Siding--Phase 2 begins

Time to call in the experts, "the Grandpops", as Sarah calls them collectively.

Consulting the instructions.

Crawling around on their knees.

 

The first piece of siding going up!

Noah took it from there.

Siding--Phase 1 complete!

We finally pried all the battens off the house, and Noah axed them into small enough pieces to burn.

Some of the pile to to burn

We started burning for hours and finally finished today.

My kid knows me too well

The kids and I were in the living room when I thought of a book I needed to return to the library.  I wanted to get it from the bedroom before I forgot, so I took off running down the hall (my memory is THAT short-term anymore).  From the living room, I heard Sarah ask Noah, "Why did Mom just go running out?" and Noah answered in a bored voice, "Oh, she probably just started her period.  Don't worry about it."

Doing my part

Out of nowhere, Sarah asked me, "Mom, wouldn't you like to do your part to end world hunger?"
My mom-brain worked to process that.  What does she know about world hunger?  Did she see a commercial?  Does she want me to send money to some shady organization or call a toll free number or...
While I'm processing, I'm stammering things like, "Well, ummm...I, uh....how...what do you mean?" and she responded, "I was thinking you could make me lunch." 
I should have guessed it was all about her and her stomach!

First day of spring fun

Mixing paint

Doing a little exterior decorating.

My only rule was don't paint the window.

They soon started painting each other.

Washing off on the trampoline.

Getting a drink.

 

Doing some yoga.  She calls this one "the ninja".

He was fascinated with the water droplets under the trampoline, which led to my favorite quote of the day:  "I forgot I was upside down and I spit, and it went right up my nose!"

This picture captures Sarah's personality perfectly.

Dancing elephants

My piano student was plodding along, practicing a minuet.  I explained that a minuet is a graceful dance and should be played lightly.  I said, "Play it again, and this time think elegant dancers, not elephant stampede."  He said, "I can't think about dancing elephants.  I have to think about playing the right notes."

Blasting through math

Noah does not enjoy doing flash cards, but he loves guns.  I told him he could shoot every flash card after he got the answer right.  I have to keep changing tactics to keep up with them.