happy halloween

While we try not to go overboard on Halloween, especially the scary side, we did let the girls go to a party hosted by Andy's co-workers.  They had a good time as the Candy Land Kids.  We will bless our neighbors with candy and the like tonight and visit with them as we walk along our street.  Hopefully, we will be able to meet the rest of the folks on our street tonight.  That would be great.  Blessings. 

morning silliness

Just a few pics from this morning.  Have a great weekend everyone. Blessings.

pumpkin patch

The girls and I went with some friends from church this morning to a nearby pumpkin patch.  We had a good time although it was very chilly!  The girls especially liked the corn pen.  Mollie liked looking at the animals but they smelled bad, and she would have liked the pumpkin patch, but it was muddy. :)  Blessings

hot tamale

This morning as Andy pulled his sausage biscuit out of the microwave, he exclaimed, "hot tamale."  Mollie in response touched her biscuit and said "it's not too hot." 
Blessings.

laryngitis

My voice is squeaky at best.  That is not good.  I generally do a lot of reading and talking through the day with the girls, so it will be interesting to see how they manage with mom on as much vocal rest as possible.  I am thankful that I am not feeling bad, other than not being able to talk.  Maybe they can "read" to me today.  :) Blessings to you all. 

dancing sisters

The girls have been dancing to some kids worship cd's that my mom got them a while ago. They love dancing.  I am loving it too.  Sometimes we are all marching, hopping, waving scarves and dancing around the kitchen.  Only, I don't wear a tutu.  Blessings.

Apple pie

 Mollie is making "apple pie" from the sensory tub filled with beans.  Lately, she has really been playing with her toy foods and dishes.  She likes to pack everything up for a picnic and spread things out on the table or floor for a tea party.  She is having so much fun.  Blessings.

Kroger last week saved 28% - yesterday 25% --- still average for me.

crepes

I love going to the farmer's market.  Not only do I get to see a friend of mine who sells pork from her farm, but we get to eat yummy crepes. Sweet (nutella and bananas) and savory (ham, spinach, onion, and cheese).   What a great morning. Blessings

banana

This morning Mollie asked Andy for the "tear part" of the banana.  She wanted to peel it herself.  She did a great job of it.  She is doing more and more each day it seems.  It is amazing to see what new thing she wants to do. Blessings. 

P.U.

For weeks, I have been wondering about a smell in the van.  At first, I thought it was a dirty diaper that had somehow escaped me.  Andy couldn't smell it for a while, because I leave the windows open and get in first to the "bad" air escape.  Anyway, it was getting worse and I could not see anything. Last night, I asked him to take a look.  He found the culprit: a package of green onions hiding under the drivers seat. Yuck.  Mollie was right in her assessment, she said it "smells like salad."  So glad that the problem is taken care of and better air quality can be found in our van.  Blessings.

bread ties

I am making a few "projects" for my sister-in-law and some of Andy's cousins who also have toddlers.  One of the ideas I found was using bread ties. The girls put them into empty spice bottles. They had a good time doing it.  I hope the other kids like it as well.  Simple, cheap, easy, keeps the kids busy.  Blessings.

dress up

Mollie loves to dress up and she has such a good time helping me around the house (trying to help me).  I don't want to squash the enthusiasm she has for either.  :) Blessings.

rice

I have been allowing the girls to do "sensory tubs" with rice and beans.  Let me say that I prefer the beans, they are easier to see on our tile floor, so they are easier to clean up.  Dried rice is rough on bare feet.  :)  The girls love each tub, scooping, pouring, finding hidden toys and spooning it into other containers.  They are having a blast.  Blessings.

lil grad

Mollie has moved up from the nursery class to the 2's and 3's class at church. We missed the big celebration last week with everyone else, but Mrs. L. saved her a hat and her certificate.  Mollie loved them.  She really likes her new class as well.  She said last night that it was the "best class ever."  She does love to color and craft, so I am not surprised at all.  Blessings.

garage

I had an inspiration yesterday - to play in the garage!  With the van in the shop and the rain pouring outside, it was a great idea.  The girls had a blast as well - riding bikes and playing ball and running all over the place.  It was fun. I love it when the Lord gives me good ideas.  Blessings.

car problems

Yesterday, as I was headed out on my weekly lunch date, the van died as I was backing it into the street.  So sad, the girls were strapped in, we were headed to Oma's for their lunch, and I was meeting some friends.  It started fine, but when I put the swagger wagon into drive, she stalled.  Well, we made the best of it.  A neighbor girl helped me push the van to the edge of the driveway, but we were not able to get it out of the road.  Andy came home early.  The girls and I ate a picnic on the driveway and then watched as the van was towed away.  I was just thankful it died at home and not on a busy street.  Toyota said that it was a fuel line problem, maybe the pump or injectors or somewhere else, but there is no fuel getting to the engine basically. Hopefully it will be fixed today. Blessings.

markers

I must say that my girls love markers.  I don't normally let them color with markers, but I gave in today because the easel is already set up in the house.  So, they had a blast decorating a birthday sign for their Aunt Ruth.  I'll go back over their hand prints with a black marker so they're more noticeable.  I guess the rest of the marker will come off of their hands and clothes with repeated washings.  The work is worth the fun.  Blessings.

safety gear

The girls wear helmets when riding their bikes.  As soon as they know we're going outside, Mollie is asking for her safety gear.  I'm glad, I want them to be safe.  Of course, they wore them last night while playing in the leaves, which is total overkill for safety.  Oh well, there were no injuries, I'm happy to report.  Blessings.

au bon pain

Andy brought back 2 chocolate covered shortcake cookies from the au bon pain store which is in the Cleveland Clinic.  He knows that they're one of my favorites and was thinking of me while there.  He is so sweet.  I am so thankful.  Yes for the cookies, but even more for the man who knows me well enough to bring such a treat home to me. Blessings.

L. M. Montgomery quote

“I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens, but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.” L.M. Montgomery

flashlights

The girls have been loving playing with flashlights.  Shining them on their hands so they glow red, putting the light on their bellies, the wall, the floor, the ceiling, .... wherever, they are having a great time.  I'm having a great time watching them. Blessings.

building independance

Mollie is now putting on her socks and shoes all by herself.  She started this last week.  She does a great job most of the time, but still needs reminding about getting the shoes on the correct feet. Velcro is her friend right now as she still needs help with buckles and ties.  I don't mind allowing a few extra minutes for her to do this task, I love it that she is now a "big" girl.  Blessings.

Andy goes North

Andy is headed north today to be with his dad.  I miss him already.  The girls and I have a few plans this week too, but we will miss daddy.  I am glad that he is getting to serve his family and he will enjoy visiting with them as well.  Andy has started a blog as well, to post updates re: his dad's health. The link is on the right.  We continue to pray for Baba that he would recover soon and return home as soon as possible.  I am so glad that the surgery was a success.  Traveling mercies for Andy and Ruth Ann today.  Blessings

Breakfast adventures

Most mornings the girls eat just fine.  Today was a different story.  Mollie decided to drink her syrup then she didn't want to eat her waffles.  Betsy ate her waffles fine, but decided that she didn't want to eat her sausage, so she held it in her mouth for 15 min. before finally swallowing her required bite.  Hope the rest of the day gets better.  It is truly quite amazing how sticky syrup is and how fast it can get on everything.  Blessings.

Saved 26% at grocery yesterday.  Not too shabby but hoping to improve. 

coupons

I do use coupons, but not to an extreme.  It looks like a challenge, but these ladies seem to have it down to a science.  We are getting the Sunday paper again, so I have plenty of coupons to cut and find on-line.  If I put in an hour a week, maybe I could save beau-coup bucks.  I usually get excited if I can get 25% or more off of my bill.  I'll let you know how I'm doing.  Blessings.

ear whack

The other night after her bath, Mollie wanted to make sure that I cleaned the ear whack out of her ear.  Sometimes you've just got to smile.  Blessings.