Dr. Seuss week

Last week, June 1-6, we kicked off summer with Dr. Seuss week. TV watching had gotten a little out of control and I wanted to get refocused and start the summer right. So, no TV except The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That in the afternoon (and a couple mornings before we got up). We also read a different Dr. Seuss book every day and had a snack and activity that went along with the book of the day. It was so fun. They looked forward to it every day and by the end of the week didn't seem to mind not watching much TV. So, here's what we did:

Monday

Oh The Thinks You Can Think

Schlopp with a cherry on top (applesauce colored with food coloring with an m&m on top)

"I can think about me" book (a little construction paper book with drawings of their favorite things)

Tuesday

The Cat in the Hat

Cat's hat kabobs (strawberries and bananas sliced and stuck on toothpicks)

Wednesday

Dr. Seuss' ABC book

B is for bubbles

D is for doughnuts

S is for sipping soda pop

Thursday

Green Eggs and Ham

Green pancakes

Rhyming words matching eggs

Friday

One Fish Two Fish

Colored goldfish with a color matching worksheet 

(And a cute baby foot that got in the picture)

Hand cutout fish

Saturday 

There's a Wocket in my Pocket

Scavenger hunt around the house (I copied pages of the book and had them hunt for all the crazy creatures around the house)

Yottle in a bottle 

Butterflies!

So, raising butterflies was awesome. The kids really enjoyed it. I may have enjoyed it even more. It was amazing seeing the chrysalides and getting to hold butterflies. 

Here's May 11 while they were just forming their chrysalides. This was the hardest stage because they weren't doing anything and the kids couldn't stand not messing with them. BTW, one caterpillar didn't make it. No idea what happened. He just never grew. So we had 4 at this stage. 

May 13 we moved them to the habitat. It was still very slow and boring for a while. 

May 18, the first butterfly hatched. We were all so excited. They were ready to take him outside almost immediately but we kept him to watch for a while. 

The other three hatched the next day. We kept them about a week and then let them go. The one laying on the bottom in the above picture didn't ever fly well. One wing dried bent. He was pretty cool though because he was easy to hold. The kids really enjoyed having that one. This was quite an experience. We may do it again one day when I can incorporate it into school. 

Raising caterpillars

For her birthday, Megan got a butterfly garden that comes with a coupon to get live caterpillars to raise into butterflies. So fun! We got the caterpillars in the mail yesterday. The kids are amazed. They love to sit at the table and just stare at them while they crawl around in their cup and eat. It's pretty slow, though. Kind of like watching grass grow. 

Our weekend in pictures

Matt's been working hard leading the constant volunteer groups that have been at the camp since January 1, so when the last group left last week he took today and tomorrow off to invest a little time in our family. We have finished a huge project and had some fun as well. Here's a few highlights. 

Supper Sunday night around the fire pit. Hot dogs and Kiolbasa followed by:

Marshmallows! It was supposed to be s'mores but someone forgot the crackers. 

The shop is painted! It's only been there unpainted for 7 years. 

Supper tonight at Bastrop State Park. 

The park looks so different since the fire 4 years ago. You can see forever from the overlook now. 

They have a great playground!

Caleb's first time in a swing!

Tomorrow's plans include (Lord willing and if it doesn't rain): fishing, blackberry picking, fun at a park, supper out, and a baseball game!

6 Month Chunky Monkey

On February 28, Caleb reached 6 months old! Time really does fly! 

My littlest baby has turned out to be my chunkiest monkey. Here's a little update:

Weight: 17 pounds 8 ounces

Length: 24 inches 

Mobility: loves to get on his knees then flop down and push himself backwards. 

Teeth: none yet but teething and drooling hard. 

Sleeping: not great; still waking me 1-3 times per night; wearing me out and making me depend on God's strength alone!

Talking: we can't understand him yet but when he's in the right mood he tells the best stories!

Favorite people: Daddy, James, and Megan! Of course he loves mommy too. 

Favorite place to hang out: his jumper that hangs between our room and the kitchen. 

He's generally a good natured baby who loves snuggles and Eskimo kisses. He always has his tongue out and if you get close enough you're sure to get some slobber kisses. His eyes are clear blue and his hair is looking mighty red. The verdict is still out on what shade it will be. I'm told red hair and blue eyes is the rarest combination. 

Thankful Project #5: daddy

Our last thankful project was to thank Matt. He works so hard to provide for his family. He adores these kids and they adore him. After a long day of work he loves to get down on the floor and wrestle, take them out for one on one time, or just let them tag along with him wherever he's going. He's a great husband and makes sure I have everything I need to be the best I can be. I could go on and on about this guy. He deserves our thanks every day for all the ways he takes care of us. 

We surprised him with cookies he loves and doesn't get very often and some love notes:

Some cute pictures of Matt and the kids:

Elephant butt!

Thankful Project #4: Servants at church

There are so many people who serve at our church. There are pastors, deacons, nursery workers, volunteers, and Sunday School teachers to name a few. In the preschool area there are so many workers, teachers, and volunteers who sacrifice their time so that my kids are safe and learning about Jesus while I am worshipping. They do such an amazing job that my kids absolutely love going to church. I posted a video on facebook of J and M jumping around and screaming because they were so excited to go to church. Last week we made gingerbread cookies and delivered them on Sunday to some of those who serve. Just a small thank you for the investment they have made into my family's spiritual growth. 

The kids love making cookies!

The finished treats: