Remembering March

In March, we took a memorable trip to Explorations in Antiquity. We "went back in time" and learned about life in a tent during Abraham's day, sheep keeping, burials, oil pressing, and mill stones. In was a chilly day, but the kids enjoyed walking through a piece of Jerusalem as it was during Jesus' time and sitting in a slice of a Roman coliseum.

Also in March, we had another important birthday. Josiah turned 9. He woke to pancakes and turkey bacon. We celebrated at Chuck E. Cheese and at Grandfather's.

 He enjoyed putting animal cookies on his cake and trekking through the Paulding County wilderness.

































Our home group joined us for a Welcome Party for our foster boy. He enjoyed helping to make the decorations.

Toward the end of the month, I took Hannah and Josiah to a program at the library about birds of prey. With Hannah's interest in owls, it was a must see. I believe the owl in the picture is a European Eagle Owl and the bird on the bottom is a falcon (it has a mask on to keep it calm). They are part of the Medieval Times Show. The ladies who brought them did a great job and it was very educational.

February Not Forgotten

I've got a bit of catching up to do, since I haven't posted since January.

Why have I not posted in six months?

Well, I have two very good reasons.

1. I was having technical difficulty with downloading pictures.

(I could not bear to post without pics. It would just be so boring.)

2. We took in a foster boy, who kept us very, very busy.

(That alone would have been reason enough, I know.)

Reading and Cooking

It can be hard to find good books for our children to enjoy - ones that they like and we want them to read. Some of the same ones Hannah was fond of are not Josiah's "cup of tea". Enter Mr. Putter and Tabby, a hit with Josiah.

 

What fun books! They are by Cynthia Rylant. Josiah is pretty picky about the books he reads (i.e.- if he doesn't find it interesting, it's not worth his effort), but he gets into these and so do I. I find myself laughing at the antics of the characters and the situations they find themselves in. If you have a youngster who is ready for easy chapter books. Let me recommend Mr. Putter and Tabby.

 

Another thing I would recommend is teaching your children to cook. It worked for me today. Josiah offered to cook supper. I asked him what he would fix. He said tomato soup and grilled cheese, because I had taught him how.

Once he had the "go ahead" from me, he proceeded to get out the ingredients and with some supervision, was able to do everything except turn on the gas stove (which I have not taught him to do yet ;) ).

 

 

 

That's one very proud 8 year old!

 

 

 

Cooking up his favorite grub!

 

 

Flippin' it to perfection!

Bells are Ringing

This school year, Hannah, Josiah and I joined a bell choir. We've been practicing since September. On December 11th, we were part of Carol with the Bells at First Baptist Church in Lilburn. There were several different groups playing. Ours is called the Joyous Ringers and we rang Oh Come all Ye Faithful and Joy to the World.

 

 

The choir is directed by Phil Meyers.

 

 

 

Hannah and Josiah did very well and we enjoyed listening to the other choirs that performed, also.

 

 

 

OCC 2012 Packing Party

We have such a fun time doing this every year. We've been saving up stuff  for a year. Now the time has come to FILL THOSE BOXES!



This year we got premade boxes. Josiah noticed a neat picture on the bottom. Thanks to Mrs. Thomason, who coordinated everything.



Josiah had to try on and test things to make sure they were apropriate for the 8 year old boy he was packing his box for. Hannah is writing a note to go inside the box she is making for a girl.



We packed about 70 boxes this year and then loaded them in the van to be taken to the processing center.

Happy Thanksgiving

Usually on Thanksgiving day, we drive out to Dallas, Georgia to feast with my side of the family tree. But sometimes circumstances keep you from doing the things you want to do.
Like someone getting sick with a bad head cold.
To protect the innocent, I will not name names.
I was resigned to a fate of hum-drum left overs to go with fresh baked rolls, sweet potato casserole, and cranberry sauce (my offering for the family feast which was not to be), until . . .

 

this man went out and brought home a turkey and dressing,

and cooked it to make a real thanksgiving meal.

Oh, and let's not forget . . .

pumpkin pie and whipped cream!

 

So, we feasted here.

 

 

 

I took a walk with the "feverless" child.

Some of us worked a puzzle.

 

 

A recent thrift store find. (Only one piece missing)
 

I found this cool Jesse Tree devotional at www.aholyexperience.com

I printed it out and got the pieces cut out and put on nice paper

to laminate. Then I will punch a hole in the top to put a

string through to hang them up.

 

 

 



I recently had taken pictures of flowers that were blooming in the yard.

 

From our home to yours, I hope you had a pleasant Thanksgiving Day!

Fun on a Budget

Recently a neighbor had another tree cut down.
For us, that means FREE wood chips.
We use it to mulch around flower beds, etc.
And it also serves an unintended purpose.



As the kids were digging out chips for me to add to my flower beds, they got the idea of
making a den of sorts in the huge pile.



Beaver Den 
Materials -$0
Hours to build -1 hr to 100 hours (endless play)
Instructions - none needed