VBS pictures / Out of the Mouths of Babes

As I wrote in Friday's post, we finished a very busy week of Bible School last week.  T and I taught one of the 6 year old classes (those going into 1st grade).  Of course we had Quintin in our class.  They were a delight!  The theme was SonWorld Adventure Park.  Personally, I had a hard time with this theme.  Here are some pictures from our room.  I think it turned out nice, but I just didn't know how to make any cool roller coasters or anything big!

This is actually fiberfill stuffed into a piece of tissue paper and then put inside a gallon size bag with the zipper cut off.  I thought it was pretty clever of me.  I stuffed the popcorn boxes with a light yellow paper.

A retired teacher friend gave me the plastic boxes and they worked perfectly to store the prizes earned each evening.  Then we put everything in paper bags with their names and they were good to go.

The second half of VBS was really rough because Colin was not feeling well.  He was waking up MANY times at night and just not himself during the day.  We believe he may have had hand, foot and mouth disease.  We are now starting to see him come around, but it was a rough few days.  He still has a few small red blisters on his feet and hands, but I think his mouth is clear now.  He didn't have much of an appetite.  Even with his small size, he is an eater!  With our unofficial WebMD (raise your hand if you've done that too) diagnosis, we proceeded to a soft diet for him.

Then we have Miss Elle's mouth.  We went out for supper Saturday night and she decided to goof around while we were waiting for a table.  She smacked her mouth right into a table in the waiting area.  You can see the "fat lip" and the bruising.  The inside of her mouth really turned black and blue too.

Nice picture, I know - but you had to see the discoloration, right?  She has one tooth that is a little loose but we believe it will tighten.  Dentist's recommendation: a soft diet for her as well.

And, for our third and final mouth inspection of the weekend, our oldest lost his first tooth.  This was the one mouth-event we could celebrate!!!  Don't you just love the look in his eyes?  This was just moments after it popped out!  And, the tooth fairy even remembered (I tried to make sure Quintin understood that the tooth fairy may have a bad memory...just like mommy) - but good ol' TF did her job last night!  Quintin was thrilled when he woke up this morning.

Quintin's recommendation: a soft diet too - 'cause the one to the left is loose too!

Memo

To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: GOD
Subject: YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE

This is God. Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do Not need your help. So, have a nice day.

I love you.

P.S. And, remember...

If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.

Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.

Should you decide to show this post to a friend, thank you. You may have touched their life in ways you will never know!

Now, you have a nice day.

God

Our week at SonWorld Adventure Park

1 - One full week of VBS - Over!!!

2 - Two tired parents who taught one of the 6 year old classes (Quintin's class, of course)

3 - Three tired kiddos who are going to be crashing today from their evenings pumped up with sugar

4 - all Four For the glory of God

5 - Five fun packed, adventure filled nights at church

6 - Six hardworking, and tired, committee members who produced another great year of VBS

7 - Seven Savenne Carree our sister church in Haiti and VBS mission project

8 - Eight delightful 6 year olds in our class

9 - Nine children between the 3 couples who served on the committee (ages 2-15) - I know there were probably a few late evenings

10 - 10 o'clock: when everyone finally settled in for the night and rooms became quiet

11 - $11,000 was the goal for the Savenne Carree project (to fund supplies to build a church and minister to them - our church is sending several mission teams in the next few months/years. Supplies include: a generator, lights, evangelism tools, health supplies (toothbrushes, toothpaste, wash clothes, soap and moisturizer) and various other equipment, supplies, etc.

12 - $12,000+ raised - Praise God!!

Theme Verse: "As for my and
my household, we will serve
the Lord" Joshua 24:15

We choose to serve Jesus!!

Drum Roll Please....

This was fun - and I hope you all had fun too!

I assigned a number to each person who left a comment - it looks like this.

1. Just Mom said...
2. Mary@notbefore7 said...
3. annie said...
4. Penless Thoughts said...
5. Meg said...
6. HJWeaver said...
7. Amber Kay said...
8. Short Stop said...
9. Lori said...
10. Tracy said...
11. Frazzled Farm Wife said...
12. John (well actually, Shirley - LOL) said...
13. MorningSong said...
14. Nanette said...
15. Just a thought Ginger said...
16. mom24 said...
17. Jillian, Inc. said...
18. Heather K said...
19. Susan said...
20. Musicaljean said...
21. Peggy said...
22. CONNIE'S THOUGHTS FROM THE HEART said...
23. Tammy said...
24. AMY said...
25. MDiffenbach said...
26. Lynn said...
27. ET @ Titus2:3-5 said...
28. Jezz said...
29. weavermom said...
30. diana said...
31. 4funboys said...
32. Andrea said...

Next, I went to random.org and had selected it to choose 2 numbers between 1 and 32. Here is what it gave me:

#25 = MDiffenbach said...



I'm new at this commenting thing, but I thought this was definitely worth a try for a great giveaway, Leigh Ann! Alot of your favorites are similar to mine. I would love to try the fitflops - cause ya know I could lose some of that "baby" fat from oh, over 2 years ago now! They look really comfy! Course I love books too - CBD, Amazon or paperback swap! And I could always listen to music on an iPod while I practiced my sewing after shopping at JoAnn's. Hmmm... going to Macaroni Grill for a date night (we never tried it) would be fun, but I'd have to shop at Anne Taylor Loft, Lands' End, or Zappos first... of course after I lost a few pounds using the Fitflops! So I guess it's back to them- I'd pick the fitflops! :)!

and

#14 = Nanette said...



Happy Birthday and Congratulations on your 400th post. If I win, I would love the Amazon gift card. I love to read and haven't read The Shack.


Congratulations girls!!!! Nanette is the creator of several of the patterns I've been using to make clothes for the kids and Michelle and I went to high school together (I was a year ahead) and her older brother was in T's class. We were on the track team together too. We attend the same church as well.

I had the chance to catch up with Michelle briefly last week. Michelle's youngest daughter, Aliyah, has been very sick - I posted last year about her on her 1st birthday, here. Michelle has spent a lot of time in Boston with Aliyah, away from her husband and older daughter. I know she would covet your prayers for her daughter's health and healing. I am just so excited her number came up this morning!!

Congratulations again Michelle and Nanette - and thanks to everyone for helping me to celebrate my birthday. And thank you for blessing me with your kind words and visits!!

I'm still waiting for the red FitFlops to arrive in the mail...anyday, right?

Also, I've been feeling like I really need to pull myself away from the computer for some time - I'll stop in sporadically, but summer feels like it is just slipping by, and I've got a new school year - 1st grade - to get ready for!

Have a blessed weekend!!

Getting out with bloggy friends!

There are just times where taking all three children out makes me feel a little...I don't know - crazy, perhaps!  Our local library was hosting a Bug Safari.  There were 10 local businesses on our "town square" with Bug Fact signs hanging.  We were given the official sheet and needed to walk to the participating businesses and "hunt" for their bug signs.  Once found, Quintin and I read them together and then he had to fill in some words that were left out on his sheet.

 

The kids loved it.  And I mean loved it.  I had fun too and I'm glad we did it.  I pushed Colin in the stroller and as long as we were moving, he was fine.  Quintin and Elle didn't complain one time while we walked around town.  Well, correction - they complained when I saw one of the quarry's dump trucks and motioned my hand to get him to blow the horn.  Poor Quintin - knowing that he isn't found of fireworks should have been enough to tell me this was not the right thing to do!  (T told me later that his driver asked if his son is afraid of trucks!!!)  Once we arrived back at the library, the kids picked prizes for completing the task.  Quintin picked a spider ring and Elle picked a really tiny deck of playing cards!?!?

This past week, Quintin and I headed out for a trip of our own - to a clock and watch museum.  I had seen in the paper that they were offering a workshop for children.  Just after finding the article, I had been emailing with Mom24 (she blogs at Heritage Academy) about some trips I was planning to take in September.  She mentioned wanting to go to this museum so I sent her the article.

It was so great to be able to meet up with her (oops, forgot to grab a picture of the two of us before we left).  She is a fellow homeschooling mom and pratically a neighbor to me!!!  We use some of the same curriculums and her oldest is son is one year ahead in school than Quintin - so I know I can pest ask her endless questions about things...and she'll be there for me!!  It was fun to have the boys walk around with the group so we could chat a little.  Next time though, it'll have to be gals-only, so we can continue a conversation for longer than two minutes!!! heehee

The boys were able to make 2 clocks - Quintin made this blue one for his room and gave the second clock he made, to his sister.

Armed with glitter glue, puffy paints and cds, the boys set to work.  Quintin and Jefferson are both 6.  Quintin a "new 6" and Jefferson will turn 7 in Fall - I had to giggle about their height difference!  I can only hope the boy grows taller than me!

After painting, we got to take a tour of the museum.  This was a fun picture (which I was reprimanded for taking afterwards - so why not include it, right?)  This clock has a "foot wheel" that moves from one side to another and back in one minute.  You can see the red glove punching the clock to change the time.

You can head over to her post to see one of the other really awesome (and HUGE) clocks - the Engle clock after Stephen Decatur Engle.

Quintin's blue clock is on top with the CD clock he made for Elle.  I had actually asked him at the museum what he was going to do with two clocks.  I asked if he wanted to give one to his sister and he gave me a quick no!  On the way home though, he changed his mind.

That afternoon, during their rest time, he wrote her this note.  (I need to add - our phonics/reading program, Spell to Write and Read is AWESOME!!! He didn't ask for any help with this.  This is what she brought down to me after she woke up).  Yeah, Spell to Write and Read is the bestest ;) program!  If you homeschool, and you are looking for a writing/reading program, please check this one out!  I love it!

A wonderful end to a wonderful day!

Thanks for making it so much A!!

Wordless Wednesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday

The Tiny Talkers made me giggle yesterday when I heard this, so I just had to record it.

Quintin and Elle were playing and they bumped heads.  Elle ordered Quintin, "You hurt my head.  You need to get me a new one!"

They continued playing and she hurt her leg, Quintin quipped, "Ha!  Now you'll need a new leg, too!"

***
I should take some time to record some of Colin's favorite words:
Dop = stop
No - why do they love to say this?
Mik = milk
Wawa = water
Puppa = puppy

Others (with pronuciations I am not sure how to spell): yellow, red, blue

The other night I was changing Colin for bed and he looked at me and muttered 3 syllables - I know they were completely random, but it sounded so much like "marshmallow."  I encouraged him to say it again, but it was just a one time thing.  It is so fun to watch them learn new words.


To read what other tiny ones are saying, visit Mary.

It's a full post, folks!

Last Monday was my 400th post ... but no giveaway.

Last Thursday was my 33rd birthday ... but no giveaway.Well, here it is folks - here is what you have been waiting for (Oh gosh, I hope I just didn't set myself up there).

This past Saturday, I did some early Christmas shopping (at Hallmark's Ornament Premiere), so, this is my 400th post / Birthday / Christmas in July Giveaway Spectacular! LOL!!

But first, here is my top 10 list of *my favorite things* - in no particular order. These are all things I've fallen in love with and tell almost everyone about (even within the first 5 minutes of talking....in the first 10 minutes if I've just met them)! And, I'm listing this for my fun and yours...I am not getting anything for listing/linking these sites here.

Yes, I do realize there are more worthwhile things in life than to list the "stuff" I like...but amuse please, I mean it was my birthday afterall!!!!

1 - FitFlops - WalkStar style - I know they market them as a shoe to give you a 'workout' but come on! I bought them because they are really comfortable. My feet ache after standing for long periods of time (and the first person who makes a wise crack about my age is gonna get a pie flung at ya) and these have made standing while cooking, doing dishes, ironing so much more comfortable. The white/red pair is one of my favorites - but I don't have that color yet...HINT HINT - for those still wanting to get me something for my birthday!!

2 - iPod Shuffle - iHave blogged about this before (here), but it is totally worth mentioning again! iAm in love with this little gadget. It makes walking a pleasure (as if the weightloss weren't enough). iEnjoy wearing it while iAm on my own in the kitchen or while sewing! A fun little gadget to have! (Its even better if you get it for free from your credit card points)!

3 - Macaroni Grill - if there is one of these nearby, please go eat there in honor of me. And you must order the Pasta Milano with a strawberry lemonade! YUM!!!!

Pasta Milano: Imported bowtie pasta with tender, grilled chicken, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh mushrooms in a roasted garlic cream sauce.

4 - Amazon - This place has gotta know me by name or credit card number by now! Their free shipping with a $25 order is just a great way to save as well. And you can find this book there: The Shack by William P. Young. I am not quite finished with it yet, but it has just been an amazing read. It came highly recommended through Diana, Ginger and Susan. They were right - its excellent. I cannot wait to finish reading it - I have many on a request list waiting for it! If you get a chance to pick up a book yet this summer, please pick up this one!

5 - Lands' End - This is one of my favorite places to shop (especially the 'overstocks' department where you can find some really good deals)! My favorite thing about Lands' End are their modest swimsuits - I was growing tired of the skirts and found these shorts. It feels more like athletic wear and it makes playing with the kids much nicer. They also have a lot of cute things for children.

6 - Zappos - Zappos sells lots of things, but I started going there because of ... ahem ... shoes. They also offer free shipping (to and from, meaning free return shipping) and you get it the NEXT day. Perfect when you need something last minute but can't make that trip to the mall. I haven't bought many shoes from them, but I do love to browse. I actually got to visit the store when T and I were in Kentucky this past March.

7 - Paper Back Swap - This site has been a huge help to me! Not only am I able to clear out some of the books in my house, but by doing so, it gives me credits to get new (to me) books for FREE! Yes FREE! You pay to ship your books (at a reduced cost through media mail) to those who request them and you earn credits. Use your credits to order books that are then shipped with the sender paying the costs. We've added some really nice books to our children's collection and I've found some for personal reading as well as for homeschooling!

8 - Joann's - This has become a favorite place to shop for new fabrics and gadgets for sewing as well as yarn for my knitting projects. They have a wonderful selection of children's crafts too. I believe most of the baskets in my house have come from this store as well!! If you sign up for the flier, you get a 40% off 1 item coupon in each one and several times a year they do a 10% or 20% off total purchase coupon! Its perfect when buying lots of fabric for curtains!!!

9 - Ann Taylor Loft - I love the back of this store. YES! I said the back. Why? Because that is where the clearance section is and you can find some really good deals. I've just started wearing more clothing from this store and I am finding it not only comfortable, but a great value!

10 - I cannot leave out my MOST favorite thing - Jesus Christ - I may not always talk about Him as much as I talk about shoes - but I want you to know that He is the #1 in my life! He has walked beside me through many tough times and He has rejoiced with me in many great times. He will do the same for you if you welcome Him into your heart. If you are looking to get to know Jesus on a closer level, I recommend Christian Book Distrubtor's website. You can purchase Bibles here as well as many wonderful devotionals.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention my love for Vera Bradley...but sadly, I cannot figure out where on the site to buy a gift card! :-(


******

So, if you've made it through all that, here comes the fun part. I'm going to pick 2 winners and give them each a gift card(s) of their choice of $30. The winners get to choose the stores, chosing from my favorites above! And they can choose to get 1 for the whole shabang, or break up the amount into 2 or 3 different gift cards. It it totally up to the winners.

What you need to do is leave me a comment letting me know (and I'm not holding you to this as your 'final answer') what your choices would be if you won.
BHere's the breakdown:

1 - A gift card to Sole Provisions for a pair of FitFlops - this store has free (and fast) shipping!!

2 - An apple gift card to put towards the purchase of an iPod, or an iTunes gift card to purchase music.

3 - A gift card to Macaroni Grill (only available in $10 or $25 increments)

NOTE: This would not be emailed, it would be sent through the mail

4 - A gift card to amazon - you don't have to purchase The Shack, but it would make me really happy if you did!

5 - A gift card to Lands' End.

6 - A gift card to Zappos.

7 - Credits at PaperBackSwap (you can see how the credits break down, here)

8 - A gift card to Joann's.

9 - A gift card to Ann Taylor Loft.

10 - A gift card to Christian Book Distrubtors, to purchase materials to help you grow and learn about who Jesus wants you to be.


Leave me a comment on THIS post - AND ONLY ONE! (You know who you are!)

This giveaway will remain open until Thursday evening - My 33rd and 1 week birthday! HA! I will post the winners on Friday morning.

All gift cards will be sent via email, with the exception noted above. If you do not have your email attached to your blog profile (meaning I cannot email you from your comments in my inbox) please leave your email in your comment. Also, I will contact the winners and get their final gift card selections - you will not be held to your choices picked in the comment section of this post. For the selection sent through snail mail, I will need your address once you have been notified.

Thanks for stopping by to help me celebrate my birthday - and remember, I like the white/red FitFlops in the WalkStar style...size 7! ;-)Blessings,

I'm 29...again!

I know! I know! I know what you are all thinking (well, not all of you, but, some of you!) And you know what? I don't want to hear it! If you came by looking for birthday giveaways, then just leave now! ;-D

It is difficult for the type of person I am to do the same thing two years in a row. I cannot repeat the giveaways from last year's birthday, because, that would just be too ... well, predictable.

Oh, and let's get this question out of the way. What number is it? I like to say that this year, I'm celebrating THE 4TH ANNIVERSARY OF MY 29TH BIRTHDAY, or, my 29th birthday, for short!!

So, how does one top a 10 day span of giveaways?

Um, she doesn't.  Actually, I'm gonna spend the day away from the 'puter :-O and spend it with those cuties from the pictures on Monday!

I'll be back tomorrow (or Monday if the partying is too much for me) with some birthday fun!

Wordless Wednesday

Daddy's little helpers...

Notice the toy chainsaw? :-D

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Its the Tiny Talkers turn:

This summer, Elle has really taken an interest in the nail polish on my toes. She's been eagerly anticipating when it is her turn, asking, "Mommy, will you please paint my pony tails?"



"You mean your toe nails?"



"Yes," she answers with smiles of glee!



*******

At the dentist yesterday, Quintin was finished and came to where I was sitting with Elle in her exam room. As he rushed into the room, he told me "P and O are loose!" It took me a few seconds to realize he meant his two bottom teeth! WOW! He's soon going to lose his first teeth!!



******

Quintin and I were talking about a toy he's had since he was a baby.  Elle asked how old she was when he got it.  I tried explaining to her that she wasn't born yet and she thought she understood when she said, "Oh, I was in your belly then."  I told her no, she wasn't in my belly yet, she was still with God.  Just like that, she quipped, "Yeah, and I don't remember what He looks like!"





Oh, I love these kids!!!



To hear what other Tiny Talkers are saying, visit Mary.

Where did the time go??

WOW! This is my 400th post.



So, now I'm gonna list 400 things about me.



Are you ready??



Just teasing.



But, you know I could do it though, don't you?!?!?! ;-)



We had a great holiday weekend - even if it did rain most of the time. Since we were in need of the rain, we weren't complaining!



Saturday night, we didn't have anything. I had been wanting to get some pictures taken of the kids so we headed to the mall.



I wanted an 18 month picture for Colin (even though he is 19 months today - he was 18 months when it was taken). I also wanted a 6 year picture for Quintin, my yearly picture with the kids and a family one.



I left without ordering the picture of me and the kiddos but will head in today sometime. It is for T's desk at work. The picture of just me and the kids didn't turn out as great as I had hoped, but I think the rest turned out great - especially our family picture!



We weren't planning on doing any of Elle, but she jumped right in after the boys were done, ready for her turn, so we let her go ahead!!

Click to see our pictures from last summer.

Happy Monday!!

I even surprised myself

Remember this?

Its now this, this and this.

I added a decorative border around the bottom of the top to pull out more of the burgundy.

Our plans for the weekend included going up to T's family's cabin. But we've decided to stay home. We were hoping to get the kids up so we could do some of the "camping" things we didn't get to do since we missed our church's family camping weekend last weekend. But, there will be other weekends.

We'll be swimming at T's sister's house tomorrow night and sneaking home before the fireworks begin to put our children's nerves ears at ease.

And Sunday night, we'll be spending time with my family at my parent's house. We are even going to try to do THIS on some t-shirts.

Also, I must acknowledge Sew Sensible for her Faith Double Layer Dress Top and Boutique Bottom patterns I used for Elle. And Nanoo's Designs for the Betsey/Joey shorts I made for the boys!

Happy 4th of July everyone!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

I just can't help myself...