Sam's world

We were building with some magnetic toys tonight, and Cora had built a pretty complicated pyramid. Sam & Brian had just finished squishing their creations, and Samuel decided he wanted to squish Cora's pyramid.

Sam: Sister, can I squish your pyramid?
Cora: (Nods her head)
Sam: (squishes pyramid with gusto!)
Brian: What do you say to Cora? (trying for a thank you)
Samuel: You can build it again for me!

If you give a child a coupon...

On Thursday I had a couple nice coupons for Michael's crafts that I thought we should use on Christmas decorations since I knew my children were very much into decorating. I thought we could collect some things, and then have a stash to decorate with after Thanksgiving.

So I gave them each a coupon and told them they could pick out a Christmas decoration at Michael's. I should have known better...

If you give a child a coupon, they are going to want to buy the gingerbread house.
If they buy the gingerbread house, they are going to want to decorate it right away, not wait until after Thanksgiving.
If you let them decorate the gingerbread house, they are going to ask to put up Christmas town.
If you let them put up Christmas town, they are going to want to hang stockings.
If you let them hang stockings, they are going to want to decorate the Christmas tree.

And so, on November 11th, we are ready for Christmas! If any of you need some holiday spirit, please drop by and enjoy a bit. We will be here the rest of the year... :)

Cora's testimony

Cora bore her testimony at church for the first time today. I have never pushed her to go up, but today she asked if she could, and I accompanied her to the stand. She bore a beautiful testimony of families & the temple. I took a moment to bear my testimony too. As we walked back to our pew the bishop stood up to close the meeting. When we got back to Sam he was yelling "I want to do that too!" at the top of his lungs. But alas, it was too late, so I had to take him out in the hall to console him and try to explain that he can have a go at it next month. Tonight Cora asked if she could share her thoughts with her cousins who she loves so much, so here it is. I love my sweet children!

Happy Birthday to Grandma Cecily!

The B nears his 50th birthday-- one year at a time...

In true Daddy fashion, Brian chose to celebrate his birthday doing something the kids love. So after a leisurely pancake breakfast, we headed out to the NC transportation museum.

 Somewhere between abandoned train station, and children's museum, there was a fun mix of things to climb on ride, and enjoy. First off we went on a brief train ride around the premises.

 Samuel loved everything about the train.

 Cora was running out of patience waiting for the train to start....

 And great was her joy when the whistle blew and the train took off!

We had a great time exploring the trains & train yard