Mama Cardinal

It's been two years since we had a cardinal nest in our rosebush, so I was excited to see this mama sitting on the nest she built.  Maybe it was one of the babies I scooped back into the nest in the same bush two years ago... I have no idea what the life cycle of a cardinal is!  Unfortunately, this one left after about a week, so I guess the eggs didn't make it.

Do It Myself!

 

Abby is 14 months old.  She is reveling in all her independent skills - walking, feeding, dumping laundry or trash cans, splashing in the toilet, exploring cabinets, and expressing herself.  When she's done with her meal, she'll wave her hands in the air and declare, "Dit down!"

Summer Mornings

 In the middle of summer, morning is the only time we want to be outside for very long.  So I try to shoo the kids out the door first thing in the morning to get some fresh air, sunshine, and exercise.
 

 

Some days, though, they just want to sit under the tree and read.  I'm good with that!

 

Sensory Summer Part 4

 

Next activity:  Moon Dough.  This idea came from http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2013/06/summer-boredom-busters-moon-dough.html.  We made a "big kid" version with baby oil, but the "little kid" version contained vegetable oil, because Abby is sure to taste it!

Fun, messy, and great for softening your hands!

Sensory Summer Part 3

This activity was a hit with the kids and kept them busy for several hours.  With some squeeze bottles, pitchers, milk jugs, Dixie cups, and colored water, they mixed their imaginary drink recipes to their hearts content.  With a little intentionality, your can work in art, science, and math - color mixing, measurement, and money.  It was also good occupational therapy practice for pouring heavy containers!

 

 I ordered a cup of the intriguing-sounding "Seaweed Mix".  Naomi wrote up my receipt....

Mmm... refreshing!  Next time I'll try the "Shushy"... whatever that is!

Back Home

 

 The corner of my grandparents' backyard is overgrown with tree saplings, but behind the branches is a piece of my childhood...

 

This little playhouse is the place where I spent hours at a time, cooking, cleaning, rearranging furniture... imagining. 

When I pushed my way through the brush to peek in, I found it just as we left it when my brother or I last played it, frozen in time.  The little pots that I used to make mudpies were still on the table with leftovers from the last  pretend meal. 

I was simultaneously transported back to my childhood while being vividly reminded of the passage of time.  It tugs at my emotions weeks later as a I post the pictures and when I see my kids play with the little stool that I found in the playhouse and brought back with me.  So I needed to hear from the One who is unchanging...

"God, my shepherd!
I don't need a thing. 
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.
Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure.
You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. 
You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.
Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life."
                                          Psalm 23 (The Message, emphasis mine)

Happy Birthday, Naomi!

 

Our baby girl turns 9 this year!  This future dolphin trainer had a fun day of a lunch date with Daddy, enjoying her decidedly dolphin-inspired gifts, and a family dinner of steak and Cookies 'n Cream ice cream pie

She shared her pie with Daddy, because, of course, his birthday is the next day.  As of nine years ago, he's always had pink streamers up on his birthday!  Good thing they both love ice cream pie.

We love our sweet, bright, determined girl!