Marissa's Big Chicago Birthday

Marissa wanted to go to the American Girl Doll Store in Chicago for her birthday. What fun! We must have looked and touched fifty dolls. I'm not sure which she loved more- the dolls or the little stuffed animals. Next, we walked next door to the Hershey store. It is always a favorite. Only this time, we sat down and had cupcakes in their dessert parlor. When the man behind the counter discovered it was her birthday, he made an announcement to the whole store that it was Marissa's 6th birthday and required the entire store to stop and sing to Marissa. It was sooooo fun! She was embarrassed and shy, but it was what she talked about all day! Definitely memorable!

Train to Chicago

Scheming

The boys were frustrated that I was giving them too much school work. They employed the oldest trick in the book- to run away. This is a picture of them scheming on how to do it, where to go, and how to not get in trouble for doing it.

Garett

Is this how you read a book?

Make-Your-Own-Dessert Night

My Hot Husband

Snuggle Fee

Tate made a contract with Marissa. Since Marissa likes to bring her little portable sofa bed up to the boys' room, he decided to start charging her a "rental fee". Five cents to sleep in their room, an extra cent if she needs one of the boys to snuggle her before bed.

Deprivation produces Creativity

I was feeling deprived because Kevin was eating fabulous meals on his business trip. Sooooo... I whipped up a little crab bisque and Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette with Arborio Rice Cakes. I was so proud of myself, I took a picture!

1st day of HEART

Marissa's first day of HEART. Her classes are music, art, science, gym, unit study and Spanish. She goes once a week.

Marissa's new friend...Buddy!

Marissa has named her favorite pencil "Buddy". It was no big thing. She didn't even really announce it. I just kept hearing her talk about Buddy and talking to Buddy. She would say things like "It's okay, Buddy. You didn't mean to do that. I'll just fix it for you" or "Buddy, you need to make that straight, not squiggly. Sit still." When I finally caught on, I figured I had to take a picture of her with her new friend.

Strike a Pose

Marissa showing off her new dress I made last week.
The boys each made a mace. It is a dowel with a tennis ball at the end, covered with washclothes and enclosed in duct tape. That was a Dad thing!

Castle Climbing

Pictures of the kids climbing a Renaissance castle.

Pickles

Marissa loves pickles. When we saw a pickle on a stick, we knew it had her name on it!

Little Renaissance Men... and Women

War

After the kids were trained on the use of their weaponry, they got to participate in a "WAR". It was the Persians vs. the Spartans. It was very fun.

Fairy at Renaissance Faire

Renaissance Faire

We went to the Bristol Renaissance Faire for the second time. Our kids seriously love this place. It is quite eccentric and the costumes are kinda out there- but the kids just love the fun things to do. Everybody took turns sword fighting and clobbering Dad!

Marissa and Tate

Sword Fighting...Renaissance Style

I did it!!!

My sister-in-law gave me the name of this awesome website that shows how to sew clothes without patterns. I made this top for Marissa in about an hour! That is amazing for me! It is so cute. Don't let the smile fool you, though. She said it hurt her armpits.

Tate and Marissa

I have no earthly idea why I did this.

It must have seemed like a good idea at the time.

Hooray!!!! The Halloween Catalog finally arrived!!!

1st day of CC

Waiting for School Store to open

School Store

Manners

Marissa was sitting in a chair just before lunch but deserted it to get something. Tate came along and sat down to eat where she had been sitting. When she returned and told him to move, he said, "I'm sitting here." I said to him, "Tate, that was not very gentlemanly." He replied, "Sorry, Marissa. I'm sitting here."

It never occurred to him to actually get up and move!