Monkey Boy

Gid's latest obsession is climbing trees. I wholeheartedly support this because I have wanted to live in a tree since I was seven and saw The Swiss Family Robinson. I've climbed a LOT of trees since then and maybe someday I will have a tree house! I figure if I want my family to join me, they probably better be trained in monkey skills 101. So, I'm thrilled to find Gid's been climbing every tree in the neighborhood, looking to find the perfect tree. It's such an important milestone in his life, I decided to document the meticulous process. By the way, this tree was not a keeper, so the adventure continues...

P.S. Do you like his tree-climbing shoes?
P.S.S. You should also see his arms and legs, they're literally covered in the battle scars of tree bark on skin. I think he's proud of them. I know I am. :D

Valentine's Day is So Pinteresting

Pinterest came through for me in an easily accomplished way this Valentine's Day, so how could I not post it on my blog so someone else could repin this cute idea? And well, if you're the mother of six boys, good ideas for Valentine's Day, that aren't too schmaltzy of course, are sometimes hard to come by. So kudos to Pinterest and whoever came up with this cute idea that inspired me to wake up at 3:30 am to put it together (don't worry, I'm not insane, just getting old and not sleeping through the night anymore).

** And to my big stud muffin Zach, I wish you were here to give me one of your awesome hugs! Hope you enjoy the sweetness that's coming your way.

Tortoise Love

Gideon's current obsession is tortoises, so you can imagine the excitement that ensued when his fieldtrip to the Wildlife Park brought him into close contact with several different varieties. I was actually on top of things enough to take some video. Enjoy Gid's encounter with the tortoises!

Hey Evonne! Here's Some Belated Birthday Fun.

So Mom (Evonne), I had this great idea to have the boys sing you something cute and send you the link to the video for your birthday. Well, since we are still within the Bolton-Women ADD Grace Period, I am most pleased to present you with your grandsons' brilliant performances. (Only a month late.) The second video was really the first. They were going to sing it using a funny setting on our computer, but watching themselves without cracking up was beyond them. The blooper video I included was the THIRD attempt at it. I finally I insisted that they do it with a normal camera, though it certainly made for a good blooper! Love you! :D

Little Purple Pansies

Little Purple Goofballs

Nerdly Jazz!

I asked my boys to sing me something funny for my birthday and make me a video...this is what I got. They are singing the abbreviations of the elements from the Periodic Table. Of course, to make it even more entertaining, they recorded it on Photobooth with the frog eyes setting. Excellent.

Thoughts on "The American Crisis No. 1"

In the bitter December of 1776, Thomas Paine wrote the article, "The American Crisis No. 1" to rally the people of the colonies in support of the American revolution. The previous January, as the British battered the Massachusetts militia in and around Boston, Paine had written a pamphlet titled, "Common Sense" to alert all the American colonies to the threat of tyranny. By the following December the war had spread to New York and other New England colonies. The troops were starving and freezing and were not receiving the support of the colonies because there was no central government to facilitate the process of levying taxes to pay for the war. It was up to the people of each colony to send whatever support they might, whether in the form of troops, food, weapons, uniforms or financial aid. Those colonies that were not suffering didn't feel the intense motivation that others in war-battered areas did.

As Paine traveled with the troops, he saw the need for a great outpouring of public support and penned the following masterful words on the head of a drum. Washington read it to his men before the fateful crossing of the Delaware river. 

It should be noted that Washington and the many valiant and courageous men who fought, still had seven more years of fighting before the war would finally end in 1783 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. How can we every really appreciate the kind of conviction these people had to have or the price they paid for our freedom? I personally do not fully comprehend it, but by reading their words and studying their lives, I try.

Let me share some of Paine’s thoughts on the American Crisis:

“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated...”

“Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it. Say not that thousands are gone; turn out your tens of thousands; throw not the burden of the day upon Providence, but “show your faith by your works,” that God may bless you.”

Happy Independence Day everyone!

Hannah's Senior Video

Hannah graduates in 8 days, can anyone believe it? Each senior in her High School created a video that detailed some of the changes they've made or things they've learned up to this point in their lives. Here is Hannah's. That's all. :)