Fire and Boys

For some reason fire and boys go hand in hand.  I cannot count the times I have found piles of crispy matches in places that they should not be.  The fact that our house is still standing amazes me. A few weeks ago most of the kids were spending the night elsewhere, except for Annika, Max, and Nickles.  Shannon was gone too so we built a campfire.  Nickles was in seventh heaven.
"Mom, we are having waaaaay more fun than everyone else, aren't we?"
Yes, we were.  We even threw matches in the fire and watched them ignite because Momma loves fire a little too.

I simply cannot keep Nickles away ~

Max was even drawn toward the flames. 

Annika was ready to head to the house when it began getting dark. 

But not this kid.

He was there til the last ember was fading.

We had the most fun, Nickles!

      

A Go-Cart

Shannon brought home a couple table saws and told the boys they could dismantle them prior to their trip to the dump.  Of course, this was a gift from the heavens for my boys.  They took them apart, along with an old bike, and built a go-cart.  My brothers volunteered to donate an engine to the cause, but a go-cart lacking brakes and steering would be a mother's worst nightmare with an engine involved.  Well, maybe not her worst nightmare, but darn close.  I think it has made its way to the dump by now, which will save me a trip to the ER.

    

A Little of This and That

Placing the Easter chick eggs in the incubator.

They hatched all day Easter Sunday.

A cubby for Maximo ~

Naptime ~

Shannon says he has Nistler narcolepsy.

My kids may not look like me, but they sleep like me!

Ooooo ~ wow!

I love big bulls!

Early morning fishing ~

Ugly ducklings that Michaela brought home from school ~

We were supposed to be babysitting them for the weekend and ended up having 

them pawned off on us.  We, in turn, pawned them off on a friend that has a farm.  

I feel only slightly bad about it ;o)  

Max loves dirt.

He won't eat food, but he'll eat dirt like it's candy.

Haircuts

Eric likes his hair neat and trimmed at.all.times.  I like to cut all  (dare I say it??) six boy's hair at the same time and randomly trimming one boy's hair is out of the question.  Shannon missed the last round of cuts and is now a little on the shaggy side.  He actually combed his hair for Mass Sunday morning.  Anyway, I decided since Eric wanted a trim it would be excellent if Kath learned how to use the buzzer.  Katherine was willing to give it a shot and Eric was willing to let her.
She actually did a pretty good job and I'm looking forward to the day that I'm no longer needed in the hair department!

Max's Eating

Max has the worst eating habits of any of our children.  He must be force fed and it is getting old, really old.  He even refuses ice cream!  What self-respecting kid refuses ice cream?!?  When his belly is full, he's one happy camper, but when it's not he's understandably a grouch.  Hopefully, that will click for him one of these days and he'll realize that eating = contentment.
Meanwhile we have developed a couple tricks to fill that little tummy up, other than holding his head and forcing food in his mouth.

Toothpicks ~ this one was part Grandpa's and part Amy's idea.

Someone will sit next to Max, constantly rotating the used toothpick, 

saying, "Mmmmmmm," the entire time.
Of course after each bite we must clap and cheer.  
Mealtimes become endless affairs.  

It's better than forcing food down, but just barely   ~:o)

Another option is loading up a YouTube video on whatever computer is handy.

Then, Max will mindlessly open his mouth as we feed him, forgetting eating is his least favorite pastime.

Max's preferred viewing is hunting videos.  He cannot speak, but he can bugle like an elk.

Shannon is now accusing ME of secretly liking Primos Big Bulls 
since that's what we typically end up watching.

Mmmmhmm ~ I love it.  

Or not. 

 

Dom's Foot

While the girls and I were at a shower for Auntie Stacy Saturday, Dom had a little accident. Apparently, the kids have been venturing further up the hill into the rock formations by the house and building forts.  Now, forts made with snow are fine, forts constructed with rocks aren't such an awesome idea.  A large rock fell on Dominic's foot while he was out with Eric and broke a bone. Thankfully, his bones are still malleable, otherwise it could have been a more severe injury.  As it is, his foot is swollen and bruised and he's on crutches.  While it's not really funny, watching him on crutches is.  And witnessing said crutches transform into machine guns is hilarious.
I actually think he is enjoying all the attention.  He and Shannon stayed up late last night playing cards and eating Oreos....what boy wouldn't love that?!?

The three bears enjoying Dom's treats together ~

there are benefits to being wounded.

  

Easter

Easter was fast and furious.  Miraculously, our crown of thorns was emptied of "thorns" before Good Friday, but some days I was sure it was growing more.  

An inspiring moment for me was having several of the kiddos confide that Christmas isn't their favorite holiday ~ it is Easter.  

Mine too ~ but, shhhh, don't tell anyone!  Perhaps Lent is less chaotic than Advent, thus allowing more time for prayer, and hence, a peaceful heart.  

Maybe I need to refocus this December and make Christmas my favorite this year!

   

Theda placing sweet crosses on the hot cross buns ~

The decorating begins ~

Max was into the eggs ~ and he didn't need a spoon!

The egg decorating contest winners!

Helping Katherine with the Easter baking ~

I didn't bake a single thing for Easter breakfast....it was kinda weird!

Do you remember wearing rollers back in the day, Maria?  

Annika's hair reminded me of those days.

Anticipation ~

Happy despite the chilly day ~

Now what bunny would hide a basket for a girl in such an awkward spot??

This bunny :o) 

Do these two look up to something?

The only picture of Nickles and he looks like a goofball!

My pretty little Annika ~ I have no idea where my two other daughters were!

I'm not sure you found enough eggs, Joshie!

Gramps teaching Max all about selfies ~

After dinner the boys had so much energy that Shannon let them fill up the tub. 

They thought it was great fun, til buckets of cold water rained down from the deck.

Daddies can be such turkeys!

I love all their faces ~ and only one thinks fast enough to bail out!

One of our Easter projects sprouted a week late, 

but it's looking pretty and reminding us what Jesus did for us in these days following Easter.