MaeLyn's Musings

Is it Halloween already? Not quite. But we did pull out our winter hats and scarves and stuff  a couple days ago and this is how Josh chose to dress for school yesterday, and today.  He's been talking a lot lately about an airplane he wants to build, and this morning he gave me a list of materials he will need: wood, motor, gears, pipe, switch, and car battery. This will be a small, two-seater plane that he will be able to fly the 1/2 mile to school, and land on the lawn. This morning he was even telling me that if the family accidentally left on vacation without him, he could just hop in his plane and catch up with us. (I'm not sure what he was planning on doing with his plane after that - strapping it to the top of the car, maybe?) Until he is able to acquire the materials (and perhaps the know-how) to build his plane, however, he is content to drive the green machine, something we picked up at a garage sale a few months ago. Incidentally, this is what the slope ...

On Monday, Josh tried to dress just like a character from a favorite movie. Can anyone guess what movie?

This morning we awoke to a layer of white on the grass and the car. It was still coming down as we ate breakfast, but by the time the kids left for school it had stopped, and the sky was blue. I love living in Colorado. Peter kind of looks like an elf in his chosen coat and hat. The coat is actually one of Hannah's... Josh chose to wear layers of about three hoodies, rather than one coat. John wore a regular coat - and two hats, one big knitted one to keep his ears warm, and a smaller felt one on top of that to keep the snow from coming in through the holes in the knitted hat. Is it a good thing my children don't seem to care what others think about what they wear?

As we were heading out to the car to go to church, this gentleman appeared looking for a ride. I had to run back inside for my camera! (We did have Josh remove the cat-hair mustache before church.)

I'm not sure exactly what world Joshua lives in, but he is definitely in a world of his own, marching to the beat of a drum only he can hear. I never know what he is going to be wearing next, or what creative game he will be playing. Whether he is wearing a lab coat, a monkey suit, a monk's robe or his "explorer" garb, I always know he is having fun. The following pictures were all taken in the last few months (since Christmas): Josh was thrilled with the lab coat and tools he got for Christmas. The better to play "mad scientist" with, I guess. Josh the Explorer warms his hands over a campfire. Josh the monkey has a chat with his friend Buzz Lightyear. Even when just dressing for school, Josh definitely has a certain style.

For Christmas, my sister sent us a snowman kit - just add snow! She wanted pictures...unfortunately, it didn't snow for most of January. Finally, however, we have had snow and the snowman kit has gotten some use! Thanks, Lia! Who needs snow? Finally put to proper use!

This morning I was bored. I felt like doing something, but I didn't really know what. Eventually I remembered that Hannah had been complaining that she didn't have very many Sunday dresses for winter, so I thought I'd try to make her one. Unfortunately, it was freezing cold outside and I didn't feel like going to the store for fabric and stuff, so I decided to see what I could make with materials I had at home. I had some ugly fabric that I bought a long time ago for a quilt and then decided not to use, and I had a pattern, but with short sleeves instead of long sleeves like Hannah wanted, so I altered it. I also didn't have a zipper, but I did have buttons on hand... so I made her a pioneer looking dress. Now all she needs is a bonnet.   She might also need an apron.  I have one from the Trek, but it might be too big for her. I'll have to look for it.  Speaking of dressing up, Josh has been enjoying some of the dress up clothes he received for Christmas. He ...