A Craft By Sydney

This  is  a  wallet  I  made  myself  

It is made out of duck tape, packing wrap, and pipe cleaners.

The packing wrap is on the inside of the sticky part.

It was hard to make.  First I had to think of it.  Then I cut the packing wrap and covered it with the tape.  I used a pipe cleaner for the fastener. 

Finally....A Little Snow

We made "from scratch--healthy" hot chocolate, which no one drank (not even Matt) but doesn't she look cute doing it?

Golden Birthdays

Sydney 2 years old

Sydney 4 years old

Sydney Today (of course with her creation...Goldilocks and Three Bears)

When Matt and I lived at Mooseheart (a children's home in Illinois) we learned that when your birth date falls on your age then that is a golden birthday.  For instance, I turned 26 on the 26th of March  in the year 2000 (a week later I married my man but that is another story entirely).  This past week my oldest daughter celebrated her golden birthday and the party lasted over a week.  When the last candle was blown out we told her that it would be a while for a celebration like that would occur again.  We began the festivities with a visit from our International friend, Edith.  We went on a hike, had a family birthday party, a friends party, and even a little surprise party at a local Chinese resteraunt.  She told me that it was the best week of her life.  I certainly hope so because she has been one of (three) best things in my life.

Taking Off

Caleb asked his Dad to remove the training wheels

.....after they were gone;  he took off! 

A Real Boy

During quiet time today I had the sense of complete tranquility.  The girls decided to "craft" down in the school room, while Caleb and I stayed upstairs.  He snuggled with me for a moment while I was working through my Bible study.  After a bit he left my side.  I noticed he was lining his little stuffies up in front of the couch like his sisters used to do before they read to them.  I thought in that moment, 'This is the most precious moment.'  After his arrangement was complete, he looked up to me and said, "Now they are ready for me to shoot them!"  Well, I suppose one day I will understand that boys truly are different from us gals! 

Valentine Delivery

As a family we made valentine's to give away at the nursing home where my mother lives.  Sydney took her job as delivery girl very seriously.  Caleb loved making the residents laugh.  Chloe just smiled and was her loving, sweet self.  It was wonderful sharing a little of our day with these very sweet folks.

Caleb explaining to the gentleman why he had to exchange his valentine.  "You are a man and you need a cowboy one....not a girl one..."

My Mama showing off her card from Chloe. 

A Day At The Farm

The first week of February we experienced days of 60 degree weather.  Our friend Edith was visiting from Hong Kong so we decided a day on our friends farm was the order of the day.  As you can see we had a blast.  I even got on the swing a time or two. 

Caleb was dressed as Samson from the Old Testament.  Even the strong man needed to swing!

Sydney preferred to draw from her perch.

The "kids" had a good time in the dirt.