Christopher turns 7

7 years ago Annette and I welcomed our first baby into the world.  And now, we're talking with a fully functioning child who is officially able to brush his teeth by himself.  My how the time flies.

Christopher had several friends over for his birthday on Sunday.  The boys made some "battleships" for the kiddy pool using a roll of duct tape and recyclables.  Then, they took a few steps back and "bombed" the battleships with water balloons.  We had ingenuity.  We had water balloons.  We had carnage.  A great time was had by all. Christopher is second from the left and Clara is furthest to the right. 

Here is a photo of a happy 7 year-old boy with his water balloon. 

And here is a photo of a boy opening presents while being surrounded by other boys.

"Can I help?"

When you get bigger, Sabrina, then you can help Mama do this. But for now, you have to go to bed.

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Helpful painters

Clara and Sabrina came to Katie and Paul's house to help paint their foundation this morning. Giving a 3 year old and her 5 year old sister paint brushes to help out on a house is usually not wise. We found that asking them to paint inside the basement window well worked great.

In this photo Emily's the supervisor.
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Fireside chat

 Christopher, Clara and I went on a campout with the scouts this weekend.  Here the two are enjoying a moment by the fire.  My allergies kicked up overnight making the next day less pleasant, but I'm grateful for the moments we had together. 

Harvest Meal

Last night for Father's Day we ate the turkey that was harvested on April 15th. And that prompted a question... Could we have an entire meal made with ingredients from hunting success and our garden?

We're working on the menu now. I suspect it will include deer chili and zucchini chocolate bread.

Here Molly is tending to the garden. We're just glad she's not eating much dirt anymore. (Sorry if the image is on its side.)
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Cub Scout Campout

We had a great time on the campout this past weekend with Christopher's Cub Scout Pack.  We learned how you can make breakfast, lunch, dinner and even dessert using a foil pack.  Christopher and Clara were in great spirits throughout the weekend.  I'm hopeful that will continue as we enter Vacation Bible School Week.  Annette and I have another name for VBS week, but we won't get into that just yet. 

Here's a photo from Saturday night by the fire ring.  Good times!

 Another photo near the fire ring on Saturday night.

Breakfast was eggs, hash brown and sausage - all in a foil pack.  (We learned the difference between a flat pack and a tent pack ... and yes, there is a difference.)

Camping Adventures

Clara, Christopher and Adam have spent the last 2 nights camping with the Cub Scouts. Clara was a workhorse with gathering firewood and Christopher makes a mean 'Smore.

They've gone to bed late for the past two nights and have been playing very hard during the day. These puppies are tired and having a hard time getting up in the morning - but who can blame 'em!
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Laundry Basket Time

Every kid needs a little bit of time with the laundry basket.  Here's a photo of Molly showing Lucy the ropes...

Will it float?

While Annette rested in the afternoon, Adam employed a little bit of creativity with the kids on Memorial Day.  Using the recycle bin, a roll of masking tape and Molly's new pool, he created a game for Christopher and Clara.  The object of the game was to build something using the recycled materials that would float in Molly's pool.  Later we added weight to see how many rocks the new boat could hold.  Christopher is proud to report, "I got the most with four rocks."

Workin' at the Car Wash

Clara and Sabrina decided on Memorial Day that they would use Molly's new pool to wash some of their "cars." 

Christopher reads

Last night, we were able to convince Christopher to read an "Olivia" book to his two younger sisters.  He did a great job and we're very proud that he's able to read to them as a first grader.

What are you going to be when you grow up?

Clara has told us from time to time that she'd like to be a construction worker. And other times we've heard her say she'd like to be an artist.

But after seeing this photo, do you think she could be a fire fighter?

Hanging out in the backyard

 Four of the kiddos are just gathered at our home in the backyard eating ice cream and making observations about life around them.  

The Graduate

 Clara at her Preschool Graduation event last night.

Ice Cream on the back porch

 Cousin Emily came over for ice cream on Friday night. Sabrina, Clara and Christopher were happy to oblige.

Photo from Spring Break

We went to John Bryan State Park with the Brown Family on Thursday, April 12.  This was after a visit to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and National Air Force Museum.  I'll post some  photos from that later.  

As you can see, Clara was not excited about having her photo taken.  Everyone else seemed to be in good spirits.

Christopher at the park

 Just swinging away!

Books and more books

I snapped this photo a few days ago of Annette reading to the crew at bedtime.  You can see that the princess book holds everyone's attention - even Lucy.  And don't worry ... Annette read Christopher's Spider Man book too, but only after Molly was in her bed. 

Do you think we're gonna need a bigger chair?

Just chillin'

Whatchya doin Lucy T?
"Just chillin"

Christopher at Newport Aquarium

Christopher and Clara went to the Newport Aquarium this afternoon with Svarit and Sarah. Apparently good times were had by all.

Clowning Around...

Last Thursday we went to the circus in Cincinnati.  We took the whole crew with us and everyone had a blast.  Clara dressed up in the clownsuit she got for her 5th birthday to mark the occasion.  Cousin Emily also took her turn with the clown wig.

Lucy's baptism

 We are blessed to welcome Lucy into the church this weekend!  

Hope for the flowers

 This is one of my favorite photos.  The contrast of a father and son enjoying a yard full of dandelions while neighbors have beautifully manicured yards in the background seems to fit the stage of live we're in.  We've got to take time for things that will pass.  There will always be a yard to mow or fertilize but the kids are only small for so long.  ~Adam

Sabrina turns 3

Sabrina enjoyed a Tea Party at Church on her birthday, and then had some Howard family over for dinner and presents. Here she is shortly before she leaves for the afternoon Tea Party.

And here she is at dinner later that night blowing out the candle on her birthday cake. At Clara's birthday, Sabrina blew out the candle. As circumstances would have it, wasn't close enough to return the favor.

Birthday Dinner Photo

Shortly before bedtime, we gathered for a quick photo with the Howard Clan.

Wait your turn

Look at Clara in her pink snow boots showin' the world who's the boss. This was snapped at Cherokee Park last weekend with Todd, Heather and Tim. Clara wanted a drink - and the other guy was just going to have to wait.

Crime and Punishment

When you hit your sister twice in the head with a toy car, there will be consequences.

Remember that time...

A few weeks ago, Clara was trying on shoes that Annette borrowed for a dance on the upcoming Saturday. Little did we know the entire family would become ill with a stomach bug completely derailing the plans for the weekend.

And if that wasn't enough, the washing machine crapped out on Sunday evening. Fortunately, Adam was able to get it up and running again the next day which happened to be a holiday.

Happy Fat Tuesday!

Enjoy your Fat Tuesday ... For Lent begins tomorrow!

Thoughts in my head

The other morning Christopher and I got into a conversation about songs or other thoughts being "stuck in our head" while on the way to school. He said, "Almost everything he has ever learned is stuck in his head."

I believe him.

Other school drive time quotes from him: "My favorite holiday is St. Patrick's day because if you catch a leprechaun you get their pot of gold."

Family Photo

Here's a quick family photo from Lucy's Baptism this past Sunday.  Our kids from Left to Right - Sabrina, Christopher, Molly, Lucy and Clara.  

Clara turns 5!

We celebrated Clara's birthday (immediately after Lucy's baptismal brunch) on Sunday.  We had a circus theme for the party with Clara making a guest appearance in her new clown costume.  So far her clown remains nameless ... and she's open to your suggestions so leave a post below if you have a good name for her to consider...  

Lucy's Baptism

Thanks to everyone who came and celebrated Lucy's baptism on Sunday.  You are all a blessing in our lives as well as those of our children.  

Rainbow Molly

Todd snapped this yesterday at Clara's 5th Birthday party. It was too cute to pass up so I thought I'd share it with you here.

More photos coming from the baptism and birthday.

Happy Birthday to Clara

Clara enjoyed eating her cupcake both last night at Granny's and again this morning at breakfast time. At 5 years old, she's already figured out how to turn a birthday into a birthweek.

Smiles to brighten your day

This pleasant smile brought to you by Sabrina (age 1,064 Days) and Lucy (age 92 Days).

Posted by Papa (age 11,981 Days).

Axel inspection

In this photo, Christopher is inspecting his axels at the Pinewood Derby Car clinic sponsored by his Cub Scout Pack. The Pinewood Derby Car kits provide you with 4 plastic wheels, 4 small nails, a block of wood, some stickers and instructions. The nails have tiny (and I do mean tiny) bumps under the head that need to be removed. Using a lathe at 2,500 RPM, you can take those off pretty quickly. By polishing on a lathe, and then subsequently inspecting, you cut down on the friction and produce a faster car.

Seriously.

Skills and Drills

Christopher has participated in Skills and Drills the last few weeks at St. Paul's. He has mentioned several times interest in playing at the YMCA's court with me one early Saturday morning.  We just might have to make some arrangements for a pick-up game of Horse. 

Watching Pooh Bear!

This is what Molly does when you tell her you're going to watch Pooh Bear!