Silly

We were feeling silly last night at dinner time.  Here are some silly shots of the kids. 

This was the other night at church.  Zeke fell asleep with his hand down his pants... and yes, he wears the same clothes every day.

Zeke's Questions

What is the fartherest world there is? I'll bet they have sharks there. I like sharks.
What does "h-t-r" spell? Nothing Zeke. What about heater? Yeah, that's close.
Will a snail eat a tater tot?

Friday

We did another Mr. Otter art studio project. The sunset silhouette. Gwen used hers as an entry into an Arbor day poster contest. If she wins she will plant a tree with the mayor. 

Zeke made his with mythical creatures.

Today we went to the zoo. We had a very nice time. The red panda was a highlight as well as the king penguins.

We saw a hawk this morning flying around our neighborhood. Spring break has been great. I'll be a little sad to see Gwen go back to school honestly. 

Tuesday

Comforting brother after a fall.

 

Pudding face

Ring around the Rosie with neighbors.

Everyday Moments Again

It's hard to say what staying home with children is like until you experience it.  These every day moments are ones I will treasure for a lifetime.  

 

Gwen and Zeke swinging on the swing set. 

Romy and the Adirondack chair reading.

Today was such a beautiful day.  We were at the library and on our way back we met my Egyptian neighbor walking with some of her grandchildren.  She invited Gwen and Zeke to go along.  So here they are walking hand in hand with a neighbor.  It was such a sweet scene that I had to snap a photo.

Only in Sleep

I have not heard a more beautiful song recently than this.  What a beautiful voice this girl has!  We are preparing this song for an upcoming concert.  Maybe I'll try out for the solo (?) 

Zeke's remarks

Tonight at dinner:  "mom, I love you"  (I love you too Zeke) "I love you the most, except God" (that's the way it is supposed to be)

Everyday Life

I haven't slept really well in a number of days now.  It seems there is someone always scared, had an accident on themselves, ect. ect during the night these days.  I guess the kids are showing the lack of sleep also because Gwen got in trouble right before dinner and then when she came down she gave me this two sided note. :) 

Romy's pass times include playing with dolls and pushing this Adirondack chair around and sitting in it and "reading" books and laughing her head off at them.

This morning Zeke got sick.  I found him like this when I came down from the shower.  Asleep.  With the Wii remote in his arms.

More Owlets

Zeke and Owlets

Nothing says spring like baby birds right?  Well... move over baby birds... we've got baby owlets.  That's right.  Up the road near where Zeke goes to preschool they discovered some owlets.  I haven't seen them in person, but Zeke's teacher sent me these photos of photos... so that's why they are grainy.  Today I am going up there and looking at them in person.  I've never seen owlets in person.  Kansas has so much wildlife to behold!  

Zeke this morning.  Isn't he cute?

The kids have watched this story over and over and now we have owlets to LOOK at!!!  Can you tell I'm excited about owlets?

Zeke's Questions

Today:  When you die, do you become an angel?  (no, Zeke, people are different than angels)
What part of you is still alive after you die?  like your heart?  (yes, a little like your heart.  It is called a spirit.)

Preparation

This is the music I am preparing for an upcoming concert.  I am so blessed to be able to do this kind of music.
 A memorial to his lost son, Howells wrote this deeply personal, moving tribute in 1932 and kept it hidden from the world until he was finally persuaded to publish it in 1980, just three years before his death.

Chalks

Today we finally got a warmer day. The kids were so excited that after school they changed clothes into summer attire. Zeke came racing down the hill looking like this. I couldn't help but laugh a little. 

Romy smiling. She's still so sweet but recently learned the word "no" and likes to say it. 

Just so you don't think I'm Pollyanna, this picture happened a short while before Gwen became angry with her brother and when corrected became disrespectful which resulted in a trip home for a "disciplinary action". 

Worship

I'm not sure what you do when you fold clothes, but I like to sing worship songs.  This one has been on repeat at my house.  It resonates with me so much and I love singing it to God.  Sometimes when you are home caring for little ones you can feel alone or forgotten...but God sees and better yet, He is with me every moment. 

Mr. Otter Art

This is Zeke's dragon made from an idea from a tutorial here.  We used broken egg shells in the painting of this dragon (for scale effect).  Zeke did everything himself.  We learned the hard way that if a project calls for "acrylic" paint that tempura just won't give the same results.  He decided to make his dragon a ninja dragon with a eye band and belt carrying his many weapons. (cause you know that fire breath isn't enough)  He also drew in a bamboo forest around the dragon.  Although I was a little disappointed in how the paint did and how long this project took, Zeke had fun doing it.  I think we will try a simpler art project next time.  Thanks to my good friend Leah for suggesting this site!   

Zeke's Questions

Today:
How long do you go to jail if you do something bad?
Do they feed you in there? (Yes, balogna sandwiches)
In conclusion: Zeke wants to go to jail for the bologna sandwiches.

My March Madness

Today it was a bit warmer than it has been. The boys rode bikes. 

 Romy trying to ride hers.

Zeke at lunch. He loves hummus, or as he calls it, Thomas.

Romy putting babies "night night"

Aldi Flyer

Maybe it's because I'm reading the latest Jim Gaffigan book called

 "Food: A Love Story", or maybe it's because my brain has been torturing itself with alternating between the songs "wake me up before you go go" and "ballerina girl"... but this aldi flyer says a lot about America. 

This is the last page. Health stuff. Great. 

This is before the health stuff. Steak-umm? Whoever named this needs to be fired. Umm...gross. Horseradish cheese? Do you think company's are trying too hard?

If you can't spell wings without using a z I'm not eating it.  Chicken and waffle chicken chunks. Do people really eat this? 

Shared journal

I've recently started a shared journal for Gwen and I to write to each other. I got the idea from pinterest. I figured it would help her practice reading in a fun way and her writing also. While she is away at school I take a minute and write a little entry and when she gets home she reads it and responds. I leave it on her desk in her room. It has been a really sweet thing between us and so I thought I'd share some pages. Can you tell my love language is words of affirmation?

My Heart

Of all the things I've done in my life, they are all dwarfed by raising and guiding my kids. I went through Gwen's school things and noticed this paper. It says "love means giving up my life to someone else." I was so touched by this that it now hangs up in the kitchen on display. If she can begin understanding this at six then.... wow....