in our bags and around the house.

Every day I rummage through Finn's backpack. I quickly sift through all the generic worksheets and chuck them(shh don't tell) in search of any papers with a bit more personality.

Ok, let's see...here we are practicing the letter "C". Ho-hum...about to get canned, but wait. Turn it over.

On back they can draw whatever they want that starts with the letter "C".

"C" is for CAT...and...Colorado? Hold on a sec. I'll be right back.

Yep, that square is the shape of Colorado. I should know that. This mama is not so great at geography.

And on the back of the letter "F" worksheet...I spy a green Florida...yes, phew, I did recognize that shape.

When I was on my lent blogging break, Finn and Calvin were on a gigantic geography kick. Here are some photos I dug out of the archives.

And the whole world.

And I bet geography isn't so bad if you think of it as a puzzle...except as a kid I hated puzzles. I think I am the only person I know who does not like snuggling with a big huge puzzle over apple cider in the foggy months of December.

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The other day I found Finn sitting down at his little table outside, looking oh-so-serious. With little crayons in hand, he was drawing an accurate rendering of our backyard:

I tried to take a pic of what he was seeing, but my camera is not panaramic...so here ya go.

I'm particularly fond of his orange pot.

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A little while ago Finn and I had a conversation that went like this:

Finn: "Mommy, what is your favorite color?"

Me: "Why, mustard yellow o'course"

Finn: "Ahhhhhg(slapping hand to forhead). I thought it was eggplant!"

Poor thing. He tries to keep up, but that was soooo yesterday. He always likes to know my fav color so he can draw my clothes the correct color. Bless his heart.

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Yesterday(or was it today? I am in a total time warp today) I found this drawing by Calvin Jack.

Do you have any idea what's going on in this picture?

Give me your best guess. Winner gets an "atta-boy".

And while I was taking photos of the boys' work on the deck, can you believe who snuck in the house AGAIN for the 3rd day in a row?

Yah, it's Buddah.

Looks like I am not the only one experiencing the joys of CAT INVASION.

John and the boys walk around with puppy-dog-eyes, begging me for a cat.

I say no.

Because I am mean.

So I tried to be nice and pretend what it would be like to have a cat for a few minutes.

Oh so dreamy.

Check out Calvin's eyes.

And his happy smile.

Even Finny seems enamored.

Well, that was nice. I send Buddah back outside. In the rain. Because I'm mean, remember?

Aw, so sweet.

And sad at the same time.

BUDDAH, PLEASE DON'T GO!

Even I was starting to warm up to the "cat" idea.

I was starting to feel all nostalgic and teary-eyed. Sniff.

Alright Buddah. Let's talk.

Oh, look at our little footsy-prints and paw-prints together.

Maybe I'm falling in love...

Click, click, a few more pictures of our future cat.

Then BAM, out of nowhere, Buddah is ticked at my camera and lunges for me, scratching my leg. No lie.

Abrupt end to kitty love.

Nice try John and boys. Buh-bye Buddah.

I ran screaming into the house and sprayed my leg with Bactine copious amounts of time, so as not to contract some bacterial infestation.

Crazy psychotic cat tried to take me down.