Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Sunday excitement

I had just laid our 2 year old daughter down for her quiet time and was just getting our 3 year old into bed for her quiet time when I happened to glance out the window and see smoke billowing from the neighbors' homes. Lots of thick, black smoke. I grabbed the phone to call 911 and John quickly got on his shoes to see if he could help. By the time he got down the stairs and across the alley it was rapidly spreading to the next home. They had to bang on the door to the basement to let the lady down there know the house was on fire. By the time the fire department arrived the first home was completely engulfed and the second one was quite fiery as well. Thank the Lord everyone made it out safely. Living on the third floor gave us quite the view. Even though it was sad to see the homes destroyed, it provided a great opportunity to talk to the kids about never playing with fire or matches (a young boy started this one!), what to do in case of a fire, how we can help our neighbors in need, and prayer is always a good idea! So much for quiet time... but I know that Isaiah and Lydia did enjoy watching the firefighters do their job!
No pictures, but here's the newspaper's article (and photo): Wenatchee World

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Bucket babies

We purchased this big blue bucket about three years ago and it has been used in many different ways. Block container, toy bucket, and it's current use as a laundry basket (with four children this gets filled up pretty fast!). No matter what the designated use it always ends up containing children. It is a great hiding spot whether covered by a blanket or flipped upside down. However, the upside down method usually results in one or more siblings sitting on top and the one inside becoming quite upset and vocal to escape.

It also becomes a handy train, car, truck, or other vehicle of your choosing to give many rides around the home.

And just recently has become a sleeping place for our youngest daughter who likes to climb onto the toy box and look out the window. Clean folded laundry was no deterrent to a little girl intent on watching the cars and stars and night happenings.

When she got sleepy enough she just curled up among the clothes and went to sleep!

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Sick week


no, not a symptom of the sickness, just a result of a treat from Daddy!

We have all been sick for the last week and a half. Everybody has taken a turn with the nasty head cold. I took the day off on Monday with only a little gentle prompting by my dear husband. Now, I don't have a "job" that I can just call in sick when I don't feel good. Being a momma means you are on duty 24/7 and often times whether you feel like working or not. On Monday I definitely could not do anything thanks to a lovely sinus migraine and fever. John was very heroic and took on the great adventure of taking care of one very sick daughter, one very sick wife, a some-what-sick second daughter and baby boy, and a not-so-sick-but-very-rambunctious 5 yr old son. I slept most of the day... I think... this cold makes thinking and remembering rather hazy.
Since everyone has been ill, we haven't been out at all (and it's been very sunny here lately!) so I had to devise ways to keep the three oldest busy without relying too much on the TV. We've done play dough, Legos, Knex, finger painting, made popcorn balls, read stories, watched Kung Fu Panda and The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything multiple times, colored in the new books from Grandma and Grandpa, and the new favorite... played with lentils! (or cantaloupe beans as Isaiah has called them... no idea why). Yes, it is messy. They tend to stick to bare feet and track all over the home! But it has provided so many hours of intense concentrated playing that it is well worth the extra vacuuming!


Rayna did more eating than ball-making.



Making Strawberry Jello popcorn balls


the favorite new pastime... lentils!


Knex race car built and photographed by Isaiah taken especially for all the uncles to see and admire.


fingerpainting fun


St Patrick's Day kisses



Sunday, March 8, 2009

Stitches


Well, this week has been pretty busy and I just haven't had much time to sit down to type. Our oldest daughter had her first trip to the ER this week. The accident occurred just before bedtime. She tried to flip around off of the top bunk and landed on the side of the bottom bunk bed. We heard a thunk, scream, and looked up as Lydia ran out into the hall with blood covering her face, shirt, and hands. I always figured that first aid training in nursing school would come in handy some day... and it helped that my husband is an EMT. So we got her head wrapped up and cleaned her up a bit and sent her off to the ER with John to get some stitches. She was really calm and quiet through the whole visit, so John just had to get a video of it! : ) Rayna was very concerned while she was gone and made sure we prayed for "LeeLee." Several hours later a very calm daughter returned home with four stitches, a new coloring book and crayons from the nurse, and some special pink strawberry ice cream from a sweet Daddy.
Somehow I think this is only the beginning of such adventures with this daughter. All the more reason for prayers of protection!

"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you." -Ps. 5:11

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Tea Party



Today we had a much anticipated tea party... with real tea and fresh baked cookies! I think this will be a Sunday afternoon tradition!



Almond Butter Crisscross Cookies
by: Me!

3/4 C Almond Butter
1/2 C butter, softened
1 1/4 C packed brown sugar
1 T vanilla
1/2 tsp of almond extract
1 egg
1 3/4 C flour
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking soda

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Cream almond butter, butter, sugar and vanilla and almond flavors in large bowl. Add egg, mix until blended.
3. Add flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix just until blended. Roll into walnut size balls and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten lightly with a fork in crisscross pattern.
4. Bake at 375 F for 7-8 minutes or until just set and slightly browned on edges. Cool for a couple minutes on trays, then remove to a wire rack to finish cooling.
5. Enjoy!


I came up with this recipe when I had an abundance of almond butter! Hope you like it... it works just as well with peanut butter, too!