Mia challenged me with wanting fancy hair styles - all.the.time.
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Surviving April
Saturday, April 27, 2019
JAM Memory Challenge Awards (Final Night of JAM)
Wednesday was our final night of JAM.
We started the night with tacos. I call this the "taco assembly line." Ha! These ladies served 100 kids and a few leaders.
Each of the groups celebrated the final night in a different way...
Natalee's group read a Bible story and played a game, Xavier's group watched a movie and snacked, and Mia and Zayden's group played and ate outside.
Zayden and his sweet friend, Claire.
Thirty minutes before our usual dismissal time, we invited all the parents and families to come in and celebrate with us the children who had completed their memory challenges.
We gave out 69 awards and are so pleased with the children and families who made the effort to complete the challenge.
All four of our children completed their memory challenge. We helped the younger two, but I was proud of the diligence our older two showed in completing their challenges on their own.
Many of the children chose Bibles or Bible covers as their award (these are the two things we want to ensure the children have - with a Bible, of course, being the one thing we want to make sure every child has in their home), but we also gave away some Christian book sets, Christian apparel, games, and book light/timers. We tried to make sure sure each child had something they would use - this is a challenge in itself!
Natalee wanted a new Bible for herself - she was still using her children's picture Bible and had read it so thoroughly that it was holding on with the help of a lot of tape.
We started the night with tacos. I call this the "taco assembly line." Ha! These ladies served 100 kids and a few leaders.
Natalee's group read a Bible story and played a game, Xavier's group watched a movie and snacked, and Mia and Zayden's group played and ate outside.
Zayden and his sweet friend, Claire.
Me and a couple of my little buddies.
Thirty minutes before our usual dismissal time, we invited all the parents and families to come in and celebrate with us the children who had completed their memory challenges.
We gave out 69 awards and are so pleased with the children and families who made the effort to complete the challenge.
Many of the children chose Bibles or Bible covers as their award (these are the two things we want to ensure the children have - with a Bible, of course, being the one thing we want to make sure every child has in their home), but we also gave away some Christian book sets, Christian apparel, games, and book light/timers. We tried to make sure sure each child had something they would use - this is a challenge in itself!
Natalee wanted a new Bible for herself - she was still using her children's picture Bible and had read it so thoroughly that it was holding on with the help of a lot of tape.
She had to memorize 30 Scriptures to complete her challenge.
Xavier chose a new Bible case to protect his Adventure Bible that he earned last year.
Xavier's task was to memorize The Lord's Prayer.
Ameliya chose a "big girl" Bible, proclaiming that she'll learn to read it this year in Kindergarten!
Ameliya memorized Genesis 1:1 and the Days of Creation.
Zayden was a challenge. When you are the youngest, there are innumerable picture Bibles and covers and Bible books in the home already so I had to really think to decide what to order him. I finally chose him a Bible game.
Zayden memorized Genesis 1:1.
We're thankful for a church that supports and believes in our children.
Swimming Field Trip
Yesterday was our 2nd annual Honey Creek swimming field trip and it was a ton of fun. More homeschool friends were able to join this year, and more friends = more fun! Daddy was also off and able to come (because I wouldn't have been brave enough to take them all alone).
The Snider family and our family took a lunch and braved the wind to picnic before swimming (the field trip began at noon). The play area was really nice and we were kind of bummed at the cool wind that prevented the kids from playing well (and tossed our food about). Ah well, we'll come again.
We got 2 hours of swimming for a great discount. Two hours never seems like enough, but it's about all you can get without having to stop for snacks and drinks - ha.
The little two were most definitely easier to take pictures of in the kiddie area than the very busy bigger two. The bigger ones are just big enough to kind of trust and they are able to access every part of the swim park so they played water basketball, jumped lily pads, went down the slide, and accessed the lazy river pretty freely, with either mine or dad's watchful eyes keeping track of them.
The water was so warm - it felt terrific.
We did let the little two take their puddle jumpers off in the kiddie area and they loved that. However, when we went back to the lazy river (which they loved as much as the big ones) we made them put them back on.
Yes, you tiny 3 year old - mommy will set you in time-out for disobeying - even at the pool.
Sweet friends...
Zayden took a nap both on the way up and the way home! Swimming is hard work. Mommy was tired, too, after we swam!
The Snider family and our family took a lunch and braved the wind to picnic before swimming (the field trip began at noon). The play area was really nice and we were kind of bummed at the cool wind that prevented the kids from playing well (and tossed our food about). Ah well, we'll come again.
We got 2 hours of swimming for a great discount. Two hours never seems like enough, but it's about all you can get without having to stop for snacks and drinks - ha.
The little two were most definitely easier to take pictures of in the kiddie area than the very busy bigger two. The bigger ones are just big enough to kind of trust and they are able to access every part of the swim park so they played water basketball, jumped lily pads, went down the slide, and accessed the lazy river pretty freely, with either mine or dad's watchful eyes keeping track of them.
Beauty for Baby #5
Our sweet baby #5 (whom we think we will either be Baby E... or Baby V...) has been so blessed already. Check out the sweetness that's been coming in to welcome her...
From my cousin, Patricia, who lives in Vegas but is always so dear to welcome every one of our darlings...
And does she ever have beautiful taste...
I wish I could describe to you the softness and of this extra large blanket...Copper Pearl is my new favorite blanket brand!
A stretchy car seat cover AND a netted one - isn't that smart!?
Zayden is SO excited about the Dr. Seuss from Aunt Lauren...so is mommy.
Mommy loves timeless - and Dr. Seuss is timeless.
These britches - so soft, so cozy - so perfect for our winter.
My sweet friend, Chelsie, left this for me the other day as a "happy last night of JAM" gift. This outfit makes me happy - those shoes...
Annnnd....mommy has done a lil shopping of her own here and there.
These will be baby's "loveys," (I hope). Every single one of our kids has gotten attached to something. The first 3 got attached to something that we weren't able to "duplicate" or buy a suitable second of that they would accept (Natalee - Scout, Xavier - a minky blanket, Mia - Kira [and though we bought her a second after she forgot the first one at a friend's she always knew who was "real]). With Zayden, I chose his lovey and bought 2 from the start and it worked like a charm! I'm hoping the same for Baby 5. These are called Ubbi 2-in-1's. The muslin blanket can be tucked into the little pocket pillow to make a lovey or be pulled out to have the blankie. I think they are so sweet.
Things I love...muslin, swaddles, and florals.
A muslin bath towel...
A new nightgown...because everyone deserves a new nightie.
I've started stock piling diapers, too. We're going to try out the new Hello Bello line this time, but I'm sure we'll use our fav 'ole Aldi stand-by's, too.
Thank you, everyone, for loving our sweet surprise and us in the process. We are grateful.
From my cousin, Patricia, who lives in Vegas but is always so dear to welcome every one of our darlings...
And does she ever have beautiful taste...
Zayden is SO excited about the Dr. Seuss from Aunt Lauren...so is mommy.
Mommy loves timeless - and Dr. Seuss is timeless.
My sweet friend, Chelsie, left this for me the other day as a "happy last night of JAM" gift. This outfit makes me happy - those shoes...
Annnnd....mommy has done a lil shopping of her own here and there.
These will be baby's "loveys," (I hope). Every single one of our kids has gotten attached to something. The first 3 got attached to something that we weren't able to "duplicate" or buy a suitable second of that they would accept (Natalee - Scout, Xavier - a minky blanket, Mia - Kira [and though we bought her a second after she forgot the first one at a friend's she always knew who was "real]). With Zayden, I chose his lovey and bought 2 from the start and it worked like a charm! I'm hoping the same for Baby 5. These are called Ubbi 2-in-1's. The muslin blanket can be tucked into the little pocket pillow to make a lovey or be pulled out to have the blankie. I think they are so sweet.
Thank you, everyone, for loving our sweet surprise and us in the process. We are grateful.
Sunday, April 21, 2019
Impromptu Field Trip
On Wednesday, my friend, Dana, text me and said that the power company was hanging new electric lines right outside her house with a helicopter and, even though she was at work, that we could go hang out in her yard and watch.
After the boys' hair cuts we ran out there. I hadn't told the kids what we were going to see because it was really windy and I thought maybe they wouldn't be working because of the wind, but as we neared her house the helicopter cut right in front of us and we followed it to their work site.
The kids ran from the "big rock" to the porch to the trampoline and all around following that helicopter as it zipped to and from. We got to see it land and take off 4-5 times, which they loved.
Thank you, Dana, for loving us and for letting us know about such a fun (and easy) opportunity! Mom's favorite kind!
After the boys' hair cuts we ran out there. I hadn't told the kids what we were going to see because it was really windy and I thought maybe they wouldn't be working because of the wind, but as we neared her house the helicopter cut right in front of us and we followed it to their work site.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)