Just January

Well, it's been months since I've added anything, but between Kenny and my mom "reminding" me . . . here I go.

January was cold and dark, snowy and dark, long and dark. It was pitch black by 4:30 pm and we didn't see evidence of the sun until nearly 7:30 am it seems. That's my ONLY complaint of Massachusetts!


Tessa went all out on a school project - a diorama of a book she read. Of course mom had fun helping, oh and Ivy. All those little rocks were fun to run her fingers through!

Tessa was so creative. The "fountain" is made of two tiny (child size) bakeware pieces that we painted and glued together with wood dowels. She cut out each black and white "tile" and laid them individually. It was fun thinking in "miniature." Of course she got an A.

Maia made front page!

I really shouldn't document this case of child neglect, but . . . . Poor Ivy must hav been left to her own devices while I slept on the couch or something. She's wearing her favorite 18-month old outfit that is essentially a minidress and sorting through the cereal for the dried fruit pieces. Evidence of an unclean house abounds!

Ivy is still enthused about shoveling snow, but Austin is glad to take a break! He has done our house and a few neighbors by this time. In Utah, it's normal for neighbors to help out neighbors, but here is it met with confusion, offers to pay, and plain old surprise! The little kids took their tiny shovels across the street and worked on the grandma's sidewalk. She paid them each a little and they were ecstatic! She also pays them when they take her apples or a treat. I've tried to stop her, but she says she wants to be "nice" like they are.

Coop works as hard as his dad and big brother! When they were both gone one time, he moved nearly as much snow as I did!

McKenna submitted this visual as her final project for her four-month-long National History Day report. She highlighted the trials, the persecution, and the journey of the Saints. She did a great job.

Of course her favorite part was the ox! She made the wagon wheels of ribbon spools and the water out of blue sand and clear modge podge. It made for a heavy display, but it was cool. At the public showing in the evening, she received lots of interest and an excellent grade as well.

Cooper made himself! When he brought this project home from school I really had to think about where to put it, but this turned out to be a great place. He's always in the pantry anyway, so I didn't even miss him when he was at school. He and I are very proud of his art work!

VERY FIRST day of "Sum beans!" She's happy to pose for the camera today - because she excited for her first day of primary.

Ivy LOVED her class and her teacher, Sister Lane. This is Heather (her teacher's daughter and McKenna's good friend, hence Ivy has latched onto her also. Whenever she's hurt she wants to "show Heather.") She made this crown in "Sum beans" and wore it for days . . .

. . .and days.

School projects, shoveling snow, and the darkness wore us out! I don't even know who took the picture.