3 Billy Goats Fluff

Every morning Grace's school has an opening assembly. I think it is a great way for the kids to start their day. Kids lead in sharing the lunch menu, and saying the pledge to the flag and their school. They also sing songs like The Grand Old Flag, The Star Spangled Banner,  and their school song. 

This Spring the school did a student leadership program based off the book "7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders." 

Grace really enjoyed this and we were using phrases like "Think Win-WIn" when her and Faith would have a conflict. It was fun seeing them learn to compromise together.

The Habits Are:

Habit 1: Be Proactive

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

Habit 3: Put First Things First

Habit 4: Think Win-Win

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood

Habit 6: Synergize

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw 

To illustrate Habit 4 "Think Win-Win" Grace's class did a play based off the book "The Three Billy Goats Fluff." Grace had the opportunity to be the narrator. I was so proud of her. She memorized all her lines. I'm pretty sure she even held her paper upside down when she was "reading" it.

These pictures are just okay, but they are a reminder of this special memory. Here were some of her lines.

A long time ago there was a troll who moved to a new home. He moved under a bridge that was used by three billy goats. Soon, every morning the troll heard this sound...

 The next day the troll put up a sign that said, "No trip tapping over my bridge." Along came Little Billy Goat Fluff who had not yet learned to read.

 Grace's class after the show.

 Everyone who had a part had some type  of costume so she got to wear a narrator crown (she like that!)

 This was one of the few school activities I brought Faith along. She was so excited to see Grace perform and I think she had most of the lines memorized too.

Grace, mama is so proud of you. You did a great job and I am excited to see if this is the first of many drama productions throughout your life. You are just like me you had every word memorized and talked very fast. We are excited your teacher saw the potential in you and gave you the responsibility of the most lines. We are praying God will use this talent for his glory as you grow.

A Rainy Day at the Airport

After Breakfast with Buddies it was time for Faith & Titus to have some fun at a play group trip to the Quincy Airport. It was very cold & rainy but the kids didn't seem to mind.

Watching A Plane Fuel Up

Very Interested

Checking Out The Machine Shed

The Airport's Firetruck

The kids loved all the huge machines that the airport uses for clearing snow, responding to an accident, and caring for the runway.

Our whole crew.

Airport Security- Faith tries out the wand.

Watching a plane prepare for take off.

This picture makes me laugh. This is the director of the airport who did our tour. Faith has him engaged in quite the dialogue. I wish I could remember what she was so intent on asking him.

The entire airport...can you believe it city folk?

All worn out after a day of exploring the airport.

Breakfast with Buddies

Another fun event we enjoyed this spring was "Breakfast with Buddies." A morning where parents (or a special buddy) were invited to join their children at school for breakfast. It was a rainy morning and the gym was overflowing with people & umbrellas! Grace and I were lucky enough to find a spot at a table near a few of her classmates. It was a great excuse to eat a doughnut. I love making these new school memories with her!

Well Loved

This winter Faith decided that she had a "go to" pair of shoes. Her pink snow boots. Which is ironic considering this winter we only had snow on the ground to walk to school like 2 times. She loved them so much she continued to wear them throughout the spring. She was basically still trying to wear them when we broke out the flip flops and finally ended their reign as favorite. Good thing as this summer has been WAY to hot for boots!

I was thinking about how I would be sad to sell those boots at our yard sale as they probably won't fit next winter. They are one of those sweet childhood moments that you forget too quickly unless you happen upon them in your attic. So, since we have no attic and are a bit tight on storage around here we decided to remember their fame by a photo shoot with some of Faith's favorites.

Favorite #1: "Pink" the Blanket

This items fame is well documented. She is Faith's best friend and constant companion. She gets better treatment than any baby doll and more prayer time for her ailments than any other sick person we know. 

 Favorite #2: The Sparkly White "Wedding" Dress-Up Dress
This girls seriously needs a replacement for this one. You might be able to see it is tied together at the shoulder where the seem ripped out. (This mama doesn't sow- but the knot is very chic don't you think?) And since this picture now booth shoulders are tied together. Someone likes to pretend to be a bride an awful lot! (I am giving credit for this one to Aunt Erin, Aunt Jo Jo, and the future Aunt Wesley on that one.)

Favorite #3: Pink Camo Snow Boots

The fact that they are camoflage is very uncharacteristic for this princess but she loved them still.

Oh, Faith you are truly my favorite four year old! Love, The Mama

Spring Showers...Bring May Weddings!

We kept busy this spring celebrating Josie's upcoming wedding.

Pictures from Josie's Church Shower

Pictures from the Pampered Chef Shower we threw Josie. (Its becoming a family tradition)

 Faith & Joy (matching "yellow" hair :)

 The future Aunt Wesley and Aunt Erin

 All the "Holst" Ladies

i sorry mama

During Spring Break we were in charge of a play group cooking event in our church's kitchen. (See Spring Break post) It was pure craziness to be sure! When we were finished the minister's wife in me made sure the kitchen was pristine. (People can get all whipped up about things out of place in the church kitchen...if you know what I mean) We took out the trash, took home the dishtowels to wash, and did a wonderful job if I do say so myself. But it wouldn't be worthy of a blog post if that was the end of the story, right?

That next Wednesday we headed to church for dinner & Family Quest. As we were waiting in line I heard all the ladies on the cooking team a buzz with chatter and laughter. Then I saw them showing people a sign in the oven. Then I started to hear pieces of the story that was making them laugh. Someone had left a bunch of plastic lids in the convection oven...

I knew in my heart immediately that my son was the culprit. The picture of him stuffing things in the oven and pretending to cook during play group quickly flashed in my mind. Oh, no!! It was time to come clean. I confessed our sins and made Titus apologize tot he ladies who helped clean up the oven. He said to each one, "I sorry mama." Its one of my favorite phrases of his. He says it with a little southern drawl and its how he apologizes to most everyone. (He gets a lot of practice saying sorry to me apparently :)

In his defense this oven is right at his level and the doors open like a cupboard. Later that week he pointed at our oven and said "HOT!" Then he pointed at the cupboard next to it and said, "Hot mama?" I'm not sure he knew it was an oven......

Definitely ended up being one of the more memorable moments from Spring Break...I'm just thankful we didn't damage the oven or burn down the church.

Family Quest Top Ten

Family Quest is our Wednesday night program at our church. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Here are the top ten reasons I love Family Quest.

10. I don't have to cook on Wednesday nights. (shallow but true)

9.  I get to remember what its like to write a lesson plan. ( I serve on the team that writes our own curriculum- challenging & fun)

8. We get to know families in our church with similar aged children.

7. Opening- Mrs. Michelle is so creative and great with doing visual object lessons and music.

6. The Cooking & Craft Rotations (my favorites)

5. We share our highs and lows from the week as a family & pray together.

4. We can bring Grace's friend Ruthie so she learns about the Bible too.

3. We make new friends- like our adopted Grandma Mrs. Ardella.

2. We memorize Scripture.

1. We learn the truth of God's word as a family in a fun memorable way that is impacting my children.

Opening Time in our Children's Worship Room

Doing an activity as a family.

Each poster represents a Scripture passage the kids are challenged to learn and then they get to sign their name.

For this activity we were learning about The Last Supper. We reenacted Davinci's painting of the last supper and took a picture. (Our youth group came by to help out)

I'm so thankful for this ministry. It helps me to be intentional about making sure my kids are spending time learning and memorizing Scripture, serving others, praying, and associating church with a fun place to be.

Wacky Wednesday

Once a month Titus and I got to stay with Faith for a fun day of preschool activities. This was one of my favorites! We had wacky hairdos, wore wacky outfits, and did all sorts of wild & wacky activities. 

Karen's Wacky Living Room- Furniture backwards, lampshades upside down, misplaced objects, and wild escaped alphabet letters.

 Titus' Wacky Hair Do

 Faith playing with Oobleck (a funny solid & liquid at the same time)

 The wacky experiment. (an eruption with Mentos & Coke)

 Wacky Walk

Alphabet Letters Gone Wild

 What are those socks doing there??

 Painting with toothpicks & gummy worms.

 Eating Wacky Cake with weird utensils. (ice cream scoop, chopsticks, etc.)

 Reading the book that started it all....Dr Seus' Wacky Wednesday.

 Making "Flubber" I was so impressed how well my Miss Clean Hands did with these activities- she was all about it!

 Our Wacky outfits- we did wacky pigtails mismatching clothes & shoes and silly jewelry.

 Our friends Mrs. Brea and Colin came too.

 All wacked out- no pictures please mom!

It was a wild and wacky day with lots of fun. We are so grateful Mrs. Karen let us join in too!! (who doesn't love an excuse to wear their hair in pigtails again :)