A bit more regular: posting, that is

 I didn't expect the relationship between Joseph and Isaac to develop so happily this year.  I knew that they would be the only two home during the day but I doubted that they would play together much as there is nearly three years between them.  My mother, however, assured me otherwise; and she was right.  Nevertheless, we are a little wary of Isaac learning too much under the tutelage of the Joe-minator.  (After looking at this picture again, I feel the need to reassure you that Joe's head is not really shaped like that - the camera must have distorted it slightly.)

 Isaac does enjoy when his other siblings arrive home from school.  Excuse the red makeup around Ben's eyes.  It was dress-up-as-your-favourite-animal day at school and Ben went as a fox.  My makeup removal techniques need a bit more refining.

 Dave insisted that some documentary proof of this pregnancy be provided.  I am not too happy with the results - as you can tell by my expression.  Mostly, I am in need of a haircut; but I am nervous of going under the scissors as I never seem to know what the result will be.

 And just so you believe me when I say that we have been sick:  here is photographic proof.  I am unsure who was sick at the time, but I think that it is quite apparent that I was.

 Oooh, blurriness.  The yearly spelling bee came round again and both Hannah and Jacob competed.  The field was a lot larger this year and somewhat tougher.  Jacob is first on the left and Hannah is third on the left.

 Their bench positioning was obviously prophetic as Jacob placed first with the word opposite.  (Sarah-Grace:  was this word not the antidisestablishmentarianism of yesteryear?)  And Hannah came in third with a frenchifying of usual - usuel.  I always thought that she had a certain Parisian style.

 Jacob eyeing up the competition.

 And then March Break started and the snow came back (although it is now gone again - whew!).  This was before 8am on the first Saturday of March Break.  I awoke to find the four oldest across the street shovelling the driveway of our 94-year-old neighbours.  Before your jaw drops to the floor at the sheer altruism demonstrated by our children, I must inform you that these neighbours pay in chocolate.  They insist.

We went to Ottawa yesterday for the day where we used-clothing shopped (boys blow through the knees of their pants at astonishing rates), ate at various fast-food establishments and watched The Adventures of Tintin.  Well, I and the oldest four kids watched the movie (which I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend).  Dave graciously drove around with a sleeping Isaac and then did some computer-stuff buying.  The above scene is from the drive home:  brothers paying homage to the one who paves the way; or:  Joe and Ben fall asleep without pillows.