Another Fur Friend

Theo got a rabbit friend last week.

A homeschooled girl was leaving for college and searching for a home for her dearest fur friend.

Thankfully Theo was more than up for the task.

Mr. Ears (aka Sir Lancelop) has been the delight of the whole family since.

He's soft and friendly and gentle, just perfect!

Last Week

Grandma and Grandpa called in video call from Arizona.
It's amusing to see all of them lined up chattering at Grandma
(or probably more realistically, she chattering at them!) ;)

Miles' photo...his celebratory shot of Dad in the throes of Wisconsinopoly defeat

Celene's most recent science experiment...learning the ability to cause water to flow uphill.

Another one of Celene's experiments...understanding the use of pulleys and how they lessen weight and load.
I'm learning just as much as she is!

This is more than one way to slice an onion

Miles had to illustrate the water cycle and the carbon cycle for school today

Theo's shenanigans

 

The Lake

There is less activity to post here in the quiet after the holidays.

And that is fine...less to document, less to experience, more quiet, more normal.

And as it should be, less gives way to more.

More to notice. More to see. More to realize.

Take some rest. Stop. Breathe. Notice.

Making Spirits Bright

 We visited Shawn's Grandma last week, and the kids played Christmas songs on the piano for her and some other elderly people and family members.

It was a nice time. We haven't visited with her in a while.

Afterwards, we drove through the local Christmas light show, which is designated to donate to the local food pantry.

The kids always love this tradition.

Forging

But of course.

What else would 5 kids do on a warm (for us) winter day, when Dad is home?

Thankfully no one sustained any lasting damage.

(Photos courtesy of Shawn (Daddy).

DeVriend Family Christmas Gathering

Fun.

Love.

Cookies.

Pajamas.

Chaos.

The Week Between

In between Christmas and New Year...

that magical, sweet space when time slows and memories are made.

Miles is spending his week with cousins in Michigan! So special!

He even got to go along with a skiing group...made his YEAR!!

THRILLED

Early nightfall and flame...the go together don't they?

Hannah is delighted with her favorite Christmas gift

And Celene went right to work with her favorite gift..sewing gear!

I know the time of this is nearly done...the train tracks get set up only a few times a year now...they are growing so fast...but I've always loved to watch them build and play with them for hours. This is one activity I'll miss.

Eli's bunny Popcorn is as tame and affectionate as a doggie, I think ;)

A sweet little moment...nothing special...and yet memorable somehow.
Dinner, candles, Bible reading, questions.
All so normal, so commonplace.
And yet, it seems, so quickly to pass away.

The kids had their first ever eye exam last week!
A little late, I know, with Miles being 13 already.
But anyway, they all have good eyesight, yay!!

The kids were fascinated with the experience. :)

I think, only in my house, does the cat and the bunny snooze together in the sun, on top of a pile of clean laundry. Huh.
By the way, that has been put to a stop...allergies of some family members...so the animals do need to be loved outside. ;)

fresh snow - always a delight

some more Christmas gathering

okay so they sneaked in, got loved, and went back out ;)

the boys delighted with their snap circuit robot