Soren Skills

There are a lot of great things about Soren. One of them is his creative building gene. However, since he is a boy, this outlet often comes out in the form of weapons. I thought I would showcase what I am talking about.

Once Soren learned how to use scissors he has made paper swords daily. It wasn't until about 5 months ago that he started making 3-D weapons. This was one of his first and quite honestly scariest design. We had just moved into our house so we had ample tape and tools laying around. He would take any sort of staff or staff like object and tape on anything pointy. Anything you could insert in the sentence, "Don't run with _____ or you could poke your eye out" - he would tape to these staffs. There were about 3 or 4 weeks that I was continually dismantling such weapons. My favorite out of sheer resourcefulness was a tube of saran wrap used as the staff with a screw driver taped to the end. Luckily he moved on to different mediums.

I don't know if you can see, but this has about 10 pens without caps tapped all around this pole.
I just needed to show Soren how a real worrier would hold and use such a crafty weapon. I am not helping my cause here am I? I just couldn't help it. Soren took the pictures.

I was thinking Maori here

Every good pirate needs some weapons. The sword is a paint stick he cut a point on and the hook he taped to his hand is made out of cardboard.
This was a the latest he did today and I loved it. He made this completely on his own. In fact he made all these things on his own. He just disappears for a while and then comes back with weapons and now armor to match. I love it. The sword in this case is made of cardboard. I like how the armor is a halter top.

These are his best guard posses.

What have I been up to?

So with my kids in preschool I get a couple hours to myself a twice a week. What have I been up to? Glad you asked. I have been itching to do trim around my interior windows and fireplace. I haven't wanted to buy blinds until my trim is up because it will change the size. Well, we have been living in our house for 5 months and I am tired of no blinds so I got my rear in high gear and went to work. I have never done trim before but I loved it. It was so fun to do. I did 7 window and the slidding glass door and a fireplace. I purchased real wood appose to MDF for the flat inside window part (I am sure it has a name but I don't know what it is) because it was oddly cheaper and real wood must be better then sawdust glued and compressed together and protected by paint. Well, I understood in a hurry the benefits of MDF. It is pre-finished and already smooth. The sanding and priming of the wood took FOREVER! All in the name of $70 and principal. I am hoping I learned my lesson. Look at me all safety conscience. I was so proud of myself wearing the googles and so consistently and everything. A splinter in your eye will encourage all sorts of good practices.

My helper - I use the term "helper" loosly

My humble first shop. Soon to be more organized. I just got a 8ft long table cabinet for free (love you craigslist - I can't wait to meet Craig in heaven) that I am in the process of painting to help me in my organizing endeavors
This is what the fireplace looked like when the builders got done with it. Note the tile work
I did this in the summer but this shows the little extra tile work I did. I really like doing tile. It was my first job.........and you can tell but that doesn't bother me. I think it looks great, especially from this distance!!
And here is after I put the trim on. I haven't painted it or finished painting my walls even. So you can see the trim as good as if ti was all done but it look fantastic. I think I love trim. I love the contrast of colors and the boarder it makes. I really like lines.
Oooh, ahhhhh - it will look better once I paint it
This wall has already been painted so you can see it much better...........I can't seem to take a straight picture, can I? Anyway, so now I have A LOT of finish work and painting to do. Sigh, not my favorite.

My boys are growing up!!

My little boys are growing up! Both are in preschool this year. Soren is in 4 day a week preschool and Xander is in a coop preschool I am doing with 4 of my other friends. So every 5 weeks I will teach twice a week 5 - 3 year olds. I did that with Soren last year and it was great. Both boys love going to preschool. Xander has been so excited for weeks to go. When the day finally arrived he woke up at 6am and woke me up. " Xander it is too early, go back to bed." "Mom, I just wanted to tell you something. Is today the day I go to preschool?" He is so cute! Here are the official pictures

I love little kids in backpacks!

Good Morning

I woke up to Xander crying today. I actually had heard little foot steps racing around the house for the last 45 min in what I judged in my sleeping stupor a "non destructive way" so I stayed in my bed, after all it was 6am. I then fully woke up to Xander crying. Upon further exploration I found both boys in the bathroom. Xander's pants are down and he is crying while Soren is trying to explain something to him, but once Soren saw me he burst into tears too. What in the world is going on in there one might wonder? The possibilities are endless when they are my boys but in this case I was able to decipher between the two sobbing children that Xander had gone poop and Soren flushed the toilet but Xander wanted to flush the toilet. I then declared a new family rule. "He who goes potty, flushes the toilet!" Does anyone else have to make such rules? Well, it didn't go well. Soren started to cry harder. It was just sooooo unfair! I cleaned up Xander and weirdly enough Soren looses it even more then before. He quickly protests, "but Mom, I wanted to clean Xander's bum!" ?!?!? This is when I am beginning to think we all need to go back to sleep as reason has just exited the building, or more accurately never was there in the first place.

Xander's first date

Back in July a College student helped out in nursery at church (Xander's class). A few days later she posted his letter on her blog. Her Mom told me about it and Jamie said I could re-post it on my blog. So funny!

Dear Xander,

Thank you for the best date ever! I didn't know how I'd feel about going on a date with I guy I met 10 minutes beforehand but you had me at "Rawr!". Your little dinosaur ate my arm like your smile ate my heart. After you took me out to eat cheese-its and pretzels you asked me sit by you during singing time. At our little concert you were so sweet in sharing your monkey with your friends for "Monkey's Jumping on the Bed". When you sneezed you covered your mouth so I wouldn't get sick. You said please and thank you like no body's business. So chivalrous! When it was time to clean up you were the best cleaning monster ever! You got major points for that! Best part of the date was when you held my hand. Be still my heart. At the end we popped bubbles and you gave me the best hug. Our date had to come to a close when your mom picked you up.
Just wanted to say thanks for melting my heart
Love,
Jamie

So, I guess Xander had his first date and I didn't even know about it.....but in all fairness, I don't think he did either ;)