Some things never change

When Daniel was a baby we often found him 'flying' around the house.
Now we find him flying around the neighborhood!

We didn't start calling him 'Dangerous Dan' for nothing! Have a Dangerous Day!

The door frames

Dad thought it would be cool to make a rounded door, so after some internet research, he came up with a plan. First we needed something to form the board to in order to make it bend the right shape. This old tire bolted to this board, and straps ready to hold it in place untill it cools, will work just fine... Now, in order for the board to bend, it must be made pliable. Steam is the fastest way to do that. So, Dad made a steambox out of 1x12 cedar (the same stuff we used for the floor) .

He inserted supports along the length of the box to keep the board from sagging inside the box. And a hole drilled in the top let us insert a meat thermometer to make sure that it reached a sufficient board bending temp. We found some usefull instructions here .

We took the side burner off of the gas grill to heat the water with. These pics are from our second attempt. The first was successful. The second try failed because the board (pictured) had a grain pattern that caused it to split instead of bend :( But the first one turned out well and here it is installed. I'll post more pics when we do the upper story door frame.
Isn't it cute!

And here's what Daniel likes to do in his spare time, build his own cars out of leftover lumber.

Who needs a Suburban!?!

Daybook

FOR TODAY...January 27, 2009

Outside my window...it is an unseasonally sunny day. We need rain :(

I am thinking...that I don't have enough time to do all of the thiongs that I want to do before my surgery.

I am thankful for...my older childrens' ability to help me. Now if I could just get them to be a little more willing to :)

From the learning rooms...Just the bare minimum right now that I'm preparing for a new arrival. Daniel did manage to start making a zeppelin, but it fell apart half way through and Daniel was too discouraged to make it again. Peter and Charlie are learning a song that I showed them on the piano and are doing fairly well. Now I need to show them how to read the music:)

From the kitchen...Daniel did manage to complete a kitchen project though. He found a recipe in my book for Turkish Delight and it turned out great!








I am wearing...a brown courderoy skirt, a floural maternity top, and my brown boots.


I am creating...lots! I'm trying to get some sewing out of the way before the baby comes.Here are some pics... Thomas has been sharing a bed with whoever is willing and I thought that he needed something for bedtime to call his own while he waits for us to purchase a bunk bed for him and Holly, So I made him this quilt to sleep with, FUN!And Holly has been outgrowing her clothes like crazy, so she now has 2 new skiirts with one more and a dress on the way.






I am going...to have a baby on friday!





I am reading...The C.S.Lewis books to the boys AGAIN! They like them.


I am hoping...everything goes well and I am home by Sunday.




I am hearing...the dishwasher that my boys filled and started for me :), my 4yo playing out back, and Amber snoring on my chest.



Around the house...I am taking care of my "piles". One is a sewing pile, then there's a file pile, and a clothes pile that consists of things that the older kids have outgrown and the younger ones don't fit yet, and then the never ending school/art pile!


One of my favorite things...is a little baby sleeping on my chest all night long (zzzzz).


A few plans for the rest of the week: clean, sew, pack, organize, file, drink water and rest!.


Here is picture thought I am sharing... The piano has become a main attraction at our house!

Daybook

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY... December 30, 2008
Outside my window...the sun is shining :) There is a mist in the field across the street. And the ground is frosty. The boys like to go out and see their warm breath in the chill air and hear the crunch of the frozen ground under their feet..
I am thinking...about spending the morning outside so the little ones can get some good outdoor time in.
I am thankful for...the sunshine today. The weather has been too drab lately.
From the kitchen...the last of the ham in my attempt at sweet-n-sour sauce =/. I'm not much of a cook.
I am wearing...some knee-high socks that I bought at the outlet stores when we were shopping for the children's clothes and shoes. They turned out to be a great asset to my winter wardrobe :). Also, a knit, cream skirt that is getting a little tight to go under my growing belly, but is warm, and an olive shirt with a cream sweater.
I am creating...more like repairing...Daniel's jacket, Holly's skirt, And anything else that I can use black thread on :)
I am going...to stay home the rest of the week. At my O.B. appointment yesterday I found out that there is no danger of either previa or accreda so all's good to go as far as the baby is concerned. And Daniel did not have a fracture, but a sprain, so he is back to activities again :)
I am reading...Baby Names for the New Century. I like how it has the origins of names and what they mean. Did you know that the name Jonathen has nothing to do with the name John?
Go figure!
I am hoping...in The Lord...
I am hearing...a snoozing baby and an arguement from the boys outside.
Around the house...the Christmas decorations are up and won't come down untill Epiphany; and the cookies are still hanging in there too :)
One of my favorite things...seeing my boys playing together without fighting. It happens occasionally :)A few plans for the rest of the week: I still need to organize Holly's room. Otherwise, get as much rest as I can.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

I just love the Birthday card that Daniel made for Thomas this year!

Happy New Year everyone!

Poor Daniel :(

While climbing our family tree, (the crepe myrtle in our front yard) Daniel hurt his arm. It's not broken, but a really bad sprain (two more weeks or so in a splint). He is a little bummed because he can't catch up on the math that he is behind on, but even more bummed because he can't swing a hammer ;( Daniel is our most avid builder and just loves to use tons of tools. He can't wait to be old enough for POWER tools. But for now, he hands the tools and supplies to his brothers as they learn a little more eye-hand coordination. And he swings some with his left hand:)

Get better soon Dangerous Dan!