Our new old Piano

It is such a blessing. We are so greatful. Thanks Michelle. We use it everyday.

McDowell Falls

My battery ran out while we were out walking at McDowell Falls. The first thought I had was "Now the fun is over." Silly. We were in a beautiful place with my favorite people. I am glad that I could change my thinking and be able to say "Now the fun can start."

Agate Beach Again

Kelly says going to the beach isn't his favorite thing to do but likes going because I like it so much. That makes me love him more. We really had a great time and I love how it wears the children out.
In the last photo the one on the left is alive.

Dino Pool

Solar Print Paper

During the last two days of walks (hikes?) we have kept little things here and there in an attempt to make some fun prints. I recall the first time I used this type of paper. It was at a three day camp called Mill Hallow. It is so fun to watch the paper go from blue to white to and then reverse itself. Clara wasn't interested in composing anything or waiting outside with it but she did enjoy rinsing it watching it change in the water.

Oak Creek Greenbelt Trail

Unknown flower. John on a throne. The salamander that Tara caught. Where the salamander was caught. An improptu group hug after people got pushed and hit. Working together to release the salamander to it's new home.

Camp Adair

Or EE Wilson Wild Life Refuge. We saw a variety of wild birds that were awesome. It was fun to see how the children backed up when the turkey preened. Then we went on the Pond Loop trail. In the first photo I like how the sign is framed and the birds. On the turkey photo you can tell where the chicken wire was.

Tidying up Children's Minds

We just finnished listening to Peter Pan by J.M Barrie today. We listened to the first 10 min of it maybe 5 times because Clara liked hearing the beautiful music that lead up to the words and Micheal throughing a fit about his bath. I enjoyed hearing a certain part that I would like to share about mothers.

Mrs. Darling first heard of Peter when she was tidying up her children's minds. It is the nightly custom of every good mother after her children are asleep to rummage in their minds and put things straight for the next morning, repacking into their proper places the many articles that have wandered during the day. If you could keep awake (but of course you can't) you would see your own mother doing this and you would find it very interesting to watch her. It is quite like tidying up drawers. You would see her on her knees, I expect, lingering humorously over some of your contents, wondering where on earth you had picked this thing up, making discoveries sweet and not so sweet, pressing this to her cheek as if it were as nice as a kitten, and hurriedly stowing that out of sight. When you are awake in the morning, the naughtiness and evil passions with which you went to bed have been folded up small and placed at the bottom of your mind, and on the top, beautifully aired, are spread out your prettier thoughts, ready for you to put on.

I do that exact thing.

I like how John holds on to Chester the horses ears. I enjoy wrapping babies up.

Play at the Park

I love Clara so much. When were were in the car driving back from her birthday party I asked her what her favorite part was and she said "playing with Sam, Marc, Taryn, Laura, Coralyn, Ruby, Riley etc...." That is her. She loves people and she knows that people are the most important.

We had two mishaps. One was that the strike anywhere matches wouldn't lite and Trisha kindly asked a stranger for a lighter. The other was that I forgot to pack a knife and so Kelly made one out of cardboard and a plastic bag. Good thing we were all stuffed with cookies. We are going to gloss over the fact that Clara cried for the second year in row when she was supposed to blow out the candles. Why? I have no idea. The other notable thing was that I counted 8 (no joke) eight other parties that were going on or set up for. In addition to the parties there were two baseball games. It was the day to be at the park.

I am grateful to Abby for consulting about the bubbles and Loni for consulting about the banners.