Rearranging Rooms

We have been discussing for some time how to make better use of the kids' bedrooms and make more space for them.  Thomas and Sammy's room had been on my mind for some time.  They have the smallest room and I felt like I was always asking Sammy to pick things up...and not just his clothing! :)  He loves to build with Legos and I felt like I was always telling him to clean them up.  It occurred to me that he really was keeping them cleaned up pretty well but there just wasn't space in his room.  Joel and I had been discussing options for quite some time and finally decided to make a change over Christmas vacation.

We headed to Pittsburg to go to IKEA so we could get bunkbeds for Thomas and Sammy.  Luckily Sammy REALLY wanted the top bunk and Thomas wanted the bottom.  The beds from their room went to Spring and Mary who had recently been sharing a full size bed.  The bed they had was not very good.  It was given to us years ago and was in pretty poor shape then.  We also were able to get a bookshelf for Josh and Gideon's room that they had been wanting for a very long time.  

All the kids were upstairs with us as we organized and rearranged the bedrooms.  It was a lot of work...more than I thought it would be.  But, in a little less than 12 hours we had them all switched over and rearranged.  They all love their rooms and they all have a lot more space.

Josh & Gideon's Room

Girls' Room

Sam & Thomas' Room

Season of Cold and Snow

We had our first good storm the week the kids returned to school from Christmas vacation.  With it came really cold temperatures.  They went to school Monday-Wednesday and then school was cancelled Thursday, Friday, and a 2 hour delay on Monday.  Joshie doesn't go to school on delay start days since he is in 1/2 day Kindergarten so he got a 5 day weekend!  They have had 3 other delayed start days in the month of January and one other snow day.  I really enjoy these days as I get to have them home with me a little longer and the mornings aren't so rushed.  Hopefully we don't have too many snow days that we end up going to school into the summer like last year, though.  Joel took them sledding that Monday evening for FHE and I sacrificed to stay home with Jacob, Sara, and Gideon.  Gideon loves the snow from inside the house.  Not so much a fan of having to actually touch it.  We made bread and homemade hot chocolate for when they got home.

 Josh couldn't wait for Spring and Sammy to get home from school on the first snowy day. These 3 were outside for a couple hours until I made them come inside and warm up for a few minutes.  It was below zero with the windchill but they love the snow.  Sammy and Spring and Joshie are buddies in the winter because they all love the snow and will stay in it for as long as I let them.

 First snow man of the season.  It wasn't great packing snow so they just shoved snow together to form the shape of a snowman.

On the Friday when school was cancelled the 5 older kiddos were outside for hours building an "igloo".  Later I looked out to see about 8 neighborhood kids in our backyard as well.

All the other pictures were from the first storm.  We have not seen the grass since.  I just took this picture today.  We enjoyed another 2 hour delay this morning and are supposed to get  more snow over the weekend.  I'm just grateful Thomas so willingly clears our driveway and two of our neighbors driveways.  I am spoiled.  It hit me this morning, when he came in after clearing the snow and were were talking, that in a little over 4 years he may be doing this for someone I have never met in a place far from home.  I'm going to miss him so much.  I am not ready for that day to come but I know he will be ready when the call to serve comes.  It was a reminder to me to enjoy each moment with him and cherish each day because time is moving much too quickly.

Klondike

A few weeks ago Joel took Thomas and the other scouts on the Klondike at Camp Manatoc.  They had perfect Klondike weather...lots of snow on the ground but little snowing on Saturday.  Blue skies and COLD temperatures on Saturday.  Without the windchill it was about 2 degrees outside.  With the windchill it was around 30 below.  Thomas loves the Klondike.  He loves the activities and challenges that are set up for them at these events.  They came home tired but happy...the way they should.  

Won a Battle...Still Unsure about the War

Sammy is notorious for walking past a laundry basket and dropping his clothes on the floor.  He will often drop them right in front of the basket.  If I had a penny for each time I have had to ask him to come back upstairs and clean up after getting dressed or taking a shower I would have a small fortune and he is only 9 years old!  Last Saturday, after his basketball game, he went up to take a shower.  I followed upstairs and reminded him as he walked into the bathroom to put his dirty clothes in the hamper.  There is one in the bathroom so I really don't know what is so difficult.  He said he would.  Well, a couple hours later I went upstairs to lay Jacob in bed.  I walked past the bathroom to see this:

Unfortunately, Sammy was already asleep and I didn't want to wake him up.  So, we took a picture for proof and bagged up all his dirty clothes and shoes.  He didn't miss them Sunday.  Monday morning came and he couldn't find his shoes for school.  I had forgotten about it too and then it dawned on me.  So, I showed him the picture and reminded him of our discussion before he got in the shower.  I told him he could get his stuff back but he was going to have to work for it.  I did give him his shoes because it was almost time to get on the bus and because I'm such a nice mom! :)

After school he had the privilege of scrubbing the grout on the bathroom floor.  Luckily, it was his basketball uniform he left on the floor so he had great motivation to get it done.  He actually really surprised me at how well he cleaned the grout.  It hasn't looked this good in years.  The next time he went to take a shower I reminded him of this and he said, "Well, the grout is clean so I can leave them out and it will be easy to get them back."  I replied, "Well, the grout in the shower could really use some cleaning and I would be happy to let you do that." 

His clothes miraculously found their way to the hamper that evening and for the last 3 showers he has taken since.  Now, to tackle the dirty clothes in his room......

Great to Be 8

It's hard to believe that Mary will be turning 8 and being baptized this year.  She has a huge primary class of 14 children this year.  Unfortunately, over half of them will be gone by summer as their fathers complete medical residency and they move on.  I am grateful, however, that there are 4 children her age that are considered "permanent" so she will have some friends her age as she grows. It was wonderful for Joel and I to spend the evening with Mary as they talked about baptism and the fun things that happen this momentous year.

December Moments

 We were asked by the library to participate in their PR event for their 90th Anniversary.  The little ones and I spent a morning at the library and they took photos of the things we do.

 This is Joshie's friend, Lily, from school.  He learned her phone number before his own because he wanted to call and have her come over and play after school one day.

 Joshie's drawing of an elf.

 The morning of Thomas' ordination to the office of a Teacher.  Joel ordained him and Brother Schneck and Brother McGarry stood in the circle with him.  He was able to go to his first Stake Dance the week after his birthday.  He had a great time and met many friends.  We were so proud of him for going because he was the only one willing to go from our ward and it was a quad stake dance.  He didn't let that bother him and enjoyed himself.  

 We discovered an instrument that Thomas can't play...a kazoo!

 5 Months Old

 Mary loves cuddling with Jacob.

 The boys love when Spring reads stories to them.  She is a great storyteller.

Ice Skating

 During Christmas vacation Joel took the older 5 ice skating.  I stayed home with the younger 3 and was able to take down and put away all the Christmas decorations.  I had forgotten how easy life is with only 3 children at home!  I am so glad the kids like ice skating and they plan to go many more times this winter.

Christmas Season 2014

I love the Christmas season.  The first couple weeks of December were crazy busy with concerts and programs for all the kids.  Then things started to slow down a bit and we were able to enjoy our time together at home.  Joel was able to take the week of Christmas off so he was home too.  We had all the wrapping finished in the beginning of December so we just enjoyed time together.

We invited the Schnecks, Gerstenslagers, and Burches over to make Gingerbread houses.  It was crazy.  I think we have decided that next year we are going to just make them as a family and maybe make a couple for us to decorate.  We have so many kiddos wanting to decorate that one house just isn't enough anymore.

We went to Historic Kirtland for the Nativity display.  There are more than 700 nativities on display from all over the world. They kids always enjoy dressing up in the clothing provided to tell the Christmas story.  This year proved difficult for them to all cooperate at the same time.  Spring really wanted a nice picture of it but her attempts proved fruitless.  Maybe next year, but probably not! :)

We also did our traditional 12 Days of Christmas for a family.  We choose a family that could use some extra cheer and secretly drop off gifts/goodies each night for the 12 days leading up to Christmas.  The kids all love taking their turn being secretive and running away before being caught.

We also went on our 2nd Annual Christmas Express. One evening near Christmas we turn on music to the Polar Express and the kids come running to get their own ticket.  We climb in the bus and drive around town looking at Christmas lights while enjoying hot chocolate and cookies.  We all love this tradition.

We were able to take treats around to go Christmas caroling and drop off cookies one evening as well.  We all even had Santa hats for the occasion.  This was a first time for us and they all want to be sure we do it again.

Joshie was really concerned this year because we were not getting snow before Christmas.  He was sure that Santa could only come if there was a white Christmas.  Can you tell he has become an Ohioan?!  We tried and tried to convince him otherwise and it did not work.  He was so concerned it was actually kinda cute.  Santa heard of his concern; however, and sent him a personalized video telling him that no matter what the weather Santa always comes.  Finally, Josh's concerns were laid to rest.

Christmas morning started early as always with the traditional face-timing with Grandma and Grandpa Powell.  It is awesome to have them share this morning with us and we so appreciate the sacrifice they make to do this each year.  Santa brought us a ping pong table this year and we have had lots of fun playing together.  We spent time playing games, playing with play dough, building LEGOS, playing with Paw Patrols, and just sharing our time together.  I love the peace and calmness of Christmas and the day after as we just enjoy time together.

Spring as Athena

 In Oasis Spring was studying Greek Mythology.  As the culminating event for this unit they were given the task of becoming a character and creating a presentation telling their story through the eyes of the character.  Spring was Athena.  She loved this project and worked so independently with it.  She really loves projects.  I appreciate her foresight and planning as she is always done early. Joel and The presentations were in December and Joel and I were both able to watch her.  She did a great job.