We find a delight in the beauty and happiness of children that makes the heart too big for the body.

A Tire swing for Mom

The other day while playing in the woods the boys found an old tire. I'm not sure how much work it took but they dug it out of the earth and rolled it home. They were filled with excitement when they told us about their new tire. It lay smack dab in the middle of the back yard for at least five days. Then while the three of them and I were doing some yard work it came back to life. We rolled it around the yard and learned how to do some new tricks with it. In the midst of our play Tucker said "I haven't heard a thank you yet" I wrinkled my for had and asked what he meant. He said "well we brought it home for you, so you could make a tire swing with it". I told him I had not realized it was for me, and proceeded to thank him. Finally today we manage to gather the rope, a ladder, and the time to hang it. So now our home is accessorized with a tire swing, as all homes with young boys should be.

Our new Shelf

Thadeus made this awesome bookshelf! I designed it. He built it and sanded it and we white washed it together! I Love it!

Skill Log

September 22, 2009

Tucker James Andrew Douglas at age 6 years 1 month and 3 days old taught himself how to blow a bubble with his gum.

Our New Piano

So it may not have been the most carefully planned purchase I have ever made, But when I saw this cute little Wurlitzer Spinet Piano for 150 dollars I couldn't pass it up. I had been thinking recently how a piano would be an asset to us all and how it would hopefully create a spark in these little men to want to make music of their own. So it wasn't by total whimsy that I drove to Memphis with the boys, ran my fingers down the keys, and threw down some cash (i did talk her into taking 125). I am still mostly convinced that it was the right decision. However the piano tuner came today, and with a fine tuning, unsticking of some sticky keys and replacement of one black key we are spending more than double the cost of the instrument! On another note :) We really have been enjoying it. This morning when I woke up I thought I was the first one out of bed but as I walked down the hallway I realized the doors to the living room were shut and then I began to hear soft piano music. It was Rollin! It would only have been sweeter if I had heard it while I was still lying in bed. ( I'll have to remind myself that I said that one of these mornings when he starts playing way too early) Fynn loves it too especially for climbing on and driving cars on and hiding under. He will, every now and then, sit down and gently play a few notes and, he will, every now and then, pound out a few ear rattling sounds. I am not sure yet how Tucker feels about it. I think he likes it although he would rather it be an electric piano or electric guitar for that matter, and he would like to play rock 'n' roll. I told him we could play rock 'n' roll on this one but I know he is skeptical. Thadeus has been playing around with it. So far he can play Ode to Joy, for the Turnstiles and a Merle Haggard song. I have almost mastered, Up On The Housetop, Jolly Ole St. Nicholas, heart and soul and the chord of C. I hope the enchantment with this amazing instrument will last......................

Muddy Mischief

Thadeus came home from work today not feeling well and needed to rest so I Sent the boys out to play. It has been raining for two or three days and the earth here is saturated. I hoped they would ride bikes in the driveway or play catch or something of that nature. Fynn wandered back in whiny and hungry so I fixed a snack and a cup of tea for me. We played a little and giggled and had a nice time with each other. Then I heard a noise from outside the bathroom window. I looked out to see Rollin, up to his elbows in mud and John boy trying to carry a tub of muddy water. They were shouting for Tucker to come and help. I watched them, unnoticed, while they sloshed and dragged the tub. Finally John left to get Tucker but Rollin did not leave the prized tub of filth. Shortly John and Tucker Returned. I'm not sure why but I was shocked to see that Tucker was also Covered in mud up to his armpits. I ran from window to window watching the three boys haul the tub toward the woods. I was lucky enough to snap a photo of the event! Now as I write this I can hear them out side. They still don't know that I have already seen their messy selves and are probably quite worried about my reaction. They have sent John to tell me that Tucker wants me, of course John did not get muddy. I must go now and decide on a method of cleanup.

Home again home again jiggity jigg

Well Tucker is home and had a wonderful time with Tim and Becky in Indiana. It feels like a pretty big milestone and yet it all went by so easily. Sometimes I feel like I am doing a pretty good job raising these three amazing boys and sometimes I feel that I am no more than an observer watching their accomplishments. I shared with Tucker that I was afraid he would not want to come home with us for all the fun he had without us. He smiled at me and said "I do want to come home but I want to come back by myself again too".