Faith

I have some people in my life right now that are facing some of life's challenges; they have been dealt some cards that just do not seem right or fair. It's difficult for me as an "outsider" to feel useful in times like these and I often wish there was something more I could do...

“Faith is not simply a patience that passively suffers until the storm is past.

Rather, it is a spirit that bears things - with resignations, yes,

but above all, with blazing, serene hope.”

-Corazon Aquino

Flowers

I think I've mentioned it a couple times before, but here I go again. Little Miss LOVES to pick flowers and give them to me. Most days I have a little vase with flowers, hand-picked by her. Actually, many people would refer to the flowers she picks as weeds, but to those of us in this house, they are flowers.

This is just a little thing that Little Miss does, but it never gets old; it makes me smile every time. It kind of drives her brother crazy sometimes because she actually picks one pansey out of the pot every time she walks through the front door. He just thinks that isn't right...

"Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made, and forgot to put a soul into." ~Henry Beecher

"If dandelions were hard to grow, they would be most welcome on any lawn." ~Andrew Mason

Giving Thanks

There are a couple of times a year when I like to thank the aides I work with and the end of the year is one of those times. I would like to give them more, but I had seven I worked with this year and it can get pretty costly. I decided to make them each a gift. It's nothing big, but it's handmade; that counts for something doesn't it?

Here's what I did.

I covered small notebooks with scrapbook paper.

I also decorated clothespins with coordinating paper and attached magnets to the back. I got the idea from Ashley's blog.

And again on coordinating paper, I mounted a well known quote by Forest Witcraft; one which is quite appropriate for those who work with children.

I packaged the three things in a clear cellophane bag and tied them with ribbon.

I also gave E's teacher a set of 6 clothespin, a small notebook and a giftcard to Borders. As a teacher, I would have liked the gift; I hope she did too!

Father's Day Art

I took the idea for this year's Father's Day cards from this project. The kids drew, outlined, and painted castles; I scanned them and printed them out to mount onto cards. Original art from kids is priceless in my opinion! I think they were a hit and the kids were proud of their artwork!

The First Day

It was my first day of vacation today and here's what we did.

We made a fort out of the sandbox; lucky for us the tree needed to be pruned.

The kids cooled off in the pool and in case of flash flooding,

E was prepared with his rainboots.

For dinner, we took a ride to Water Street in Bristol and at The Clam Shack. The weather was perfect for it and because it was during the week, it wasn't crowded either.

Our Lil' Snappers were quite loopy on the way home, but both of them fell asleep very quickly so it made the loopiness worthwhile...well kinda.

I think I can...

Tomorrow is my last day of school and summer can officially begin.

I can't wait!

Rockin' Too

I must admit, I have grown quite attached to E's longer, messy hair. It's so him; his signature look. He has been pestering us to get a mohawk...a mohawk E? Really? So yesterday we visit our friend Lauren and he consulted with her about what he wanted...Oh boy! We compromised, and the result is what I am calling a "modified mohawk". It can be styled to look like a mohawk, but, it isn't permanent. He is psyched about his new look and I am relieved the buzzer didn't have to come out of the drawer, PHEW!

He woke up at 5 this morning excited for me to make his hair stick up.

"The desire for self-expression afflicts people when they feel there is something of themselves which is not getting through to the outside world. "

-Fay Weldon

The outside world sees you E, loud and clear. Love you little man!

Rockin'

My brother bought this dress for Little Miss for her birthday. I love the punky rock star look so I knew I had to take pictures of her in the outfit as soon as I saw it. In some of the pictures she even added a tutu; I think it works!

Thanks Uncle Jeff for the new duds!

This is Little Miss with her friend.

Little Miss is ALWAYS picking "beautiful flowers" for me. Love her!

“My my, hey hey Rock and roll is here to stay”

-Neil Young

*Some of these pictures have wacky coloring; I really should edit them better before posting, but I'm too tired and I'm thinking it goes along with the Rock N' Roll theme.

Fit for a Prince and Princess

Thanks Meg for this craft idea.

It was a rainy weekend so we tried to keep busy. Once again E had his moments, but in the end he was quite proud of his castle. He wants me to copy it and print copies for everyone...how cute is he?!

And Little Miss made me quite proud as well. I was pretty impressed with this castle drawn by a 3-year old!

“It is better to create than to be learned, creating is the true essence of life”

-Barthold Georg Niebuhr

Rainy Day Fun?

E recently brought home a project he created at school using marshmallows and toothpicks. I then modified it to use with my students to teach vertex, edge and face of 3-dimensional objects. It worked like a charm and the kids, even middle schoolers, really got into it.

The only supplies needed:

I had leftover supplies and thought it would be a good project for today's rainy day. Everyone was excited to begin...

E ate quite a few of these, but Little Miss was not a fan.

No, those are not the hands of one of my children, but my husband. He got in on the fun too and couldn't wait to carry out the plan for his "chair".

E helped Little Miss make a roof.

The finished chair.

Here is Little Miss' creation; I believe this is Memere and Pepere's house, including all the rooms.

and E peeking through his tractor trailer truck

Now, to get to the reason behind the question mark in my title. This project did not go quite according to plan and the pictures are deceiving. E had several mini melt-downs while trying to create his elaborate visions. Unfortunately, I think the marshmallows were too soft and things were toppling over ...not good! We put the marshmallows in the refrigerator and hope to try again.

The empty Ritz cracker box served as reinforcement for the truck.

In the end I think everyone had fun, but it was a little rough for a while.

NOTE: I originally used plain toothpicks for the project, but the colored ones added some fun whimsy.

Pink Toes

First time for painted toenails
"Pink, Mom, like Ellie."
"Of course, Little Miss!"

Responsibility

Master Oh: "What does the belt mean?"

Students: "RESPONSIBILITY!"

E earned his Orange Belt the other night; waiting for the responsibility part to have an effect...hmmmm? What does that actually mean to a 6 year old?

"If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders. "~Abigail Van Buren

Leaving the nest

Well, these were the last two birds in the nest this past Saturday when we went to go look. Unfortunately, all four did NOT make it. We had a casuality at the top of the slide :( I try to forget about it because it makes me sad, but it's part of nature I suppose; survival of the fittest. These two actually flew away when we were down there; I think we freaked them out. That wasn't good, but they flew away successfully...phew! Although this experience with "our robins" was not as successful as the last time, we still enjoyed watching it take place right in our backyard!

There is more information about Robins here if you're interested; it really is amazing. Most hatch and are out of the nest in less that 2 weeks.

What was I thinking?

That picture of John Denver on my blog was a bit creepy. I decided pictures of my two beauties was the better way to go. Enjoy!

Favorite

I love John Denver; I have since I was a little girl and I still am a fan. My kids want me to be quiet when I belt out one of his songs, but I do it anyway. I especially love the lyrics of this song:

For Baby

I’ll walk in the rain by your side

I’ll cling to the warmth of your (TINY) hand

I’ll do anything to keep you satisfied

I’ll love you more than anybody can

And the wind will whisper your name to me

Little birds will sing along in time

Leaves will bow down when you walk by

And morning bells will chime

I’ll be there when you’re feelin’ down

To kiss away the tears if you cry

I’ll share with you all the happiness I’ve found

A reflection of the love in your eyes

And I’ll sing you the songs of the rainbow

A whisper of the joy that is mine

And leaves will bow down when you walk by

And morning bells will chime

I’ll walk in the rain by your side

I’ll cling to the warmth of your tiny hand

I’ll do anything to help you understand

And I’ll love you more than anybody can

And the wind will whisper your name to me

Little birds will sing along in time

Leaves will bow down when you walk by

And morning bells will chime

To tell you the truth, this song makes me cry (almost every time).

PS Speaking of John Denver, "Follow me, where I go, what I do and who I know. Make it part of you to be a part of me." Just click on the follow button on the right side of my blog (I know this is a desperate attempt to get followers, but maybe it will work ....or maybe I'll lose the few of you I have).

Thanks for reading! :)