Benjamin and Sam pooled the money together in their piggy banks to buy a Lego set.  We haven't started giving them an allowance yet (don't know the best way to go about that yet...advice welcome) so where has their money come from you may wonder.  They ask for spare change that is in the car or on the counter.  Benjamin has lost teeth.  But I'm pretty sure most of the money has come from helping me find things.  Example: I look everywhere for my phone.  I can't find it.  I am getting annoyed.  Instead of getting frustrated about it, I announce that they can split all the coins in my wallet if they go on a hunt and find my phone.  Isa is saving up her money for another piggy bank because she shattered hers.  I offered to make her one but she didn't think that was cool.

My mom wanted to spend a weekend with the boys so we met her at Wendy's in Ft. Wayne.  I love this picture of Sam and Grandma Pam.

Isa dressed Stella up in her hat and vest.  Those eyes...

I had to take Tums three times a day for a month after my surgery to keep my calcium levels up.  In my effort to repurpose things, I thought that the empty containers might make a good bank to teach Benjamin about saving and giving.  He thought it was so fun to put together and decorate.

Paints

Stella thoroughly enjoyed her first painting experience.  And she did not get the messiest of the 4.  Sam won that prize fair and square.

 I love after bath curls.

Ash Wednesday

I think I put a link to this last year but the kids were excited to see it again this morning.

Printable Lenten Calendar

Let the thing of this world fall away so the soul can fall in love with God.  Anne Voskamp

Fast, Healthy, Delicious

Go make THIS.  Go make it right now.  :)

Favorite Conversation of the Week

I went out with some friends on Sunday night and Drew was home with the kids.  He had an interaction with Isa that has continued to make us laugh all week when we think about it.  He had all the kids at the table eating chocolate chip cookies.  Isa announced that she was done.  Before she got down, Drew wanted to make sure her hands were clean.  He asked, "Isa, do you have chocolate on your hands?"  She looked at her hands.  She pointed to the skin on the back of her hand and said in her most serious tone, "This looks like chocolate, daddy.  But it's just my skin."  Good to know, Isa.  :)

Valentine's Day Tea Party

Eloisa's preschool had a tea party for moms on Valentine's day.  I was disappointed I forgot my camera because Isa was adorable and hilarious singing songs for us.  She sang so loud in her deep voice and was overly dramatic with the motions.  When each song was over, she would lock eyes with me and wink.  She stood right beside one of her best little friends here who also happens to be from Guatemala.  They were bee-boppin beside each other and bumping hips together.  The sight of them got me all choked up. Precious gifts.

 The kids and I washed the rocks that used to be at the bottom of our fish bowl (RIP little Stan the fish) and Mod Podged little paper hearts on them.  It was a simple and fun little craft.

Isa got these googly eyes in her stocking so she was really excited when I found these little monster card ideas on Pinterest.  It was a lot of cutting for me but we had fun sitting around the table together.  They picked out what paper and monster design they wanted and then just chatted until I had their monster cut out.

Photo Booth Message

Can you feel the LOVE tonight?

One of Drew's PAs and his girlfriend sent us this little card in the mail.  Drew and I were jumping up and down much like my 6 year old would if we told him we were going to Disney World.  I can't remember the last time we went on an official date.  

 What did we do on our official date?  Walked slowly around the mall.  Roamed in and out of stores.  I never had to tell Drew to just touch things with one finger or not run away from me.  We ate dinner at Bazbeaux's pizza.  We talked.  We people watched.  Drew didn't spill his water or repeatedly crawl under the table to pick up crayons.  I would like to tell you we ate slowly but truth be told we snarfed down our pizza so fast it surprised even us.  It tasted so good.  We are good-pizza deprived here in Upland, IN.  I forgot to chew a couple of times and got a piece of crust lodged in my throat.  No heimlech was necessary.  We got to visit a friend of mine from high school that just had a baby.  I asked Drew if holding a beautiful little newborn made him want another one.  He said, "Not at all."  We went and had some delicious ice cream at Brics and sat by the fire and talked.  Drew didn't try to stick his hand in the fire and I didn't have to wipe ice cream off his face and shirt.  We picked up a few groceries and headed home.  It was lovely.  And our kids had a wonderful time as well.  Win Win.

The Lord's Prayer

Less than a week ago, I suggested to Drew that we start saying the Lord's Prayer to conclude our family Bible/prayer time each morning.  Benjamin was really into it.  Isa and Sam were never paying attention....or so we thought.  About 5 mornings in, Sam asked if he could say it.  Drew and I stared at him and then at each other.  Little people's brains are so amazing.  I wish I could still memorize that easily.

Wonderings

Benjamin's wonderings this past week:

"Mom, the Bible says nothing is impossible for God right?  But God can only do good so it's impossible for him to do evil, right?  So really it's not true that nothing is impossible for God."

"Mom, so the Bible says that Jesus is the beginning and the end.  Why does Jesus call himself 'the end' if there is no end.  Eternity goes on forever, right?"

"If Jesus says to love your enemies, why is there so much killing in the Old Testament."

Lord, help me.  I'm not a thinker.  I almost got an ulcer taking Philosophy 101 at Anderson U.

"For the LORD gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:6

Good Day, Sunshine

Camera Happy!  Praise Jesus, wasn't it just the most lovely February day ever??!!  I found this hat for $3.50 at the Ft. Wayne mall yesterday where we met my mom and Matt and Julie for lunch.  Matt said she looks like a mushroom.  A ridiculously cute mushroom I say!  I couldn't narrow down the pictures because I'm just feeling giddy about the sunshine.  So feast your eyes on some of the Lord's precious creation. 

 Isa about broke my back teaching her to ride her bike.  I keep asking Drew to put the training wheels on but he is convinced she'll get it.  And I think she would get it if she could focus for 10 seconds.  But she is looking forward, back, up, down, left, right...squirrel!...stick!...and she stops pedaling and steering.

 This morning before church...precious.

We had our small group over tonight to watch the Super Bowl.  Jalapeno poppers, stuffed mushrooms, bruschetta, veggies, bean dip, pigs in a 'bacon blanket', chocolate chip cookies, homemade ice cream....good gracious that was fun.  I didn't watch the Super Bowl but I ate super food.

Daddy dates...

are the best!

Eyes and Ears and Mouth and Nose

(Warning: crusty nose present in all photos.  If snot makes you sick to your stomach, look away now.  We lived through the stomach bug that has taken Upland by storm and now just have friendly, mild colds.  I will take the colds!)

Stella Claire, our sweet and neglected 4th child.  Someone should have thought to teach you the names of your body parts.  I'm sorry we're a little slow.  We started practicing at lunch.  You caught on quickly.  You just stared at us for awhile as we all touched our noses and tried encouraging you to do the same.

 Nose!

 Ears!

 Mouth!

Eyes! (Always with a little help from Sam.  You would touch your cheek and he would shove your elbow up and ram your finger into your eye.)

 Hair!

 And nose again!

Sam trying to assist with belly button.  Somewhat difficult with a dress on.

Admiring Benjamin's belly button.

We tried to play games with the kids tonight.  Stella single-handedly destroyed every board game we tried to play.  Samuel was in hysterics every time she found a way to clear the board.  His laugh is contagious I tell you.  Well, contagious to all but one.  Benjamin used all the self-control the Spirit gave him to not have a total frustrated melt down.

Piggies

After bath time tonight, the girls and I had an impromptu nail painting party.  It was the perfect end to a most lovely, sunny, warm February week.  Tiny toes are so, so cute.