big girl bed for myka

1/31-  Boaz asked Dad to help him make a paper pumpkin this past weekend.  Had I done the job, I'd have cut a pumpkin out of paper.  This is what Dad came up with, though.  Impressive!!

Kezia laughing at Boaz.... the best sound in the whole world.  I could watch this video 100 times. 

Sweet big brother Cainan leads Myka out to see her big surprise... love the look of excitement.  

It's a big girl bed for Myka!!!

Dad and his helpers worked hard to put it together.

What do I do with this??

Ahhhh... that's kind of fun!!

We threw on the bedspread for fun, but I'll really put together the room tomorrow.  Just checking things out tonight.

I think she likes it!!

Kezia checks out the new bed.

These two are a riot lately.  They really feed off of each other.  Best buddies in the making.

Myka calls her sister 'Ia.'

Cainan is read to track down a thief.

2/1- Today we spent some time getting the room rearranged.  The kids all had fun helping.

All the animals are in place and it's time for bed.

While changing her for the night, we sang her favorite song... "Asheee...ah dow."

Her first night in the new bed was a success!  She fell right asleep and didn't try to escape.  Goodnight, Miss Myka!!!

machines and a playdough revelation

1/29-  This morning, Boaz and Cainan created a grape machine.  Cainan hid in the machine and made grapes appear.  Boaz demonstrates how it works..... you put the money in here...

Wah-lah!  Another grape!

 The grape machine got some modifications and then became a cherry tomato machine.  I had to hold the bowl here by the chair and a tomato would appear.

Machines was the theme this morning.  The cardboard house was a ball machine for a long time.

And then we drove cars!

 Myka driving her car.

 Boaz drew me this picture today.  He and I singing together.  I forget what song it was, but the notes represented words.

 1/30-  Play dough day.  Myka is experiencing a lot of the old things for the first time.  It's so fun to see things through her eyes.  She was super excited about the animals that grew hair.

 Cainan's turn.

 Hard at work on a pizza.  Today was a big milestone in our playdough playing around here.  I lightened up and decided that it was OKAY to mix colors.  I've always been a little uptight about that.... one color at a time, etc, etc.  But you know what--- you only live once.  :)   And seriously, how much would it cost me to make more playdough if ours turns brown?  Boaz is a rule follower like me, so this change was harder for him at first.  Cainan enjoyed the new rule thoroughly and got to work making a delicious pizza!!

 Can you believe it?  I'm mixing colors!!!

 Making a birthday cake...

 Being silly with a Cootie bug on his arm...

 Cainan is always a little comedian. Marching around in Dad's boots.....

 Myka joined him and put on Boaz's shoes.  I think Cainan stepping on her was an accident??  I think?? He's a little naughty, so it's really hard to tell.    :)

 Either way, it hurt.  I think??  She's a bit dramatic, so it's really hard to tell.  :)

party excitement

1/26- This afternoon, Dad and the kids delivered Boaz's birthday invitations to the neighbors.  Myka was so happy to tag along.  

1/27- When I printed out the invitations, I had one extra and thought to put it in an envelope with Cainan's name on it.  Luke snuck it into the mailbox and Cainan received some mail today.  It was the best afterthought I've ever had.  Cainan was so so excited that he got invited to the party.  I'm still smiling as I write this.  He already knew he was going to the party, but to receive an invite was something special.  He showed Myka.  

 Look, Myka! I get to go to the party!!

" I get invited to Boaz party!!"

 He seriously carried this invite around for three days.  Man, I love this kid.

1/28- Today we got out the cardboard house for some winter fun.  Myka had never really played in it before and was super excited.  

This year the boys were old enough to enjoy coloring the house.  What fun to turn our cardboard into a colorful masterpiece!!

 Myka got angry about something while coloring and I sent her to timeout.

 This is her sassy-pants face.  (yes, she gets in trouble for sassing me)

 This afternoon Boaz decided we should throw a party for Dad when he got home from work.  The boys picked out some 'nice clothes' for the party.  The picked out a pretty sweater and sparkly shoes for Myka.

 Then they made a trail of burp cloths as a sidewalk/red carpet.

 They prepared treats for the party.

 And Boaz made a sign.  He decided the party should be for Dad because he works so hard for us.  And he asked me how to spell "Good Job" so he could put it on a big sign for his Dad.  Sweet, huh?

 Telling Dad about the big surprise.

 "I wanted to have this party for you because you work so hard.  Good job, Dad!"

 Enjoying snacks together at the party.  Lukes face in this one kills me... smirking and trying not to laugh.  The boys were pumped about the snack tables.

 My kind-hearted boys.

 I'm realizing that every picture of Kezia looks the same...  one big happy smile.

 More coloring on the house with Dad tonight.  We sure do have a great daddy- he does work hard and we are thankful for him!!