Charlotte’s Web skit

Tabby’s last day of co op.
It was a good opportunity for her to meet people this year – AND get chemistry out of the way.
She participated in a drama class and played Edith in their Charlotte’s Web skit.

MY FRIEND CAME TO SEE ME!

The delight that overcame me when I got Diane’s text the other day.
She’d be driving through Greenville and wondered if she could stop in!

REALLY?  REALLY?  YES – oh – yes please!
It was so life-giving to get to catch up.

And the fact that she brought donuts was only sweeter. 

Spa day?

Johanna is getting Katriel all dolled up.  Fingers and toes.

All was right in the world

For a few days, Gunnar came to visit.

And the world felt good and normal again.

McLastMinute!

The kids enjoy an annual Shamrock Shake.  You know – that thing McDonald’s does for St. Patrick’s Day.

We are only four days late!

But it was nice enough outside to enjoy with short sleeves!

Curly girls

These beauties got haircuts today.  Tab went brave and had a lot cut off!  Katriel had a trim.  Both glow!

Bible Belles

We barely made it!

We were up so late last night for the concert, I decided not to wake her up. 

She woke just in time for a splash of a shower and Out The Door!

The settings was gorgeous.

They played games. 

Had a fabulous devotion.

And ate delectable treats.

WINTERJAM 2022

The girls and I visited a co op we are hoping to get in to for next year.

From there we met Daddy and Marie at home, and stop by the taco truck by our house and got food to eat while we camped outside the venue for WinterJam 2022.  It’s just a love offering of $10pp and we even got in for some priority seat selection based on our donating to the local Christian radio station.

We ran into some old friends from NY. ♥

And had an amazing time at our first indoor concert since Covid.

Critter Keeper Birthday for Katriel

Some days, it feels like there is nothing new in this parenting gig.

Other days, you have amphibians in your house.

As Katriel’s birthday approached, we weren’t sure how to handle a party.  She’s been making friends both in the neighborhood and at American Heritage Girls.  As always, her friends are both boys and girls, and the age range is pretty large.  We weren’t about to do a princess theme…

What does Katriel like best? 
Frogs.

And my mind started spinning.

A web search turned up the Critter Keeper  Not only does he bring crazy creatures into the homes for facts and fun, but he is a born-again believer and He shares scripture as he shows the animals. 

I had just printed invitations and had the kids hand them out on the street, when we got an email that the AHG troop was going to do a hike that day.  Sigh.  So we only invited our neighbors and some non-AHG friends.

We laughed. We screamed. We had a blast.

I told our neighbors that we aren’t always this kind of party animals. 

Sunny moments–March the SC way.

Brace yourself–Tab’s teeth, whirlwind NY weekend.

It was finally time for Tab to get her braces off.  Who doesn’t like to drive to NY in February? 

It was actually an amazing drive. We left home by 5AM and by 5:30PM we were sitting around the George’s table FEASTING on Thanksgiving dinner with Jennifer and the family.  I was exhausted, but it was like a gigantic hug engulfing me to walk into their loving home.  The grandparents were there as well. 

Tab stayed to visit with Lauren, and Johanna, Katriel and I checked in to the hotel, caught up on some HGTV (it is a staple in all our hotel visits) and had a good night’s sleep.

Sunday included church and Katriel went to Madeline’s house to play.  Tab left with the Goodchild’s and Johanna and I did some local errands and collected all the girls in time to visit with Ba and Poppy.  I don’t know why I don’t have any photos from that day!

Monday morning, bright and early, we took Tab to Dr. Huff’s to have her braces removed.   We stayed in the van because they still need masks in their offices and we didn’t have any.

From there we ran to Wegman’s to buy some sandwiches for lunch and then headed to the Strong Museum of Play to visit with Asher and his mom.

We paid extra to do the ropes course.  It was over $100 for the four of us for the day.  Love inflation.

Then we hurried back to Fairport to meet Kelly and Barb for dinner at Noonan’s.

And before you knew it, our weekend was over.

Next morning, we woke early, and had the car completely loaded before the hotel served breakfast at 6AM.  We were the first ones eating, and out the door by 6:45AM.  We stopped outside of Buffalo to pick up NOELLE who would join us for the week before flying back.

We had another wonderfully gentle drive back.  God was so generous.