Pinewood Derby Winner

Israel and Stan made an awesome car for his first pinewood derby race. Stan didn't want Israel to lose (like he always did) so we talked to my brother Mike and then watched all these youtube videos about what he told us to do, spent more money than I was expecting on these little bits that attach to our drill, and make a super fast car.

Israel won 1st place for our pack, 1st place for wolves and will be going to the District pinewood derby in March (I didn't even know we had district races). He was a graceful winner. I'm so grateful for my Israel, he is conscious of other people and doesn't poke fun. He asked me this morning if he could give his trophy to his friend who didn't win anything.

cutting the car-Israel chose the easiest option (only 2 cuts)- with some persuasion. It helped that we told him he had to do the cutting:)

Sanding-Israel did not enjoy this LONG process. On the right our drill has the special mandril Stan bought to sand the tires.

The winners circle

1st-Israel, 2nd-Grayson, 3rd-Landon

Whale Watching-No Whales

 For MLK Day were spend 6 hours in the car and saw  no whales-talk about disappointing.  Thank goodness we were listening to the Chronicles of Narnia so the drive didn't seem as long.

On the Boat



Playing on the Beach



All we saw were a few sea lions-super disappointing. The ocean was so choppy that they ended our cruise early and gave us a pass for a free trip in the future-maybe we'll try again in May, the next few months are packed.



This Time . . .

Things We've Done Different This Time Around
1. Had our baby at home
2. Given him oral Vit. K and no eye drops (since I don't have chlamydia)
3. Used cloth diapers (and wool-I am enamored by wool-that stuff is amazing, I'll tell anyone foolish enough to ask me all about it)), not from day 1, but since 2 wks old
4. Used EC (elimination communication) basically we're training ourselves to put JT on the potty when her has to poop. Some days are good and some don't work at all, still, since we cloth diapering, when it does work we're happy.
5. Babywearing (and not because I wanted to either- JT demanding it and didn't like any of the carriers we already had- not my premax baby sling, not the baby bjorn either. He loves his sleepywrap and besides the annoyance of wrapping it, it is the most comfortable baby carrier I have ever used with any of my children, hands down. We also have an Ergo, #2 in most comfy-quicker to use and in this lime green color I adore)



Things We've Done the Same
1. Slept him on his tummy in the same little bassinet/car carrier that I slept in as a baby (yes, you read that right-and I don't think I was the first Ashcraft to use it either.)
2. No binky-we did try this time, but not that hard
3. No bottle (too time consuming when I'm here all the time anyhow. Yes, I'd love some freedom, but I am so dang lazy-pump, sterilize bottles, warm them properly-I'm a walking zombie, it's not going to happen)
4. Use Costco's Kirkland wipes-best thing on the planet. Even though we use cloth diapers I haven't tried reusable wipes yet.
5. Let him stay in our bed once he wakes up at night-we've been lucky this go round-often he doesn't wake up until 5, most all nights at least not until 3

New Years with the Christensons in AZ

Peter, Julia holding Marianne, Andre, Eliza holding JT, Israel



Melanie put up the Hello Kitty decorations from Marianne's party for my birthday-don't we look stylish?



Presents!

Our chefs for the weekend. They did the shopping and the cooking and it was delicious-they even made a cheesecake from scratch.