Earlier today I put up two pictures that my great grandfather had painted. I got to talking to my mom and found out that before a reunion some time ago–other parts of the family had gotten together and photographed the pictures that they owned. My mom emailed me the pictures–I was amazed–because I had never seen any of these before. So I decided to put them up here as well!!

**Just an added note about these paintings. My great-grandfather was not a rich man. He couldn’t afford canvas, so he painted on masonite. It’s really an interesting choice because it gives the texture of canvas. He also couldn’t afford to pile on the paint like so many have, so in some spots, as the paintings age, the paint is coming off and the masonite is showing. I don’t know why this struck me as interesting–but they are such pretty paintings–so I thought I would share some extra trivia!!

These are paintings done by my Great Grandfather. Apparently there are many of them floating around. I’m going to try to hunt down more and get them posted as well! I’m a strange one when it comes to holding on to personal mementos. My mom calls me a pack rat, and I really can’t argue with her. However, collecting his artwork this way, is a lot less “space taking” than collecting the actual pictures.

My youngest is named Barrett Linton. I guess you can’t guess where that name came from. I never met my great grandfather–but his name and stories have been passed down from generation. I’ve heard nothing but immense love for him from all of his family members. My grandmother was his daughter. If my youngest had been a girl he would have had her name–Katelynn “Dorothy” Noel would have been her name. Katelynn because it’s my favorite name–Dorothy because it was my grandma’s name and Noel because my grandma was born and died on Christmas day. But he was born a he–so we went to the most important man in her life–and that was her dad-John Barrett Linton.

Jake’s second Pinewood Derby has come and gone!! Last year was his first and he was the Grand Champion! He chose a red sports car design–and he and his dad spent a ton of time on it. A couple of nights before the race–the car met with a terrible accident. So I went to Michael’s the next day (the day before the race) and bought a new piece of wood. It was precarved–so we just had to hurry and paint it–and put it’s stickers on. We weighted it just perfectly–and for a 24 hour project–the fact that he won-was amazing. There were a TON of parents at the Pinewood Derby belly aching that he had won with a kit car–not realizing–winning a Pinewood Derby has ZERO % to do with the design of the car—It’s the 2 W’s–Wheels and Weights. That’s the secret! Anyway–they all screamed–so this year there is a rule banning all kit cars! So there was much more of a need for Jake’s car to do really well. We just cut it into a wedge and then painted it. He wanted Red White & Blue. Plus the dragon in the middle!

Can you say VINDICATION! This year, as a Bear–he’s won it all again! Like I said–it has nothing to do with the design of the car–great wheels–and perfectly weighted! Good job Kiddo!!

It makes me a little nervous for his expectations next year! Grayson will have an opportunity to race next year and will want to win all of his too–sadly–they will be competing against each other!!

Maybe we’ll put Grayson in the school scout program, and keep Jake at the church–then they will both be able to win their derbies and not have to compete against each other!

She kissed him!! On the first date!!! What kind of daughter have I raised???

You know when something momentous happens and you just see growth in your children? I can’t quite put my finger on it–and I’m not saying a night out with dad suddenly grew my 4 year old up. It may just be that she is more fully able to express herself than when she was younger–but when Blake got home she told me all about her evening with such excitement and such detail–that she just seemed a little more grown up than when she left!

Diego was there, and Dora and Alicia and Baby Jaguar. And guess who else mom, guess?? The BoBo Broders (Brothers–for those of you who don’t know 4 year old speak!!) I heard how the BoBo’s stole Baby Jaguar’s growl and Diego had to help him get it back. There was a parade, and she even emptied her pocket of paper confetti shot out by the “lights”. She brought them home for her scrapbook. I’m going to say Daddy knows his wife really well!!

She got a new Diego T-shirt and they had VIP tickets–so she got a whole bunch of other cutesy items as well! She loved it! And I’m just thrilled for her and dad to have had this bonding time together!!

Well–tonight is my little girls first date! I don’t know how she managed it–but she got the most popular boy to ask her out! I can’t even get him to do that! Now you may be a little confused on this–but Blakelynn is 4, and her date is her Daddy!

He called on the way home from work just before Christmas. Diego was coming to town and since he always takes the boys out on “dates” to ‘guy stuff’ — he really wanted to take his little girl out too. So she got tickets to Diego with dad for Christmas.

Diego is tonight!! So I’m helping her get all dolled up for her date! I still don’t know how she managed that one!! I can’t even get a night out with that man!!

Pictures come tomorrow!!

Oh, I’m still getting back in the groove of being back home. I don’t know why everything is so out of control after a vacation! Add on top of that the fact that I’m going on 7 weeks of being sick–and I guess there is a little reason for it!

But really, this is ridiculous! I’ve got laundry coming out my ears–clean and dirty!! My living room is out of control–I have to clean the boys room before I can move the other things out of my living room and into their bedroom!

I’ve got 2 pinewood derby cars to paint with the boys. Painted they are–they just need to get their decals on and then I need to clear coat them and work on the wheels and the weights! Any good Pinewood Derby racer would know–it’s all in the wheels and weights!

Last year Jake’s car took #1 over all. Yep–all me with the wheels and weights!!

We will be defending our title this Saturday morning at our Pinewood Derby! Can’t wait!

I have two boys that are completely and utterly addicted to Basketball. Now I must say AGAIN!!!! I do not mind feeding this addiction at all. It’s a great, healthy sport that gets my kids off of the couch and outside working out! So, I have devised a plan to get them to help out around the house and to offer immediate, short term and long term incentives.

We have a strict schedule that we adhere to every day. The boys have a morning routine, an after school routine, and a bedtime routine. Each of these routines are made up of four items. For example–the morning routine begins at 8 am with them waking up, making their beds and getting dressed. 8:10 brings breakfast and clean up. 8:20 brings teeth brushed, shoes/coats/backpacks on–and they are out the door for school. Now hidden in this routine is 1 chore. Making their bed. The afternoon has 1 chore hidden in it as well, and so does the evening schedule. Everyday at the end of the day we sit down for family scripture study, family prayer and rewards. The end of the day reward brings the opportunity to choose a pack of basketball cards. If they do all of their routines for the week, they get PS2 on Saturday or some time at a park for some B-ball. If they complete their routines for a month–they get a new jersey of their choice or a new PS2 game.

Well, let me just say…it is amazing! We had a neighbor boy over for an hour after school today. He was busily looking through my boys cards. I mentioned to the boys, that they could earn their cards for the day by getting their routines done. The neighbor immediately piped up wanting to help get the straightening done. Let me tell you-those three boys whipped my living room and kitchen into shape in no time flat! They were rewarded with a pack of basketball cards each. You would have thought it was Christmas. They then spent the next half hour working on trades–too funny! Now my plan is to compensate with incentives for the first month while we are getting the habits into place, and then begin cutting back. Even if they don’t let me cut back–my boys will be learning to be upstanding members of their community–and I’m happy to pay any price for that!!