opening presents

Video of Carter & Henri opening the presents from Nana & Papa

January 8, Valerie's first swim lesson

My mom helped me get 3 kids in and out of the pool this morning...

January 7-a day to dive back under the covers!

Last night everyone went to bed at 8:30.  Good thing to, because Henri was up 3 times, Valerie twice.  This morning I dropped off Carter, then headed to get my 60K service on my car.  They talked me into a loaner minivan.  I went to Costco.  Then unloaded my groceries onto my porch because I left my housekey with the dealer!  Then took the little ones to play at the neighbor's house and they called to tell me I needed a new thermostat, which of course they practically have to take apart the engine to get to so it will be another $700 in labor.  Ack! 

Drove back to get my key since my car won't be ready today, then headed to pickup Carter.  Back at home I put my laundry soap away and bumped the Woolite off the shelf upside down behind the front-load washer hard enough on the tile to shatter the cap. What a mess!!!  Holy Moly.  I was behind the washer as the boys passed towels back to me.

Anyways, here's the picture of the day.  The boys playing nice with legos.  I am sometimes amazed how well the boys get along for being almost 4 years apart in age.  And I'm also amazed how well Henri likes the legos, even though they are a choking hazard.

January 6, Lazy Day, well, sort of

Today we did aerobics at MOPs!   Two birds, one stone.  The we did so well on our chores earlier in the week, we could have a slack off day today. 

Henri used his time wisely at the fridge...  it's kind of boring if you aren't a huge Henri fan, but I figured my inlaws or grandma might like this.  He's basically trying to find matching animal fridge magnets so he's repeating things like, "I can't find it" and "I found it!" ect.  So turn the volume way up to hear it since he's facing the other way.  Not super exciting, but showing one of my favorite traits I've instilled in my kids, keeping themselves occupied and being able to play on their own.  Now if I can get myself and them to stop shouting, Paul would be forever grateful!



Picture of the day, Valerie getting to finally take a long nap without anyone bugging her.  Though she's got about 10 minutes to wake up on her own before I'll have to wake her so I can change the babies, Carter's got gymnastics, so we need to drive to pick him up today...

Last but not least, a shout-out to my two new blog followers :)

Oh, and I got a call from the school nurse that Carter hit his head. They sent him back to class, but told me he may have a bruise.  Details tomorrow...

January 5, playing in Bellevue

Cute pictures of Valerie

Don't take my keys!

Video of Valerie

Carter's progress

For Carter's homework, he was to draw 10 animals.  He labeled them all to let you know what they are. I did not have anything to do with this homework. I was putting the kids to bed.  I can't believe this kid is 5 and in Kindergarten! :)

Project 365

I'm trying something this year called Project 365.  It's where you try to take one picture each day in an effort to better document everyday life.  So hopefully that means daily or at least more often blog posts.

January 1, we went ice skating.  Carter was a little freaked out to do something that he'd never done that sounded pretty dangerous and had the potential to be painful. Our friend's birthday party was at the Ice Arena about a mile from our house.  Carter ended up loving it and would like to go again. I also managed to stay mostly upright dispite the last time I ice skated was when I was a little girl on our back wood's pond and my brother and I shared a pair of ice skates from a garage sale.

January 2nd we decided to dye some eggs.  We had a ton and hard boiled them, so may as well dye them before making egg salad...

Carter  also carried Valerie for the first time.

January 3rd, Paul and Carter were off school and work, so Paul took the boys to get haircuts

January 4th picture is of Carter's current obsession.  Bakugan.