Dad's visit to MD

My Dad came to visit last week for the first time in 5 years.  I am hoping that this will be the first of many trips to visit us.  It was a great visit and it was so nice to spend time with him.  Mia was especially attached.  We mainly just hung out at home and went out to eat a few times.  Last Wednesday, we went to visit my Great Grandmothers old house and grave and my Dad showed me around (that post coming soon).  Otherwise, we just spent time together.  Here are a few pics.

This is how Mia spent much of the week.  In my Dad's lap

I don't think he minded at all.

She loves her Grandpa

On Monday, my Dad went to Salisbury to visit some of his old friends at the firehouse.  Here is one picture I found on facebook.  They all had lots of fun stories to tell and nice things to say about my Dad.  It was great to read and get to know him from their point of view. 

On a side note...my Dad goes in for bloodwork again this week and a CT scan at the end of the month to check to see if the 3 nodules in his lungs have grown.  Please pray that they have not and that his blood work will come back as no evidence of cancer present.  I'm really nervous about this considering last time his levels were elevated and the PET scan lite up.

Thanks

Soccer Party Recap - Pax turns 3

Paxton's party theme this year was soccer.  His party was held at a local Sports Club and it was lots of fun!

Cake was not a major focus as Paxton doesn't eat cake, but I went with a basic soccer theme.

                                     These area  few of his friends. 

The kids

The sports club had a bounce house and they also put out some balls, hula hoops, and other equipment for the kids to play with.

Pax had a great time!

He's such a daredevil

Flips of course

And we played soccer

And hula hoop

He passed out shortly after his party.  We were all exhuasted but it was a great day. 

Happy 3rd Birthday Paxton

Happy Birthday Sweet Paxton!  3 years ago, you came into our lives (a day before your planned c-section) and we have been running to catch up with you ever since.  You are fast.  You are smart, athletic, fearless, brave, and sweet.   While you still have an aversion to table food (and prefer baby food), you are advanced in so many other areas.  You talk our ears off!  You are so funny too!  Your most recent thing is "I have an idea...let's xxx" and you fill in the blanks.  It's so cute.  You love to play ball (baseball, soccer, basketball--doesn't matter).  You also LOVE airplanes.  I can't wait to take you to see Planes when it comes out in theatres August 9th!  It will be your first movie in a theatre and I can't wait. 

Seriously though...you are so sweet and you bring us such joy.  Your smile, your laughter, and your hugs and kisses make us so happy.  I hope you have the best birthday ever--and many many more. 
We love you forever!

Tower of Babel for preschoolers

Last week, we read about the Tower of Babel.  I tried to explain how the people spoke different languages by saying Hi in other languages (Bonjour, Hola, Ni Hao, etc).  I'm pretty sure they didn't get it, but we also built a tower out of legos, which was a huge hit. 

We only did one day of projects last week- 1, because I could not think of anything else to do and 2- my Dad was in town.  Next week...
A New Home- Abraham

The Kitchen House: Book Review

Amazon's Description:

When a white servant girl violates the order of plantation society, she unleashes a tragedy that exposes the worst and best in the people she has come to call her family. Orphaned while onboard ship from Ireland, seven-year-old Lavinia arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation where she is to live and work with the slaves of the kitchen house. Under the care of Belle, the master's illegitimate daughter, Lavinia becomes deeply bonded to her adopted family, though she is set apart from them by her white skin. Eventually, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, where the master is absent and the mistress battles opium addiction. Lavinia finds herself perilously straddling two very different worlds. When she is forced to make a choice, loyalties are brought into question, dangerous truths are laid bare, and lives are put at risk. The Kitchen House is a tragic story of page-turning suspense, exploring the meaning of family, where love and loyalty prevail.

I don't know what to say about this book.  It was good?  That just seems a little wrong to say about a book dealing with issues such as slavery, insest,and rape.  I will say...I could not put it down.  The writing was amazing and the characters, believable.  The story is told from both Lavinia and Belle's point of view.  From both perspectives, you get a better understanding of what life was really like for this family.  It also gives you an idea of what it must have been life to live in the South during this time period.  It was sad, yet heart warming...  one minute you were angry and the next, you were smiling.  I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone.

2 easy crafts for preschoolers

I've said it before a million times, I am not crafty.  I find easy ideas on pinterest and try them (note--they usually do not turn out as well as they look on pinterest).  This summer, I'm finding that the kids are always asking for "projects".  Since we moved a few months ago, Chris has been doing a lot of work around the house, which has left me with entertaining the kids.  I'm trying to plan ahead by finding easy crafts that both my 2 (almost 3) year old and my 4 year old can do easily and enjoy.  Last weekend, we made binoculars and magic wands. 

Binoculars:

Materials needed:

2 toilet paper rolls

Ribbon

Crayons/stickers to decorate

glue

hole punch

First, I glued the toilet paper rolls together and left them overnight.  I know my kids would never be patient enough to wait for the glue to dry.

I then punched holes on the sides for the ribbon.

When I got the prep work done, I called the kids down to start making their binoculars.  First, they decorated them (crayons and stickers).

Next, they picked ribbon.  Mia choose pink polka dot and Pax got footballs (we do not have a big selection so--it was that or Christmas ribbon) :)

This entertained them for atleast 2 hours!  I was impressed.

The 2nd craft we did was to make "Magic Wands".  I was so lucky last week...I scored 8 wooden hearts on sticks at a yardsale for $1.  This week, we called them "magic wands". 

I let the kids paint them and then add stickers/gem stones.  I then tied a ribbon around the stick and Viola...a magic wand. 

Crazy Little Thing-Easy Breezy Summer Read

Amazon's description:
Reeling from her divorce, Sadie Turner packs up her kids to spend the summer at her eccentric Aunt Dody's lake house. What's meant to be a quiet respite turns into a fun-filled adventure, thanks to her aunt, flamboyant cousin Fontaine, and a handsome neighbor. Desmond, who's filling in for the local doctor, is Scottish and charming and takes immediately to Sadie's colorful family. As far as everyone's concerned, he's the perfect summer fling. But when what starts as a casual and steamy interlude evolves into something more serious, Sadie and Des must decide whether they can open up again after heartbreak. Debuting romance novelist Brogan, who also has a historical romance coming out later this year, shows a real knack for creating believable yet quirky characters. Her contemporary romance has the usual misunderstandings and requisite happy ending, but the surprising emotional twists along the way make it a satisfying romp.


I just finished Tracy Brogan's Crazy Little Thing last week and it was a cute easy fun read---great for the beach.  The funny characters and situations had me laughing out loud a few times.  Sadie is a likable main character and easy to relate to.  She has flaws and reminds me of myself sometimes with her embarrassing mishaps.  Des is the handsome Doctor down the street who is more than willing to overlook her flaws and her crazy family.  It is a fun love story and great for a quick and easy read.