Happy to be with Gramma!

We had such a sweet time with my mom this weekend.

I told her she should definitely come and visit more often!

"Pleeeeeezzze Gramma!!!"

We enjoyed just being together in our home, talking and laughing with

Gramma.  Mostly laughing at things the kids would say and do.  Pure joy!

At the end of the day we decided to teach Gramma how to play Mah-jong.

I gave the kids the night off in the kitchen so they could play with Gramma.

I took breaks from doing the clean-up to snap some photos.

 Amera states, very matter-of-factly "Mah-jong"

She was quite happy about it.

Saturday morning, Gramma helped the kids to set 

up the pool she brought for them.  They were so excited!

Before she came, she called to ask if it would

be ok to bring it.  So we had a little time to consider this new

venture.  I'm glad we said yes, because the kids enjoyed it immensely!

I had a pool similar to this when I was a kid.  Watching them play brought back memories!

Gramma brought water balloons too!

Thank you Gramma, we love you!!!

Baking with Joelle

Joelle loves to be in the kitchen.  We are gradually adding recipes

to her binder.  This time we set out to bake pretzel bites from a recipe

we got from our friend at {une-bonne-vie} (mouse over link for recipe)

Joelle enthusiastically reads the recipe.  She is excited about baking.

I taught her to read the recipe in its entirety before beginning.  

That way we are familiar with all the steps.

Seeing her do something she enjoys is a delight.

She set out to knead the dough for 10 minutes!

Six minutes left to go...how are you doing Joelle?

I offered my help in the last three minutes and she accepted
it without hesitation!  After setting the dough aside to rise
for one hour she headed outside to feed Dakota.  She runs
around and plays with her most evenings.  I love to watch her.

I think we made them a little too big, but they were delicious!  We all
preferred the salty ones over the cinnamon and sugar and I was reminded of one
my favorite treats to get when I'd go shopping...a big salty pretzel with
 cheese sauce  to dip it in!!  YUM!  Next time we make these I will
definitely have some cheese sauce on hand!  

Manny's cute little dance

One evening after dinner, the children wanted to have

some fun and dance around together.  Everyone 

thought Manny was just hilarious with his cute little dance!

Javi had me crackin' up too!  

I'm not always in the mood for this, but I had a blast

just watching them be crazy for a little while.  At the 

end of all the excitement we all laid down and closed our
eyes as we listened to "Moonlight" Sonata and "Fur Elise."
Then it was time for bed!

Learning to sew

This is the child who is learning how to sew and enjoying it immensely.  

She is holding the doll that is wearing the dress that she made.  

This is the spool of thread that was never cut loose from the doll in the 

dress after Brienne sewed on a button.

The result was quite comical...after the fact.  The doll belongs to Clara, 

and Clara spent much of the morning carrying her doll back and forth

and all around the house.  All of sudden little children began to realize

that their feet were tangled up in thread.  As we sought to discover the 

culprit, we found that the thread was never cut from the spool!  

Brienne's lesson learned: cut the thread when you finish a project.

Two boys and a book

I saw some sweet moments taking place and just had

to grab my camera.  Here a few snippets.

I love how Javi gets Manny all cozy with his blankee!

ooops, that's red!

I couldn't figure out what word he was saying! :)

I love how he said "fok" instead of fox.

He's been saying so many words lately, it's exciting!

Wonder what Javi was thinking...the kids think this photo is funny :)

Awww...sweet brothers.

Our growing boy!

Somebody is getting a little impatient for his lunch!

You can tell how hungry he was!  I probably shouldn't

be asking him questions when he's trying to chew!

 A little guys gotta do what a little guys gotta do!

My husband took this photo and when he showed it 

to me I couldn't help but chuckle at our cute little 

man standing on the baseboard!

I have a little lullaby that I made up for him
when he was a baby.   As I held him I thought
of how one day he'll be all grown up and I want
to teach him to be a man who loves and fears God...
It's a very simple song.

Someday you'll be a man.
Someday you'll be a man.
Little Manny, 
Manuelito, 
precious baby, 
you are growing.


I love my little guy!

Backyard fun

Just had to share some of the smiles!  

A walk around the lake

I love announcing special plans to the kids, this time I decided to record it...

I could tell Manny was relishing being with his Daddy all morning!

He wanted to wear a hat to be like Dad!

Anything for a picture of that awesome spider on its web!

It was good to get out into the beauty of God's creation.  

I am hoping to do this at least a few times more before I am

waddling around "with child" : )

Amera's piano recital

Amera's piano recital took place the last Tuesday in May.  

Here she is with her piano teacher of the last six years, Lori McClellan.  

We had a great time together, beginning with dinner at Denny's.  

Kids eat free on Tuesday's, two per paying adult.  

With Amera qualifying as an adult that means all the kids eat for free!  

   Amera was the very last person to play.  We all enjoyed the lively Tarantella that she has been practicing for so long.  Her teacher gave out awards this year in different categories.  Amera received the "character award".  Before announcing who the award went to, she said some lovely things about Amera that I wish I could remember and quote here, but suffice it to say it was a precious moment.

   So often we want things to be perfect.  I felt the pressure in the air as each student sat down to play.  Each one most likely hoping they would not make a single mistake.  Many of them did, including Amera, and she handles it so well.  The following day we were talking about it, about how humbling it is to make mistakes.  We both concluded that sometimes...that can be a good thing.  Just keep striving to do better next time!