We went a huntin'

Happy Birthday Sweetie Girl!

Today she turns 6.  That spunky girl in sun-kissed braids, cowgirl boots and her "birthday" dress - the one she's worn for the last two birthdays.  The dress keeps getting shorter but there is no end to the twirling and dancing.

Lucy Hope, you are a bright, curious wonder of a girl who brings joy and surprise often as you internalize the world around you and speak words to make sense of that world.  You are reading anything you want, speaking in Spanish and doing math lickety split.  You dance, sing and create art with color and vibrance that light up any day.  You are our Lucy, and remind us of the "light" for which you are named.  We love you so and are grateful beyond measure for you as a dear daughter - a sweet treasure - our Lucy girl.

And a quick interview with the birthday girl with questions from brother and mama
Favorite color - purple
Favorite book - There's a wocket in my pocket
Favorite movie - Free Willy
Favorite thing I did with my family this year - Go to see grandma
Favorite foods - Kung Pao Chicken noodles with Egg rolls
Favorite number - 6 and 12
Who is your best friend? - Bekah D.
Favorite game - pictionary
Favorite thing to play or do in free time - coloring, playing Wii
Favorite person to play with - Lydia
What do you want to be when you grow up? - PRESIDENT of the United States and a cowgirl and a veterinarian
Where in the world do you want to visit? New York City
What are you most grateful for? MY family
What is your favorite holiday?  Easter and St. Patrick's Day

The Lost Medallion

Last night I took the big kids to see the new movie - The Lost Medallion.  It was a really good movie and played up to it's billing as an "Indiana Jones type movie for kids" from the writers of Courageous and Fireproof. 

Samuel and Lucy both have to practice typing at home for school so I challenged them to write a movie review on the computer and type it out while I was at work today.  Here are their reviews - Lucy didn't finish hers but was very detailed about the movie -

"The lost Medallion was about a boy named Billy. He found a magic medallion.  It helped him defeat Cobra. I liked the way Billy hid from the guards.  I thought it was great. I really liked the movie. It teaches you to treat others as you want to be treated."
Samuel, age 7

"The lost Medallion is about a lost Medallion that was Magical . The mane characters are Billy and Allie they are best friends. In the beginning Billy wants to help find the Medallion but his dad says no I told you your to little. But Billy's dad is dying on the wrong side of the river. Then  Billy was found in the worksite they kicked him out. Outside the gates there were 2 Archeologists  they asked Billy if he wanted to come with them on their trips but Billy said no and he ran to his dirt bike. But Billy didn't now that they were following him. Win he got home he saw Allie. The archeealijists chaste them out the door.

Middle. They found the Medallion and they went home  but they were to late 2 had

all ready there and Billy's dad was tied up. end. Billy wished that it never happened then the Medallion started to glow then they were at the beach. Cobra had the Medallion but they got it back it was a really big fight."
Lucy, age 5

Cousins

A bunch of characters - these five crazy cousins

Lucy and Wyatt making his birthday cupcakes! Can't believe he's allready 4!!! Glad we got to celebrate with you!

Burning

We spent some of our time at the farm helping Papa and Uncle Casey burn the fields and keep the fire out of the fire lines.  Goodtimes at the farm - always a new adventure.

Chick and Children

 "baby Annaleise Maple" - one of the chicks Lucy named while at the farm with Lucy

 Lydia and Papa's new dog, Boone

 Samuel feeding the cows

 Fearless Lydia climbing on the hay bales

 checking on the chicks

 playing with babies

Get away

Way down upon the Suwannee River...

It's always nice to get away from the day to day.  Jeremy and I left the kids with Grandma and Papa and went to a little cabin by the River for a couple of days.  We kayaked, read, slept, cooked and just sat - it was nice to get away and remember each other.  Thanks Honey - I love you!

Pooh Bear with siblings

Kiddos watching Pooh Bear and Tigger and piglet.  Lydia LOVES our Winnie the Pooh books and we searched for an old video and found it today.  Sweet kiddos enjoying stories together...even after mom couldn't read any more.

Yes, they should be in school, but I believe there is a secret communication system between viruses that inform them of vacations, holidays and weekends so that they can move in and set up shop just in time.  Lydia's got a fever and the rest of us are just normal crud.  Grateful for building those immune systems up!  Have a great weekend!

Hoop dreams

Last night Jeremy played in a fundraising game at his school against the "Harlem Wizards" - kind of like the Harlem Globetrotters - The children enjoyed the show and Daddy even made a couple of baskets. Can you see the redheaded blur on the court? Lucy got out and danced at half-time and we laughed...good times.

Perspective

After School Entertainment

After school yesterday we had the piano tuner come and work on our piano.  Mr. Janssen worked diligently for 2 hours on the piano - the children pulled up a couch, got some snacks and watched the first thirty minutes of the fascinating process.  Mr. Janssen was patient with their questions (but what part is the hammer?  how do you open that?  how many parts are in there?) and wasn't flustered by the audience.

Auntie Amanda and Uncle Jonathan

We enjoyed a couple short, separate visits from Uncle Jonathan and Auntie Amanda over the holidays!  Thanks for coming - we miss you!!

Cake pops

Lucy's three gifts for Christmas were all about making, doing and crafts - she loves to make things!  She got some beads to make necklaces and bracelets, a new set of crayons/pencils/stamps and a cake pop maker.  We had a wonderful time making her cake pops over the break...

Aquarium

Thanks Grandma and Papa for the passes - we are enjoying the Aquarium!

ps - I got some pics to upload last night but then it won't let me this morning - we'll see.

Overflow-eth

I've been trying to post for a while on the blog - pics of the last few weeks but blogger won't let me upload anything - I think I've reached the max for picture uploads - I'll have to figure this out...what to do after 7 years?

We're alive and well and speeding through 2013 as fast as ever - helpless to stop time -

Locks for Love

I'm so glad the children had some time to spend with their cousins and Grandma and Papa on the farm over Christmas - what sweet family!  I just wish I was there.

When Grandma got back to the house with the kiddos she said she had to report an 'incident'.  Lucy decided to cut her hair - not for fashion or fame but so that she could give a lock of her hair to her dear cousin Wyatt.  It is reported that Wyatt carried the lock around in his pocket...and Lucy gave Wyatt the lock because "it was locks for love, Mama".  Samuel then said - "you know Mama, like Galadriel gave Gimli"

Oh, the years of stories and adventures this crew will have!