Monday, December 16, 2019

October

 Ellie (with Katie's help), made cupcake bath bombs.  She purchased the kit with some birthday money.

 The older two were checking to see if they could both sleep inside a tarp for the fall campout--we purchased a second, but then between rain (so much rain that first night) and the cold they slept in a tent anyway.  They'll be ready for next time!

Camping

We had a bit of rain and cold weather, but it was a great trip.  As a side note, if you ever need to assemble a group of small children, they will come running if you sing the Birthday song, but they loose interest pretty quickly when they discover there is no cake.

Ellie asked to see a movie alone with me for her birthday.  There wasn’t much out for kids at the time.  We got a private viewing of Abominable by going on the university fall break (which was different from all the local schools).

We also took advantage of fall break to use some gift cards for breakfast.

Taking a walk

In the car...all the time!

Photo op at the library

Nate made a growth medium for his biology--we found that essential oils worked better at preventing growth for household germs that antibiotic ointment.

Our guinea pig had a couple of rough days, but after much prayer and extra attention, she has recovered!

 We got to see rplicas of the Nina and the Pinta.  The Santa Maria was not replicated because it requires much deeper water (so it can't sail up the rivers they use to move these two ships around inland ports).

The ships were tiny compared to what one might expect for sea faring ships, but Katie still can't hold them in her hands!

 Nate loves maps of all kinds.

Ellie was fascinated by what was below decks (at current it is used as a sleeping compartment for the men who live on board this moving museum, though originally the space below was so full that all men slept on the deck).

Even Gabby tried to catch a peek!  To see if the ships will be coming somewhere near you, you can click here.  They told us the mornings tend to be full of school trips, so afternoons may be better.

Friday, December 13, 2019

September

Our Fall has been so full of good things that I thought I should go back and take a little time to write it down before it leaves our collective memories!

 Our AHG troop year came back in to full swing.  Katie led a night full of butterflies and caterpillars to represent the Chrysalis theme that all AHG troops have been offered this year.  There were videos, crafts, library books, and snacks, all based around it.  Justin's favorite AHG uniform is the little red vests, and we have one of those again, after the three years since Gabby moved up from that one.

Since I tend to be the photographer, and Justin is the one to attend almost all Trail Life things, here is Nate heading off to a meeting!  They have been busy too.  They have completed two branch pins completely this fall with a couple more in the works.  Nate has been working on his Worthy Life (religious recognition) and his Timberline (an award that comes at the end of the elementary years).  The Timberline won't be completed this year, but he has started on the goal setting portion.

 Of course there is lots of reading going on around here.  I think Nate has Wind in the Willows here.

 Math

 A poetry tea...or hot cocoa as the case may be

The Screwtape Letters was assigned reading this fall...no complaints around here about that one, unlike The Great Gatsby, which was not her favorite!

 We had our annual Nation Day of Service for AHG too.  And no one fell in any storm drains!  We had a beautiful day to do it, and a cute little brother who took a walk with mom as we were working.


Friday, November 22, 2019

Friday Funny

Gabby and I had been planning an AHG event with another family, and when we were leaving, they offered for us to take a few things their daughter had matured out of.  I picked up a couple of beading sets, leaving behind a more complicated one, looked at Gabby, and said, “For the Bean.” (Ellie)

She bats her eyes, points to the one I left, and asks, “For the Gab?”

She got the beads.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

TEN

I generally get the kids ‘birthday’ pictures a few days early, but Nate’s didn’t happen that way this year…between general busyness and rain.  So we went out on his actual birthday (at 19 degrees!!) for these pictures.  He, of course refused a coat, but did put on the jacket I requested!
 
 He gets up early to run with his dad.

 
Nate is the solo fellow around here during the day, while dad is at work, and takes all the sisters in stride.  He even plays games that aren’t his favorites to keep Ellie and he friends happy.


He serves at a food panty, helps his sisters with AHG projects, and looks for ways to help.

He loves the outdoors, and is super proud that he got his Woodsman Card (the privileged to carry a knife).

 
He loves books, almost as much as his big sisters.

We love you Nate the Great!

Friday, November 8, 2019

Friday Funny

Justin (Trying to remember a name of some unkind friend of a friend from long ago): He's probably named Johan.

Kate, Gabby, & Nate (in unison): They were all named Johan. (*Pachelbel Rant)

Ellie: Moron, he was probably named Moron.

Me (trying horribly to not laugh...and failing when I look up at Justin to see he's already lost it): We really shouldn’t call people morons.

* ⚠️  Language Warning, but super funny: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JdxkVQy7QLM

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

🎂 Cake Season 🎂

Around here, as the sweltering days of summer come to an end drag on, we begin birthday season.

Save Katie's eighth birthday (the day after Ellie was born), I have made all the kids birthday cakes.
Store bought!

Roses all over

Dairy free carrot cake

Ninjas & snakes 

Simple cakes

Cakes with candy

Pumpkin Pie instead of cake 

Cakes iced in peanut butter frosting and drizzled chocolate

Cakes in the shape of a ball

Crown cakes
Monkey cakes
Ladybug cakes
Regular cakes, with the standard roses
Number 1 cakes
Cat in the hat cakes
Gymnastics cakes
Castle cakes



 Cakes with strawberries dipped in chocolate on top cakes



Cakes with candied lemon peels

Rainbow cakes

And even a Fruit 'cake,' though that was for my mom
And in May, we have Justin's cookie cake most years.

It is fun to ask what they want from year to year.  Flavors and styles change.  And I get to do some baking and decorating.  And they have picked up on the fun, and the older too like to bake and decorate too.

Friday, October 18, 2019

Twelve

 Happiest of birthdays to our Gabby!

She tends to be a bit more reserved when people first meet her,

And loves to sit and read quietly (or cuddle puppies),

But she has a lot of personality too.

She has big opinions,

But I also see her trying to be a peacemaker.

We are grateful for our Gabriella!  We hope your twelfth year is as great as you are!

Love always,
Mama