Gloria , Emmanuel !

I really do love that song! I also love this time of year - we keep the tree and decorations up until Epiphany, so we can stretch out the season as long as possible. Then, it will be time to decorate for Chinese New Year ! Another fun time for our little family !
The monkey is loving his new games up in his room, and the ladybug is finding new joy in last year's toys, since I put them upstairs in the den . She never, ever got in that princess tent until yesterday - I promise. Of course, she informed me that she really needs to wear tu-tus when in there, but that will have to wait until I find where she stashed them.
Resolutions will be made this evening - the man says his is to be frugal, and he also said that I say that every year - I do think I am getting better at that, by the way.
I am working on my resolutions, and trying to figure out one phrase to sum it all up - I want to strive to be a better mother, wife, teacher, daughter, aunt, church member, neighbor, sister, and servant - I think my resolution is to work at being more Christ-like.
And now, it is time to go to the park, so Ladybug can ride her new bike.
Happy New Year !!!

12 days of school until Christmas holiday !

and this game was called "get on Gay" for some odd reason. I hope Gay has recovered.
The youngest children at the smallest table - how cute are they ?!
Not sure, but we think Gay likes her late birthday gift - and you can see the Ladybug's owl purse
Red Rover. One of the most dangerous games. Ever. And Ladybug could not figure out why no one broke through her arm.
Meme and all her grand-daughters. All beautiful.

Wow ! Only twelve days of school before another fantastic holiday ! I think we all had a fun Thanksgiving - my brother, all my sisters , and all the grand-children were together. That was the first time in a long time, I think.
The monkey and the ladybug had fun , and it will be hard to be away from them tomorrow. It does help to know that they will only have three weeks of school before another break. Actually, we have a 70% chance of snow tomorrow - so I would love to think we will have one more day away ! [I am only kidding myself, because it has rained for days - no snow would stick.]
Right now the ladybug and I are all about the felt projects. She is loving her felt owl purse, and she is constantly checking on the progress of her nesting-doll one. [yes, I am almost done.] We are also making finger puppets, coasters, and little softies, all for the food-pantry fundraiser dinner and shop this weekend. Lots to do, I can tell you. Lots !
Have a wonderful week - stay warm and dry, and remember all of those things you gave thanks for !

Fodder's Day

This photograph is from our first summer with the ladybug . I know I should post a more recent one, but it is my favorite for Father's Day. Everyone looks so happy ! Hot and exhausted, but happy !
When we went to pick up the monkey from summer camp, we happily ran in to an old friend - Allie had never met the ladybug before, and she was in for a treat ! Lady bug let us all know that she was going to 'have that day, and she did a good job of it.
We all missed the monkey while he was at camp, but I think she missed him the most.
We made the rainbow popsicles , and I can tell you that I do NOT have to do that again. Two days, I say ~ two days of going to the freezer and pouring another flavor..... but they are really good. The pineapple mix that I bought at the International Market is really good!
I think they all had a good time at camp - and somehow, the monkey managed to bathe every day and not open his own bar of soap.... hmmm.
Only two more games in the regular ball schedule, then on to just All-Star games. I hope we can pack up and go to Me-Me's house for a few days, now that she is back from her jaunt up the East Coast. We just love to go visit our family !
I hope you have a great Father's Day, and a great week ahead ! I am looking forward to hearing about the mission trip some of our church family is taking this week - they are going to have such a life- changing experience, I just know it.
Stay out of the heat - or come over for a nice, cold rainbow!

Holiday week- good times for everyone

Okay, I just got in from my date-Monkey and I went to see "Harry Potter" , while Clark and Ladybug had sushi and shoe-shopped. I cried several times during the movie, which made my son really happy, don't you know. I could not help it. After hearing so many mixed reviews of the movie, I honestly thought it was awesome. Monkey thought it was pretty great, too.
Tomorrow is our cooking day - we are taking squash casserole , key lime pie, and chocolate chess tartlets. I am really looking forward to our preparations , and the rest of our holiday. Most people who know me are aware that I am not a fan of Thanksgiving , and I try to find things for our little family to do that are non-traditional. While we were tutoring last week, one of the girls [at the girl's home in town] told me that she was the only one staying over the holiday- she could not go and be with any family. I took that as a sign from God that we were to take her in this week, and we are picking her up tomorrow. She is sweet, and I think she will have a good time going to the farm .
I wish more of our family would be together this year, but I will be happy with what we get. Just think - three weeks of school, and then we are out for Christmas! After that, the countdown for our Italian Spring Break trip begins! Ciao!