Almost 4 Months...

Here is one of the pictures from our Valentine's Day hike:

And here is our boy, 4 months on Monday... and now he is rolling over and trying to blow raspberries.

"Blessed"

I forgot to post about this, and I wanted to write it down before I forgot!

We were on our way to Costco, and Ben was reading from Psalms in the car.  He read:

"Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.  Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart."

Psalm 119:1-2

Then he asked them what it means to be blessed.  I don't remember what Caleb said, but this was Emma's answer, which I will forever hold dear to my heart:

"It's like how mommy is blessed because she has lots of children!!"

Seeing Triple

Caleb                               Noah                           Ezra

Nine Years...

Today is our nine year anniversary...

I am pretty sure I don't know what I am doing

I am doing my best to follow the rules, I just don't have much experience.  So, I am trying to do a "meme" (is that what it is called??).  Oh, do help me blogger friends!! =)

Number one, here is the link to my friend who tagged me!!  Go see her blog and give her some love!=)

Sarah

Number two, post the rules.  (is that what I am doing right now?  Still not quite sure.)

Number three, here are six random things about me:

1.  I am addicted to books.  I really love them.  Children's books, adult books, classics, just about anything.  Unfortunately, they cost money.  

2.  I am not really into anything much of the science fiction or fantasy world of things.  I like some.  But not most.

3.  One of my most favorite books of all time is "Hind's Feet on High Places."  (I don't know why I can't underline on my blog??)

4.  This weekend I went to a homeschooling moms conference (which I hope to post more on later!).  The things I took away from the conference: an affirmation of the great depth of God's love for me, and despite my sin and wickedness, my great love for Him who has redeemed me; 

and, I need to RELAX.  My children learn much more from my attitude in our everyday life then they ever do sitting at our table doing "schoolwork".

5.  I really love food.  I enjoy cooking, baking, trying new things.  Food tickles my heart.  

6.  Ooh!!  My husband and I will celebrate our 9 year anniversary this week.  Well, by celebrate, I mean that he will work the night shift and I will enjoy the some of the "fruit" of our marriage (that means the kids!) =)

Okay, there you go!  6 random things about me.  Now, I am to tag six people.  I don't exactly know how to link everyone, but I will try:

Kelly

Christine

Rebecca

Gina

Heidi

Lisa S. 

Becky, this is for you!!

I thought I would do a post about the books we had chosen because 1) it was a little long for a comment, and 2) that way other people can comment with good books or biographies that their kids enjoy.

So, I started with authors that I knew of.  Ingri d'Aulaire was one, and she had a biographical book on Washington and one on Lincoln, but I was only able to get the Abraham Lincoln book from the library... the other was checked out or something.  Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire have biographies of Lincoln, Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Buffalo Bill, Columbus, Leif the Lucky and Pochahontas.  The Lincoln biography was winner of the 1939 Caldecott Medal.  It's about 55 pages or so, with quite a bit of text on the pages, but great pictures as well.  (Becky, I am sure the girls could read it on their own, but their curiosity for information would surely be satisfied!!)

The activity books are called "Abraham Lincoln for kids: His Life and Times with 21 Activities."  The Washington book is called the same, but with a different author.  These are great books, (although I haven't read all of the text, mostly just skimmed the activities at these point.  The activities are geared more towards the girls' age, but Jonah and Naiah would be right on board, I am sure!! )

I got a "rookie biography" on Abraham Lincoln by Carol Greene which is about 45 pages.  Reading wise, it might be too easy for the girls, but information wise, it would be just right.  There is a lot of information!!

And finally, I got a "Jr. Graphic Biography" on George Washington by Dan Abnett, which I think Jonah might be interested in... It's written almost like a comic book (which I do not understand why boys enjoy them so, but hey, I'm all for it!)  So, the text was in short bursts of important information with comic-like pictures. Example: "On March 5, 1770, a group of Americans rioted.  The British troops fired on the crowd.  They killed five people and hurt six more.  This became known as the Boston Massacre."

Anyway, hope this helps.  And I would be glad to hear any info. on what books or biographies anyone else wants to recommend. =)

First Sewing Lesson...

So, in honor of President's Day, I checked out a bunch of books to read to the kids about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln (and of course, we are studying "Love" this month!)  Anyway, there was a book for each president which included activities that relate to the time periods.  (So, we will be making stove pipe hats, and "log cabins").  One of the activities in the George Washington book was to make a "Lady's Cap".  So, Emma has been so excited, she finally got to help mamma with the sewing machine:

Fancy footwork....

WAY too much fun!! =)

The finished project

Santa Barbara Zoo

We had a fun family trip to the Santa Barbara Zoo.  I really enjoyed the zoom on my camera, and I brought my old camera for the kids to take pictures with, which Emma especially enjoyed.  I haven't had a chance to download the pictures that the kids took, but here are some of mine:

And the kid's favorite, which sends us all into hysterical laughter: