A Winter Saturday Making Homemade Christmas Gifts

Saturday morning the boys are busily grating soap (not cheese). They liked experimenting with the different types of graters.

We added a little water (about 3 T per bar of soap), stirred, then reshaped the soap into snowmen and Christmas trees to give as Christmas gifts.

We also grew beautiful snowflake crystals to give as gifts. We grew the crystals on pipe cleaners in water and Borax overnight. They are hanging on our Christmas tree until it's time to give them away.

I loved spending time with my boys this weekend doing fun projects. Tess is sitting up now. She is 6 months old. I love to watch her sit and play with toys. She is my sunshine on a dreary winter day

Tessa Darling

Already 4 months old! Love this little girl.

Happy Birthday Luke!

Luke is such a cool kid. He has really cool hobbies, like origami, birding, and coin collecting. And he likes to play a little basketball on the side. Now he wants to start a new hobby, balloon twisting. He asked for long, twisting balloons for his birthday. He had so much fun making animals, swords, and hats. Here he is wearing an original creation while eating cake. Happy 6th birthday buddy. I love you. Mom.

Congratulations Adam and Kristie!

Tessa's First Smiles and Blessing Day

Collin's Baptism

Tessa Arrives

Tessa is one week old. She is healthy and beautiful. We all love her so much. Now our family feels complete. I am cherishing every moment of caring for my little girl. Love to all.

Owen's Candy Land Birthday Party

When I asked Owen what he wanted for his birthday he said, "Candy." And his favorite thing to do right now is play board games. So we celebrated with a Candy Land birthday party.

Here are some pictures of the kids building the Candy Land castle, fishing at Snowflake Lake, eating the licorice forest, moving to music at Lollipop Woods, tossing beanbags at the Gingerbread Tree, and gathering peanuts for Gramma Nut's kitchen.

We also went for a hike in the Gumdrop Mountains (our staircase) while balancing large gumdrops on a spoon. We never got to the finger painting in the Chocolate Swamp. (I ran out of time to make the pudding.) But I can do that later with just Owen.

Anyways,  I think the kids had a good time. Owen loved his Candy Land cake, especially the bubble gum castle. Thanks to all who came to celebrate with us. It was fun to spend the day with family. I love you, Owen. Everything about you is my favorite. Happy 3rd birthday!

Toward the end of the party Owen actually came down with a fever and fell asleep. You can see him starting to crash while sitting on his dad's shoulders. Poor little guy. That's the worst to be sick on your birthday. Not to mention he probably exposed everyone at the party. (So sorry everybody.) 


But the next day he was feeling better, Owen put on his new superhero dress-up (a favorite birthday present) and started jumping off the stairs. He was feeling quite powerful. And, I kept all the Candy Land props in the dramatic play corner of our play room so we can party on.

I've Got a Girl in My Belly

When the ultrasound lady told me it was a girl, I didn't say anything. I just cried. I was so relieved and happy. My mom bought me pink balloons and I cried again. I tied them to my mailbox. Tonight I bought girl baby clothes. Three outfits for $24 at Walmart. I couldn't resist...the shirt had butterflies in rainbow colors and came with purple pants. This is fun.

But can I really do this? Will I know how to raise a girl? I feel like I'm a brand new mom all over again. I'm due June 3. Advice is welcome.