If you ever wonder....

If you ever wonder how Marc and I (two straight-haired people) had a little curly-haired guy- I give you this-

Turns out BB's genes were strong and came right through to Mr. T!  :)  She showed this picture to the children, and they all thought it was Tucker.  She said, "who is this, Tucker?" and he said "Me!"  :)

Tuesday

When Tucker has his once-a-month science lab downtown, Daddy picks him up at 4:00 and takes him to his office for an hour or so before coming home.  He's become quite the hit and he talks to anyone who will listen.  I'm sure Daddy gets a lot of work done when he's there!

  

Today, as always, a crowd gathered to watch him name the flags.  Marc's secretary took this pic of Tucker doing the quiz- he correctly named 39 out of 40 flags.  

The children and I bought some "thank you" cupcakes and gifts to the people at the Moms Day Out where we stayed during the snow storm.  I said to the children, "why don't you make some cards to go with them?" and they went and did them without any input from me.  Marc's-

Julia's-

And this is how Julia simultaneously entertained the boys and wore out my blanket tonight-  :)

Dissection labs and overheard

Today the older children went to a dissection lab at the science center.  They both dissected an owl pellet (oh my) and a flower.  They both found rodent skulls in the pellets- they were actually very happy and Julia brought her rodent skull home! (thanks)

Here are the "exciting" things you might find in your pellet.  :)  Julia said, "oh- I was so happy to find some fur in there!"  Oh my.

While they worked the little boys and I had a fun time-

Tucker got so wet at the water table that I had to buy him a new t-shirt!

OVERHEARD:

Tonight I was reading to Tucker and showed him a painting and said:

Mommy:  What is happening here?

Tucker:  Jesus is being baptized.

Mommy:  And who baptized Jesus?

Tucker:  St. John the Baptist

Mommy:  And what river were they in?

Tucker:  The River of Competence.  :)

ALSO OVERHEARD:

Man at our home measuring the windows for new shutters-

Man:  So how many children do you have anyway?

Me:  Four.

Man:  Whoa- so are you a glutton for punishment?

Me:  No.

Man:  I mean, did you MEAN to have four?

Me:  Yes.   We love them.  We are very happy.

Man:  I mean- I grew up with five sisters and we had an awesome time and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  It was the best childhood.   BUT- I know I am too selfish to have a big family.  I HOPE God doesn't send me any more than two.

Me:  Silence.

OVERHEARD AT BEDTIME:

We were saying our prayers and listing out all our family members and when we got to Amber and Landin....

Tucker:  "And Noah"

Mommy:  Yes, and Noah in heaven.

Tucker:  No, not Noah in heaven.  Landin's boy Noah.

Mommy:  Yes, that's our cousin Noah he is in heaven.

Tucker:  No, he's a boy that lives at Landin's house.

Mommy:  Yes, he did live at Landin's house, but he died and now he is in heaven.

Tucker shocked:  That makes me sad.  I wish there was a boy Noah at Landin's house.

Julia and Marky are now tearing up

Mommy:  Yes, baby we all wish he was there.

Tucker:  But I guess he's with the other Big Noah from the ark and they are together.  I miss him.

I am not sure why, but Tucker remembers Noah so well even though he was only 3 when he passed.  However he never remembers that Noah is gone and continually asks where he is.  I am glad he remembers and loves him.

Sunday pics

We had a busy weekend.  On Saturday- 9:00 a.m. basketball game, 11:00 birthday party for whole family, 4:30 birthday party for whole family, and lastly a date night to see Monuments Men.   Before church this morning- a Kapla block tower- Sissy of course put a horse in it.  :)

 I spoke to an 8th grade Sunday school class about feminine virtues this morning.  Wow it's hard to be a teenager in these times.  Anyway- here are some Sunday pics- a few are at Texas Roadhouse where we had lunch.  It's the children's favorite- they call it "Peanuts" as in "Can we pleeeease eat at peanuts today?"  

We all love Sissy's big belly laugh- she laughs with all she's got!

Thought for the day

Engineers, electricity and ponies :)

Today was an extra busy day.  BB came and kept the baby boys and I took Marc and Julia to the Engineering Showcase at McWane.  They  had all types of engineers there doing experiments and teaching the children.  We met our friends and had a great time.

Then we headed to the library where they had a homeschool  demonstration all about electricity.  It was extremely educational- I learned a lot!   And I was surprised at how much Marky knew about electricity- he was answering like every other question.  He would "expound" on everything in my ear as we went along.

Meanwhile back at home- BB had fun with the baby boys- she said Tucker had the idea to make "stone soup" in the lid of the sandbox.  :)

And they made a jaunt to the park-

When we got home from the library,  Sissybug went to horseback riding.  I managed to take a little video this time.  :)

After horseback riding Marky had basketball practice!  Whew!  You know what they say- a rolling stone gathers no moss- well we are rolling around here!

Valentine's Day and tanks

I forgot to put on here the beautiful roses Daddy got Julia and I for Valentine's Day- they were a surprise when we woke up.    We had a nice breakfast and that afternoon read a bunch of St. Valentine books.

Then BB came by and brought everybody Valentine goody bags- they were thrilled!

Charlie loves BB so much.  When she is around he is all over her- snuggly buggly.  She loves it!  :)

Don't even think of leaving here, BB.  I wuv you!  I hold you!   :)

Monday when I got up I saw Tucker dressed like this- Marky had made him a camo vest and an army helmet (tin foil).  :)

Marky designed and colored the camo on the front of the vest and wrote "Tank Commander Tuck Tuck"-

Then he COPIED it and printed it for the back!  haha!

Then he took my punch bowl and cups out of the box they are stored in and made a tank for Commander Tuck Tuck.

Here is Tucker in the "tank" and Charlie getting a kick out of the situation-

Be careful Charlie- the nerf bullets will make it down the long gun-

These little boys are so blessed to have a big brother (and sister) who makes them toys and plays with them all the time.  Both Marc and Julia go out of there way to make these babies happy!