Licking the Spoon

Making dinner for friends with a new baby... 

the kids' favorite part is licking the leftover chocolate batter!



Special Flower Delivery

Shepard was delighted to discover today that the daffodils are blooming...  they are beautiful... all over the yard!



He had so much fun picking flowers for me...  he came in the house like this for one of his deliveries!  Definitely made me smile!

Valentine's Day 2012

A fondue smorgsaboard!

This was fun!

(Next time I'm gonna use a real recipe for the chocolate fondue - instead of guessing - because it turned out terrible! :) But the cheese fondue was pretty good!)

I love my houseful of boys!

 

New Chore Charts

The chore system we used at our old house (Punch Cards) just hasn't been working for us since we moved.  So, we recently made new chore charts and they've been a HIT with the boys!  It's really just a different way of keeping track of what needs to be done and tallying all those check marks for what we call "The Reward Basket".  John keeps little goodies in there that the boys can shop for with their chore points.  It's been a great incentive!  At one point there was a question about whether we should reward chores, but we are seeing the boys' work ethic growing quite a bit, so we think it's working well!  Besides, positive reinforcements are much more pleasant for everyone than the negative kind. :)

I really love seeing them get excited to mark a chore completed!

Our first snow at Green Gabled Acres

An expanse of white...  the wonder of all those unique little ice flakes...  beautiful.

We had to start our day with some play time in the powder...  just in case it all melted away by afternoon.  Then we did school...  one of the downsides perks of homeschooling. :)  But we did sip on hot chocolate while we learned.  (Most of us anyway...  one our group doesn't "do" hot drinks.  What he misses!) :)

Sure love these cozy, fun days!

The biggest yard we've ever had and they make tiny snowmen. :) 

The remnants of the day.

After tracked up floors, wet coats and gloves strewn about, cold ears and hands (and yes, very delighted children) I remembered in the grip of my tidyness disorder (could I really be OCD??) that I'd take the mess over the absence of it.  So, I'm thankful.

Thankful for a joy filled, memorable day!