Star Wars

I mentioned before there have been some Lego Star Wars video games going on in our household. Things are actually slowing down a bit since all the different levels have been covered. (Maybe the brains can start reshaping.) The kids have now started an interest in physical Legos though. I had not bought any in the past, but the Star Wars ones are pretty cool. I knew there were strange Star Wars fans out there, but I didn't know there were obsessed Lego Star Wars fans. It's a crazy world I've embarked on. Who knew I'd be involved in an Ebay bidding battle for some hand painted, customized Lego characters that have become my children's favorites...a mother's love.

Introducing Easton's man:



Jango Fett, the renowned human bounty hunter and Mandalorian warrior adoptee- not to be confused with the more readily available Boba Fett.

And Kynlee's:



Togruta Jedi Master, Shaak Ti- not to be confused with the highly commercialized, also more readily available, Ahsoka, Anakin's padawan in the Clone Wars. (Oh the lingo.)

I have to admit, they are very intriguing people. Easton tears up the levels with Jango's double blasters and flying pack.



And who can deny Shaak Ti, a little alienish yes, but what girl wouldn't like a large pearl decoration attached to her forehead.



It's a little early to start sewing, but the kids have decided this is what they want to be for Halloween. Kynlee already prepared a sewing basket for me with all she thought necessary to get the project done:

Brighter, Greener, Happier

Ahh, the warmth, the sun, bare feet, and bug catching.



Short sleeves...


and rock digging.



Then I woke up:


Ha! We're in the middle of winter!
BUT, I had some good sleep this week- a rarity. It's amazing how much brighter, greener, and happier things appear. I've got a tune in my head and a skip to my step. I thought, "Maybe I'll update that old blog of mine."

The holidays seem FOREVER ago, but I promised to post some things from it. After Christmas, we headed South to Michael's side. Maybe you grew up singing a barbershop trio of the Star Spangled Banner with your siblings, but I didn't!
I was a little shy to sing songs around the piano on my first trip to meet my in-laws, but I about fell to the floor when Michael's dad tried to give me my own pitch and part! My weak little voice finds other jobs to do when the singing starts now, like camera man:



The Walker side:



I would show you our cute family picture around the Christmas tree, but we don't have one.



And I would show you how perfect our tree was, but by the time we found the tree farm we were looking for the best tree silhouette:


The doll for Kynlee was a hit, so much so if I had known I may have sprung for the American Girl brand... may have.
With Easton we could have stopped at the Lego Star Wars video game and pjs. One word, obsession. I'm glad I caught the spontaneous present kiss on camera.

Kynlee's Growing

Kynlee recently turned six, aahhhh my little one. She also recently lost four teeth. Seems crazy she has lost 7 teeth- OK one was knocked out, but still I didn't expect it until after Kindergarten. She is the type to really work a tooth once it is loose. I jokingly mentioned tying a string to the tooth and to the door knob to pull it out- not even an hour later I saw her stringing it up. Those little teeth my not have come out exactly naturally, but I do see some new sprouts. AND the tooth fairy has been very faithful- she even had to step it up and leave a fancy tiny fairy quality note along with the prize. That started a correspondence. Kynlee left gifts in return and invited her to her birthday party, among other things, she asked her what her first name was and if she went to church. Love that girl.

(Notice the hat. She loves it. Not normally something I would buy, but I couldn't resist her face when she put it on and remarked how beautiful it looked.)

Happy Friday

Had some good food, saw some family, and now it's Friday. Am I headed out to shop? Nah, Michael's working, and shopping in the madness holding on to three little ones sounds so very appealing. A few years ago we went to a family reunion on Thanksgiving in a small Kentucky city. The Friday after we were lazying about and I said,

"Maybe I'll go do a little Christmas shopping."
Michael said, "Mmm, the day after Thanksgiving...
yeah, should be a good day to shop,
most people probably just stay at home."
!!!!!

Oh right, my blog

(I thought the photo might get your attention, I'll explain later)

It has been a little while since I posted. I had to get serious about getting some things done. I'll play a little catch up though.

Several weeks ago a mischievous plan of mine came about, well in part anyway. I thought this was a new idea, but looking back at an old journal entry shows that I had thought of this not long after my first baby was born. The idea? A week at home alone. I didn't want to take a trip without my family, just wanted to be at home where all my projects were. Nearly six years without a 24 hour stretch to yourself takes a toll. Think of all the things I could get done! I pictured it like an Extreme Home Makeover episode. All my cleaning, and organizing, decorating, odd projects, all things getting taken care of.

How was this to come about? Could I convince my husband? I wouldn't want him to go on a fun trip without me and take the kids. Would he survive out there alone with all three little ones? It would never happen. Forget about it.

Then, hubby started talking about a trip back to his homeland and the wheels in my head started turning. Safe environment, he would have help...I didn't want to miss out on the trip though. To wrap this story up, I convinced him to make the 8 hour car trip after work on a Friday- hoping the kids would mainly sleep- and I would fly in Tuesday morning. Not quite a week, but still some time.

So, what would you do with the freedom of three full days to yourself? It might only happen once every 6 years, so think about it carefully. I love my family, but I admit it was kind of fun. However, I worked so hard. I didn't let myself turn the TV on, or pick up a book, no internet surfing, no leaving home to shop, I wanted only progress. I barely stopped to eat- and they were quick meager meals. By the end of the time, I was exhausted. I decided I needed to get back to my family before I made myself sick. I was able to crawl out of the project hole a little though, so that was good. Basically I learned what I kept telling myself before. The success to seeing progress and having an organized life comes with the daily habits, not in crazy hard three day stretches.


While on our trip we rode The Incline Railway. A touristy thing to do that Michael had never done because he was from there. Built in 1895 with an incline of 72% at one point, to take people up to the peak to view old Civil War battlegrounds. My dislike of major heights, and Michael's care for his life may may make this our first and only ride. The photo's not great, but you can see how far below the city looks at the top of the picture.



I threw these in for kicks. Everyone's always playing with my laptop's picture taking effects. A little distortion goes a long way.






and just so you remember how we normally look:

Pre K Olympics

Last year my sister got me thinking about doing an Olympics for our church pre k playgroup. It was fitting with Beijing. No real reason to do it this year, other than I thought it was fun and wanted to try it again. Prepare for a lot of pictures, but they are cute.


As the kids rolled in, we had them make torches.


Next, we had our march and lighting of the Olympic flame (with inspiring music).




Notice the baby on the hip -the whole time!


You may have a use for that old bent hula hoop and crib sheet after all.


The flame is burning, let the games begin!


The athletes gather for the 20 meter dash


False start or superstar?

After the race, we awarded the kids with crepe paper bands. After each event, they received a star on the band. At the end, we added their medals to them.


Preparation for the stoic in the field events.


A day for the young, and younger...


with the youngest cheering them on.


Shot Put


Javelin (straws)


Discus (paper plates)


Long Jump








High Jump (jump up and mark the spot)


(notice baby still on the hip)


Relay


Medal ceremony. At the beginning, I had a friend -whom I call awesome Anna- take the kids' pictures with her Instax camera (today's Polaroid) by the flag. We then cut those to fit can lids. Whalla, a gold medal.
One thing solidified that day with my son, he is not a crowd/event person. He only started opening up after most of the kids had left. He's much better with just a few- as he stated to me afterwards when I asked if he had fun, "I had fun after all the people left."



His sister is very much the opposite. She couldn't wait to jump off the bus after morning kindergarten to see who was left and march around with a torch.

Well, that's a pre k event for you. Some will break down in tears, some will march to their own beat in the opposite direction, some will be digging in the corner of the sandbox, and some will love it all.