And last but not least...

My favorite little scarecrow:







Barry made this one and he did such a great job. I think maybe he should go in to business making costumes.

She represents the Lullaby League...

Ian's pictures

Ian got his preschool pictures back today and he was not very pleased. He told me "Don't you dare order these!" (Clearly being respectful is something we are still working on.)

"What? Why don't you want me to order these?" I asked.

"I look all creeped out. I don't like them. I look like a blockhead."

So let's not tell him I shared them with you, okay?

School pictures

Alexandria got her school pictures back today so I thought I would post them so all the Grammy's and Grandpas could see them. Please excuse the quality as the technology here is severely lacking and I had to use the poor man's scanner (otherwise known as taking a picture of a picture.) Annika should get hers back tomorrow.

Annika is smart. Mommy.... not so much.

Annika has been working on a project for school and has been famous people in history. She had to pick three and then after she researches them will choose one to dress as and she will give a speech as that character. She has chosen Amelia Earhart, Pablo Picasso and Georgia O'Keefe. To preface this little story, let me first say that I am not knowledgable about art in any way. My last art class was in elementary school and I don't think I paid that much attention even then. Anyway...

To encourage her evident interest in art,I decided to show her some artwork on the computer. We looked at some of VanGogh's work and then O'Keefes. I then pulled up some of Picasso's so she could see them.


I thought a 7 year old might find some of them a little strange or funny since they aren't all your typical portraits. I said "Annika,some of these are really different, huh?"
Her response?
"Actually Mommy, Picasso was a Cubist. That means he takes parts of the image and puts them in different places. That is why they look like that."

Oh. I knew that. Really.

Cooking, cleaning and Elf #1

Big news around here- everyone is well! We have been cooped up too long so this is really exciting. I did notice though it is amazing what you can get done when you don't leave the house. This weekend I made cookies, barbecued chicken for sandwiches for Karl, made bread, worked on the girls' costumes, wrote a paper, knitted and made unprecedented strides in my battle against the laundry. I also made a pot of beans, and discovered everyone in my family hates beans. Even Elizabeth, who will eat anything, did a full-body shiver after she took a bite and refused to eat any more.

I also got some cleaning done, and if I can brag on Annika for a minute I have to tell you how helpful she was. While I was picking up, I glanced over and noticed that Annika was cleaning right along beside me. Without even being asked she picked up toys and books, straightend the bookshelves, dusted, put shoes in the basket, etc. It was so sweet. She got so exasperated though because Elizabeth was messing up her hard work. She told me "Mommy, I just straightened those books on the bookshelf and look! Elizabeth just pulled them all off again." Poor thing, I know just how that feels!

Oh, and I have to tell Annika's big news. She got a part in the Christmas musical...oh pardon me the WINTER musical. She is going to be Elf #1 and I think she will make a perfect little elf. She has been working hard on her lines and I can't wait to see her on stage.

Halloween pictures

This is just our first batch,there will be more of the younger two later. Alexandria and Annika had their Girl Scouts Halloween party so they got to dress up tonight.





I think this is my new favorite picture: