If there is a positive side to the pandemic, it's that we've had the chance to slow down and let our kids do some things on their own around the house.
For example, Tate learned how to cook eggs for breakfast:
Both Tate and Ashley learned how to work together to accomplish a basic household task:
And all three kids learned that MLM has a good sense of humor on April Fool's Day:
The only one who still needs to brush up on some of his skills is Daddy. He thought he set the camera timer. This is what happened instead:
It's been far too long since I've had a chance to post. Work, COVID-19, blah, blah, excuse, blah, whatever. Here I am and I'll try to make up for some lost time.
This is one particular clip from fall 2020 that reminded me of my young days helping out at The Store. Those who know my family know what I mean by The Store. From a very early age we were handed a broom. While I'm not sure that we were terribly helpful, eventually we caught on and were of some use. Either way, it was a "Sweeping Intro" both to work and to life, much like this clip.
Hold on to yer hats, folks. This is going to be a fast and wild ride!
Not a car engine! Those are computerized. That's the next lesson.
Today's lesson was how to replace the motor on MLM's "Commercial" KA mixer. The previous model we owned, an Artisan, handled the same loads with more oopmh than this one. Thinking it was the motor, our intrepid engineers set out to right what was possibly wrong:
Minecraft mania has affected our home too. It's made its way down to the youngest minds:
Funny thing is that the graphics aren't great compared to what's out there today. I don't see the appeal. Then again, when was the last time a parent and child saw the same appeal in anything?
The A-Team was signed up to go to sleep away camp this summer.
To give them a taste of what they were missing, we set up a daily morning routine which included inspection. The points from inspection could be used each night at canteen. They could also earn extra points throughout the day by being helpful.
Here's an example of the card and of the kids being helpful (we couldn't believe we were seeing it, so we recorded it).
Some evenings, Adam played Taps for us (instead of using a recording from the US Army Corps). Here's a clip of Adam playing it in honor of Uncle E's birthday:
What's a summer without tree climbing? I had plenty of them; the limbs on the trees in my childhood backyard started at least 20 feet in the air. No attempt was made to scale those monsters.
In our backyard, however, it's a different story. The two brothers picked up some quick skills this summer:
I am sad to report that my efforts were in vain. The sleeping beauty continued to sleep with taggie and taggie continued to disintegrate.
See how the row of ribbons are coming off? The fabric is worn through.
The purple ribbon is one of the favorites:
In a moment of sheer desperation, a new procedure was invented: the tag-ectomy. What is that?
Upon discovering more of the original froggie fabric deep inside of a storage bin, free Taggie by cutting a square of her (him? it?) out of the original, trimming the ribbons, and then using flat felled seams to attach the new fabric to the old. In a really sneaky move, add an extra layer of froggie fabric in between the existing layers of froggie fabric to make it thicker and (hopefully) more durable.
Let's check back in six months to see how the "new and improved" taggie is holding up...
Much happened in the North American eastern seaboard between 1750 and 1850. The colonies found themselves embroiled in one war after another.
After winning the War of Independence against England, the people were no longer colonists, but citizens of the newly formed United States of America.
Yadda yadda the idea of manifest destiny became incredibly important to many Americans, some of whom:
wanted to seek better opportunities (read: make money)
were looking for adventure (read: escaping the law and/or debt)
were seeking to escape the winter snow in exchange for blazing humidity and heat,
were seeking to live life to its fullest by living far away from any store, person, or ability to purchase a small bag of sugar (pure insanity!).
Whatever the reason, it is this time period which has captured the interest of one of our citizens. One day he's a colonist; the next a British soldier. In one clip, MLD is helping him secure a fort. In another, our colonist trades in his braid and breeches to become a wild west cowboy.
Well, partner, ya never know what to expect in dese here parts, now do ya?
And here he's preparing for his next march:
By the way... remember how I suggested you watch the kids' hair grow out? Compare the photos above to the post where I recommended this!
Mr. T had his eyes on the bigger bicycle. He tried it out the second day after learning how to ride the first bicycle, but was disappointed to see that his feet couldn't quite touch the ground.
Undaunted, he hit the bottle (milk), got some sleep, ate vegetables, and asked MLM to stretch him. After a good stretch, he ran outside... and voila!
