Our Prolific Artist

"When I grow up I'm going to be an artist", was the announcement Hannah made the other day as she held out her latest creation.  From the time she was little and used to take the recycled paper from Kevin's school work or projects and turn them into "notebooks" or loads of these:

Hannah's "Blues Clues" pawprints

Hannah at 4 with her little table, chair and supplies

We'd find "Blues Clues" all around the house.  In addition to her many works of art. Our refrigerator has always been her showcase.

Sample of her many creations

In time the numbers and quality of images, scrolls, notes and with her ability to write love notes and "books" would increase.  She's always loved getting craft kits for gifts and has lately been making loads of potholders with her weaving kit, so I never have a shortage in the kitchen.

Hannahs "Books"

3-D Puppets

Love Notes, Scrolls and Cards

A few potholders

And for goodness sakes don't ever let her catch you making a huge faux pas as when Cameron cleaned his room and disposed of some of her creations.  OHHHH the attitude he got when she announced "Cameron just threw my gifts away!!!".

Her creativity and boundless energy to pursue her craft gives us a constant supply of creations to enjoy. I do love her enthusiasm and will have to make more of an effort to provide various materials and means for her to continue to express this passion.
So we will continue to encourage our artist who has also announced in the past her desire to be a doctor, a mom, a chef, a teacher and a scientist.  Knowing Hannah she could be all and do a great job!

Change in Plans for "TO DO" List.

   1. - As our school year officially winds down we spend time getting through the last of our school books and lessons. I begin to review materials for getting grades done and making sure we've covered all that was on our lesson plans that I organize at the beginning of the year.  We still continue to school through the summer, but we make it more fun and really on a limited basis. It's more a time to review, cover areas that might need work or clarity and do more of our craft time to keep it lite. Mom needs the break even more than the kids!!!!

New Smoky Olive Color

   2. - This past weekend I started to paint the exterior of the barn and house.  This will be an ongoing project for some time due to the size of the project and with warmer afternoon temperatures, this worker bee limits her time outside!  Am liking the new color and feel beside the fact that the painting definately needed  to be done it will make a nice change to the exterior look and feel of our home. 



Old Yellow Exterior Color

Hannah Drawing with Sidewalk Chalk while the adults work

Lauren busy with her art and Bea keeping watch, and napping : )

   3.   -  Kevin and Cameron began the prep process for stuccoing the exterior of the back room by putting up wood trim around the windows.  Then they will put up the wire and begin the stucco process.

Oops, change of plans!!!
   4.  - Install new hot water heater.  This item jumped to the top of the list last night when our water heater began leaking.  We had purchased an instantaneous whole house water heater awhile back and had planned to have it done by this summer.  With the demise of our old heater this now became the priority activity. Kevin took a personal day today to work on replacing the unit so we can have our hot water back.  I'm very thankful we had a new one ready to go, he has the skills to install and he was able to take the time off to do this.














There are the usual activites still ongoing:
 Our garden is really taking off with the warmer temperatures. The chickens have been keeping us going with LOTS of eggs and one of our "girls" went  over and above the call of duty with this oversized beauty.  We are still in awe of the size of this one!!

Our Super Sized Egg on the Left vs. Normal Size on Right

A Very Disney Day

Yesterday was really special. In the little over a year since we were last at Disney the changes happening at the parks and then within the family were striking.

  The park known as California Adventure is getting a whole makeover with building facade changes, new rides and updates for older ones.  It makes for a bit of a mess winding your way around the temporary pathways, but I'm sure the results will be worth it.

Lauren was beside herself with excitement. Her newfound ability to participate in "big girl" rides kept a huge smile on her face all day.  We documented her 40" height achievement.

40" Tall!!!

Unfortunately the one ride "Soaring" that Hannah really wanted her to experience was shut down due to technical difficulties.  So that will be for another day. That is the benefit of annual passes, no real tragedy in not being able to participate this time, you'll save the adventure for the next outting.






Lauren sat on Kevin's lap to get a better view for the shooting gallery on the TOY STORY ride. She was so intent and animated when it came to getting the targets!!!

At Bug's Land watching all four on the Tuck'n'Roll bumper cars was a kick. Mom was quite content to pass on this one and play photographer.

Brought the strollers to handle the long distance walking. Lauren still doesn't last long with extended physical activities, and thankfully we brought the umbrella stroller  "just in case", for Hannah.  She wound up with an uncomfortable blister on her heel early in the day and would have been miserable walking all day long.

The updated STAR TOURS ride was a hit with the whole family.  Both Hannah and Lauren giggled, squealed and screamed their way through the whole adventure.  You wear 3-D glasses for a better effect, and when the ride ended Hannah got right  up to my face and said "that was SO COOL!!!!".  Lauren dittoed  the sentiments, so we made a point to go again later in the day.

Finding Nemo Sub Ride

We walked, rode and ate our way through a wonderful day.  Finishing at Downtown Disney with a delicious dinner at Tortilla Jo's, and take home bread pudding from the Jazz Cafe, before heading to the truck.  Both girl's jabbered away about all they did and how much fun they had, until it quickly grew silent and they both faded into LA LA Land fast asleep for the ride home.  Great day - thank you Lord for not just this blessing, but the joy of the little one's here to share it with!!!

Girl's With Jasmine and Aladdin



Big Bro and his little sister's

Surprise for the Kids

SHHH. We have a surprise for the kids today   : )

 After a short school session we'll be heading off to visit Mickey!!   We've had annual passes as a family for years and after Lauren's arrival last year we visited Disneyland about 4  times before our passes expired.  Lauren liked seeing "Mupmy Moosh" (Micky Mouse) as she called him, but was still in the adjustment phase where everything else was a bit overwhelming.

 Plus since she was only 36" tall at the time of her arrival she was very limited with the rides she could go on since Disney's height requirement for most rides other than little kids ones requires a minimum height of 40".

In the year plus since Lauren's arrival, we've been active in helping her body continue to heal from all the early health issues she had, and have worked to reverse the malnourishment diagnosis she recieved at her original doctors visits here.  In addition to healthy food, we added vitamin and probiotic supplements to help her body be able to absorb the vitamins from the food she was getting. The side benefits to her have not only been no further hospitalizations, overall good health, but the fact that she is now at 7 years old 40" tall !!!  YAY.

Hannah's a huge Disney fan and has been wanting to return. Our other goal of paying off all our debt, just hasn't made it a priority.  With only one consumer debt left to pay off and at 0% it will be finished this August, we set aside funds to treat the family when we received our State tax refund. This way we stay true to our goals and bless the family as well.

So we will be heading out in a little bit to enjoy a day at DIsneyland.

Will post our pictures tomorrow.

Trip Down Memory Lane

Have you ever had a time when a site, smell, sound or experience has triggered a series of memories?  This happened this morning when I stepped outside in the early morning chill.  It was particularly foggy and when the cold, damp breeze hit my face I was suddenly transported in my mind to a memory of when I was 6 and living in England. There were many cold mornings like this waiting for the school bus that came flooding back.  The times I'd get to the bus stop early to hand my few pence to the clerk at the corner sweet shop and buy salt and vinegar crisps to munch while waiting for the bus.

The walks down stone or brick alleys with friends or to the old Primary School before the new, modern one we took the bus to opened.  Memories of mincemeat tarts we were sometimes treated to at school when the upper grades had their home ec classes and baked these goodies. Remembering my best friend Wendy who lived with her parents across the street from us, and that I was 12 when I was last back to visit with them. Wendy was the one who helped me when while riding my bike I fell over the handle bars and split open my nose and upper lip.  How perfect that she grew up to be a nurse and is married with two grown kids of her own.

Semi-detached house like the one my best friend Wendy  lived in.

I remember the fisherman and his wife who would sell from the back of their truck the fish he caught and cooked along with chips.  They served them wrapped up in white paper with newspaper around each portion to keep them warm.  This was so delicious eaten with a bit of malt vinegar.

SOOOO many memories came rushing to mind that I got on the computer and looked up Eynsham to see what I could find.  I wouldn't know my way around the township today, but there are still historic buildings and charming classic old stone houses that I remember so well.  I spent a good hour online looking up sites around the town.

St. Leonard's on High Street, Downtown Eynsham

Cemetary behind St. Leonard's

  Visiting the website of the Upper Heyford Airbase where my dad was stationed when his squadron was reassigned there from France.  We lived in England for a year, before my dad left the Airforce and took a pilot position with Western Airlines in California.




High Street, Eynsham



1967 Picture of gate at Upper Heyford RAF Air Base

It was an amazing trip through a set of childhood memories and a particular place and time that was sparked by something as fleeting as a foggy morning breeze blowing across my face.

Street Scene in Eysham