Finished object

I finished the fingerless gloves on Monday. I like them - even if they don't match my coat.

A Walk...part III

A Walk...part II

A Walk...part I

Introducing...

Mr. Simon , the white belt

Mr. Ian, the Gold belt

Both boys got promoted to a new belt this week. Simon got his belt on Wednesday and Ian received his on Thursday after he demonstrated his skills. Ian was so excited and did a really good job of focusing on the movements. Simon was a little bit jealous though because he wanted a colored belt AND to be able to demonstrate infront of the group.

pssst....

It's quilted...

I would like to be able to say it is the first finished object of 2010, but it doesn't have the binding on yet. It will be though by the end of the week.

Ooh baby, it's cold outside

But not too cold for the boys.

The two words that are striking fear in their hearts:

JANUARY THAW

They spent over an hour outside on Friday afternoon working on a fort and it is not done. They are not happy about the weather report of thawing snow. It would be terrible for construction.

(and he wonders why he has chapped lips)

When the cat's away...

the mice play!!!

Kal bought the little yellow r.c. helicopter as a "group gift". Yup... So last night while he was at band practice, the boys tried different surfaces to launch (do helicopters launch?) it from. The best one was from the top of my head.

For those of you who may want to know why I let them torment me like this... it keeps them quiet and doesn't hurt a thing. When they got tired of this, they went and cleaned the bathroom. Yes... by themselves. Without being asked... though I don't think a 5 and 7 year old should be asked to clean the bathroom. They went through a tube of Lysol cleaning wipes. Cleaned the top of the lights - to get the dust mites...the back splash - to remove yuck that has been there too long and other "gross" spots.

What was I doing while they were in there being "butlers"? Why knitting of course. I was working on my strawberry afghan that Mom gave me for Christmas - more on that later.

The third times a charm

Simon decided that he wanted to start karate over break. He told EVERYONE that he was starting and that he couldn't wait...

Well, the first day, he cried and cried when he put on his gi and it was "too big" and felt "yucky" and "smelled like horse" - his go to phrase of hate. There was no way he was going to go out onto the mat. The second time, he had to be removed from the gym because of the tantrum he threw. He wore his Dad and I out.

The third time was last night. Here's how the conversation went

ME: Ok guys it's time to get dressed for karate.
S: ok (and he goes and gets dressed).
M: Simon I'm not arguing with you tonight. You either go on the mat or you don't, but if you decide not to participate you are not going to hang on me.
S: ok

We drive to karate.
Ian: Ready Simon
S: Yup.

They went out together. Then Simon raced back for a hug and went back onto the mat.

Afterwards, Simon said he didn't know what he was so afraid for - that was a blast.

This morning, he asked if he had karate tonight.