Helpers

My kids love to help (unless it includes something they should do on their own, like clean up their rooms).  One day we made some homemade granola.  To make things easier (and messier) each kid got their own bowl and got to make their own batch.  They thought it was really fun to measure their own ingredients instead of taking turns like we normally do.  We also had lot's of granola which is already gone!

Glass jar pets

All kids want to capture bugs and keep them.  My kids are no exception.  Ollie caught a potato bug and wanted to keep it.  He researched what they eat.  Then we built it a home in a glass jar.  He sure loved making everything for it.  Lily, of course, helped him every step of the way. 

Father's Day

Here's a cute picture of Spencer with the kids for Father's day.  Ollie likes to color match with Papa.  You know they say that imitation is the highest form of flattery.  The kids sure imitate their Papa.  We feel so very blessed to have such a great man as the head of our family!  He always gives us time and attention.

I made him tie tacks with pictures of the kids for a gift

He also got some CD's which is what he always wants.  It sure makes shopping easy.  :)

For Michael

A few weeks ago we had chocolate waffles with ice cream on them for dinner.  We took a picture for Uncle Michael.  We figured he would like some himself.  :)  And yes, we win for healthiest dinner!

Kid Quotes

Kids always say funny things.  Here's a few from our house lately.  :)

Claire:  We were reading Uncle Nate's blog and we watched the movie of his riding an elephant.  She was super excited that he got to ride a "cute" elephant.  After the little movie she exclaimed, "When I grow up, I'm going to be Uncle Nate!"
Claire:  She has been learning to say her prayers.  One night after her nightly prayer she just unfolded her arms and said, "The End."

Lily:  "Look Mom, I set my bed!" 
Lily: The kids were working on cleaning up.  I told Lily to not clean up Claire's mess so that Claire would learn how.  Lily said, "I can't clean up Claire's mess because when I am a Mom, I am not going to Claire's house to clean up after her kids!"

Ollie:  He was complaining on a short car drive.  I told him to just chill and enjoy the ride and think of it as an adventure.  He said, "Oh.  Are we lost?"  I guess when I get lost I just call it an adventure.  :)
Ollie:  I told him about a youth church program that I used to do as a child.  It was called Merry Miss.  I explained it to him.  A few minutes later he said, "Mom, I have another question about the Merry Maggots group..."

Food

 It never ceases to amaze me how much of my day is spent on food related things.  Fixing meals, cleaning up.  Then they are hungry again... and again... and again.  :)
Sometimes we take a more fun approach.  Like donuts on strings.  The kids loved it!  I loved watching them!

 Another time we made marshmallow people. 

 Ollie's above.  Lily's below and Claire's at the bottom.

Sleeping Outside

 One day I was pushing Claire in the swing outside.  She totally feel asleep!  I was super surprised.  I knew if I carried her into the house she would wake up.  I didn't want her to get sunburned.  So, I hung up a blanket to give her shade.  She slept for about 45 minutes.  When she woke up she yelled for me to come get her.  Funny how kids love that rocking motion.