If you have a cute little girl in need of cute little clothes, and you want to help a REALLY good cause, then check this out!
Jeremy and Danae were married the year we moved here to Florida. They are waiting to bring home their two adorable boys from Ethiopia, which should be mid-July. I can't imagine the agony of having two children, who are by all legal means yours, and not being able to have them at home and tuck them in at night!
Danae is keeping her hands busy with this project to benefit others. Wise choice!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Flowers
The day before Mother's Day, Ty and Kelly came bursting through the door. In Tyler's fist was a beautiful bouquet.
"FLOWERS!" he exclaimed, grinning broadly and thrusting them towards my face.
Kelly told me later that he bought the flowers and then the pedaled their bikes home from Publix. She asked him if he wanted to keep them hidden from me until tomorrow.
"No! I want her to see them NOW!" He then pedaled his bike with the flowers in his fist, stuck out before him like a little kid with a proud handful of weeds.
:-D
I just loved this spiky one.
Glenna purchased a card for me that was so cute. Kelly cleaned the house like a madwoman.
I am so blessed!
"FLOWERS!" he exclaimed, grinning broadly and thrusting them towards my face.
Kelly told me later that he bought the flowers and then the pedaled their bikes home from Publix. She asked him if he wanted to keep them hidden from me until tomorrow.
"No! I want her to see them NOW!" He then pedaled his bike with the flowers in his fist, stuck out before him like a little kid with a proud handful of weeds.
:-D
I just loved this spiky one.
Glenna purchased a card for me that was so cute. Kelly cleaned the house like a madwoman.
I am so blessed!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Four-Square Summer Nights
While AWANA is on break over the summer, Josh H., our youth pastor, has decided to use Wednesday nights for a fun activity.
Enter: Four-Square Summer Nights!
From 6:30 to 8:30, the youth are welcome to come and play four-square. I have not played the game since I was in grade-school, but evidently the MKs from New Tribes have been playing quite often and brought it to Youth Group. They've played before and after Youth Group all year (as well as before and after any classes held at the church, and at the spring camping trip). Who would have thought four-square could be so competitive, or so fun?
The server, in square four, begins by serving underhanded into square one. The ball must first bounce in your square before you can hit it. You may hit underhand, overhand, or from the side, but you're not allowed to grab the ball or push it in any way.
The line to get into the four-square winds around the room, but it doesn't take long for it to move since someone is out on every play.
Game on! Ref Allie is alert and ready to make the calls.
Coach Josh goes over the official rules.
Sorry this photo is so dark. This is the line waiting to go in.
Look! It's the coach's wife and kid! Someone's getting bigger! We couldn't stop squeezing his pudgy thighs, cheeks, and elbows. He was so worn out by the end of the tournament.
I love this picture of Kelly. I had told her not to get out before I could get a picture of her playing, but the game went so quickly! She's walking away, not defeated, but enjoying the thrill of the game. I hope her hair never ceases to swish!
While the game itself is fun, it's even more fun to dress the part.
The Wacky Sock Group (and El Chico. Can you guess which one is he?):
The Headband Group (and El Chico):
The Refs!
Near the end of the night, Josh made the square larger and had them play as teams (all except for Aaron, who didn't have a partner. We immediately dubbed him "El Lobo." Lone Wolf) They then played elimination rounds until only two teams were left standing.
Winners: Chris and Robert!
It's Wednesday night, so come on down!
Enter: Four-Square Summer Nights!
From 6:30 to 8:30, the youth are welcome to come and play four-square. I have not played the game since I was in grade-school, but evidently the MKs from New Tribes have been playing quite often and brought it to Youth Group. They've played before and after Youth Group all year (as well as before and after any classes held at the church, and at the spring camping trip). Who would have thought four-square could be so competitive, or so fun?
The server, in square four, begins by serving underhanded into square one. The ball must first bounce in your square before you can hit it. You may hit underhand, overhand, or from the side, but you're not allowed to grab the ball or push it in any way.
The line to get into the four-square winds around the room, but it doesn't take long for it to move since someone is out on every play.
Game on! Ref Allie is alert and ready to make the calls.
Coach Josh goes over the official rules.
Sorry this photo is so dark. This is the line waiting to go in.
Look! It's the coach's wife and kid! Someone's getting bigger! We couldn't stop squeezing his pudgy thighs, cheeks, and elbows. He was so worn out by the end of the tournament.
I love this picture of Kelly. I had told her not to get out before I could get a picture of her playing, but the game went so quickly! She's walking away, not defeated, but enjoying the thrill of the game. I hope her hair never ceases to swish!
While the game itself is fun, it's even more fun to dress the part.
The Wacky Sock Group (and El Chico. Can you guess which one is he?):
The Headband Group (and El Chico):
The Refs!
Near the end of the night, Josh made the square larger and had them play as teams (all except for Aaron, who didn't have a partner. We immediately dubbed him "El Lobo." Lone Wolf) They then played elimination rounds until only two teams were left standing.
Winners: Chris and Robert!
It's Wednesday night, so come on down!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Sir James
On Mother's Day, I was filled with love and expressions of love from my children. I also had a very special treat: I got to hang out with a beautiful baby boy!
Josh and Kim had to go to an auto auction and grandma was out of town, so I was the lucky one, the Chosen One, who watched Sir James.
Instead of a crowded brunch and spending too much money, we brought our food over to the H. house. Himself grilled the chicken while James slept. When he awoke, he spent his time charming us all.
He was just cooing and smiling and Glenna!
Hello there, cute little girl! I'm James!
Just yesterday, my firstborn was this size.
Now, my firstborn is this size:
I remember well the days where we would all sit around and stare at the baby.
It just doesn't get old.
Josh and Kim had to go to an auto auction and grandma was out of town, so I was the lucky one, the Chosen One, who watched Sir James.
Instead of a crowded brunch and spending too much money, we brought our food over to the H. house. Himself grilled the chicken while James slept. When he awoke, he spent his time charming us all.
He was just cooing and smiling and Glenna!
Hello there, cute little girl! I'm James!
Just yesterday, my firstborn was this size.
Now, my firstborn is this size:
I remember well the days where we would all sit around and stare at the baby.
It just doesn't get old.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Pysanky Eggs
Our last week of our study of Russia was a great co-op. It really is best to gather the kids together in one place at one time to make one great mess!
This time, we made Pysanky eggs. Our goal was to have a great craft, but especially to appreciate the labor involved in this difficult task and the skills used.
First, the children pricked a small hole in both sides of the egg.
Then, they blew the egg out through the hole in the bottom.
This was not for the faint at heart! Most of the moms had to leave the room during this part.
Most of the children wanted to leave the room as well.
Glenna, on the other hand, was so quick with hers that I didn't even get her on film! She loves doing this, and often blows her egg out of the shell before she makes it for breakfast!
Next, the children sketched a design . . . .
. . . and then copied it on to the egg.
Some designs were quite complex and had to be simplified.
Then began the tedious process of covering the design in wax. They first considered which parts of the design they wanted to remain white. They used this small stylus with a funnel on top.
Scooping wax into the funnel, they would hold the stylus over a candle flame, melt the wax, and then quickly transfer the wax to the egg, bit by bit.
The eggs would then go into yellow dye, and the wax was applied to all parts they wanted yellow, then red dye, and lastly black dye.
Yes, this took a while!
Finally, they would hold their waxy, messy egg over the candle flame and begin to melt the wax, wiping it off on a paper towel. The result was a dyed egg with colorful designs!
They were encouraged to look up photos of Pysanky eggs on the internet. Wow! That's not easy!
Lessons we learned as moms were:
1. Blowing out the egg may have not been a good idea. Elise was heavy-handed and crushed two of them before her mom decided she could finish at home. Hard-boiled or un-blown may have worked better.
2. Scooping wax from a melted candle with a toothpick or q-tip worked as well as the stylus.
3. Tell the children that the majority of the egg will be black so they don't make elaborate designs using much wax. Instead, thin swirls or lines would have worked best in the white, yellow, and red. Even wide lines turned out scratchy-looking.
This art is specifically from the Ukraine, so hello, Hunsuckers!
This time, we made Pysanky eggs. Our goal was to have a great craft, but especially to appreciate the labor involved in this difficult task and the skills used.
First, the children pricked a small hole in both sides of the egg.
Then, they blew the egg out through the hole in the bottom.
This was not for the faint at heart! Most of the moms had to leave the room during this part.
Most of the children wanted to leave the room as well.
Glenna, on the other hand, was so quick with hers that I didn't even get her on film! She loves doing this, and often blows her egg out of the shell before she makes it for breakfast!
Next, the children sketched a design . . . .
. . . and then copied it on to the egg.
Some designs were quite complex and had to be simplified.
Then began the tedious process of covering the design in wax. They first considered which parts of the design they wanted to remain white. They used this small stylus with a funnel on top.
Scooping wax into the funnel, they would hold the stylus over a candle flame, melt the wax, and then quickly transfer the wax to the egg, bit by bit.
The eggs would then go into yellow dye, and the wax was applied to all parts they wanted yellow, then red dye, and lastly black dye.
Yes, this took a while!
Finally, they would hold their waxy, messy egg over the candle flame and begin to melt the wax, wiping it off on a paper towel. The result was a dyed egg with colorful designs!
They were encouraged to look up photos of Pysanky eggs on the internet. Wow! That's not easy!
Lessons we learned as moms were:
1. Blowing out the egg may have not been a good idea. Elise was heavy-handed and crushed two of them before her mom decided she could finish at home. Hard-boiled or un-blown may have worked better.
2. Scooping wax from a melted candle with a toothpick or q-tip worked as well as the stylus.
3. Tell the children that the majority of the egg will be black so they don't make elaborate designs using much wax. Instead, thin swirls or lines would have worked best in the white, yellow, and red. Even wide lines turned out scratchy-looking.
This art is specifically from the Ukraine, so hello, Hunsuckers!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
More than a Blip in History
Co-ops are great opportunities to teach in a more visual manner. Rather than dryly reading from a textbook, hands-on activities help to cement the facts into their brains.
In our study of Russia, we of course read about the Cuban Missile Crisis. We had one of the children draw a map (Rachel, because she's fast and draws well) and then used pieces from the Battleship Game to place the missiles where they would be directed toward American soil, a scant 90 miles away!
Next, under the direction of JFK, the US set up the naval blockade. (Battleships from Battleship!)
Then, the Russians began to steam toward Cuba, and we began to face them. The time was extremely tense for the entire world . . . WWII had shown the power of nuclear weapons. Would fingers get itchy to push the button of destruction?
(See the Russians headed to Cuba?) Hey, how did McDonald's get in on this? No endorsements allowed!
That's much better.
Fortunately, the Russians halted still some distance from Cuba.
"We're eyeball to eyeball with the enemy, and I think the other fella just blinked!"
(Who said the above quote?)
In our study of Russia, we of course read about the Cuban Missile Crisis. We had one of the children draw a map (Rachel, because she's fast and draws well) and then used pieces from the Battleship Game to place the missiles where they would be directed toward American soil, a scant 90 miles away!
Next, under the direction of JFK, the US set up the naval blockade. (Battleships from Battleship!)
Then, the Russians began to steam toward Cuba, and we began to face them. The time was extremely tense for the entire world . . . WWII had shown the power of nuclear weapons. Would fingers get itchy to push the button of destruction?
(See the Russians headed to Cuba?) Hey, how did McDonald's get in on this? No endorsements allowed!
That's much better.
Fortunately, the Russians halted still some distance from Cuba.
"We're eyeball to eyeball with the enemy, and I think the other fella just blinked!"
(Who said the above quote?)
Friday, June 12, 2009
Mexico Benefit Yard Sale
At the beginning of April, we hosted a yard sale for the Mexico team. The amount of items donated was unbelievable! It took us two hours just to go through the clothing!
The team members were present to help sort and sell. The Kate made brownies (and sold out). Josh drove some hard bargains with some of the neighborhood kids in the toy section. All in all, we ended up making over $1200!
These photos don't even capture all the items donated, because I didn't start taking pictures until the end of the last day!
Some of the boxes were filled with precious cargo . . .
. . . Kate in a box.
Looks like some fell asleep on the job. (Doesn't Kate look like Kelly when she's sleeping?)
No one sleeping on the job escapes the camera!
Uh oh . . . looks like this sleeper fell victim to a prankster.
Or maybe a dolly instead?
Why, who would do such a thing to such a nice guy?
Oh . . . I see . . .
As the departure date for Mexico nears, please pray for the team! Pray especially:
All needed funds will be provided
For the violence in Mexico to end (they're flying in to Chihuahua to avoid the border violence, which costs more money but is WORTH IT)
For the team to be unified
For the team to be a blessing to the missionaries and families in Mexico!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Ticker
