Scripture Headbands

Family Home Evening continues to be, well, a family favorite. A couple of weeks ago, I was in charge of the lesson and I came up with a "scriptural" version of the game Headbands (which I'd played for the first time with the Young Women in my ward).

The game was Book of Mormon-centric, so I pulled names of various prophets and people from the Book of Mormon, as well as objects or things (i.e., the Liahona, the sword of Laban, etc.). I wrote them on 3"x5" cards, made some paper headbands, and VOILA . . . Scripture Headbands.

Everyone chose a card (without looking), and I clipped it to their headband. Then we sat in a circle and took turns asking yes or no questions to figure out who or what we were . . . think twenty questions.

Some items were definitely harder to guess than others. Phoenix's "ships of the Jaredites" was a bit tricky, but with a lot of questions and several extra hints, he got it. Luckily, "the River Sidon" was never chosen. Perhaps that would have been hard to guess :). It was a perfect game now that the kids are a bit older. Definitely a keeper.

Hiking with Grandma 2012

 Every year when Grandma Terry visits, we try to take her on a great Kentucky hike. Last year, we visited the kids' new favorite spot. In an effort to change things up this year, we went even further afield and drove out to Natural Bridge for our annual "Grandma Hike."

It may have been steep, and it may have been hot (although not as hot as it is THIS week!), but we had a great time. How can you doubt it when you look at that happy face?!

 I just love the look of these limestone cliffs that riddle the area. Those are some good rock-climbing cliffs.

 To get up to the top of Natural Bridge, you have to pass through a very claustrophobic passage. The kids were troopers, but Grandma was the real champ. She didn't want to go to the top (having been through a bad accident before coming to KY that left her with bruises everywhere and stitches in her hand), but we convinced her that only the really dumb people fall off the top :).

 Here we are at the top (for the third time in six years). It's always so bright up there!

And here the kids are with Grandma on the way down at Balanced Rock. Another good Grandma Hike!

Dad's Favorite Foods

The kids really took charge of Father's Day this year. They made cards and presents for Stayc all on their own. Breakfast and dinner were my responsibility. No matter where we go out to eat . . . fancy or fast food . . . it seems Stayc always orders a hamburger and fries. So for dinner, a hamburger and fries it was.

For dessert, the kids also planned a hamburger and fries. WHAT?!? A brownie "hamburger" and pound cake "fries" with strawberry jam "ketchup"! Yes indeed-y, we are just that crazy around here.

Opening presents from the kids at breakfast.

 

I promised you Lutece's woodworking masterpiece penguin that she made for Father's Day. I thought she did a great job on it!

The kids sure love their dad . . . I love him too.

Woodworking 101

 

 A couple of weeks ago, Stayc decided he would introduce the kids to the art of woodworking. He had read an article in Handyman magazine (shout out to Grandpa DuBravac) about tools you can let a 9-year-old use (or something like that). Lutece is *almost* nine, so he thought he'd give it a try. 

 

It turned out to be the best summer activity yet. They loved it! I can't tell you how many days they spent in the garage and on the back patio hammering creations together.

 

Phoenix started out by making elaborate race tracks for his Matchbox cars. 

  

Lutece made various "abstract" pieces (her words, not mine), and then she started serious work on a gift for Father's Day. After she hammered it together, she wanted to paint it, so we got out the acrylic paints and she went to town. 

"Awww, Mom. Must you photograph me?"

Yes. Yes, I must.

 Here are a few of Lutece's and Phoenix's "abstract" creations.

I loved this little airplane too.

Lutece kindly asked me if I would make something as well when she started painting her creations. Why not? I tried to make it as simple as possible. Lutece asked me if it was Aunt Gayle. I guess everyone with red hair reminds her of Aunt Gayle :).

Stay tuned for the Father's Day post in which I will unveil the final wooden penguin!

Sometimes I Just Can't Choose

So I post them all.

It I HAD to choose, though, it would be the third picture. So cute.

Resuming the Field Trip

Are we really almost four weeks into summer vacation? That just seems crazy! It's been a hard adjustment having the kids home all day, every day again, but the days go fast, and the weeks even faster.

As usual, we have the boring stuff each day (math, writing, piano practice), but we also try to mix up our weeks with swimming, the library, movie day, kids' book club, and, of course, field trips.

I let the kids choose the first field trip of the summer and they selected their favorite hiking spot in KY, the John B. Stephenson Memorial Forest (or Angelin Falls). It's a good 45-50 minutes away, but the kids don't seem to mind, and we are almost always the only ones on the trail.

The week of our field trip, Lutece had been making crowns and naming family members "King (or queen) of the Day." Phoenix happened to be King of the Day that day and I think he forgot that he was wearing his crown. So funny.

Lutece likes to get up close and personal with her photography subjects, which tend to be on the smaller side.

Case in point.

Since it was early in the summer (or late in the spring), the water was still cascading down at Angelin Falls . . . but not enough to get anyone seriously wet.

 The kids favorite part of the hike are the rocks anyway, not the falls.

They are natural born rock climbers.

And hikers. Hopefully this will serve them well in Thailand, where we plan to do lots of hiking.

Loveable People

 Phoenix's first grade class held a "Most Loveable People in Lexington" party during the last month of school. Each student could invite two people. Phoenix invited Lutece and Stayc. I was not invited. I wish I were more secure and I could have just left Phoenix to it, but no, I made one too many jokes about not being quite loveable enough. Phoenix finally said, "Mom, I love you too, but you always get to come to my class. Dad never gets to come." Too true. And we know that no one could take Lutece's place.

They sang songs for their "Most Loveables" and served them treats. Lutece got to be excused from her class for the duration of the party. The children also made the above card for their MOST loveable person. Phoenix wrote about Lutece. Can you read it? It's so sweet it almost breaks my heart. My favorite parts are:

3. I remember when you helped in my classroom. (Lutece got to choose a prize for good behavior in her own class, and she chose to go into Phoenix's class to help kids with reading.)

4. You are special because you can swing without a push. (Naturally!)

And the best:

5. I like it when you hug me.

 The kids did all sorts of things for me for Mother's Day. Since they've been into magnet messages, they posted several for me on the fridge. You can't read them, but know that they express love and devotion. I guess I am a "most loveable" person after all :).

Go Legends!

T-ball is almost over. Well, the regular season is officially over, but the *play-off* season has now begun. Phoenix's team ended as the number 3 seed team in the league (uhm, I think I wrote that right). Guess when the first play-off game is? This Sunday. Yup. Of course we don't play on Sundays, so I'm not sure how many play-off games Phoenix will actually be playing in. So sad. (Or is it?)

Actually, Phoenix got quite good in certain areas of baseball. A ball rarely gets past him, and he doesn't shrink from the fast, hard ones. Now if he could just learn to throw a ball, he'd be set! He was awarded the game ball twice this season. Seriously, he doesn't let the ball get past him.

p.s. He's number 11 in the above picture. In the team pic, he's the second from the left. But I'm sure you could see that.

Reminiscing Monday

(Lutece, 9 months old ~ taken by Scott)

I went all the way back for these pictures. All the way back to the beginning of our lives with children. All the way back to Florida. All the way back to a less hairy Scott. Yes. That far back. These pictures are from June, 2004. SEVEN YEARS AGO!!

"Umm, excuse me, but are you taking our picture Mom?"

Apparently, Scott once visited us in June. Crazy!

"Well ok then! Let's give her some smiles!"

Next week, I'll move forward a couple of years and add Phoenix into the mix. Enjoy!

Last Day of School!!

Phoenix had a pajama party on the last day of school, hence the sleep attire.

May 24 was the last day of school. (It comes early when there are no snow days.) Summer has officially begun!