And with beauty like this, how could we not?
What Should Have Happened
2 months ago
Friday, November 12, 2010
So much to catch up on...in installments
Halloween
I'll not bore you with much dialog. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves as much as possible.
Storybook Forest with Besties
Vocabulary Parade at school. B was "diversion" and had sayings like "Look over there." and "Does this look infected?" on her jacket, along with other accessories that would cause a distraction. Below is her teacher as the word "Jest". I snapped this shot as she was gearing up to click her heels in the air. One second too soon. :(
Evidence you should always have a camera ready.
B made up a super hero this year. The girls were "Pajama Girls". Super Heroes that help kids get ready for bed and sleep. I used this this picture to made an emblem on their shirts.
Not one stinking picture of them both in costume. Argh.
Monday, November 08, 2010
B's latest endeavor
About half way home on our 14 drive from Ohio (more about the trip in future posts), I gave the girls a lap board with Disney coloring sheets, markers and crayons. They spent several miles creating masterpieces. I was thankful to give them something to do, even though they are fantastic travelers. ( I have to brag right here that in the entire 29 1/2 hours we were traveling to and from my parents, the girls were wonderful. They didn't fight one time, they shared toys, they helped each other reach things, they invented games and laughed a lot. And hardly slept. I can't imagine a better set of traveling kids!!)
When we got home and unloaded the van, I started sorting laundry and the girls kept coloring. Brenna asked for a pair of scissors and separated some of her creations. She then told me she wanted to sell the pictures so she could buy a certain toy for Piper. She wanted to raise $12. She had three pictures and wanted to sell them for $5 each. I told her not even her mother would spend that much money on them, (Only a Grandmother would!) so she dropped the price to $2. I didn't realize she wanted to go door to door right then and sell them. I thought, like many other ideas, this would be forgotten by the next day. But Brenna asked Josh to walk around the neighborhood with her while she sold them.
Let me add here that this is very unlike Brenna. Lately, we have really been encouraging her to speak for herself in public places. We are really putting an emphasis on speaking to people who speak to her, like when sweet elderly women comment on her outfit or someone asks her how old she is. We have also been making her ask for her own refills at restaurants. This has been a struggle because she doesn't want to do it. There have been times where she didn't get a refill because she wouldn't ask.
So, as much as it was out of Josh's comfort zone, he walked around the neighborhood at dusk after being in the car for 14 hours straight while she hocked her pictures. I was equally proud and mortified that she was doing it.
She actually sold all three pictures and received $6 total. The thing that amazed me most is that after going to the "safe, friendly" neighbors first, she headed to houses of people we have never talked to before. She received one flat out rejection, (not counting the one from our good friends who came over when they heard we were home) but she didn't seem bothered by it, she just moved on.
And then yesterday, Brenna ordered her lunch all by herself with no prompting from us.
This post is really to catch family up on the changes, but also,
local friends...consider yourself warned. Brenna is coming out of her shell and has a mission! :)
When we got home and unloaded the van, I started sorting laundry and the girls kept coloring. Brenna asked for a pair of scissors and separated some of her creations. She then told me she wanted to sell the pictures so she could buy a certain toy for Piper. She wanted to raise $12. She had three pictures and wanted to sell them for $5 each. I told her not even her mother would spend that much money on them, (Only a Grandmother would!) so she dropped the price to $2. I didn't realize she wanted to go door to door right then and sell them. I thought, like many other ideas, this would be forgotten by the next day. But Brenna asked Josh to walk around the neighborhood with her while she sold them.
Let me add here that this is very unlike Brenna. Lately, we have really been encouraging her to speak for herself in public places. We are really putting an emphasis on speaking to people who speak to her, like when sweet elderly women comment on her outfit or someone asks her how old she is. We have also been making her ask for her own refills at restaurants. This has been a struggle because she doesn't want to do it. There have been times where she didn't get a refill because she wouldn't ask.
So, as much as it was out of Josh's comfort zone, he walked around the neighborhood at dusk after being in the car for 14 hours straight while she hocked her pictures. I was equally proud and mortified that she was doing it.
She actually sold all three pictures and received $6 total. The thing that amazed me most is that after going to the "safe, friendly" neighbors first, she headed to houses of people we have never talked to before. She received one flat out rejection, (not counting the one from our good friends who came over when they heard we were home) but she didn't seem bothered by it, she just moved on.
And then yesterday, Brenna ordered her lunch all by herself with no prompting from us.
This post is really to catch family up on the changes, but also,
local friends...consider yourself warned. Brenna is coming out of her shell and has a mission! :)
Monday, October 25, 2010
Cuteness update
Brenna tried a new do.
Piper wore whatever she wanted...again.
The cuteness is inside the boxes. I mailed 7 orders of cake pops a few weeks ago and shipped 5 boxes today. The boxes sent today are for a wedding this weekend in New York.
We do NOT have cats. We have two stray cats that hang out in our yard. Probably because I feed them. I don't want to hear it. I know!!
Clearly, Piper loves the cats as much as I do. The one you see under the table is Sam and he is our personal favorite. I think he could be around for a while.
Piper wore whatever she wanted...again.
The cuteness is inside the boxes. I mailed 7 orders of cake pops a few weeks ago and shipped 5 boxes today. The boxes sent today are for a wedding this weekend in New York.
We do NOT have cats. We have two stray cats that hang out in our yard. Probably because I feed them. I don't want to hear it. I know!!
Clearly, Piper loves the cats as much as I do. The one you see under the table is Sam and he is our personal favorite. I think he could be around for a while.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Costume time again
Every year I have made the girls Halloween costumes. I enjoy it more than I thought I would. I like the whole process of them deciding what they want to be and dreaming up how we can create it. It always turns into a full family effort. I might be sewing, but the girls are planning and Josh is coming with the final touches that make them great.
Here is what we have done so far:
Here is the skill set I get to use this year. (Which is SO much less my talent than even my pathetic sewing one!)
I can't wait for you to see the final creative outcome!
Here is what we have done so far:
2006 - Belle - not worn by my texture tortured 2 year oldI am a little sad that this year I am not making homemade costumes for my girls. BUT, I think this might be one of my favorite costumes yet because it is 100% their idea. Every aspect of it was thought up by my girls. I simply carried out their wishes.
2007 - Ariel and Flounder - no pictures of Flounder
2008 - Super girl and Wonder Woman
2009 - Word Girl and Captain Huggy Face
Here is the skill set I get to use this year. (Which is SO much less my talent than even my pathetic sewing one!)
I can't wait for you to see the final creative outcome!
Monday, October 18, 2010
A New Friendship
So, Saturday, Brenna tells me she wants to be an author when she grows up. I asked her what kind of stories she had in her head and we starting about different kinds of books and stories. Then she wrote one....just like that.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Chilean rescue
Like many I am watching the rescue of the Chilean miners this morning. I am deeply moved by their experience and find myself trying to imagine what they are feeling right now.
Can you imagine?
I really can't.
I can't fathom 69 days with no sun, no contact with family, limited space, food and contact. I can't imagine being the first one to climb in the tiny metal cage to be pulled up. I can't imagine being the last one up either. I can't imagine where their imaginations have taken them in these 69 days.
But I can't imagine that they can walk away from this experience without being deeply affected. I pray it is for good.
I was moved to tears when I read this statement online:
Can you imagine?
I really can't.
I can't fathom 69 days with no sun, no contact with family, limited space, food and contact. I can't imagine being the first one to climb in the tiny metal cage to be pulled up. I can't imagine being the last one up either. I can't imagine where their imaginations have taken them in these 69 days.
But I can't imagine that they can walk away from this experience without being deeply affected. I pray it is for good.
I was moved to tears when I read this statement online:
"The second, Mario Sepulveda Espina, was released about an hour later. Even before the capsule reaches the surface went back, his screams could be heard enthusiastic. After hugging his wife, he laughed with rescuers by distributing stones in memory of his stay at nearly 700m below the earth.I pray these men are truly rescued, not only physically but emotionally and spiritual from this experience. I pray they all feel that God took them...and rescued them from 700m from the bottom.Then he hopped, as if to prove he was doing well even before the medical team not to take her exams.
“I think I was extraordinarily lucky,” he said then in a room designed by the government for interviews. “I was with God and the devil and God took me.” He praised the work of relief: “It’s incredible that they have saved us while we were 700m from the bottom.”
Monday, October 11, 2010
Public Works Open House
Thursday night we went to the Public Works Open House. We have done this the past couple years and really enjoyed it. It is a lot of fun for the girls, educational for us, and gives us an opportunity to thank the people who work so hard each day to make our lives easier (ie, clean water, electricity, waste control, etc). And those same workers seem to have a really good time as well!
Here are a few shots of our evening.
After dinner (Free) we moseyed around the booths. As we collected free loot (some useful, some not so much), there was a clown named Sam making balloon animals. Piper asked for a Purple Poodle. (I love her little face.)
Bren and I feel the same way about clowns. Not amused. in. the. least.
I enjoyed watching the girls that night. When I took this picture they were listening to a fireman talk about their 1929 firetruck. They were both out of their comfort zone because they were talking to a stranger, but they handled it differently. Brenna sided up to Josh and everything about her face and body movement indicated she was shy and uncomfortable. Piper, on the other, had a very expressive face. She would tilt her head and twist her little foot. The whole time putting out a signal that indicated she was shy, but really wanted/liked attention.
Yes, we know we will have to watch her! :)
Here is the 1929 firetruck.
THIS was fun! The girls got to bowl with a backhoe. A bowling ball was attached to the crane and the girls pushed and pulled the controls (with lots of help) to get a strike...or spare...or whatever you call it when you just keep swinging until everything falls down.
Piper went first.
Bren took a turn.
I have no idea what this is.
While waiting in line for the bucket truck, Piper decided to try her hand at working on the power lines. She had to use a hook on a pole to unhook something. The determination on her face is priceless. Her helmet kept falling off, so right after I took this picture, the man beside her just kept his hand on her head. It was pretty sweet.
By the time we got to ride in the bucket, it was dark. You will have to trust me that Jessica, Brenna and Piper are in this bucket with an employee.
Poor Piper couldn't see over at all, so the guy let her stand on his foot.
From their 65 foot vantage point they could the beautiful lights of our fair city.
Here are a few shots of our evening.
After dinner (Free) we moseyed around the booths. As we collected free loot (some useful, some not so much), there was a clown named Sam making balloon animals. Piper asked for a Purple Poodle. (I love her little face.)
Bren and I feel the same way about clowns. Not amused. in. the. least.
I enjoyed watching the girls that night. When I took this picture they were listening to a fireman talk about their 1929 firetruck. They were both out of their comfort zone because they were talking to a stranger, but they handled it differently. Brenna sided up to Josh and everything about her face and body movement indicated she was shy and uncomfortable. Piper, on the other, had a very expressive face. She would tilt her head and twist her little foot. The whole time putting out a signal that indicated she was shy, but really wanted/liked attention. Yes, we know we will have to watch her! :)
Here is the 1929 firetruck.
THIS was fun! The girls got to bowl with a backhoe. A bowling ball was attached to the crane and the girls pushed and pulled the controls (with lots of help) to get a strike...or spare...or whatever you call it when you just keep swinging until everything falls down. Piper went first.
Bren took a turn.
I have no idea what this is.
While waiting in line for the bucket truck, Piper decided to try her hand at working on the power lines. She had to use a hook on a pole to unhook something. The determination on her face is priceless. Her helmet kept falling off, so right after I took this picture, the man beside her just kept his hand on her head. It was pretty sweet.
By the time we got to ride in the bucket, it was dark. You will have to trust me that Jessica, Brenna and Piper are in this bucket with an employee. 
Poor Piper couldn't see over at all, so the guy let her stand on his foot. From their 65 foot vantage point they could the beautiful lights of our fair city.
Thursday, October 07, 2010
A bit of a rant
I have noticed something that is becoming increasingly annoying to me. I realize I should just let it go. I know it isn't worth the energy of a blog, but it is like pulling a thread on a sweater. The more I am aware of it, the more it gets messed with.
Have you ordered an iced coffee from McDonald's lately? Have you noticed their sizes? They have medium, large and extra large. (This is only the case for iced coffee.) If you order a medium iced coffee you get the smallest one they serve (16 oz). If you order a small, you still get the smallest one they serve and the "Is your order correct" screen will say "medium" on it. And if you want the size that is in the middle, you need to order a large. I don't know what size a large is because I have never ordered a large. Or an extra large. I most often order a medium, wanting the size IN THE MIDDLE!!! But I order a medium and get a small.
Do you see why this drives me crazy?
Anybody want to say about what drives them crazy? Rant away!
Have you ordered an iced coffee from McDonald's lately? Have you noticed their sizes? They have medium, large and extra large. (This is only the case for iced coffee.) If you order a medium iced coffee you get the smallest one they serve (16 oz). If you order a small, you still get the smallest one they serve and the "Is your order correct" screen will say "medium" on it. And if you want the size that is in the middle, you need to order a large. I don't know what size a large is because I have never ordered a large. Or an extra large. I most often order a medium, wanting the size IN THE MIDDLE!!! But I order a medium and get a small.
Do you see why this drives me crazy?Anybody want to say about what drives them crazy? Rant away!
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Hangman
I play Hangman at the end of every Bible class I teach. Brenna usually comes in at the end and solves the word or phrase before the other kids. She makes me proud.
We have also been playing it at home quite a bit. The other night Josh and Brenna were busy doing their projects and Piper and I played a quick round of Hangman. Piper's spelling words is pretty limited. She is good at sounding out words, but not so much on the spelling of them-she is only 4! So below is the puzzle I created for her:
I think she did pretty well!
Then Brenna wanted to play as well. Piper and I worked together on this puzzle:
Not a stellar game. haha Thankfully Brenna likes to do hair, facial features and belly buttons on her hangmen.
Finally, Piper wanted to do a puzzle for Brenna and me:
We should of known there was no Q or V. There hardly is ever a Q or V in Hangman.
(She said she miscounted and there were too many lines, but we solved the puzzle.)
We have also been playing it at home quite a bit. The other night Josh and Brenna were busy doing their projects and Piper and I played a quick round of Hangman. Piper's spelling words is pretty limited. She is good at sounding out words, but not so much on the spelling of them-she is only 4! So below is the puzzle I created for her:
I think she did pretty well!Then Brenna wanted to play as well. Piper and I worked together on this puzzle:
Not a stellar game. haha Thankfully Brenna likes to do hair, facial features and belly buttons on her hangmen.Finally, Piper wanted to do a puzzle for Brenna and me:
We should of known there was no Q or V. There hardly is ever a Q or V in Hangman.(She said she miscounted and there were too many lines, but we solved the puzzle.)
Monday, October 04, 2010
We Don't Need No Education...
...We Don't Need No thought Control...
And if any one teaches my kid that song I will throttle them! :) We love homework at our house...well...the two little ones do. I feel very blessed to live in a community with such a strong education system and I support our teachers and administrators completely.
And if any one teaches my kid that song I will throttle them! :) We love homework at our house...well...the two little ones do. I feel very blessed to live in a community with such a strong education system and I support our teachers and administrators completely.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
A few Saturdays ago we spent a fair amount of time at Barnes and Noble. Brenna had some gift cards to use from her birthday. She picked out two books and a book light. We agreed that she could get the book light as long as she promised to not abuse it by staying up after bedtime reading. We decided that on Friday nights she can read as long as her little eyes can stand it after our bedtime routine. Of course, Piper wanted in on that action. I found a light for her to use on Friday nights. I don't know how late they were up last Friday, but they loved it!! I could hear them giggling for a long time after I turned out their lamp. They even wanted to go to bed early on Saturday so they could read for a while after the bedtime routine! I LOVE IT!!!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Dash at the Zoo
Last Wednesday the girls and I were invited to join cousin Erin and her out of state friends at the zoo after school. Micah joined us because he is always up for an adventure!
Did you know the zoo closes at 5:00pm?
Huh. I didn't.
We got there around 4:00pm and quickly headed for the children's area. We got to pet goats (and let them be free...we were not the favorite guests of the day), pigs, sheep and I think we were watching a chicken actively die. Erin's littlest friend wanted to see the owls so we headed to the Oklahoma Trail. If you are familiar with our zoo, you realize these two exhibits are not located next to each other...and the owls are in the BACK of the Oklahoma Trail. Erin, Marlea and Kate got there just in time for a zoo keeper to unlock the door so they could go in quickly and look. My crew wasn't in such a hurry to go in the bat cave to see the owls, so we moseyed and enjoyed the deer and buffalo while they visited the nocturnal crowd.
Even thought it was rushed, I really enjoyed it. We pretty much had the park to ourselves and all the animals were coming out in the cool of the day. I think we will go back and just visits bits of the zoo until it is too cold.
I leave you with this...
Did you know the zoo closes at 5:00pm?
Huh. I didn't.
We got there around 4:00pm and quickly headed for the children's area. We got to pet goats (and let them be free...we were not the favorite guests of the day), pigs, sheep and I think we were watching a chicken actively die. Erin's littlest friend wanted to see the owls so we headed to the Oklahoma Trail. If you are familiar with our zoo, you realize these two exhibits are not located next to each other...and the owls are in the BACK of the Oklahoma Trail. Erin, Marlea and Kate got there just in time for a zoo keeper to unlock the door so they could go in quickly and look. My crew wasn't in such a hurry to go in the bat cave to see the owls, so we moseyed and enjoyed the deer and buffalo while they visited the nocturnal crowd.
Even thought it was rushed, I really enjoyed it. We pretty much had the park to ourselves and all the animals were coming out in the cool of the day. I think we will go back and just visits bits of the zoo until it is too cold.
I leave you with this...
Monday, September 27, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Grandparents day
Brenna drew this as part of a project at school for Grandparents Day.
In case you are curious, Granddaddy has hair above his ears. Grandpa had a fu mancho of sorts. And Grandma has a ponytail. Not a soul patch.
P.S. while looking to see how to spell fu mancho, I found this website.
Enjoy.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Lake Murray - Sunday
Sunday morning we all met and had church together. It was great to sing and praise God out in His world. Brenna told someone she hoped it wouldn't be an hour long because she didn't have her church bag. haha. It wasn't very long, but it was memorable.
These pictures were taken immediately after church.
The girls rode their bike everywhere at the lake. This is a shot of them coming down the hill from the cabins to check out. I drove the van, turned in the keys and waited for them. Nic went to the rescue because they were both picking up speed faster than Josh could keep up with both them.
After we checked out, we all drove to Tucker Tower to go up in it.
The kids looking over the side of the ground floor of the tower, which was about 100 feet above lake level.
The kids really lucked out on the walk up
The whole group, half way up to Tucker Tower
These pictures were taken immediately after church.
The girls rode their bike everywhere at the lake. This is a shot of them coming down the hill from the cabins to check out. I drove the van, turned in the keys and waited for them. Nic went to the rescue because they were both picking up speed faster than Josh could keep up with both them.
After we checked out, we all drove to Tucker Tower to go up in it.
The kids looking over the side of the ground floor of the tower, which was about 100 feet above lake level.
The kids really lucked out on the walk up
The whole group, half way up to Tucker Tower
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Lake Murray-Saturday
This past weekend we went to Lake Murray with some friends and had a wonderful, relaxed time. We got down there Friday night late. We pretty much just got acclimated a little bit and stayed up late talking. It was a great start.
Saturday, our family got up and had waffles, eggs and sausage for breakfast then investigated the park a little bit. The group played a round of mini-golf. I'm sure some were keeping score, but most of us were just trying to keep the ball on the green.
After lunch we went swimming.
Piper would yell "I'm the Queen of the World" then I would drop her in the water.
A little game of Chicken
The money shot!
I love B's expression!
Tucker Tower - originally built to be a Governor Summer home, but never was used that way.
After the cruise, we had Smores at the cabin.
It was a great day. We were all worn out and didn't stay up at late as I thought we would.
Sunday's adventure tomorrow....
Saturday, our family got up and had waffles, eggs and sausage for breakfast then investigated the park a little bit. The group played a round of mini-golf. I'm sure some were keeping score, but most of us were just trying to keep the ball on the green.
After lunch we went swimming.
Piper would yell "I'm the Queen of the World" then I would drop her in the water.
A little game of Chicken
The money shot!
I love B's expression!We went back to our cabins and had a potluck dinner, then we headed out for our Sunset Cruise. It was a wonderful night for it. We got to tour around the lake, see the Marina, Tucker Tower and Buzzard's Roost. The kids even got to drive the boat - including Morgan.
Tucker Tower - originally built to be a Governor Summer home, but never was used that way.After the cruise, we had Smores at the cabin.
It was a great day. We were all worn out and didn't stay up at late as I thought we would.Sunday's adventure tomorrow....
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