Yes!…to fun

Day 5:31

Britta has been asking and asking to go to the zoo.  I told her if we got all our work done this week we would go when Tata came.  I’ve been trying to take one day to do something fun with the little ones each week.  Only once over the summer did we all make it to the zoo. Though it took some effort to pick a day when the stars perfectly aligned, we finally did it.  This is quite different than when my three boys were little. We would pick up and go to the zoo ALL of the time–even if just for an hour or two on a beautiful day.  They knew every animal in the place.  It’s a bit challenging  impossible to carry through with  that same vigor for all of the kids.  I realize we can’t do that anymore, but I’m prone to wonder if we can ever do that anymore.

Today proved that yes, we can!  My Yes! today was to a hard-earned field trip.  We were so glad we could have two honored guests with us as well: of course my mom (Tata) and then Cubbie whom Britta got the privilege to take home from AWANA and care for this week. We all had a wonderful time. The weather could not have been more perfect! and the kids were in their glory.

…she can laugh at the days to come.   Proverbs 31:25b

I am always challenged by this little part of verse 25. Being able to laugh at days to come–and not fret and rue– takes trust and faith that God will provide.  And that whatever the future holds, He actually holds it.  I know this, but to know it with my actions and be able to laugh with joy at what is ahead…that stretches my faith.  May I remember to say Yes! to fun and the medicine of a cheerful heart.

31 days of Yes! is me dedicating to post each day for the month of October (which is a Yes! in itself) and to find one meaningful Yes! in each day.  Over 1200 bloggers are participating thanks to the lovely Nesting Place.

still snowing

While I’m seeing budding bulbs and flowering trees out in blogland, there is none of that taking place here. We had an ice storm last night and one last [we hope] snow day today. Earlier this week Amelia and Jack and I made a snowman. I’ve hardly been out with them this winter due to little baby girl, but I promised we’d make a snowman together.

…with no corn cob pipe and a carrot nose and two eyes made out of… tomatoes?…thumpity thump thump…

Then we made some snow ice cream. It does have a bit of rainwater flavoring. Still it’s really cool in the eyes of a 2 and 4 year old. They talked about it for the next 2 days.

To make, mix 1 1/2 c. half and half (or milk) with 1 c. sugar and 1 tsp vanilla. Add 2 quarts of clean fresh snow and mix well. Viola–snow ice cream!

Enjoy it if you still can. Our snowman melted by the end of the day. Temperamental March…Ugh…but signs that spring IS coming.

Will They Put Me in the Zoo?

Every Christmas season we go to our local zoo to see the Lights . It’s a tradition my family has kept since I was in high school. My parents would take us to the Spaghetti Warehouse for dinner then down to the Lights at the zoo.

We now do it with our own children, sans spaghetti–but instead with a thermos of hot cocoa in tow. We went with friends this week and though it was cold, we had a great time. We had a touch of that blizzard which blew across the country, so the snow made it all the more exciting for the kids and more beautiful for the adults. Wish I could have taken some better photos, but this one was a keeper of Charlie getting bundled. Good thing he’s not potty trained yet, because undoing these layers is something one only wants to do once–at bedtime.

Tapaas Anyone?

Saturday night we went out with a group of friends to a Tapaas Bar. Everyone orders rounds of dishes served on little plates. It’s a great way to try alot of new things and the atmosphere is very fun. I even tried a frog leg tonight. My hunter-grandfather would be proud. All I can say is, it really does taste like chicken! My favorites were the pumpkin gnocci and the shrimp lasagna.

Thank you, parents, for handling our rambunctious homestead so we could enjoy some holiday cheer. I know it was a sacrifice after such a busy day for you. The kids loved every minute of it.

Here is what the tree looked like when I came into our dimly lit house. Sleep well.

 

First Snow

We woke this morning to a blanket of snow…who knew the weather would follow the forecast! My children were home from school. For some reason hot cocoa is essential in the snow day plans -whatever else may come. So after the first 15 minutes of their waking day, they had donned the snow gear and were making tracks in the virgin snow. There was indeed cocoa and “Duck Tale” watching (with Scrooge McDuck) and good fun with pals. Happy Snow Day.