Some Faces

These are the cute faces I'm looking at today.

A Few Pics

Some recent cuteness..

and a little silliness

I actually found Emma asleep like this. The blue hair was the result of crazy hair night at Awana.

A New Toy

LOTSA FUN

The kids got Magna Tiles for Christmas. Grandma got the idea from jody and she's was right they were a HUGE hit. They get played with multiple times a day by all the kids. They can be turned into a house, a garage, a church, a sandwich, and even a birthday cake and presents. And if Zach is involved they get turned into a tower and prepared for a Zach Attack.

They're so fun that even us adults can be found making creations asking for certain pieces from the others making thier creations.

The Run

For PE the kids had to run "The Mile Run", however, thankfully it's just 1/4 mile.

There are not any pictures of the finish line because I was was busy cheering but after they caught thier breath we got some friends shots.

And Zach tried to escape during the race.

First Hair Cut

It Was Time

The boy was looking pretty shaggy.

Here's before, during and after.

Not really happy with the outcome (neither is Alex), but the hair is out of face. I think next time we won't go so short in the front.

Water Discussion?

God's Kindness

Today at lunch I had to deal with a bad attitude with one of the kids. The child was upset at the color cup they were given. We are often quoting Phillipians 2:14 "Do all things without complaining or arguing." Today I followed it up with the "put on" principle and we talked about Ephesians 5:20, "always giving thanks to the the Father in everything". We talked about how thankful we were for clean water and a clean cup mentioning how kind it was of God to provide us those things. I then mentioned there were some kids who didn't have clean water and had to drink out of dirty puddles. This prompted many questions: What if the puddle had dirt it in it? Would they get sick from drinking the water? Would they die?

But then one child asked a question that made me really think before I answered. "Is God not kind to those kids who have to drink out of puddles"? Um, no God is always kind. He never stops being kind. But we can have a part in showing his kindness by helping provide those kids with clean water. We can save our money to help build wells so that those kids can have clean water.

Just Looking

Watching All the Fun Go By

Poor Zachary stands on the balcony watching the kids play outside. It's not going to be too much longer before he starts complaining that he can't go out and play too, but for now he's content watching the fun go by.

Friends and Precious Moments

A Boy and His Brother

When Zach was born Elias was very excited to have a brother. And now that he's crawling thier relationship has grown even more. Elias loves playing with him and just hanging out. I don't think a day goes by where Elias doesn't feed Zach at least one bottle. It's been such a joy seeing thier relationship blossom even at such a young age. Zach is certainly becoming a mama's boy, but Elias doesn't rank far behind.

Even when the whole family gathers for an episode of Little House on the Prarie the boys are still close by to each other.

Whether reading a story, playing etch-a-sketch, or just cuddling while finishing a bottle the boys have definitely created a special bond.

And it's not going to be too long until I have to put a stop to the splashing so that my bathroom doesn't flood.

Fun Times

Apartment Living

It was a beautiful day outside but we have no back yard and really the great outdoors is not fun for a crawler. So we broke out these fun tunnels and tents.

We Celebrated

She's Three

My Little Brooke is 3. And she'll tell you she's a big girl now. Thanks to Grandma she had the cutest birthday dress. I saw this Christmas tree cake in a magazine and thought it would be a fun idea. Thankfully a 3 year old is not worried about keeping her birthday completely seperate from Christmas. She was quite please with her cake. And what child doesn't like picking m&m's off thier cake.

And now she's a big girl like her siblings with her own scooter.

Christmas 2009

Christmas Eve we had an early supper and quickly got things picked up. We really don't have any traditions as we have traveled every other Christmas so the kids didn't have any expectations for Christmas Eve. We turned the tree lights on and lit all the candles. The kids were quite excited to have family devotions by candle light. We had decided that we would let the kids open a couple of presents Christmas Eve but didn't tell them. As a result they were very patient as we sat around the candle lit living room talking and singing. It's a scene that I will hold dearly in my heart. The kids were very surprised when we suggested opening a few presents Christmas.

It ended up being nice spreading out the present opening. Christmas morning the kids woke up and played with the toys they had opened the night before not begging to open presents. And we did open the rest of the presents we we took time to play with each toy instead of continually telling the kids, "no don't open that game, let's keep opening presents." It's a tradition we may keep up.

Zach's Christmas

Baby's First Christmas

And as to be predicted he was more interested in the paper than the presents.

And much to mom's "non" delight this little guy started crawling before Christmas. I thought I had another month left before needing to baby-proof everything, but Zach decided he didn't want to wait any longer to try and catch up to his siblings. His new presents do not keep him occupied. He is a typical 4th child and is not content unless someone is in his face playing with him. Thankfully there are many siblings to fill the job.

We're Ready

It's finally up

It seems I'm a little behind this year. Usually my goal is to have all my Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving. This year I didn't even start until after Thanksgiving. We put up the earlier this week and finally last night the kids and I decorated it. So we are enjoying the tree for the 7 days before Christmas.

I started a Christmas tradition a few years ago of collecting Christmas toys. That way when I put up the tree they have things to play with because really kids don't appreciate just looking all the Christmas decorations. Last year we added the fisher price nativity scene. And apparantly the fisher price castle should be sold with it becuase in our house the wise men visit Harod in a pink castle. I think the day before Christmas we'll add the wrapped presents but until then the kids are enjoying the nativity puzzle, books, and blocks which makes for a happy momma.

MERRY CHRISTMAS