The model train room takes shape

• Graph paper for planning the train setup: $3
• Three sheets of plywood, 2x2's and 1x4's, and a gallon of paint: $75
• Two boxes of screws: $5
• Having my son tell me "Your dad would have been so proud of you for building this table, Mommy!": Well, you know

Cannon Beach

We haven't been to the beach since July 2006. It's even more fun with Cassie along. Not to mention having Claire and James on the ditch-digging crew!

Cousins

Eric is the Santa wanna-be; Emily and Ethan are the gingerbread artists.

Reindog

You have to put up with a lot to be a pet in this house.

Girls are as sweet as cookies

I titled this post "Girls have cooties," but Ethan STRONGLY objected (he thinks cooties are stupid) and edited the title for me.

He dressed himself today

I probably would have paired the striped sweater with some khakis and a plain t-shirt. But the pants with orange stripes and the flourescent yellow tie-dye shirt...also an interesting choice.

Borrowed baby

We had nine high school students plus one baby over last night. Shockingly enough, Ethan found the baby even more interesting than all the pretty girls. After we had some trouble getting the little one to settle down, though, he announced that he is "definitely not ready" to have one of his own. Whew.

Grandma's new kitty

Jan's mom protested for a while that she wasn't ready, but before we knew it she had a name picked out! Meet Mrs. Miniver! (She's calling her Minnie.)