What We've Been Up To

 Since I haven't posted in quite some time, I'm going to spend the next few days on a little series summarizing "What We've Been Up To" (WWBUT) in the last couple weeks.

I kinda spoiled the kids with gifts this year.  I just had a little too much fun shopping and then I had even more fun as we spent lots of family time enjoying them.  Kiana got stuff for her baby dolls and Briana received her own set of The Mysterious Benedict Society which she then proceeded to delve into yet again during our break from school.

 Alan's dad got them a dairy barn set--hours of enjoyment!

 And when you have three boys you just can't go wrong with rubber band guns!  When cousins came over, they had a blast playing with them too (and I'm talking about the big boy cousins--who are 19 and 21).

Tyrell was thrilled with a firetruck and a garbage truck and cars--anything that moves and makes noise.

 I saw a funny cartoon on facebook about homeschoolers buying their kids educational gifts and couldn't help but chuckle as we got bridge-building kits, Legos, tutu-making craft sets, Oliver Twist on audio, etc.

 But there were plenty of "just-for-fun" gifts as well including a remote-controlled car that can drive on walls and ceilings for Easton, new jeans for Briana, and hair accessories for Kiana.

Personally, I thought the coolest gift was this electronic set for Easton with which he can build circuits to turn on lights, run motors, and all sorts of fun stuff.  It was right up his alley and perfect for the way his mind works.

We were really blessed in that Alan had lots of time off (he only worked one day out of the last 12 days of 2012) so when we weren't taking turns being sick. . .

 

(this is what Kiana did for an entire day, from 7:30 am to 7 pm, 

and then she was still puny for four days more)

 

we spent lots of time as a family playing and enjoying one another.