PARK

After bowling we went to the Park for “one hour”. We had 5 water guns in the back of the van (not sure where the 6th went) and a big bottle of bubbles. Adrienne and her children were at the park. The kids love to play together.

I’m not sure how we managed to miss getting pictures of the water gun war….but here are some photos of bubbles.

THE EXCHANGE

Mike began a tradition with the children years ago. Each year the first person to find that year’s penny receives a $5 bill. He is SURE that the children have taken advantage of his forgetfulness and more than one child has collected each year. {G}

Over the years the tradition has developed and currently this is the plan. The first child to find a 2006 penny receives a $5 bill. Exchanging Lincoln for Lincoln. All other children will collect a $1 bill when/if they find a 2006 penny before the end of the year.

Josiah has passed up hundreds of the pennies that have come through his till. He waited to find one – which he did while cleaning up at Chick Fil A. {G} Mike wanted this well documented so no other child claims the $5 reward. He thinks this is the earliest that anyone has ever found a year’s penny.

Watching all the hulabaloo, Zander asked me, "Mom, WHAT? Is this Sixty Million dollars?" {vbg}

*PS - it sure bugs me when these are out of order...but I'm not sure what to do about it. {G}

MILK & HONEY (ICE CREAM)

It’s been our family habit to have ice cream (Moose Tracks) once a week – Sunday night. Over time we’ve noticed that Zander is like a child possessed every Monday. Since going on the Feingold Program we realized that all the food that is off program on Sunday is probably a big contributing factor to Mondays.

After listening to Adrienne, Heather and Becky talk about their home-made ice cream I began to wonder….but our homemade ice cream never turned out REALLY good. It was always a bit runny or rock solid…..Adrienne gave us some of her vanilla and carob ice cream to taste. YUM.

In preparation for Sunday Night’s treat we made our very own ice cream. It is GOOD. I never really understood why the Israelites would be thrilled by a promise of God to give them a land flowing with milk and honey. After making and eating this….I get it…I believe He was promising them a land flowing with home-made, all-natural ICE CREAM! By making our own even Zander can enjoy. No artificial flavors or colors.

Recipe: (for 6 qt maker – makes a gal)

1 ½ C local honey
6 C light cream (non-homogenized)
6 C heavy cream (non –homogenized)
1 T pure vanilla (used 2)

Dissolve honey in 1 ½ C of light cream over very low heat, stirring until well blended. Cool. Pour all ingredients into ice cream maker, stir and process for 30 – 40 minutes. Spoon into a plastic container, cover, and place in freezer to harden.

All agreed this was good. I let them have their favorites add ins (cookie dough, Recees cups, Oreos, hard shell) but will be looking for substitutes of the same things without the artificial flavors, colors and preservatives. This truly was a case of having our cake and eating it too.

Anitcipation begins to build Sat. night

Jamin dishes the ice cream - Sunday night

Pay off for hard work - YUMMY!

Paint Ball Bash – FINALLY

The boys were finally able to have their birthday paint ball bash. Unfortunately, with all the rescheduling due to schedules and rain, one good friend wasn’t able to make it. They had a great time. The day was wonderful. Warm with a bit of breeze…but not ungodly hot or raining.

It is impossible to get great pictures of this since they will only let you get so close as a spectator – but here are a few shots between rounds. Thus ends our birthday celebrations until May/June.

Like Father/Like Son

Jared & Patrick

FRIDAY – FRESH PRODUCE

Today was Produce Day – yippee. This is our co-op’s second order and we have twice the minimum order needed for the company in San Antonio to send the truck to OUR TOWN. Cool. The truck arrived 2 ½ hours later than we were expecting…..it was an early a.m. for no reason…but it was FUN to visit with other moms who were waiting for the truck to arrive. I met one lady whose dh is the director of our town’s nature center. She offered a personalized tour – her 6 yo will show us around. She also said that her husband could give us a class to teach us how to “hook a snake” – I think that is what she said. This is supposed to give me confidence to keep geocaching in the summer. We’ll see.

Jamin went with me to produce pick up and was a great help unloading the truck, carrying ladies boxes and baskets to their cars etc.

The day was complete when our family went over to Kwame and Adrienne’s home for dinner. The kids had a wonderful time. The adults had just as good a time. Have I mentioned that there is a chance that this family will be moving to ALASKA???? Good grief! We’ll just keep praying for the best for all involved…God’s will. It’s hard to pray that way because the friendships with this family have helped us all to put “roots” down in Texas…..


The white baskets and sack are some of our produce...we also got 1/2 a case of baby red potatoes, a case of tangelos, a case of apples and another box full....gotta get those 5 servings a day. {G}

STACIA DANCES

Still pictures don’t do this justice but I had to try. This is Stacia “dancing” to Cy’s “KJ52”. We now have a respectable stereo system. Josiah like’s to crank the music….and Stacia LOVES it. She squeals, laughs, smiles….she gets up on her hands and knees and sways side to side, rocks her head, lays on her tummy, rolls etc. She had a new move today…on her tummy….legs kicked out to the side and cycled around in circles in time to the music. She’s the best entertainment since moving pictures!

Dizzying Pace

This week seems to be rushing by at a dizzying pace. I spent a lot of time this a.m. on the phone…not sure why! {G}

Nolan and I left the house at 11:00. I had a PAC meet at the chapel and we leave from there to go directly to speech. Nolan had a WONDERFUL day at speech. I’m so very happy at the way things are working out the last two weeks.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Adrienne and her kids dropped by and picked up the kids left here – along with Zander. This was big. He has been doing so well that I thought he’d be o.k. Josiah went with them “just in case”. They went through the Pizza Hut drive thru and got their Book-it pizzas to take to the park.

Eventually Nolan and I made it to the park as well. Josiah took the van and left for work. Adrienne and her kids brought us home a couple of hours later. It was another fun day getting to know other homeschool moms. I’m really enjoying the fellowship and the kids love the chance to RUN and to be with friends. The 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month are official homeschool park days….but there are always lots of homeschoolers there every week.

Tomorrow is produce co-op day. I’m so excited. Heather made arrangements with River City Produce to send their truck right to our town. No one has to drive 45 miles away to pick it up and we will be the FIRST stop on his route for the day. That means that Jamin and I will be leaving early to go meet a produce truck…just like old times. Well NOT REALLY! I don’t have to be in charge…I can just relax and enjoy the yummy produce.