Chinese New Year

The boys started the new year by dressing themselves in red.

 Jack was more interested in looking like a pirate.

 Charlie was really excited.

 Just think what the party at his house
will be like when he has his 14 kids,
all adopted from China.

(Yep.  That's his plan for adulthood.
No wife!
Just seven boys and seven girls
and a bus.)

 We made lanterns.

 Decorated with stickers.

The lanterns didn't make it through the day,

 but there still are stickers stuck to the floor to prove it.

Had Chinese for supper and read all kinds of books on the holiday.

Since it lasts fifteen days, we're trying to celebrate the entire way through.

Sure I'll have more pictures to share later.

Until then, Xin Nian Kuai Le!

Brotherly Love

If only we all had someone so happy to welcome us home!

This is what Will does every day when we pick up Jack at the bus stop.

You can tell a lot about a person

by what you find in their bed?!

Usually, the older ones are on their own, but in an effort to be nice, I made all four boys' beds.  What I found in each struck me funny.

• Will - a Beanie Baby monkey
• Jack - a toy magnet
• Charlie - 2 turtles, 6 dinosaurs, and an iguana
• Rob - a box of tissues, Alexander Hamilton by Jean Fritz, and a roll of masking tape

Getting Our Wiggles Out!

Yep.  This is what we do while the rest of America is at work and school!

Please pardon Will's knee socks and the frog potty.  We're still trying to figure out a way to get this kid to use the potty with pants on.  In time, in time!

Charlie the Snowman

 And his snow dog, Charlie.

Both created by Charlie :)

Finally!

The boys were BEGGING, yesterday, to go outside in the freshly fallen snow.

With temps in the teens, I stood my ground and kept them inside.

No Mother of the Year awards were being given out, here.

 With temps in the 20s, they were free to roam out and play, today.

 Can you figure out who this is?

 That probably wasn't very difficult to figure out!

 Without thumbs and no ability to get up on his own after falling, 

Will decided there was a better way to enjoy the snow.

\

Inside can be a lot of fun, too!

 Especially with three active brothers.

And one shoveling dad.

Museum With Friends

I had been promising a fun event with Charlie's friends since before China.

Finally making good on my promise.

It was a really fun morning!

So glad his friends were able to come along.

Bathtime

There seems to be a new level of excitement around here.

The boys are all getting along well.

Almost too well.

Our house has become both LOUD and BUSY, what seems like all day long.

Having Will in the tub, alone, calmed things down a little.

Or so I thought.

Here's a few pictures taken, during Will's tub time.

 Will's Santa impression.  Actually Will's impression of Jack's impression of Santa.

 "Black Jack" as named by Jack.

 Rob giving Charlie (who's now missing two teeth) a ride.

Here's a short little video too of the kids in action.

There's never a dull moment!

New Year, New Mouth!

Charlie, you're killing your mom!

Stop growing up, please!