Life at 78 RPM

We’ve had quite a cast of questionable characters around our house the past week or so….

Toothless Ben.
Black-eyed Lily.
The breakfast gang.
The Naked Firegirl.

Hard to believe my little Benjamin is 7 years old.
He is now old enough to say “oh, Mom!” when I regale him with the story of his birth.  He kept me awake all night that first night of his life, and seven years later he can still barely sleep past 6:00 am.

He had an odd little birthday this year.  A family party on the 13th, a friend party the next day, grandparents visit for the weekend.  He wanted to have the cake with his friends, so on his actual birthday he had a cookie and candle.

And a sweet grin….We had our first friend birthday party, although we were only brave enough to invite 2 friends.

Alex and Lily say happy birthday Ben!  With and without cookie-mouth!

A very memorable Christmas break this year.  Lots of travel and lots of family!
Chances are if we are related to you, you may have already seen us this year!

We started out by using up carousel tickets due to expire at the end of 2011.  Not that we really need an excuse to ride the carousel.
Although Lily has decided she is big enough to manage her own “neigh-neigh”.

Then Jeff finally fulfilled his nearly 7-year dream of taking Ben skiing.
Not too surprisingly - Ben loved it and wants to go again.  Of course, this is the year that we don’t have record snowfall.

Stockings hung with care, and kids eagerly awaiting Santa……

Our Christmas morning excitement was pretty predictable.  About halfway through Lily realized what it meant to unwrap the presents - it means new toys!!  After that her enthusiasm level was much higher.  Of course, brothers already knew what to expect and were very helpful removing wrap from anyone, and everyone’s, gifts.    Ben got one item he really wanted, and responded with the utter delight of nearly seven years old.  Every gift Alex got was what he had always wanted, and each was fully opened immediately.
I think this might be why you should always try to celebrate Christmas with children - they do have a way of reminding you of the simple joy of giving.

A sampling of gifts……

A new roadA new lego
A new puzzle
Teacups fit for a princess
A new tractor fit for a frozen sandbox
Bunnies to put to bed
And bunnies to put on cold toes.

The day after Christmas we headed to the west side of the mountains - and a very wet and stormy week on the Oregon Coast.
Of which there are no photos….
We did see lots of crashing surf, sea lions, lighthouses, got thoroughly wet on many occasions (including a water slide out of a Boeing 747) and had a great time!  But, you’ll just have to take my word for it.
I suggest checking out the cousins’ pages.  They are often way better at pictures than us.

Our last stop, and much needed washing machine, was in Portland.  We had a relaxing day or so exploring, riding Max, just hanging out, and having some really good seafood on New Year’s Eve.

One final family photo for 2011!

The intrepid hunters set out on a chilly morning to identify and capture the perfect Christmas tree.
None of these trees were worth a second glance - “That one way down there…” was the word of the day.

This one was deemed not sturdy enough to hold the ornaments.At long last the perfect tree was located, and Daddy was given much advice on the proper way to remove it from its native habitat.
The hunters with their prize.  Next stop - the living room!

Donuts and Legos and snowy hikes and lots of cousins this year.
So many cousins in fact,  that we had to buy another table, and assign a seating rotation for the favorite stools.

Almost all 8 of them went on a snowy hike at Catherine Creek, and made some room in their bellies for potato donuts.
Lily was still sick so mean Mom made her stay home.

The middle ones eating their oatmeal en masse at the new table.

The little ones building communal Lego towers.
It is kind of amazing how nicely the younger sibs play together when they aren’t being bossed around by the older ones.

Of course, everyone gets in on the stories.

Alex and Andrew patiently awaiting their post-Thanksgiving donuts.

And an attempt at an “all 8″ shot, post donuts and all hyped up on powdered sugar frosting….

Yes, winter is now here - no longer can I say it’s “on the way”, while I put on my windbreaker and clogs.
That lovely time of year when going outside is commitment of time, energy and patience sometimes lacking in a mother of three who’s children have spent too much time in the basement making pillow forts.

But, with Dad at work Sunday afternoon, we all needed some fresh air.  So I bundled them all up, got the toboggan down from the rafters in the garage, and burned some calories pulling 100+ pounds of kid around the back yard.

Then, everybody has to have a turn…..

Although Alex quickly found other ways to occupy himself - snow must be excavated !

And for those of you with extra time on your hands this Thanksgiving weekend - a couple of tobogganing videos.
It’s still early in the season - kids playing in the snow hasn’t yet lost its appeal.

Enjoy!

Veteran’s Day this year brought the first hint of winter, which means the first day of kids playing inside for longer than they should, which leads to the first signs of frazzled moms and dads.

Alex used his time to make blueberry bran muffins.

Ben displayed his newly discovered patriotism.

Lily helped with the laundry - sort of.

Halloween came and went again this year.
I find myself less and less excited by a holiday that seems more work than reward.
I can only steal so much candy before my pants start to get tight.

But, pumpkins were carved and costumes designed.  Fortunately the kids aren’t really into candy, so that thrill has nearly passed.

Lily is still carrying around her bucket saying “candy candy”, and taking out a piece, and putting it back, taking it out, putting it back, taking it out, etc, etc, etc.
She is currently realizing the joy of repetition.

This year we had a blue ninja, a blue halloween cat, and a cow (no surprise there…)
And again, from the “tail-side”.
And a shot of the pumpkins, with names and without.

Can anyone else see civil engineering in Alex’s future?
Or maybe Lily’s

Lately, Alex has been experimenting with using the entire container of something.
The Lego creation is a snack boat.  The pipe tower was a air tube - maybe he was thinking A/C ducts?

Lily had fun taking apart both.
The evil glint in her eye suggests her impending assault.

Hooray!  The day has finally arrived when we can all go on a bike ride!  And by that, I mean Dad can pull those who can’t or won’t ride their own bikes….

Alex has been practicing in the alley on his big boy bike, and last weekend we decided to take advantage of the late summer sun and try out the paved trail over by the river.  Of course, 10 feet down the trail Mr. “I can do it myself”  took a header into the side of the trail.  Much wailing followed - “I’m not ready, I’m not ready”, but Daddy managed to get him back in the saddle, and back down the trail.  Daddy’s “soothing voice” could talk a tiger out of his stripes, or a hysterical three year-old back onto his bike.  It also works very well with screaming babies.

Here’s the group, pre-ride.  This was Lily’s first try in the trailer, and fortunately she was too distracted by the buckles to notice she was being confined.  Alex did join her later when the hills got to steep for his little legs, and surprisingly enough, they managed to travel without bugging each other.  Dad had quite a work out, hauling 50 pounds of kid back up a quarter mile of pretty steep incline.

Mid - ride, Alex back on the bike after his crash, which left him completely untouched.  Not a single scratch - no blood - no road rash.  Here I think he and Dad are still debating the merits of continued pedaling.

Post - ride, Ben airing out his sweaty head.
Next summer - Route of the Hiawatha?  Any takers?