Call Day #142, 11/29/15

Erik helped the kids put up the Christmas tree yesterday. The kids went right to it this morning and started playing with their nativity sets.

There was no Sunday School this morning so we had lots of time before church. We got breakfast at a little place in Chapel Hill and took it to a nearby park.

Handsomely dressed for church.

The girls think the tire swing is more fun with their eyes closed.

Oliver wanted to try climbing. He did wait til I was nearby to help him and wanted off close to the top.

There was a lovely rose garden, still in bloom.

I tried to get a picture of all three kids. Claire refused because she hadn't really wanted to go to the rose garden anyway. Oliver was pouting because he didn't want his picture taken. I told them to just give me their best pout-y faces. Eleanor played along.

I know how to make Oliver laugh though. I got this smile by just saying his favorite line from the song "God Made Me." Every time he hears "stickly, prickly porcupine" in the song, he laughs.

 Chasing through the rose garden.

After nap and delivering dinner to Daddy, Eleanor helped Oliver play racing games. Usually Daddy is the helper, but they worked together well.

Two year-old boy version of nativity play: baby Jesus on the roof, Mary and a shepherd on top of palm trees.

Call Day #141, 11/27/15

My shopping buddy at Joann this Black Friday. We were looking for fleece for a project with our home school group.

The line at the cutting counter was so long that we wandered the store til we started trying on accessories and taking pictures. That was before we found out we had the wrong, not-on-sale fabric and had to find new fabric and take a new ticket for the cutting counter. We were there way too long but this girl DID NOT COMPLAIN AT ALL. So proud of her patience and good attitude.

We spent all afternoon at Nanny and Papa's house. There was LOTS of coloring.

 We were working on very-detailed pages from adult coloring books.

Claire made it through a few different pages.

It was a lovely day out, and the kids enjoyed the backyard too.

Dinner together.

On the way home, we noticed Christmas lights were out on houses for the first time this season. Drove around a little bit and stopped at one house in the neighborhood who always has plenty to see.

Call Day #140, 11/25/15

"I'm doing my letters, Mama." Oliver entertained himself while the girls did school.

When Claire read to me while I had breakfast, Oliver listened in.

After school and chores, we went to Nanny and Papa's house. Doing art in the studio.

Enjoying the swings.

Nanny and Papa joined us for dinner at our house and Eleanor wanted to show them her magic tricks. She dressed in all black to look like a magician.

The girls are spending the night at Nanny and Papa's house so Oliver and I had a little fun together. He's always happy to take a bath!

Before going to bed, I asked him if he wanted to try on some underwear. After making some strides in potty training earlier this week, he seemed unmotivated today. Thought it might help him remember what he's working toward.

This is how he feels about underwear: So exciting!

He tried on every pair we own, ran over to the mirror to see himself in them, and squealed with happiness. It was really fun to watch!

Call Day #139, 11/11/15

This is how our school starts each day: While the kids eat breakfast (a captive audience!) we do a Bible lesson and I read from a pile of books, mostly relating to our history and science topics. We read as much as we can before someone gets distracted or starts interrupting. Today, while Oliver took a while to eat, Eleanor and Claire listened for quite a while, Eleanor lying on the living room floor and Claire doing her handwriting practice.

Eleanor decided to volunteer to vacuum the kitchen even though it was not her turn to do so.

We went to the library and got a BUNCH of books we had on hold. I think it was a record--40 books waiting for us! We take up a lot of the hold shelf!

It was a beautifully sunshiny day so we ate at the park on the way home.

Swings are the best part.

This afternoon we talked about Veteran's Day. Aunt Linda sent us a picture of the kids' great-grandfather who served in World War II, and Nanny brought over a picture of Uncle Brian. We talked about the many other family members who served whose pictures we didn't have on hand today.

Another day of martial arts class. Girls doing a wheelbarrow as part of the warm-up.

All smiles afterward. Glad to have Nanny there to see them.

Call Day #138, 11/9/15

Eleanor invited Nanny and Papa to dinner tomorrow night and wanted to go ahead and make the dessert today.

Looking at pictures and videos of themselves on the computer. They can pass a lot of time this way.

I won a month of free classes at a martial arts place nearby. We went for the first time this afternoon. We got there early and watched the class before us.

Girls in uniform.

The looked especially cute!

Finally their turn! Sitting on the mat at the beginning of class.

Eleanor, held by one of the instructors, learned a move to get loose.

Students in their class.

When asked what they thought of the class: thumbs up!

Kicking and chopping around the kitchen!

Call Day #137, 11/5/15

Right after we had finished school this morning, we found out Erik had forgotten his lunch. We told him we'd bring it, then got Chick-Fil-A for him instead. The kids loved being a part of this surprise.

It's good to see Daddy! (Yes, Oliver is still in his pajamas near lunchtime. That's not common. Usually, it's me!)

The kids made "The Silk Road,"a long line of pillows to stretch from the living room to the play room, which were Italy and China. History lesson incorporated into play!

It was so nice out we went for a walk. Claire and Oliver check out leaves.

A stop at the park for swinging.

Going high.

For some reason, we saw lots of little snakes like this one on our walk, all dead.

Thursday afternoon science with the Carnahans. A bit of school and some playtime afterwards!