Friday, August 24, 2007
Happy Anniversary!
I would like to wish my mom and dad a Very Happy 33rd (I think) Wedding Anniversary! They, I am jealous to report, are have a nice few days in Brussels next to the Grand Place and are eating a lot of nice things-Moules, frites, muscadet, chocolate-everything, indeed, that I long for. In honor of them I have just made two loaves of brown bread, one full loaf of white, two small mini loaves and a pan of buns and a large bundt of Monkey Bread. May the next 30 years be even happier than the last!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Reflections on an Evening Out
Emma was in a ballet recital on Friday evening. Actually both 'ballet' and 'recital' are misleading. Emma's class did a tap 'number' and really no one else did ballet (although I hear the second act had something that might be construed to be ballet, we didn't stay that long). And it wasn't so much a recital as an exhibition of all that I find amazing, and indeed repellent in America today.
For a year Emma has been going faithfully every Wednesday evening to dance for an hour with a lot of other little girls at a sort of rundown badly lit generic dance studio in downtown Binghamton. We have stuck it out because the little girls are nice and the teacher is pretty and young and fresh faced and Emma loves her. They worked all year on a dance to the popular (if dated) 'Under the Sea' from the Little Mermaid. Emma hasn't seen this movie yet (as per my planning, I think its scary and weird and I'd rather her not see it this young) and so didn't have any idea what the song is about or why her costume was bright red (I presume to make them all look like little lobsters), and I think she was secretly disappointed that she wasn't wearing pink. Well, not so secret, she asked several times why they were wearing red instead of pink, and why the song was 'blue'.
The day of the dress rehearsal she didn't dance at all. She stood steadfastly on the stage, immobile, with her fingers in her mouth and watched everyone else do the dance. Afterward she said that she hadn't known the dance perfectly and therefore wasn't prepared to do it in front of everyone. We had a long talk about perfection versus doing the best you can, and how only God is perfect. This appeared to disturb her just as much as it does me. Why can't we be perfect? She wanted to know. Because we're not God, I said. And she was disappointed.
The day of the recital I cleaned in the morning and took a super long nap, so that I would have energy to get through the evening. And then I charged up the video and ran to the store for a cheep camera and flowers (pale pink roses) for Emma at the end of the evening. And then I gave everyone a bath and carefully fluffed and sprayed Emma's hair and applied vast quantities of red to her cheeks and lips, so that we would be able to see her from the audience. And then she and I ran screaming out of the house, late, leaving Aedan, Rowan and Matt to follow in an hour. (Matt was in charge of the flowers and forgot them and had to run back out directly after Emma danced to come back and get them, allowing him, unfairly, to miss most of the rest of the dancing.)
Of course everything was badly marked at the high school, where this important event was slated to take place, and so we trudged all the way up to the 3rd floor looking for the right dressing room, and then came all the way back down. It was wretchedly and sickeningly hot and loud--dozens of various sized girls is garishly and inappropriately tight costumes and make up, tapping around the hallways and giggling. The little ones were overwhelmed by the heat and noise. We lined them up along a wall and tried to keep count. Eventually I did have to leave Emma who looked at me mournfully as I sped away. 'Please dance' I begged her. She just looked at me and didn't say anything.
But she did dance, and she was very cute. If only Matt will figure out how to get the video off the tape so I can link it or something. And eventually we'll have some pictures. But that was length to which the pleasantness of the evening lasted. She was number two on the program. Number three through twenty-five were uniformly awful. The music, as I mentioned before, was miles too loud, and the choice of music left a lot to be desired. I took exception, for instance, to the 6 and 7 year olds having to dance to 'Nothing can take me away from my guy' a fun popular tune, but if you listen to the words, actually not the least bit appropriate for little children. And pretty much ALL the dances, excepting the little ones, were highly sexualized-young girls in tight things jiggling their way through song after song. I was shocked, especially as I glanced over at Aedan and saw him gazing, transfixed, at a line of girls shaking themselves around the stage. But actually, even more shocking than a lot of little and young girls dancing thusly, was the group of older, shall we say, mature dancers, also in tight outfits, dancing to overtly sexual lyrics in a crassly sexual way. Whatever happened to ballroom dancing, I ask myself, or English country dancing on the lawn?
And so Emma will not be dancing at this little studio next year (in spite of the lovely young teacher). We will look for something a little more classically inclined, and should that not present itself, her dream of being a famous ballet dancer will have to be postponed for another place and time.
Pondering all this, after congratulating Emma on her stellar performance, we all went out for ice cream and watched our young offspring eat green apple ice cream with sprinkles, and blue cotton candy ice cream with sprinkles. And then we came home and went thankfully to bed.
For a year Emma has been going faithfully every Wednesday evening to dance for an hour with a lot of other little girls at a sort of rundown badly lit generic dance studio in downtown Binghamton. We have stuck it out because the little girls are nice and the teacher is pretty and young and fresh faced and Emma loves her. They worked all year on a dance to the popular (if dated) 'Under the Sea' from the Little Mermaid. Emma hasn't seen this movie yet (as per my planning, I think its scary and weird and I'd rather her not see it this young) and so didn't have any idea what the song is about or why her costume was bright red (I presume to make them all look like little lobsters), and I think she was secretly disappointed that she wasn't wearing pink. Well, not so secret, she asked several times why they were wearing red instead of pink, and why the song was 'blue'.
The day of the dress rehearsal she didn't dance at all. She stood steadfastly on the stage, immobile, with her fingers in her mouth and watched everyone else do the dance. Afterward she said that she hadn't known the dance perfectly and therefore wasn't prepared to do it in front of everyone. We had a long talk about perfection versus doing the best you can, and how only God is perfect. This appeared to disturb her just as much as it does me. Why can't we be perfect? She wanted to know. Because we're not God, I said. And she was disappointed.
The day of the recital I cleaned in the morning and took a super long nap, so that I would have energy to get through the evening. And then I charged up the video and ran to the store for a cheep camera and flowers (pale pink roses) for Emma at the end of the evening. And then I gave everyone a bath and carefully fluffed and sprayed Emma's hair and applied vast quantities of red to her cheeks and lips, so that we would be able to see her from the audience. And then she and I ran screaming out of the house, late, leaving Aedan, Rowan and Matt to follow in an hour. (Matt was in charge of the flowers and forgot them and had to run back out directly after Emma danced to come back and get them, allowing him, unfairly, to miss most of the rest of the dancing.)
Of course everything was badly marked at the high school, where this important event was slated to take place, and so we trudged all the way up to the 3rd floor looking for the right dressing room, and then came all the way back down. It was wretchedly and sickeningly hot and loud--dozens of various sized girls is garishly and inappropriately tight costumes and make up, tapping around the hallways and giggling. The little ones were overwhelmed by the heat and noise. We lined them up along a wall and tried to keep count. Eventually I did have to leave Emma who looked at me mournfully as I sped away. 'Please dance' I begged her. She just looked at me and didn't say anything.
But she did dance, and she was very cute. If only Matt will figure out how to get the video off the tape so I can link it or something. And eventually we'll have some pictures. But that was length to which the pleasantness of the evening lasted. She was number two on the program. Number three through twenty-five were uniformly awful. The music, as I mentioned before, was miles too loud, and the choice of music left a lot to be desired. I took exception, for instance, to the 6 and 7 year olds having to dance to 'Nothing can take me away from my guy' a fun popular tune, but if you listen to the words, actually not the least bit appropriate for little children. And pretty much ALL the dances, excepting the little ones, were highly sexualized-young girls in tight things jiggling their way through song after song. I was shocked, especially as I glanced over at Aedan and saw him gazing, transfixed, at a line of girls shaking themselves around the stage. But actually, even more shocking than a lot of little and young girls dancing thusly, was the group of older, shall we say, mature dancers, also in tight outfits, dancing to overtly sexual lyrics in a crassly sexual way. Whatever happened to ballroom dancing, I ask myself, or English country dancing on the lawn?
And so Emma will not be dancing at this little studio next year (in spite of the lovely young teacher). We will look for something a little more classically inclined, and should that not present itself, her dream of being a famous ballet dancer will have to be postponed for another place and time.
Pondering all this, after congratulating Emma on her stellar performance, we all went out for ice cream and watched our young offspring eat green apple ice cream with sprinkles, and blue cotton candy ice cream with sprinkles. And then we came home and went thankfully to bed.
Conversations with Aedan
Saturday Morning in the Kitchen baking mini muffins for Bible Study
Aedan: Look, Mommy, there is a baby lion over there.
Anne: Where?
Aedan: Over there, by the stove.
Anne: Oh, that's nice.
Aedan: Yeah, there's a baby lion. He is walking with his daddy and his mommy. He was sad before because he was by himself.
Anne: But he's not sad any more?
Aedan: No. He's walking. He's a baby lion.
Emma coming into the kitchen: Where is the baby lion?
Aedan: Over there. See.
Emma: Oh, yeah. That's a nice lion.
Aedan: Look, Mommy, there is a baby lion over there.
Anne: Where?
Aedan: Over there, by the stove.
Anne: Oh, that's nice.
Aedan: Yeah, there's a baby lion. He is walking with his daddy and his mommy. He was sad before because he was by himself.
Anne: But he's not sad any more?
Aedan: No. He's walking. He's a baby lion.
Emma coming into the kitchen: Where is the baby lion?
Aedan: Over there. See.
Emma: Oh, yeah. That's a nice lion.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Conversations with Emma
Emma: "Let's get one of those big houses. Our house is so small."
Anne: "Our house isn't small, its enormous. If you have a big house you have to get more stuff to fill it up."
Emma: "I want more stuff."
Anne: "Really? Why? Stuff is such a hassle."
Emma: "I like stuff. I want a big house and I want to be a grandma and I want a lot of stuff. Tatchie doesn't have any stuff. She just has a Bible and some toys. I want stuff."
Anne: "But stuff is so much work. When you have stuff it distracts you from paying attention to Jesus because you have to work so hard keeping up with your stuff."
Emma: "I don't get distracted from Jesus by having too much stuff. I want to be a grandma."
Anne: "Me too."
Emma: "Being a Grandma is the best."
Anne: "That's right. I look forward to it very much."
Anne: "Our house isn't small, its enormous. If you have a big house you have to get more stuff to fill it up."
Emma: "I want more stuff."
Anne: "Really? Why? Stuff is such a hassle."
Emma: "I like stuff. I want a big house and I want to be a grandma and I want a lot of stuff. Tatchie doesn't have any stuff. She just has a Bible and some toys. I want stuff."
Anne: "But stuff is so much work. When you have stuff it distracts you from paying attention to Jesus because you have to work so hard keeping up with your stuff."
Emma: "I don't get distracted from Jesus by having too much stuff. I want to be a grandma."
Anne: "Me too."
Emma: "Being a Grandma is the best."
Anne: "That's right. I look forward to it very much."
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Catch Up
Well, I DID NOT Mean to take a month of posting on this blog. I know, I say that every time. But I've taken a few pictures and I'm too tired to get up and take a shower, so here's some splattering of Family Life.
Here's the three, on the floor, playing with blocks, while I try and ignore them and read stuff on the computer. At this point in the day I'm barely awake and they're all clamering for food. Not usually my best time.
And Another One
And here are some new shoes, picked out by Emma, bought by Kay. Emma says her's are "just like Babba's" because they have holes in them, not because they have disney pictures of Cinderella.
Aedan has been cut off from an afternoon nap and now has trouble staying awake through supper.
Emma is learning to do dishes. Here she has stacked them carefully, as seemed good to her. She's actually very good at it and a big help. And of course, at this age, she thinks its a lot of fun.
Other General Information
The baby loves Matt. He likes me but he loves Matt. If Matt walks in the room and doesn't pick him up, he cries hysterically. He can now also climb all the way up the stairs which is deeply upsetting for everyone on hand.
Aedan is completely potty trained, even through the night, and basically a much happier person. His first inclination is to whine and cry, but we're all working on the difference between a Regular Boy Voice and a Whiny Annoying Voice and he's beginning to get it.
Emma is learning housework. She makes her bed, cleans the play room, cleans the living room, does dishes, clears the table, and puts away laundry. I can't tell you what a huge thing this is for me. Matt has been training her (and Aedan too some). He has taught her to rince and load the dish washer, and pick up a room and keep it picked up so that things don't get out of control. And she's happier with these various responsabilities.
And New Baby seems fine, although I'm not having that much movement so I hope you all will pray. I have an appointment in a week.
OH, and the baby loves to kiss people, especially his father, with a wide open mouth full of slobber. I've never met a baby who would do this with so much consistency. Its very sweet but also completely disgusting.
Alright, now I really have to go get in the shower, even though there's no hot water, because at 11:30 I have to go get my credentials for the festival, badges and so forth.
Here's the three, on the floor, playing with blocks, while I try and ignore them and read stuff on the computer. At this point in the day I'm barely awake and they're all clamering for food. Not usually my best time.
And Another One
And here are some new shoes, picked out by Emma, bought by Kay. Emma says her's are "just like Babba's" because they have holes in them, not because they have disney pictures of Cinderella.
Aedan has been cut off from an afternoon nap and now has trouble staying awake through supper.
Emma is learning to do dishes. Here she has stacked them carefully, as seemed good to her. She's actually very good at it and a big help. And of course, at this age, she thinks its a lot of fun.
Other General Information
The baby loves Matt. He likes me but he loves Matt. If Matt walks in the room and doesn't pick him up, he cries hysterically. He can now also climb all the way up the stairs which is deeply upsetting for everyone on hand.
Aedan is completely potty trained, even through the night, and basically a much happier person. His first inclination is to whine and cry, but we're all working on the difference between a Regular Boy Voice and a Whiny Annoying Voice and he's beginning to get it.
Emma is learning housework. She makes her bed, cleans the play room, cleans the living room, does dishes, clears the table, and puts away laundry. I can't tell you what a huge thing this is for me. Matt has been training her (and Aedan too some). He has taught her to rince and load the dish washer, and pick up a room and keep it picked up so that things don't get out of control. And she's happier with these various responsabilities.
And New Baby seems fine, although I'm not having that much movement so I hope you all will pray. I have an appointment in a week.
OH, and the baby loves to kiss people, especially his father, with a wide open mouth full of slobber. I've never met a baby who would do this with so much consistency. Its very sweet but also completely disgusting.
Alright, now I really have to go get in the shower, even though there's no hot water, because at 11:30 I have to go get my credentials for the festival, badges and so forth.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Emma's Thought of the Day
"We're all exhausted of taking care of so many babies and Aedan. Yeah, we don't get any sleep at night from all the babies."
Birthday Festivities
Aedan is unrelentingly introverted. He was excited and delighted all day up until the point when everyone started arriving for his birthday. From thence forward he was downcast, mororse, unhappy. He didn't want to play potatoe on a spoon. Rather than running with his potatoe to the finish line, he walked angrily back and forth with his potatoe, while everyone else had a good time. He wouldn't do any races at all in fact. Cake time was equally unhappy. He scowled when presented with it, tried half heartedly to blow out the candles and then ate ice cream as though a funeral were going on all around him. Presents went over better, of course, but you'll notice in the pictures he was extremely solomn. And finally, he refused to play pin the tail on the donkey. When everyone finally went home he cheered up immensely and chased balloons all over the house and played with all his toys. The rest of us had a very good time.
I would just like to draw your attention to the cake, below, which was made, as it were, out of nothing. Its Nigella's fool proof birthday cake that can be made into any shape. Its very dense and pretty moist and worked really well. Its in How to be a Domestic Goddess, if anyone is curious.
I would just like to draw your attention to the cake, below, which was made, as it were, out of nothing. Its Nigella's fool proof birthday cake that can be made into any shape. Its very dense and pretty moist and worked really well. Its in How to be a Domestic Goddess, if anyone is curious.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Saturday, March 31, 2007
More Conversation
In the Afternoon
Emma: Mommy, what are you going to be when you grow up?
Anne: I'm sorry? What did you say?
Emma: Oh, you're all done growing so you have to think of something.
Supper Time
Anne: Aedan, who would you like to invite to your birthday party.
Aedan: I want cake and a Christmas Tree and open presents and ice cream.
Matt: A Christmas Tree?
Aedan: Yeah, a Christmas Tree and presents.
Anne: Well, I guess we could make one out of construction paper.
Matt: So, Emma, what are you thankful for?
Emma: Candles. Paint.
Matt: Aedan, what are you thankful for?
Aedan: chicken, potatoes.
Anne: Do you even like potatoes, Aedan?
Aedan: Heh Heh, no. I don't like potatoes.
Anne: I thought so.
Emma: Mommy, what are you going to be when you grow up?
Anne: I'm sorry? What did you say?
Emma: Oh, you're all done growing so you have to think of something.
Supper Time
Anne: Aedan, who would you like to invite to your birthday party.
Aedan: I want cake and a Christmas Tree and open presents and ice cream.
Matt: A Christmas Tree?
Aedan: Yeah, a Christmas Tree and presents.
Anne: Well, I guess we could make one out of construction paper.
Matt: So, Emma, what are you thankful for?
Emma: Candles. Paint.
Matt: Aedan, what are you thankful for?
Aedan: chicken, potatoes.
Anne: Do you even like potatoes, Aedan?
Aedan: Heh Heh, no. I don't like potatoes.
Anne: I thought so.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Beds and Sports
OK - so I'm going to blog finally. I caught all of the subtle hints and I'm ready to dive in. Here are some pictures. One is of Jackson sitting on the sidelines at his soccer game. His team name is "The Players." He is still convinced that there is no need for him to aggressively take the ball away from the other team. He thinks that if he asks them nicely enough or has a convincing enough argument, they will hand the ball over to him. He spends the majority of his playing time on the field trying to orally steal the ball from the other team's players or cheering on his own teammates while paying no attention to what he is supposed to be doing ("run faster!" "that's OK - you'll get it next time!"). He does, however, stay with the rest of the pack of 4 year olds running up and down the field. This is an enormous improvement over last season.
There is also a picture of Caden in the toddler bed that he is still not sleeping in. I gave up. He loves his crib! He sleeps so well in it! I'm going to put the cute police car toddler bed in the attic for the time being. What's the rush?
The other picture is of Caden at the zoo playing in the "river." A stark contrast to the snowmen that his New York cousins are getting to build!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Seasons and Plans
Hi everyone,
Your dad and I have decided that we are going to have to cancel our trip to Arkansas due to "lack of funds"!! None of us can afford it this year and as much as we want to do it, it would not be the smart thing this year...maybe next year.
But, Matt says that they can still come down and Megan and I have decided that there are so many fun things to do in San Antonio that we can have our own vacation there and also spend time here at the beach, maybe even rent a place for a couple of nights.
We are so sorry and hope no one is REALLY disappointed. I think we can have lots of fun here doing things and being together which is what it is really all about anyway!
I will be taking Grandma to Temple Saturday along with Sydney so say a prayer that Sydney adjusts well up there and Levee adjusts well down here and that I just adjust! I will be back here the same day so I can go to the Palm Sunday service here. I am heading upthe Easter basket project at church and had to do the first bulletin board I have done in MANY years! My main job is to be sure each child on the list has a basket and that baskets within families are pretty similar as to contents so no child feels left out. I like doing that. Apparently if some need more, I will buy things for them and distribute them to the baskets. I will be doing this for the back-to-school project and Christmas too.
I willl also be going into Houston for Helen's surgery on the 9th and be there for at least a week taking care of her. She has the surgery on the 5th but doesn't want anyone there until a few days later. We need to keep her in our prayers please.
Anne, when do you see the doctor? It seems like you told me but I forgot. I hope you are beginning to feel better...the due date is approximately when
A big hug for all my grandbabies. Maybe Emma and Aedan can give Mommy's tummy a big hug for our new little one!
I love you all, Mom and Mimi
Your dad and I have decided that we are going to have to cancel our trip to Arkansas due to "lack of funds"!! None of us can afford it this year and as much as we want to do it, it would not be the smart thing this year...maybe next year.
But, Matt says that they can still come down and Megan and I have decided that there are so many fun things to do in San Antonio that we can have our own vacation there and also spend time here at the beach, maybe even rent a place for a couple of nights.
We are so sorry and hope no one is REALLY disappointed. I think we can have lots of fun here doing things and being together which is what it is really all about anyway!
I will be taking Grandma to Temple Saturday along with Sydney so say a prayer that Sydney adjusts well up there and Levee adjusts well down here and that I just adjust! I will be back here the same day so I can go to the Palm Sunday service here. I am heading upthe Easter basket project at church and had to do the first bulletin board I have done in MANY years! My main job is to be sure each child on the list has a basket and that baskets within families are pretty similar as to contents so no child feels left out. I like doing that. Apparently if some need more, I will buy things for them and distribute them to the baskets. I will be doing this for the back-to-school project and Christmas too.
I willl also be going into Houston for Helen's surgery on the 9th and be there for at least a week taking care of her. She has the surgery on the 5th but doesn't want anyone there until a few days later. We need to keep her in our prayers please.
Anne, when do you see the doctor? It seems like you told me but I forgot. I hope you are beginning to feel better...the due date is approximately when
A big hug for all my grandbabies. Maybe Emma and Aedan can give Mommy's tummy a big hug for our new little one!
I love you all, Mom and Mimi
What did you learn in Sunday School Emma?
What did you learn in Sunday school, Emma?
Nothing.
I don't believe that.
Well, we worked with a material. There was Jesus and his bersciples.
Disciples?
Yeah, that's what I said, bersciples.
What were they doing?
Eating pizza.
Really? I don't remember Jesus ever eating pizza. What were they really eating?
Jesus' body and blood.
Did Jesus say and special words when he was with his friends?
Yeah, he said, 'this is my body' and he said, 'this is my blood'.
What else did they do?
Jesus took them to the olive mountains
Nothing.
I don't believe that.
Well, we worked with a material. There was Jesus and his bersciples.
Disciples?
Yeah, that's what I said, bersciples.
What were they doing?
Eating pizza.
Really? I don't remember Jesus ever eating pizza. What were they really eating?
Jesus' body and blood.
Did Jesus say and special words when he was with his friends?
Yeah, he said, 'this is my body' and he said, 'this is my blood'.
What else did they do?
Jesus took them to the olive mountains
Monday, March 26, 2007
Monday Afternoon
Just got back from taking Aedan to the doctor. He has a cough and fever. However, there's nothing extra wrong with him, so we're going to stop spoiling him and make him buck up. His whining is becoming annoying. Rowan took his bear this morning and then hit him the face and Aedan just cried bitterly instead of doing anything about it.
Other than that we're all well.
If you want to post please just send it to me on email: revakennedy@hotmail.com
and I will put it up. I'm trying to work up an instruction sheet for posting but I'm not very good about step by step instructions so its going to take a while.
Other than that we're all well.
If you want to post please just send it to me on email: revakennedy@hotmail.com
and I will put it up. I'm trying to work up an instruction sheet for posting but I'm not very good about step by step instructions so its going to take a while.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Sunday Conversation with Emma
In the church kitchen while I fold bulletins.
Emma: Am I on time?
Me: For what?
Emma: For my meeting. Am I on time for my meeting?
Me: Oh yes. You’re on time.
Emma: You can’t hear me. I’m upstairs in a meeting…Dear Jesus, how are you?...
Ok, Mommy, my meeting is over, I’m going home.
Me: Good bye.
Emma at home in the evening.
Emma: You wanna know what I’m going to be when I blow up?
Matt: Yes.
Emma: I’m gonna be a doll fixer. I’m gonna fix dolls with holes.
Emma: Am I on time?
Me: For what?
Emma: For my meeting. Am I on time for my meeting?
Me: Oh yes. You’re on time.
Emma: You can’t hear me. I’m upstairs in a meeting…Dear Jesus, how are you?...
Ok, Mommy, my meeting is over, I’m going home.
Me: Good bye.
Emma at home in the evening.
Emma: You wanna know what I’m going to be when I blow up?
Matt: Yes.
Emma: I’m gonna be a doll fixer. I’m gonna fix dolls with holes.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Hi everyone
Megan is trying to get Caden to sleep in a toddler bed, She found one at a resale shop that is a police car! Caden loves it but as for sleeping, he prefers the crib! I will ask her to blog about it. I'm not sure she knows how to go about it because she was going to post some pictures and hasn't yet, so I will tell her how to post. Don't know how to address everyone...first second or third person!! This sounds more like I am writing to Anne, but It is really to everyone.
I am looking forward to the family using this alot even if it is short snippets of information about what is going on in everyone's lives.
I'm just busy with Las Donas.Im doing the Farewell Fiesta this year so am having meetings at our house with the committee which means redecorating and landscaping! That is a bit of an exageration, but I do find myself planting flowers and doing some obvious freshening up in the house....this is Mama's fault. Having company when I was growing up often included cleaning out kitchen cabinets, re slipcovering the couch and definetely at the least having bouquets of flowers everywhere. I am proud to carry on this obsession!!Thanks for posting this Anne. I have told Helen and Barbs about it so they can check up on it too.
Love, Mom, Shawn, Mimi
I am looking forward to the family using this alot even if it is short snippets of information about what is going on in everyone's lives.
I'm just busy with Las Donas.Im doing the Farewell Fiesta this year so am having meetings at our house with the committee which means redecorating and landscaping! That is a bit of an exageration, but I do find myself planting flowers and doing some obvious freshening up in the house....this is Mama's fault. Having company when I was growing up often included cleaning out kitchen cabinets, re slipcovering the couch and definetely at the least having bouquets of flowers everywhere. I am proud to carry on this obsession!!Thanks for posting this Anne. I have told Helen and Barbs about it so they can check up on it too.
Love, Mom, Shawn, Mimi
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
school
We took Emma to the kindergarten open house today at Ross Corners Christian Academy, the school we're considering for the fall. We took Aedan to the preschool open house last week. Both classes were very impressive. They're small, about 10 kids in each one, and cheerful and up beat. The teachers both have really good control of the class. I'm amazed at the level of each class. I can't really remember, but I believe that I learned in first grade what these kids learn in kindergarten. Emma will, by the end of the year, be reading and writing and able to rattle of several longer passages of scripture. Aedan will learn 26 verses--one for each letter of the alphabet ("A: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. B: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. etc.) And he will be able to write his name and read it, among other things.
Its going to massively change our lives. They'll have to be there at 8am every morning, which means leaving our house at 7:30, which means I will seriously have to get out of bed in the morning. Gasp.
Its going to massively change our lives. They'll have to be there at 8am every morning, which means leaving our house at 7:30, which means I will seriously have to get out of bed in the morning. Gasp.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Monday, March 12, 2007
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Vinaigrette
Combine and incorporate completely 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard with 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar.
add and incorporate one at a time 6 Tablespoons of oil.
If you add the oil all at once it won't fully incorporate and your vinaigrette will separate.
For variation you can add fresh thyme or some other spice. You can also add salt and pepper but you really don't need. If you like a more creamy vinaigrette you can add one or two Tablespoons of mayonnaise, again, incorporating gradually so it doesn't separate.
For ease of cooking I always make it in the bottom of my salad bowl and make the salad on top. But not everyone may want the same kind of dressing so you might want it separate.
This is a basic french vinaigrette and not of my own invention.
add and incorporate one at a time 6 Tablespoons of oil.
If you add the oil all at once it won't fully incorporate and your vinaigrette will separate.
For variation you can add fresh thyme or some other spice. You can also add salt and pepper but you really don't need. If you like a more creamy vinaigrette you can add one or two Tablespoons of mayonnaise, again, incorporating gradually so it doesn't separate.
For ease of cooking I always make it in the bottom of my salad bowl and make the salad on top. But not everyone may want the same kind of dressing so you might want it separate.
This is a basic french vinaigrette and not of my own invention.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
tech issues
I don't know what the deal is. I tried very hard to post what you sent me this morning Shawn, and, if you go down to the February posts you will be able to click on and open it. I don't know why its not appearing on the front page though. I've been having problems with my other blog too so I think it must be blogspots problem.
Anyway, for right now, just keep emailing me the stuf you'd like posted, pictures included. And remember, if you want to comment on a post, just hit the comment button and follow the directions and you'll be able to write whatever you want. Good Luck.
Anyway, for right now, just keep emailing me the stuf you'd like posted, pictures included. And remember, if you want to comment on a post, just hit the comment button and follow the directions and you'll be able to write whatever you want. Good Luck.
from Shawn
Happy Valentine's Day to my wonderful family.
A big hug for Jackson, Emma, Aedan, Caden and Rowan. Mimi and Boppy love you SOOOOOOOO much!!! I hope you like your Valentine candy. Eat lots of candy today because this is the one day of the year you can have lots of it early!!!! (Well, Christmas and Easter too, but that is only three days!)We are so proud of each of our grownup kids. It amazes and thrills us to see what wonderful people, spouses and parents you have all become. Thankyou for blessing us.
Monday, February 12, 2007
An opposing opinion of dinosaurs
On Saturday while reading a dinosaur book Jackson asked, "Where are the dinosaurs? I prayed for God to bring them back."
During bath time last night:"Where did the dinosaurs extinct?" Fascinating.
During bath time last night:"Where did the dinosaurs extinct?" Fascinating.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Posting
Shawn and Megan, for now, if you want to post here, email me with the text and I will post it. I'll send you an email with the password to get in and post yourself.
Conversations
Emma: "Will there be dinasuars in the resurrection?"
Anne: "Yes"
Emma: "Why?"
Anne: "Because in the resurrection everyone gets their body back."
Emma: "But I don't want there to be dinausaures."
Anne: "Why not?"
Emma: "Because they'll eat us."
Anne: "No they won't, they'll eat grass and be friendly."
Emma: "Oh, ok."
A little Later
Emma, dressed for school with backpack and lunchbox: "Daddy, do I look hot?"
Matt: "yes?"
Anne: "Yes"
Emma: "Why?"
Anne: "Because in the resurrection everyone gets their body back."
Emma: "But I don't want there to be dinausaures."
Anne: "Why not?"
Emma: "Because they'll eat us."
Anne: "No they won't, they'll eat grass and be friendly."
Emma: "Oh, ok."
A little Later
Emma, dressed for school with backpack and lunchbox: "Daddy, do I look hot?"
Matt: "yes?"
Welcome Everyone
Here's our new family blog. I wisll shortly post instructions about how to use this space but until then, here are some photos to kick us off. Enjoy!
Anne
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