Donuts with Dad

We had Donuts with Dad at school this week.  

“Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a dad.” -Anne Geddes

“Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father!” -Lydia M. Child

“It is a wise father who knows his own child.” -William Shakespeare

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.” -Jim Valvano

“He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.”
-Clarence Budington Kelland

Practical Lessons- Thy Word

Psalm 119:105  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Last night we had a practical Bible lesson and did a family scavenger hunt to illustrate Psalm 119:105

(Before you give me too much credit, you should know the idea came from Family Life's Just Add Family)

I wrote down a list of scavenger hunt items.

Then they used their flashlights to search for things like candy and smelly socks.

Afterwards, we all sat down and discussed the verse and how the flashlights protected us from harm and helped us find our way.

I have no idea if they got it, but it sure was fun. 

Sunday Snapshot- Well That Was Memorable

Ruthie had her very first soccer game yesterday.

We weren't sure what to expect.  Would she pick flowers or actually play?   

She had a little bit of a rough start when she tried to pick up the ball.  Then her shoe came untied and daddy ran onto the field to fix it for her. 

When she tried to throw the ball in, it fell behind her.  But after a few tries, she conquered that too. 

The girl ran the entire time and played as hard as any other kid out there. 

It was all going so well until the very end.  Right after I snapped this picture (and knew she didn't look right), Ruthie vomited and fell at my feet.  The girl played so hard, she had heat exhaustion.  We quickly got her cooled down and she perked back up to her normal self within a few hours.

 After it was all said and done though, she said she had a lot of fun and was ready to play again.  I am thinking next time we will have more forced breaks for my little competitor. 

Skipping Preschool

We have skipped more days of preschool this year than we have attended.

I have been working less during the day so it is hard for me to bring myself to send her.

I know it is good for her to have friends, learn her ABCs and all that stuff, but when it comes time to walk out the door and drop her off, I just can't do it.

I just like having her around too much.

I had every intention of sending her today.  Then I remembered this place called the Orange Show that I have been wanting to check out.  As soon as my neighbor said she and her 3 year old could join us, I knew that we would be skipping school once again.

We got there to find out that it is actually closed during the week, but we took a few pictures and played a little anyway.

After that we drove to The Heights for lunch and some more looking around and picture snapping.  I have to say that I am glad I kept her home again.   

The ABCs can wait another day.

Milestones

All kids reach milestones.  They get teeth, lose teeth, learn to walk, go to Kindergarten and ....

...after months of practice and strategy, they learn to climb the door frame.  Oh yes this has been a very big deal in our house this week.  

The PT in me cringes when I see the position of his left leg, but I am setting that aside to cheer with my boy and his new skill.

The final goal was to touch his head to the top of the door frame.  Mission accomplished. 

It's when ordinary people rise above the expectations and seize the opportunity that milestones truly are reached.
Mike Huckabee 

Sunday Snapshot- Happy Birthday Jack

This weekend was the birthday of my favorite  8  9 year old.

Just like last year, he didn't want a party but wanted to get away with the family instead. 

All 5 of us spent the day at Moody Gardens and then Jack and I spent the night.  

We went to dinner and he took a few happy birthday calls from family and friends.  It must be hard being that loved.

After dinner we cruised over to The Strand and had ice cream at La Kings.  

His request was to sit in bed and watch the Weather Channel.  A little Storm Stories and we were in birthday heaven.

We wrapped up the experience with a trip to the Rainforest Pyramid.

I love that kid and I love that when given the choice, he chooses time with his family over presents and parties. 

Ruthie and Cupcakes

When we were walking down the street in Rome, we came up on an Asian man who was bending metal to make things out of people's names.  He started with one long piece and then ended up with a picture frame or in our case, a necklace.

I gave Ruthie her new necklace on Wednesday and we decided to celebrate with a trip to the new cupcake place in town, Rise Cupcakes. 

A friend asked me the other day what the deal was with cupcakes these days.  I don't know, but I am a fan!  Long live the cupcake! :)

A little sugar high and we were all dancing to the music overhead.

Completely uninhibited.

Yes, long live the cupcake!

B&W Pictures and Pondering Through Europe

For the last day of our trip, we traveled to Rome and took in the Vatican City.  I think my favorite part was seeing where Peter is buried.  Wow!

We also went to the Colosseum. It was amazing to walk around the grounds and think about all of the Christians who were martyred there.

And here are just some other favorite pictures from Europe also in black and white.