hide-n-(sensory)-seeking

So, late Friday afternoon, Zak strolls into the kitchen, gets down a plate, pours a little water in it and sets it down on the table. "Can I show you something? It just takes a couple seconds." "Sure, just a second." I finish the seam I was sewing and then scoot over to get a better view.  Zak goes into performance mode. "I have in my hand plain ordinary folded paper." (He holds it out to show Grace and I, and turns it over to show the underside.)  "We all know that all living things need water to grow. Right?" We nod. "But what about plain ordinary paper? Water can't make paper grow...or can it?" He sets the folded paper in the water, and his surprise blossoms before our eyes!  "See, water can make even paper grow!" We cheer and marvel. And then I make him do it again so I can take pictures. We marvel again. Zak runs off to go back to his YouTube viewing. But Grac...

Saturday is our Library Day. We go every week when possible. Everybody loves it. We have two bags now that we take with us. Returns. And Recheck. Daddy goes down the list calling out titles, and little people scurry around the house digging books from under pillows and piles of paper, matching DVDs with the correct covers, and sweeping arms under the couch in search of strays. Kit squeals with delight as she asks every person in the family if "you're coming too?" and we all say "YES!" Even Grandpa is easy to get out the door on Library day. Upon arrival, Daddy sees to the business of returning items, picking up orders that have arrived, and rechecking the ones we aren't quite finished with. The rest of us fan out in search of this week's adventures. The rule is the kids must select at least one item before getting on the computers. Really, this is mostly a rule for Grace. While not our biggest techie at home, she L...

We had one of those days recently where we were just seriously getting on each others nerves. It had the makings of a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. So instead of moping around and snipping at each other until Daddy came home, I decided we needed a change of view. I gathered a few supplies and had the kids help haul them outside to the back yard. Which is where we spent the rest of the afternoon. I ordered a pizza and we ate cross-legged and picnic style under the shade of our pecan trees. We played games. The kids climbed up and down the slide, in and out of the sandbox, and when they got bored with those we pulled out the paint. I don't remember the last time all three were that quiet at the same time without being asleep. We go outside a lot. And we have fun. This day felt different though.  A few toys, s...

This has kept her busy playing by herself for close to twenty minutes now. I got to eat my meal in one sitting. Amazing! Cars + Ladder on it's side = Awesome! She's even making them have conversations! So so awesome!

Finally! After forgetting about it several nights in a row. Then remembering too late at night a few more. Then several cloudy nights. We got to see two of the three planets that are visible and lined up right now!   The big kids and I did anyway. It has been our quest for the last few days.   Last night while driving around looking for a good spot to stargaze I did catch a brief glimpse of all three. From top to bottom, Mercury, Venus, and  Jupiter, all in a diagonal line with each other! But Jupiter is only visible for a few minutes after sunset, and it is very low on the horizon, so it is easily obscured by trees, buildings, or even lights in a far away horizon.   Tonight though our obstacle was very low laying clouds along the horizon. But we got to see the other two beautifully.   We found the perfect spot atop a crosswalk over the interstate! So while we waited for the planets to emerge through the beautiful sunset, the kids entertained t...