I am constantly surprised at the rate my children run through shoes.  Their feet seem to grow at exponential, unpredictable rates.  They wear through shoes in an unfathomable fashion.  Pieces of velcro worn through in a season, holes in the toes, holes in the toes, holes in the soles, broken…

My buddy was excited to go to Hartley while the big kidlets were away at school.  We greeted all the animals in the nature center.  The snapping turtle is my favorite.  He likes the painted turtle and the snake.  It was a beautiful morning, and we explored the butterfly garden,…

We were on a small hike.  Lately Mr. Trouble on Feet likes to bring a backpack when he  is hiking, loaded with a water bottle and a magnifying glass.  Magnifying glasses are just fun for everyone, I think.  I really loved using my Grandma Jan’s magnifying glasses when I was…

I’m a bit behind, so these images are from a week ago on Sunday, not this past Sunday.  We were a bit pressed for time because we had been watching some preschoolers for friends, and then there was a homework frenzy, but it was a beautiful evening, and I didn’t…

I’ve always loved bugs, and for a while when I was in the early stages of middle school I thought being an entomologist would be rather interesting.  There are just so MANY different kinds of bugs.  The other day I was teaching a piano lesson to a middle school boy,…

Breakfast in the bathtub:  donuts.  Specifically, the three big kids requested Bavarian Creme donuts.  Mr. TOF wanted a round donut with sprinkles.  Breakfast was followed by a quick present opening session in the dining room, on par with birthday traditions around here.  Dr. Peds had been working and working at…

It was a little crazy getting everyone in the car to go to YaYa’s lesson last week.  By the time we got to the lesson and parked the car, my two passengers who were not getting out announced that they had forgotten to go to the bathroom.  Henceforth, I drove…

Mr. Trouble on Feet started preschool last week.  It was a highly anticipated event, that he’s been looking forward to for three quarters of a year, and the experience has lived up to all the hype.  He loves going to preschool so much!  He loves everything they do there.  He…

Mr. Trouble on Feet was very angry with his biggest sister who was working on a sewing project in her room with a  friend.  They wouldn’t let him come in to help no matter what tactic he tried, so he got a marker and wrote his name all over the…