Pattern Blocks

This set came with the Saxon Math manipulatives,
and all the kids have enjoyed them over the years!

Andrew's design & Timmy's rocket

Maria's "tapestry"

More celebrating!

We had family over this morning to celebrate the birthdays.

"Hurrah! Yay! Daniel's pres-ah!" (present) - Thanks, he loves it!

When Daniel saw the beautiful cake which Rachel decorated at Gals' Club :) last night, he started singing, "Happy Birthday Daniel!" (forgetting about Heidi, whose birthday we were also celebrating!)
- and kept singing it over & over.

Birthday Gifts

We thank the Lord for the precious little boy He gave us on January 25, 2005! What a joy Daniel is to us! He's very affectionate and is a real "people person," always happy to greet anyone. And though he certainly is a little troublemaker, at least he's quick to say "Sorr" when he's been bad. :) Here he is with his big brother "Tee."
Daniel can pronounce many other names properly, but for some reason he's always had trouble with saying Timmy's name!
He now can also say, "I two! " and "Appy (Birth)day!" and
"The Lord is my shepherd." (not perfectly though!) He had fun talking to his cousin Heidi on the phone yesterday evening, wishing her a happy birthday and answering "Yeah" to her questions.
Daniel's favourite present was the magnetic car which he's holding in yesterday's birthday picture - he played with it most of the day!
His other gift, these "Lincoln Logs," were enjoyed more by his older siblings -- especially Andrew, who has not stopped playing with them since yesterday morning! (except to eat, play with the amazing magnetic cars a bit, go to co-op, & sleep, of course!)

But Daniel loves his horse & "cowboy" which came with the log set.

Andrew has designed many different buildings already, especially since Daniel keeps knocking down whatever he's just finished!

Happy Birthday Daniel!

Jesus said,
“Let the little children come to Me,
and do not forbid them;
for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 19:14

Bunkbed!

Timmy & Andrew are quite eager to go to bed these days --
ever since Saturday, when Ralph set up their bunkbed.
(Thanks, Uncle Cliff & Aunt Henrietta!)

And here's "Daniel's bed," as he proudly calls it -- although he will not be sleeping in it until later this spring, when the baby needs his crib.

Tobogganing!

Yesterday we had to cancel Co-op because too many kids were sick -- but we didn't mind! :) Thanks, Elsa, for inviting us to go tobogganing instead!! What a fun afternoon! Caleb, & then Laura (what form!)
Luke
Daniel saw this one & said, "Benj hold."

Melissa & Justin (Trish dropped them off)
Nate sailing!
Allison (Cher picked up her & Katelyn)
Benj & Rachel racing
Laura & Maria went together most of the time...

Daniel, Andrew, & Timmy

& David's interesting ride!

Happy 80th Birthday, Beppe!

We thank God for His faithful care over Beppe for all these years,
and also for granting her continuing recovery from her recent hip operation. She stayed at my mom's for a few days after leaving the rehab centre, and yesterday settled back into her own apartment again. Her birthday was on Saturday -- here she is, surrounded by almost all of her 17 great-grandchildren!

Tea party for two... Nicole & Daniel

The Modern Holocaust

If there was any excuse for mistaking the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, there are no excuses in America. I would love to see Abort73 become a movement led by courageous, smart, Wilberforce-like young people who won't let it go until abortion is as unthinkable in our land as slavery.
John Piper

For Our Children

Father, hear us, we are praying,
Hear the words our hearts are saying,
We are praying for our children.

Keep them from the powers of evil,
From the secret, hidden peril,
From the whirlpool that would suck them,
From the treacherous quicksand, pluck them.

From the worldling's hollow gladness,
From the sting of faithless sadness
Holy Father, save our children.

Through life's troubled waters steer them,
Through life's bitter battles cheer them,
Father, Father, be thou near them.
Read the language of our longing,
Read the wordless pleadings thronging,
Holy Father, for our children.

And wherever they may bide,
Lead them Home at eventide.

- Amy Carmichael

These were taken at Daniel's request...

he even called up his brothers to join him. :)

Lazin' Around

Daniel got the flu yesterday, although no one else is sick. (yet!)
This morning he wanted to be held alot (puts out his arms & asks, "Hold Mom") which is quite unusual and cute, actually!
But later on he played happily, after laying on the couch
with Andrew for a while. And at least he is eating & drinking again,
though less than he normally does.

Haircuts

The boys have never before had their hair cut by their dad,
and never with clippers either -- I've always done it with scissors.
We gave our "Oster clippers" a try, and liked the results, on the whole!
Here's their BEFORE and AFTER shots...

Skating

On Friday afternoon, we had fun skating for a little while
at Teen Ranch with some other homeschoolers!
Louise picked us up & also took most of these pictures... thanks!
Obviously we haven't taken our kids skating enough --
they were hanging on to the stroller for dear life! :)


Afterwards, we asked if we could feed the horses there.
Fun, although it seemed rather odd to be picking grass in January!

New Year's Eve!

We had a great evening with 4 other couples & their kids.

Annalise was unashamedly caught in the act!
Mmmm, whipping cream!

Animal Concentration...





Thanks for coming, everyone...
and a blessed New Year to all our friends & family!