One morning I peeked in my bedroom and couldn't find Ivy. On closer examination, I found her behind her daddy. Seriously, from the door of my bedroom I couldn't see any part of her. I guess she was warm and snuggly.
This guy and his dozens of friends live outside our kitchen window - and routinely dig the garbage out of our cans (we have no lids, because we don't have automated garbage trucks. Guys empty them by hand, and lose the lids.) Anyway, McKenna, our consummate animal lover, puts out pistachios and almonds and cashews for the furry things. I try to explain that those are a bit pricey for rodent food, but she doesn't listen. The squirrels will perch on the small shed directly out the window, so Ivy will stand on the kitchen counter and watch them forever.
Sorry it's a blurry picture. Here's our Harvard student on his way to class one day. He usually doesn't dress up like this, except for special forums with distinguished visitors. He hasn't worn his uniform once since we've been here, so we've had to buy him quite a few "civilian" clothes - since he mostly owned sweat pants, besides the uniforms.
One Sunday after church I took a nap on the couch. Evidently Ivy kept busy while I was sleeping.
Richard took Austin, Cooper and Ivy to a Harvard football game, while I took the girls to see Wicked. It's their Christmas present from mom and dad.
We got off the subway at Boston Common and had to walk just a couple of blocks to the Opera House - the theater where Wicked was playing. Mckenna made friends with a squirrel (by feeding it jelly beans) on the way. -- It was a FRIGID, FREEZING day! Notice that Mckenna is in capris and horribly high summer shoes. She was miserable (except for when talking to the squirrel). Well, the day got worse because, after we had traipsed to the theater and waded through the mobs, we found out I had been sent the wrong tickets!!! We were there for the Saturday matinee, and not a single seat was available. There would be only a performance that night, a matinee the next day, and the final night performance the next day. EVERY single seat was sold out in all those performances. Luckily my tickets were not for a past date, but for the next day. I really debated about taking them on Sunday, but in the end we went. After church, Richard drove us down. I figured the money had already been spent (a lot of $$), it was their Christmas gift, and it was a musical, cultural production that involved good winning over evil! How's that justification for breaking the Sabbath?!
Sitting in the theater waiting for Wicked to begin. It's a FABULOUS!!! show. (The usher guy came and chastised me for taking a picture. I thought we couldn't photograph only during the show. oops). The girls loved the performance and McKenna bought the CD. Even Cooper is singing some of the songs from the show around the house now. (I recently rediscovered how to make the brighter flash on my camera work - so subsequent pictures in the dark will be better).
This kindergartener had his VERY FIRST field trip!!! He was so excited from the minute he brought the permission slip home. He wanted me to sign it that minute! - even though we were on a bus and walking around Harvard with Sandy that day. Anyway, I of course signed it that day and he took it right back the following day. On the morning of the field trip he didn't want to wake up for school, and was moaning and groaning. Just one reminder of what was happening that day and he jumped up and was ready for school lickety split!
His class walked from the school to the new fire house just a few blocks away from our house. He was disappointed they wouldn't let him slide down the fire pole, although he got to watch some firemen do it. He still talks about the field trip. He LOVED it!!
This boy cannot get enough of puzzles! It's his new favorite passtime. He can put a 100 piece puzzle together (for the first time) in less than 30 minutes, and even quicker than that the next time around. He will typically assemble a puzzle 5-6 times a day! He might do the same one over and over, or pull a few out and do each of them. He just got two new ones for his birthday, so he loved that. I like it too. They don't take up much room and they don't involve loud sound effects or crazy stunts!
More puzzle working.
This child is ALWAYS picking her toes. So lady like. She makes me laugh because she strips off her pj's or socks and shoes whenever we're home so that she get to her toes. Silly girl.
This is our little friend Ainsley. Her family actually lives in Cedar City (although we didn't know them there - in fact, they didn't move there until we moved away). Her aunt lives here and so her mom and she came to live here for a while so her mom could give birth and the baby could be attended to in Boston. The baby has been born with very serious health issues and will be hospitalized for a minimum of 3 months. Ainsley's daddy (and siblings) are still in Cedar working, and so Ainsley comes over to play some times while her mommy's at the hospital. She is such a delight. She has some developmental problems, and so uses sign language. The one she uses most is "chocolate milk." She is nearly 3 years old, but is the size of an 18 month old. She loves to laugh!! Here she snuggled up with McKenna for a little snooze.
One morning I peeked in my bedroom and couldn't find Ivy. On closer examination, I found her behind her daddy. Seriously, from the door of my bedroom I couldn't see any part of her. I guess she was warm and snuggly.
This guy and his dozens of friends live outside our kitchen window - and routinely dig the garbage out of our cans (we have no lids, because we don't have automated garbage trucks. Guys empty them by hand, and lose the lids.) Anyway, McKenna, our consummate animal lover, puts out pistachios and almonds and cashews for the furry things. I try to explain that those are a bit pricey for rodent food, but she doesn't listen. The squirrels will perch on the small shed directly out the window, so Ivy will stand on the kitchen counter and watch them forever.
Sorry it's a blurry picture. Here's our Harvard student on his way to class one day. He usually doesn't dress up like this, except for special forums with distinguished visitors. He hasn't worn his uniform once since we've been here, so we've had to buy him quite a few "civilian" clothes - since he mostly owned sweat pants, besides the uniforms.
One Sunday after church I took a nap on the couch. Evidently Ivy kept busy while I was sleeping.
Richard took Austin, Cooper and Ivy to a Harvard football game, while I took the girls to see Wicked. It's their Christmas present from mom and dad.
We got off the subway at Boston Common and had to walk just a couple of blocks to the Opera House - the theater where Wicked was playing. Mckenna made friends with a squirrel (by feeding it jelly beans) on the way. -- It was a FRIGID, FREEZING day! Notice that Mckenna is in capris and horribly high summer shoes. She was miserable (except for when talking to the squirrel). Well, the day got worse because, after we had traipsed to the theater and waded through the mobs, we found out I had been sent the wrong tickets!!! We were there for the Saturday matinee, and not a single seat was available. There would be only a performance that night, a matinee the next day, and the final night performance the next day. EVERY single seat was sold out in all those performances. Luckily my tickets were not for a past date, but for the next day. I really debated about taking them on Sunday, but in the end we went. After church, Richard drove us down. I figured the money had already been spent (a lot of $$), it was their Christmas gift, and it was a musical, cultural production that involved good winning over evil! How's that justification for breaking the Sabbath?! 
Sitting in the theater waiting for Wicked to begin. It's a FABULOUS!!! show. (The usher guy came and chastised me for taking a picture. I thought we couldn't photograph only during the show. oops). The girls loved the performance and McKenna bought the CD. Even Cooper is singing some of the songs from the show around the house now. (I recently rediscovered how to make the brighter flash on my camera work - so subsequent pictures in the dark will be better).
This kindergartener had his VERY FIRST field trip!!! He was so excited from the minute he brought the permission slip home. He wanted me to sign it that minute! - even though we were on a bus and walking around Harvard with Sandy that day. Anyway, I of course signed it that day and he took it right back the following day. On the morning of the field trip he didn't want to wake up for school, and was moaning and groaning. Just one reminder of what was happening that day and he jumped up and was ready for school lickety split!
His class walked from the school to the new fire house just a few blocks away from our house. He was disappointed they wouldn't let him slide down the fire pole, although he got to watch some firemen do it. He still talks about the field trip. He LOVED it!!
This boy cannot get enough of puzzles! It's his new favorite passtime. He can put a 100 piece puzzle together (for the first time) in less than 30 minutes, and even quicker than that the next time around. He will typically assemble a puzzle 5-6 times a day! He might do the same one over and over, or pull a few out and do each of them. He just got two new ones for his birthday, so he loved that. I like it too. They don't take up much room and they don't involve loud sound effects or crazy stunts!
More puzzle working.
This child is ALWAYS picking her toes. So lady like. She makes me laugh because she strips off her pj's or socks and shoes whenever we're home so that she get to her toes. Silly girl.
This is our little friend Ainsley. Her family actually lives in Cedar City (although we didn't know them there - in fact, they didn't move there until we moved away). Her aunt lives here and so her mom and she came to live here for a while so her mom could give birth and the baby could be attended to in Boston. The baby has been born with very serious health issues and will be hospitalized for a minimum of 3 months. Ainsley's daddy (and siblings) are still in Cedar working, and so Ainsley comes over to play some times while her mommy's at the hospital. She is such a delight. She has some developmental problems, and so uses sign language. The one she uses most is "chocolate milk." She is nearly 3 years old, but is the size of an 18 month old. She loves to laugh!! Here she snuggled up with McKenna for a little snooze.
