Playing this morning.

Book Review

Another Dick King-Smith...Somewhat of a sequel to BABE.  She really enjoyed this book!  I was glad I was reading it aloud because I did leave out some portions about the pig drinking gallons of beer and getting drunk and also some of the language (shut up, stupid, etc.) that the animals spoke to eachother that wasn't appropriate for my 5 year old.  Other than that this was a great story that she really loved!

It's Al!

Pickin' Tomatoes

Beck outside...minus his pants...in his sister's shoes.  That's how he rolls.

Her Ribbons!

Quinn got to bring home a bag of ribbons from Megan's baby shower.  She has had the most fun wearing/playing with them this week! 

Cutting 'Nanners.

watching the trash guys

Huntin' Toads

The cutest little guy I know.

Couldn't resist a few "magic hour" snaps on my phone during a walk recently.  Here's my silly, adorable, cuddly, funny frog!  Named Noodle.  Just ask him.  He is NOT a boy.

 One of my favorite things about him--he still says, "I NEEED you, Daicia!" and then grabs my hand or wants me to hold him.

Quinnism

Today in the car on the way home from Impact we were practicing the memory verse:

But we thank God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, so my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong.  Do not let anything move you.  Always give yourselves to the work of the Lord because you know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.  1 Cor 15:57-58

I was explaining what the different parts of the verse meant to Quinn.  We were talking about what it means to give yourself fully to the work of the Lord.  I reminded her of Jesus' words in the gospel that whatever we do (visit in prison, feed, clothe, give water, etc.) for the least of these, we also do for Jesus.  So I gave the example that when we go to Impact to teach reading to the kids, we are also teaching Jesus.

Q: But Momma, Jesus ALREADY knows how to read.  I am sure he'd appreciate the offer, though.

A Saturday hike...a week back.

 We try to keep up a strong pace, but we can always find time to unload for a toad!

 We also always have to make a stop at this rock wall for a little scrambling.

A sunny, hot, humid 8-miler.  Camelbak cheers!

Puppy love.

Around Here

My much-enjoyed "bullet coffee".  French-pressed coffee with 1T butter and 2 tsp coconut oil then blended.  So creamy and delish.  Extra sprinkling of cinnamon....mmmmm.   Best of all, no one else in the house likes it, so I don't have to share! 

 Our week revolved around baby shower prep, Impact reading/vbs, and a couple photoshoots for Mama.  Of course we had to squeeze in a trip to the library then the pool one afternoon.  It was an intense week for me, but these two hung in there pretty well!

 We've graduated from a bag to a laundry basket for our library book logistics.  We go through a fair share of books around here!

 Quinn adores smelly markers.  I ordered her a new set (after her brother had finally wrecked too much havoc on her old ones) and she has been so thrilled to draw (then sniff!) like crazy this week!

 Saturday night we got to have dinner with Megan and Matt.  Here's Quinn seeing the ultrasound pics of baby Madisyn.  Quinn is so excited and interested in her new baby cousin!

 Saturday we went to a pool party bday celebration for a friend.  The kids literally swam for 4+ hours.  They are little fishies, those two!  Well, Beck is just as happy to hang out on the side as in the water, but he does like being AT a pool.  He's most interested in the pool vacuum ("that loud, loud thing") and any pool toys that squirt water.

 THIS ONE is the fish....giving Jenna a ride on the floaty.

Baby shower photos to come, though I didn't take my camera, so they're all cameraphonies.

More Impact Pics

These are some more pics Ms. Susie at Impact took.  Just in case you want a peek into our mornings lately!  :)

Here's Quinn's group--the red stars in the prayer and singing rotation at VBS:

This one is my reading class--the first grade Purple Hearts:

Here we are in a vbs rotation:

And here's a large-group pic.  I put an arrow to show where we are if you click on the big pic.

Today.

Doing a little water painting this morning before we left for Impact.  Daddy popped his collar to see if I'd notice.  Yep I did.  And yes, I put it down.   

 This afternoon it was overcast and breezy and my kids fled to the treehouse for some outside time.  It's been a long while since they've played outside because it has been so sunny and hot.  They were thrilled to revisit their treehouse and mix up some mud for a bit.  We caught a few tiny toads.

 Q made me some turtle tea.  Hi, Lily!