Today the children had lots of time to entertain themselves but they really did a good job of it.  In the morning they were allowed to eat yogurt (a treat!) and watch cartoons while we slept in a little bit.  We didn't hear a peep from them and they were so excited to get tv before breakfast!

With all the construction and busy-ness the whole house seems to be out of whack so I spent time today trying to put some of the pieces back together, making grocery/shopping/food lists and planning for the week.  Jason was doing the same and trying to do homework.  Needless to say the children were not getting our full attention but they pitched in to help where they could and spent time playing with each other, NICELY, and in their playroom.  They even went out back for a bit.  It was refreshing.

I forgot to share a story from yesterday that was a success.  The kids have enjoyed the kitchen remodel for the wonderful space it affords them to run around inside the house.  Needless to say, this is not an allowed behavior and after chastising and correcting them a number of times for running and screaming I decided instead to sit down and work on the pile of puzzles that were on the floor.  It was almost immediate that all three of them came to sit beside me and play puzzles, too.  My frustration immediately stopped AND we had a great time building together.  Win, win!

Joshua truly looks forward to story time with Daddy.  First, Josh spends some time practicing reading, usually about 10 minutes a day.  Then Jason reads.  Recently he has been reading from the "Wrinkle in Time" series and they are on the third book.  As you can see from the picture, Josh has a great time snuggling up to daddy and hearing the story.

Mira is 'All Girl.' She came out of the playroom and had Joshua's dinosaur dressed in her doll's clothing.   Mira has a song for everything and the one tonight went something like this, 'It is time to go to sleep and brush my teeth.  I love to sleep and play with mommy and daddy and Joshie and Evelyn.  Playing is good.' She loved having 'school' with Joshua on Friday and was sad tonight to know that Josh would have to go to his school without her on Monday.

Joshua created a cool Lego boat that was towing another ship.  He has a good eye of the mechanics of things.  He spent lots of time building a train kit that he received from Aunt Beth and Uncle Ray for his birthday.

Evelyn behaved while I showered today as she fed me people to sing about.  Her favorite song is a modified version of 'Old McDonald'.  It goes something like this, 'Old McDonald had a farm EIEIO and on that farm there was 'Belle' EIEIO...'  and then we go through the Disney princesses.