Today

So, I figured out why I am blogging more this week than say...the last year. Ben bought me a nifty little netbook that is ALL MINE. That's right. Mine. Kids cannot even breathe on it. That said, here is today:

Sonora and Quinn pooled their creative juices and made a note delivery service. Your note will be printed and delivered via paper airplane for the low low price of 1 cent.

I requested a note to be sent to Ben letting him know that I love him. Here is the finished product.

Judah is not quite used to our new school schedule and he was worn out today. He was getting REALLY cranky so we put him on the closest thing we could find for blanket time. This is how we found him a few minutes later. School is tough.

Finally, I busted these out tonight for the first time in about 4 years.

Excited to start a new tap class tonight. Classes started in August so I'm hoping that I can catch up. Haven't tapped in years, so I'm looking forward to it. Fun + Exercise. What a deal :)

This Post Has No Title

A couple things from today...

I was sitting on the couch looking up at the ceiling when I saw what looked like a spider. I asked Quinn if HE thought that it looked like a spider. He said, "Yes, and you can scream now."

Also, this morning Sonora asked me what I was like when I was a baby. All I could think of in response was, "I was little."

That's all I could think of...really? I think I'm slipping...

His Go

So, I've been really bad about blogging this year. REALLY bad. Well, I'm hoping to take a few minutes each day to write just one thing about our day. I'll start there and see where that takes me. Hopefully.

So tonight at dinner we were talking with the kids about what it means to be a 'Christian'. We asked the older kids and received their answers. We then asked Sonora. She thought about it for a minute and then mumbled a bit (I think she was embarrassed that she didn't 'know' the answer). She talked about praising God and then I heard her say, "and you follow His go." I love that. LOVE it.

Bits and Pieces

Writing to remember a few snippets from today...

In random order:

Harper: At dinner, she said, "Mama, do you know you have the best mama smile ever?" I don't know what she's up to, and frankly, I don't care. I'll take it :)

Quinn: This afternoon the kids went door to door looking for work. (Yes we feed them) Surprisingly, a neighbor told them to pick up sticks from the yard and she would pay them $2 each. She went to give them the money beforehand, and Quinn gave it back to her saying that he couldn't take it until she saw the job he had done. I WAS SO PROUD OF HIM!!! I saw a glimmer of the man that I pray for him to be.

Nate: After the kids brought their money home to show us, Ben told them that they now had to pay taxes. Running away upstairs, Nate yelled as he went, "I don't believe in taxes."

Judah: It is so fun to walk hand in hand with Judah. He is so short and his little legs are so chubby, that he has to take five steps for every one of mine. I love it. I looked down at him today as we were walking and felt happiness and sadness at the same time. It is such a precious time, that will be gone all too quickly...

Sonora: Alright, I admit, I saved this one for last. The first words I heard this morning have stuck with me all day...She walked down the stairs, and the first thing out of her mouth was, "What is that ugly smell? Smells like chicken."

A Perfect Day

Today was a perfect day.

Beautiful weather, awesome agenda of activities, interesting conversations, loving family, and a day where smiles lit up every moment. My heart is full.

Here is what I managed to capture from what the girls called "the best, most best day EVER!"...

The tea room provided beautiful hats for the girls to use during tea.

The atmosphere, service, and TEA were fantastic! What a treat!!

FINALLY at the barn!

The riding lesson started with a grooming lesson.

More grooming...although, this was considerably more scary!

Harper riding after all her hard work.

Sonora learning the reins.

Getting ready to brush AGAIN :)

I LOVE this picture...it sums up the day for me...ALL SMILES!

Thank you April and Will for the gift of a perfect day...it will be remembered...

Tea Party

Yesterday, the girls and I had the opportunity to go to a Tea Party at a friends house, thanks to our Keeper's group. We learned about tea, how it is made, various uses, and a bit about etiquette. We had a great time, and learned a lot!

The girls before we left home.

The girls and I before we left home.

Getting settled.

Chatting with friends.

Listening and learning about tea.

Finally, TEA!

Beautiful smile :)

Treats

And more treats...

Sonora was the last one at the table. She loves tea.

It was a wonderful afternoon with tea and friends!

Number Five

Sonora's leisurely breakfast in bed for her fifth birthday :)

The Game of Life

Well, since I haven't posted since JULY!!!, and I have finally finished updating everything, I think I should finally take back up posting on here. I know that in the 6 months that I have taken off from blogging I have missed the opportunity to chronicle so much.

Last night, we had a sort of family game night. We chose the game of Life and with all six of us playing, it was a looooooooooong game! It was interesting, as things usually are when we are all gathered around the table, and as you can see from the look on Quinn's face, this was a no nonsense game. He was in it to win. At all costs. The little bugger took all my life tiles, but I'm not holding a grudge...


Sonora had a bit of a learning curve.


Nate was all business, and the fact that he was the banker (and a good one at that :) came as no surprise to anyone!


Did I mention that this was a really long game?


The game fare of the evening was butterscotch candies. Thanks to Harper. The entire game Sonora kept asking for one more candy, just one more candy, and at the end of the game as no one was listening to her, she finally gave up...walked over to Harper and said..."HAAARRRRPEEEERRRR, can I PLEASSSSE have a hopscotch?"

And finally, I really have no comment on this image, it speaks for itself. I would however, like to wipe some of those memories from my consciousness.

Quinn walked by just now, and looking at this picture, he said, "Ahhh...those were the times!"

Yes, indeed, these are the times...

Vacation Bible School 2009

There have been so many funny things said around here lately, and I have been forgetting to jot them down when I hear them :( We have been busy with VBS and now the planning crunch for school, so I'm hoping to blog more in the near future. Until then, here are some cute VBS pictures. The theme was The Boomerang Express (The Australian Outback). The kids had fun!

This year, I helped in Q~ and H~'s class, so most of my pictures are from there, but I did happen to snap this one of N~ up on stage practicing for the family night program.


J~ in the nursery...


Q~ and H~'s Class.


The busiest place in VBS: Crafts


Yes, a kangaroo in diapers. There is something just wrong about that.


Obviously, it rebelled.


At the end of family night, the kids got to throw water balloons at the pastor.
S~ didn't get one.

Not including the lack of water balloons for S~, it was a very fun week!

Affected to Tea

Tonight I had the pleasure of being invited to the most beautiful tea party in town.

It had the best china...



The hottest tea...


The nicest companionship...


The cutest conversations...

One of which went like this:

H~: Would you like some cotton candy to go with your tea?
Me: Sure! I would love some!!
H~: Well, don't give any to S~, because she's affected to cotton candy!
Me: Huh?
S~: Yummmm....Cotttttooonnn Caaannndddyyy...I'm affected to cotton candy...
Me: Affected? Really! I see...

And, although this party was a female only affair, every party has it's crasher...


I'm addicted to my kids...I think they're really cute!

Too Hot

It is so hot here today! We took the kids to the splash pad and even then they were ready to come home to the AC. I had a little fun with Photobucket after we got home...

The Before: With red cheeks from the heat...

The After: It's a miracle...no heat!


Here is my other blue-eyed beauty....

That was fun! Not the scorching heat part, but the editing!
Staying Cool,