kringla and snow

rolling kringla...

and rolling kringla

and sledding behind the tractor...

mud lake pose

Mud Lake used to have a little water and mud. Currently it just has mud. We didn't know it had mud before yesterday because from the road it looks dry. Now we know. And we got a photo standing in Mud Lake.

one big hog that has made it thus far...

four little little hogs that we hope to keep alive...

obedience

“The constraining power [of the parent] should be present, but passive, so that the child may not feel himself hemmed in without choice. That free-will of man which has for ages exercised faithful souls who would prefer to be compelled into all righteousness and obedience, is after all a pattern for parents. The child who is good because he must be so, loses in power of initiative more than he gains in seemly behaviour. Every time a child feels that he chooses to obey of his own accord, his power of initiative is strengthened.” (from Charlotte Mason Vol. 3, p. 31)

ellie's three year celebration

opening a sled of presents...

Decorating the doll cake...

modeling a new sweatshirt coat and hat...

the doll cake after it was tested...

with two in her doll orphanage collection...one is white and talks while the other is brown and has a smile

trails, bison and hot chocolate

Priya was responsible for making breakfast this morning. She did a fine job.

Some normal people take their children to festivals or amusement places. But these children's mother is paranoid of lots of things: public bathrooms, waiting in large crowds, talking small talk with strangers. So we put on our duds and walked the state park trails. There is currently no snow and the temperature was just above freezing.

We convinced aunt Naomi to go with us. But it was kind of like having a tour guide because this is her place of employment. She poses with the troop on the bench standing on one foot.

The bison herd hung out by the fence so we could observe them for a while.

Then we ate bananas and hot chocolate on the picnic table until the breeze moved us to warmer spots.

snow and hair-do's

Sam's bet with Aunt Becca is still on. The bet is that he can grow his hair out until December. So we experimented with some new styles yesterday. For Sam, combing his hair means a side part combed over just like Grandpa E and Grandpa S. This is his faux-mohawk (sort of) and his three missing bottom teeth.

Ellie, in her hat from Aunt Rachel and Anneka pose in front of the snow and the pumpkin display. If the snow was any heavier today, we would have a raging blizzard. As it is, the snow is just heavy enough to get out hats, boots and mittens. Priya is still present and accounted for, there just isn't a recent picture of her.