"Dynomite Trap"

Baking up a storm

Playdough is one of the kids' favorite creative ventures. I'm all about it, too, as long as it's not the same day I already washed the floor! We whipped up two new batches as a combo Summer Math Program activity & refill the tubs project. Using the recipe from our preschool teacher makes it even more pleasant because it uses Kool-aid packets to add the color & actually pleasant smell! Highly recommended. Since it was still a little warm, I told Andrew he could stick it in the fridge for a minute so that the colors wouldn't just smoosh together. Teresa, of course, followed suit when I wasn't paying attention with her entire cookie sheet knocking over most everything on the top shelf of the fridge. :P Check out that "birthday cake". He's available for hire.

Last Day

Andrew's first day of Kindergarten

Andrew's last day of Kindergarten

It was really just a couple of hours really: Mass followed by awards & goodbyes in the classroom. He said he will miss his friends but is excited for 1st grade! We celebrated with some friends for lunch & had a fabulous time playing, eating hot dogs, & enjoying root beer floats. Thanks for the fun! When we got home & Teresa went down for her nap, the big kids wasted no time getting to some summer projects. They made this "Mighty Mouse King Castle" out of our stack of random cardboard boxes, scissors, markers, & way too much tape. ;) There are intricate staircases, rope ladders, & trap doors inside. Furniture is still in the works. Oh, & real mice... or so Rebecca is convinced. Then we set to recreate another idea from Family Fun: an elephant watering can. Cute, but currently not very functional yet. Needs a bit more tweaking.More summer fun ahead!

Random Cuteness

Joseph & Rebecca in the recliner a.k.a. Daddy & baby tiger in their cave
Rebecca's beaded creation

One (of many) of Andrew's beaded creations... he seriously wanted me to wear that to Church! Thank goodness I don't have anything red or green; he figured I shouldn't wear it if I didn't have something to match. ;)

A tired Teresa with her Hello Kitty balloon from the Farmer's Market

I think to the kids that the glass elevator ride & balloons (I have no idea WHAT Andrew's is supposed to be) were just as exciting as all the people, vendors, free samples, & free music.

Armor?

I came downstairs to Rebecca *dressed* like this & Andrew whipping a small basketball at her *armor*. They were laughing hysterically... I tried to restrain myself. ;)

Ursuline Army

I'm all about swaps.

Meal swaps, ornament swaps, goodie swaps, craft swaps...

anything where I can make a bunch of the same thing & then trade with others. Well, our latest swap is on! My friend Annie has organized a saint swap based on the book "An Alphabet of Catholic Saints" by Brenda & George Nippert. There is one saint for every letter. We each picked two & are painting wooden dolls to match. I picked St. Ursula (who I am learning a lot about!) & St. Andrew. They have been super fun to make! I can't wait to get our whole set & have the kids open it on Easter morning. I think they'll love it. I'm excited to line them all up on their shelf, to pull them out to play with all at once, or just to take out each one on their feast day for something special. I'm sure Andrew will find a way to make them into some sort of army as well... the Church militant, right? ;) I'll make sure to show you the final set when it comes!

This is dedicated

to the ones I love. :) I especially like the dove mail box Andrew made for Rebecca & the crown he made for Teresa.

My latest creation: bottlecap lockets!

So they can have a smile from us right there anytime. :)

"Love one another as I have loved you."

Happy St. Valentine's Day!