The New HP Movie

Oh yes, we will be seeing this in the theaters.  Oh yes.

Wordless Wednesday

Brunch

At the restaurant on Sunday afternoon.

Zoo!

Everyone had a great time, though it was a lot of walking.  We brought the double stroller so the twins could ride if they tired (and a carrier for Ana) but only Addie took advantage.  Gabe walked the entire time, minus the tram rides and lunch. 

We Believe

In One God!  This was our craft for the number 1.

The kids loved having their hands traced (though we ended up using larger ones of my hand), gluing the nails on and the fingers down, and picking their shape and colors.

Lazy Days

We have been taking full advantage of the cooling weather, spending much of our days playing and lounging outside.  A thick blanket makes a wonderfully soft (bug free) spot for us to lay back and sky-watch.  Today there wasn't a cloud to be seen, but that didn't stop us.  Laying head to head in the shade with a cool breeze bringing the smell of freshly cut grass, we watched dragonflies dart about, birds circle and airplanes pass high above.  Such special moments, I soak them in... and know that I would rather be here than anywhere else.

All About Thomas

Well, hello... what's this?

What could be hiding inside?

 It's Thomas!!!!   I completed a few Tot Books I've been working on for the kids, the first of which is all about Thomas The Tank Engine... a very popular guy in this house.  I found the idea and several of the templates over at 1+1+1=1.  What a gold mine of ideas!  The shape cards (which I printed 2 sets of to make a matching and memory game,) the Thomas and Friends book and the counting booklet all came from her website. 

I found the puzzle and the coloring pages at the Thomas and Friends website. The color game I made myself.

I also added in the kids names and pictures in the Thomas and Friends book.  They love to flip through it and find themselves at the end!

A lot of cutting and laminating, but very worth it.  Next up... Veggie Tales and The Very Hungry Caterpillar!

Time to Pray

Steve is currently out of town visiting his father in the hospital.  He recently suffered a stroke but had remained in stable, though serious, condition.  Last night however he took a turn for the worse experiencing organ failure and sepsis.  His condition is precarious and uncertain.  One thing we know for sure, we must pray. 

I had taken the kids outside this afternoon and was pushing them in their swings when I reminded them that we should pray for their grandfather again.  "Do you remember how I told you that Papa Randy is very sick?  We should say some prayers for him, he may be going to see Jesus soon."  They responded with shrieks of glee and clapping, catching me off guard though only for a moment.  Truly the response we should have at the thought of meeting our Lord.

I began to pray the Our Father, slowly so that they could repeat me, and they followed right along.  We followed it up with a Hail Mary, which they asked to repeat 2 more times. At this point I remembered that I had heard a song based on the Divine Mercy prayers.  It had a good rhythm to it that matched well with the tempo of their swinging so we started praying with song, singing our way through an entire decade.  The kids really enjoyed it, and it was so wonderful to have them be focused, attentive and engaged for the prayers we offered for their grandfather.  I think God may have a soft spot for prayers from such small, innocent children... I know I do.