanut store).  None of the pictures are amazing, but I did have a very nice time.