The Year That Was: March 2014

I'm really liking this quick approach to blogging! It's a bit like ripping the band-aid off the guilt.
Let's roll right on to March...

 Kolbe found his toes at 5 months.

 Quinton turned 14 and played lots and lots Risk!

Dominic and Xavier learned to cock their own bb guns and even hit the target once in awhile.

The Year That Was: February 2014

Lego play reached a feverish pitch in the house.

Stephen mastered the art of grading papers while blowing raspberries at Kolbe.

 Collette turned 11 and actually got a blog post all of her own: Happy Birthday Collette

 I tried to tame the cup monster. It was cute, but didn't last long.

 Goats and roosters and hens, oh my!

Kolbe turned 4 months old and also got his own blog post: Catching up with Kolbe

The Year That Was: January 2014

Okay, I have finally come to a point of peaceful coexistence between my desire to put everything in order and the pressing knowledge that life keeps moving along at a blistering pace, refusing to pause so I can catch up - in order. Here is the new plan: I will blog about life as we live it and I will blog about that lost year as I can. Happy, happy, happy.

Without further ado: January

Three pregnant goats joined the menagerie. Everyone loved those sweet girls!

Marie Claire (2.5 yrs) and some wild hair

Xavier (4.5yrs) continued his love of all things dress up

Kolbe turned 3 months old and slept just about any where. I loved that!

Rodeo

School has started and it is most important to be serious, studious, and consistent. After all, the first week sets the tone for the whole school year. So, what did we do? Have a rodeo, what else?

Welcome to the First Annual Mountain High Rodeo

Buckle up, y'all are in for one wild ride

 The ranch hands rounded up all the lil' doggies, cow rustlers, and old hands that they could find. Then, in authentic cowboy attire, the opening ceremony commenced. Y'all can spy the first pair of bronco riders ready and raring to go at the gates. Already, the excitement is building to a feverish pitch!

Gracie galloped gracefully around the arena with the Star Spangled Banner.

 And we're off!

 Our first rider is a wild one. He can handle even the meanest Hobie bronco.

 Wow, he was bucked sky high. Thankfully, he's not hurt. Well done, Dominic!

 Next up is the lovely Collette hanging on for dear life to one mean and surly, albeit a little skinny, bull. She's one determined girl. Hang on tight, honey!

 Whew, I can't believe my eyes. I do believe Collette wore out the bull. She's one tenacious gal!

Now, this little bit of sweetness was just watching all the rowdy excitement when she was chosen to participate in the next event. Little did she know that it was calf roping and she was the calf.

Yeehaw, Marie Claire! 

 Finally, we have team roping with Collette and Dominic. Their steer was a particularly difficult to pin down, but persevere they did!

 Well, that was one fine rodeo if I do say so myself. We had laughter, thrills, and spills. I am plum tuckered! Y'all come back, hear?

Car Wash

Can I post a Making it Count from a Making it Count post? 

Hmm, I think I shall break into unknown territory with this one. :-)

Elizabeth posted last week about her little one painting his cars. I knew two little boys that would think this was the best idea ever. I grabbed our sand and water table, set up a painting station, and demonstrated the car wash. Towels in place? Check. Smocks on? Check. Eager boys? Check!

Elizabeth's little boy painted contentedly for an hour. Now, I know all little ones are different so I didn't really expect my two hurricanes to last that long, but I was looking forward to some seriously creative quiet. However, I made such a rookie mistake- I promised them a special treat when they were done. Guess, how long they painted? 15 minutes and then they wanted their treat. It was a a fun and contented 15 minutes but sometimes someone needs to smack me upside the head. We shall try again because it was a hit with all ages, but I have promised not to name anyone older than four on the blog. ;-)

Please visit Pam Everyday Snapshots for more Making it Count inspiration.

Snow

Today started off quiet and snug in our little mountaintop home. The party mess had been mostly tidied and our normal routine of home and school resumed.

However, by lunchtime a blustery storm rolled in, enticing everyone outside. Odd, I know, but the kids took great delight in piling on layer upon layer of hats, scarves, mittens, jackets, pants, and skirts.

The girls braved the weather the longest. Maybe this is some kind of home school extreme sporting event?

Being as I never check the weather forecast, I had no idea that we should be on the lookout for snow. Thus, it was quite a thrill when the flurries started to fly. Everyone hustled over to the window to stare in amazement at the soft white flakes of cold magic.

Living on the top of a mountain can be tough. We live 45 minutes from anything and I do mean anything. However, days like this make it all worthwhile.

We have warm beautiful Southern California weather most of the year with the wonder of snow once or twice a winter. Snow is prayer answered. Fleeting snow. I just sigh with happiness recalling the pure joy and intense happiness of this magical afternoon: paper snowflakes, hot cocoa with marshmallows, maple syrup poured over mounds of wintry perfection. Everything stops for snow.

Stephen hurried home for snow. Everyone regaled him with stories of their adventures. He caught just a moment or two of the white landscape before darkness overtook and night settled in. Tomorrow it will be gone. This time I did check the forecast- 55 degrees. No snow.

Natural History Museum

For Daddy,
   So you can come along, too.
Love,
   All the Littles

Welcome to the Natural History Museum

 Explore the Mysteries of Life on Earth

Mammal Hall

Are you brave enough to march right up stare a wild animal in the face? Not many of us are. And we rarely get an opportunity to do so — even at the zoo. Our Mammal hall allows you to study in detail dozens of magnificent and fascinating creatures. 

Dinosaurs

The all-new, 14,000-square-foot Dinosaur Hall is twice the size of the Museum’s old dinosaur galleries. It will rival the world’s leading dinosaur halls for the number of individual fossils displayed, the size and spectacular character of the major mounts, and the way that paleontology comes alive!

Fin Whale Passage

The 63-foot-long specimen, which weighs more than 7,000 pounds, has been re-articulated to create a more realistic impression of the living animal. 

 Guard at the Gem Vault

Gem and Mineral Hall

The Gem and Mineral Hall displays more than 2,000 spectacular specimens within two large galleries that comprise what is considered to be one of the finest exhibits of gems and minerals in the world.

Please come again.

Exhibits change frequently.