Free Ice Cream

 Last Monday we took advantage of the first day of Spring Free Ice Cream deal at Dairy Queen, one of my favorite spots.  We had to drive a little ways in the pouring rain but we made it!  And it was worth it- we picked up our friend Grace to go with us and met another friend and her son for a few minutes before they had to leave. 

Running a Marathon...

So I am not literally running a marathon at 32 weeks pregnant but I feel like I am each day!  :)  We are heading down the home stretch this last trimester and trying to work really hard to get a lot done before the babe comes- finishing school, working on the apartment across the hall, painting, bringing meals to others who are hurting, doing dishes, cleaning, getting kids dressed and redressed and bathed and the list goes on.  The season feels full especially for Michael as he is juggling a lot right now.  We are relying on God's grace for each day in these two months and I am so thankful for cool spring breezes lifting my thoughts to heaven! 

 Crazy crew- 6, 4 and 2- about to get crazier...

Circus...

 We saw one of the last shows of the circus.  It was quite riveting.  Jeremiah liked the lady being shot from the cannon.  Lydia liked the tigers and the princesses as she put it.

Picasso Tiles

 My parents got the kids Picasso Tiles for their birthday.  It has been a great gift as even little Josiah loves building with them!

Josiah Birthday

The weekend before Josiah's birthday, we took our little annual winter getaway trip for birthday month.  Instead of going overnight, we went to the YMCA to swim which was free that Friday evening and then in the morning, Michael found a Groupon to Entertrainment Junction.  We love trains! 

We did play pin the fin on the shark! 

For Josiah's birthday, we had a calm evening at home with little cupcakes and opening of a few presents.  A sweet friend took Josiah by himself to the Aquarium so he could enjoy some of the sights and sounds of the deep blue.

Preschool Art Class Fun...

Bee Active Fun...

We found a fun place to be active this winter.  And we tried it out when my Dad and Mom and sister came to visit!  Jeremiah keeps asking- when can we go to the bounce house again? 

Our theme for February birthday month was Ocean- under the sea.  I made a calendar of fun activities for the month which I kind of followed.  A few of our favorite birthday month activities-  we saw the penguins waddle at the zoo.  We watched the movie Finding Dory.  Becky V.  sweetly took them to the Aquarium for a date- she even took Josiah by himself one morning.  We read books on Oceans, made and gave away Valentines.  We played with ocean animals in the bathtub, and went swimming in a pool at a hotel and went to a pool on a free Friday at the YMCA.  And we took Josiah and the other kids to Entertrainment Junction since Josiah loves so much trains right now!

We still need to go to the Exotic Aquatics store- I hear they have some very good and unique animals and maybe go to Bass Pro to look at their displays and fish tank. 

Here's to birthday month activities and to the month being over- though it was fun!

Februrary Birthday Month...

February birthday month is over!  Jeremiah turned 6, Lydia turned 4 and Josiah 2. 

Classical Kids

A dear friend who is a Music teacher told me about these CDs- Classical Kids and they are really helping us get to know Classical Music.  Thankfully the library has them.  Michael has always loved classical music and has in our marriage introduced me to symphonies and lots of different music.  I am trying to help my kids and myself have a new appreciation for Classical Music.  At dinner tonight, we listened to Beethoven's Symphony no. 9 and it did indeed lift my spirits.  Here's to more learning!

Under the Sea Birthday...

February 18 we went Under the Sea for our kids birthday party for Jeremiah and Lydia!  It was a super fun day with lots of work.  We did an Ocean theme this year.  We dressed as animals under the sea, had a turtle piñata and played waves with a parachute and then made octopuses for a craft.   Rachel- my sister did a reading corner with a few ocean themed books and then we ate mac and cheese and other fun things for lunch with octopus cupcakes.  So now our birthday month is officially over.  In some ways, it is nice to have all the kids clumped together.  Instead of gifts, we decided to have kids give some money toward a dear friend of ours who is adopting one or two children from India!  We set up a little table with things about India and a little bucket.