Snow Snap

A recent snowfall really made our pond look lovely!  I couldn't resist snapping a shot from the dining room picture window.  Here is the pic!  I did not think it turned out too bad, considering I took it in front of a window and was holding a baby in the process.  I snapped it in the morning, as the sun was on the east.  Hello winter!

Super Seven

Who would have thought that the seventh month marker would arrive so quickly?  Mr. Fixit and I swear that we just marked six months of life for Baby "L," but another month has crept upon us!  "L" is excited to tell you all that he is now seven months!  He is waving a blue washcloth flag to celebrate!  Actually, he likes chewing on it =)

Here is what life looks like now:
*Two bottom front teeth have popped through - FINALLY!
*Loves to eat all types of vegetables.
*Currently adding fruit to the menu.
*Can exchange objects between both hands.
*Can turn a complete 360 while on his belly.
*Still waiting for the crawl action to commence.
*Gives lots of slobbery kisses to me and his childcare "ladies!"

So, that is the scoop.  Still waiting on that nighttime sleep thing to happen, and hopefully - there won't be too much more waiting!!

Sink of Snow

A snow day with Mom + little boys = the need for creativity!  I do not have snow gear for "K," (maybe next year), and "L" really would not enjoy hanging out in the snow at this stage of his life.  So..... bring the snow to the sink, was my idea of the afternoon!

Here is how easy it is to do for yourself: I filled two ice cream buckets with snow.  I gathered the snow during nap, and kept the filled buckets outside on the porch.  After nap, I put the stopper in the sink, and dumped the snow out of the buckets.  We grabbed some stacking cups and several spoons, and the play ensued.  I think we had about 20 minutes, or maybe 30, of fun.  Then "K" exclaimed, "Cold!!"  So, we called it good for the day!

Cloudy with a Chance of Sprinkles

As I author this post, I am smiling because the weatherman was as excited as a kid on Christmas morning, on today's news.  We are forecasted to receive about 15 inches of snow.  I honestly do not remember a time when it has snowed that much, here, where we live now.  So, we will see!

On the other hand, we had a little sprinkle shower in our living room yesterday.  I am reposting a photo with this blog, illustrating the sprinkle containers.  "K" loves stacking them and building towers.  Well, the inevitable happened - he figured out that the containers of confectionery decor actually open. 

The rainbow sequins literally exploded across the living room floor, and thankfully, "L" was not mobile enough to snatch them up yet!  These are really my favorite sprinkles, and they are now "all gone," as "K" matter of factly stated.  As a result, the sprinkle containers are now in a high cabinet.  The toddler has discovered that the containers no longer occupy the cabinet space, and his dissatisfaction was duly noted - but the containers are still out of sight ;)!

Daily Shave

Toddler "K" is becoming quite astute in voicing his requests regarding "toys."  He has recently taken to Mr. Fixit's electronic razor.  He will request it when he wakes in the morning by asking for the "ray," and will then carry it while making a humming sound.  Sometimes, he pretends to "plug" it in, as in this photo.

Other times, he uses the cord as a leash to haul it around the house.  I am not sure how durable these things are, and I am wondering if I should contact the company to explain this new testing procedure to them.  So far, the "ray" seems to have withstood all testing conditions!

Loads of Laundry

Saturdays are the days that I catch up from a week's worth of clothing, both mine and the little guys.  This photo illustrates the pile of laundry for the boys.  It translated into 3 loads!  Who would have thought that little clothes could take up such space?  Although, some days, those little bodies don more than one outfit - so it all adds up!

The washer is in full spin, usually, by 7:00 a.m.  We don't believe in sleeping in, in this household.  Nope, up at 5:30 or 6:00 is our style.  We would not want to miss one moment of our day!  Sensing the sarcasm?  Anyway, Saturdays are my days to tackle laundry.

Mr. Fixit tackles his own, usually, later that day or sometimes the next.  As for why I don't do our laundry together, well, that is a story for another day.  Let's just say it has something to do with colors I feel safe to wash together! ;)

Super Sandbox

When Sweet "J" decided to close her daycare doors, she wanted to find good homes for all of her toys, which - lucky for us - meant a sandbox was available!  The sandbox is actually a bulldozer or construction truck of some sort??  I need to ask Mr. Fixit to identify it for me, but nonetheless, this "toy" is big time fun!

We had a rare 66 degree day in January, so Mr. Fixit filled the sandbox truck "bed" with sand, and then two hours of blissful play began!  The box also has a nice cover, which looks like a dump truck bed.  Sorry for all the untechnical terms here, but Mr. Fixit was not available when I wrote this post!  Anyway, the cover does a fantastic job of keeping curious kitties out.

I am looking forward to spring, as is "K," for more sandbox play!

Five Axis Router

Our KARL Class recently toured Pittsburg State University's Technology Center.  I have one word to describe this place: Un-be-liev-able!!!  There is so much incredible stuff happening here, that I cannot type fast enough to tell you all about it!  One place we visited, was the woods technology unit.

This machine will create ornate, 3-D woodwork pieces.  An example might be a beautiful banister in an exquisite hotel lobby.  Like I said, incredible!  While we did not get to see this machine in action, I can only imagine the computer program and computer capabilities that the operator must be able to accomplish.  I snapped this photo for Mr. Fixit, because he has a degree in construction science, so he could certainly appreciate the amazing-ness of this piece!!

Sprinkle Sneaker

Baby-proofing the kitchen cabinets has not been at the top of the "to do" list for Mr. Fixit.  He is not crazy about drilling into the cabinets to install locking mechanisms to keep kids out.  So, as a result, I have moved the stuff that is dangerous to the really high cabinets - that even I can't reach!!  I did not think about my cookie cabinet.

First, "K" had never really explored this cabinet.  Second, the stuff in there is not dangerous - just really messy!  One day as I was changing "L," I was wondering what my quiet toddler was up to.  I came over to discover the sprinkle canister tower.  I couldn't resist capturing the artist in action!

Our Christmas

Once we returned home from my parents, we thought we would do our Christmas.  We really only had one present, a magnetic game for "K," but we had one other gift under our tree - from Sweet "J!"  So, we gave "K" the gifts, and we opened them.  The gift from Sweet "J" was a rug with roads and such printed on it.

This gift is perfect for our basement, and for the ever growing car, tractor, truck, etc. population too!  "K" explored the magnetic game, but then I put it up.  I decided that we had received so many toys in such a short time, that some toys were put back for a later time.  I also then cleaned out the toys that we had, and put some of those away.  Less to pick up, and then they seem new again when they come back out later!