Little Things Bring Smiles

My very talented and fun friend Katie has a blog called Little Things Bring Smiles.  Every month she does a round up post of, you guessed it, Little Things that made her smile that month.  I think this is a fabulous idea, and I thought I would copy the idea.  So without further ado my list:


Smiles from my kids
Listening to them laugh together.
Chicken salad with Chinese Rice Noodles
Talking to friends on the phone
Seeing friends in person
Spending time with Sid
Watching Bruce learn to walk
Grandma coming to visit - actually that's a big thing!
Wooden Blocks
1st Birthday Parties
"Dates" with Stella

That's what I have for now, but I'm sure I could add more later.

Now you should go and check out Katie's list!

A Boy and His Cake

A story in pictures of a Boy and His First Birthday Cake.

We think he liked it. 

Thomas the Tank Engine

On Wednesday we went to the Stroudsburg Railroad.  They were having a special "Day out with Thomas," the Tank engine that is.  We went, despite the threat of rain, and I am so glad we did.  We wound up having a beautiful day.  And since the weather looked a little threatening we didn't have quite the crowds we might have.  Grandma had never ridden a train before, and Stella has been talking about how her Mommy was going to take her to the Train Station sometime.  We thought it seemed like the perfect opportunity.

Bruce got a ride from Daddy, in the Kozy.

 There was a very cool mega-blocks Thomas.  I'm impressed!

 Bruce looks adorable in a hat, even if it didn't last very long.

 THOMAS!

 Steam Engine.  We got rides behind both!

 Stella waiting for our turn to ride Thomas.

 A child's eye view of Thomas pulling in.

 Riding in an open car behind Thomas.

 Waiting for our ride to start.

 The inside of a regular "coach" car behind Engine 475.

 Engine 475, halfway through our ride!

 Did you know that it gets up to 130 degrees inside the engine?  I am glad that I am not the guy shoveling coal into that fire! 

Grandma!

Grandma came to visit us this week.  We had so much fun.  Most days we just hung out around the house, but we had a few "outings" as well.  This was the first time we have seen her since August.  That is a long time for us, but it seems like an eternity when there are little kids involved.  Bruce was 2 months old the last time we saw her.  There is a big difference between 2 months and 12 months, see?

 

Stella couldn't get enough of her, and Bruce warmed up quite well.  Grandma really couldn't get enough of either kid!

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It's actually on time!   These  were taken before church last week.  I love that my kids love each other!

Verses for my kids

When Stella was born I was given the book Treasuring God in Our Traditions by Noel Piper.  I loved it.  I've read it a few times now and I still love it.  She talked about how she chose a hymn for each of her children, learned it, and then sang it to them as a lullaby, or to comfort them, or whenever.  I really liked that idea, and have chosen songs for my kids.  Stella's is A Mighty Fortress is Our God by Martin Luther, and Bruce's is In Christ Alone by Keith and Kristyn Getty. 

Along the same lines, and I don't know if this is something I picked up from the book or not.  I really feel like I just stumbled into it.  But I also chose verses for my children.  With Stella it was a verse I was just in love with at the time, and really wanted her to grow up with the understanding of who God is, and what her response to him should be.  Her verse is Deuteronomy 6:4-5 "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your might."

Bruce's Verse is Proverbs 31:9 "Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy."  I want that for my son.  Not that I don't want it for Stella, or that I don't want Bruce to understand Stella's.  This verse stood out to me in it's context.  It's a mother speaking to her son who will be the king.  She wants him to be a righteous man, and a godly man, and leader.  Things I want for my son.

So tell me, have you picked a verse for your children?  What are they?

I'm linking up with WFMW at We Are That Family.

Strawberries

We went to pick strawberries at a friends "little" strawberry patch.  Stella enjoyed herself.  For a few minutes.

She enjoyed carrying the basket around for a few minutes longer. 

 Bruce Really enjoyed himself.  Caleb decided he would rather watch Bruce than pick strawberries.  Fine by me!  He asked if he could give Bruce a berry, I acquiesced and a moment later He exclaimed "he's like a vacuum!" He had literally sucked all the berry off.  Right down to the stem. 

 We had to chase the stems.  Holding the stem as tightly as possible we all almost lost fingers! I think it's safe to say he's a fan!

 We picked A LOT of strwberries!  We ate them for 2 days and then still "canned" 10 pints of freezer jam. 

Stella's First Ride

On a four wheeler. 

She loved it.  It was "a long ride."  She talked about it for days!

I am Bossy...

is giving away an iPad2 on her very fun blog.  It's sponsored by Brad's Deals.  You should maybe check it out.  Or don't.  I don't really want any more competition for that thing!

The Teacher

My husband is a teacher.  Not by trade.  By personality.  It's a gift.  Truly.  He thrives on it.  He was in his element at the Magee's teaching the boys how to build (and why it's done that way).

 He taught them to use tools.

 Put up sheet rock on walls...

 and ceilings.

 He even taught Martha how to use a nail gun.

Even I used it!  Like I said.  He's a teacher.

Magee's

When we left Kristin's home improvement project we went straight on to the Magee's home improvement project!  Martha's mom is moving in with them, so some basement finishing work was occuring at their house.  Since we were there... we helped.  Well, Sid helped.

 The kids and I mostly watched.  My kids had a ball at their house.  Stella LOVED the freedom she was able to have.  They have 5 acres, 2 are open space.  They live on a private dirt road, where the neighbors are known and trusted.  Stella was given permission to let me know, and go play outside.  She had 2 rules.  1. Stay out of the woods (no problem, since that doesn't really appeal to her anyway).  and 2. Stay off the driveway.  She spent lots of time outside.

Both kids also got lots of love from the boys.  Especially from Josh!  What a sweet heart that boy has.But they are all wonderful with both kids.

  Bruce got a present, a Kozy.  I love it, and he's learning to.  : )      We felt truly blessed to be there and able to help.

Aunt Kristin's House

Kristin is my best friend from college.  Her daughter is the same age as Stella (really, it's less than two weeks).  Her son is a little over a year younger.  As you can imagine fun is never far for these kids when they are together! 

 There was porch-swinging, bubble-mess-making-blowing, soccer-ball kicking outside fun.

 Slumber party with your friends fun.

 Stay in your pj's all day fun.

And fun new games to play fun.  For the kids.  

We were there to work on the house and that all got done to Kristin's satisfaction, so it was a good time for us too.