A Breath of Fresh Air

It was a sunny, gorgeous afternoon yesterday, so we headed outside for a little yard clean-up -- and some fun!

Zak is going to be a great weeder!

Except that he doesn't like to get his hands dirty!

He mowed the lawn for the first time.

Sam took care of the sweeping.

And found time for a little fishing!

When we were finished in the yard, the boys headed off to the park while Mom stayed home to make dinner.

Good thing we had our afternoon in the sunshine -- because today it rained all day long.

Welcome to February!

The Doughnut Dudes

Flair For the Dramatics

No, this is not about Zak -- although he is Mr. Drama at our house!

Sam received a set of Adventures in Odyssey CD's for Christmas and loves them! They are full of action packed Bible stories. We listen to them during breakfast and lunch and then he listens to them during quiet time and when he goes to bed.

Jacob and Esau is a real favorite around here. Out of seemingly nowhere, Sam is prone to cry out, in a loud, deep voice, "I'm going to kill you!". Obviously, he's Esau. The hard thing is that you never know when this phrase is going to come out -- could be at home, could be at the store. When it's out of context, it's a little disturbing!

The other favorite right now is the story of Ruth. Again, out of nowhere, we hear this phrase, fraught with bitterness and emotion, "My name is Mara!".

Who knows what the next phrase will be!

Artist in Residence

While out shopping one day I happened upon some modeling clay -- and thought Sam might like to try it out. It was a kit that would make a panda bear and a monkey.

One afternoon while Zak was sleeping, we sat down with the directions and our clay and got to work. Sam wanted to make the monkey first, so we worked on it together -- he did a great job rolling the clay into little balls and attaching arms and legs and the tail.

Here's our monkey...

Then Sam wanted to try it all by himself -- and he did a really great job! Matthew and I think it looks like Mr. Potato Head. It looks like he's wearing a beret...the flesh colored "things" on the side of the head are his ears, of course...not quite sure about the white thing in the back -- there are two of them --- I think it might be the tail?

Monsieur Des Pommes de Terre a la Tete

I call this one "Mangled Cow"

Sam's ready to try this again -- we'll have to start a rotating display for his creations!