Firefox's Glubble

Hi. Just thought I'd spread the word about the free service we use to restrict access to the internet for our children.

They love it because they can just click on their user name and surf or play to their hearts' content. We love it because we have only allowed pre-approved sites that we trust, so we don't have to be looking over their shoulders at every turn.

Example: I am OK with most of the games on the (insert children's site here) website, but don't want my children trying to shop, so only the games portion of the site is enabled. We also like it because it is very user friendly and simple to set up. Check it out!

I Love America

I have added some patriotic songs to the playlist for your listening pleasure. They can be the background music for my feelings regarding Independence Day:

I am grateful to live in a free country. I am grateful to have the opportunity to worship, travel and learn how I please. I'm glad I've been able to spend time in many parts of this great country, experiencing the kindnesses of very different people. Most people are trying to be good. Most believe in God.

There are plenty of scary things about this world, but there are also plenty of things for which to be grateful. There isn't peace outside, but I feel inner peace. I am grateful I am not alone.

Twelve years ago I was in the Holy Land on the Fourth of July. A result of that study abroad trip that I hadn't anticipated was a greater appreciation for my country. You don't know what you've got until it's gone, right? I understood better how my oldest brother felt when he returned from living in Sweden for two years. I was only thirteen, and hadn't given much thought to the meaning of liberty. He got off the plane in New York and started crying. I'm sure some of those tears were because he was glad to see his family, but he spoke mostly about how glad he was to be back in the USA. I was taken aback. Here was my big brother crying about our country. With my limited experience, I didn't get it. I hope I have gained a deeper understanding as I've matured. I don't want to treat the blessing of freedom lightly.

I appreciate the servicemen and women in the military. What a marvelous experience to have been in that world for a time! Respect, Patriotism, Cleanliness, Duty, Order, Loyalty--just a few adjectives that come to mind. We met some of the greatest people we know while in the Army. We will cherish those friendships and memories all our lives.

It is neat living near Washington, DC. I want our family to tour as many sites as possible during our time here. Who knows if we'll ever be back? I got to be a chaperone for the second grade field trip to the Natural History Museum of the Smithsonian a couple months ago. (the Hope diamond, insects, mammoth, skeletons) I asked a bunch of the kids if they had ever been to this museum before. To any of the sites in Washington. To Washington at all. Surprisingly, most hadn't remembered ever traveling the hour north to see things that most of the population of our country will never see. I was talking with my little group of four kids about that very fact--trying to get them to slow down and really look at things. I said, "You know, you might not ever get the chance to come here again." One little boy replied, "Oh, I came last year with my other school class." So, obviously, he didn't believe me that he might not return; he comes every year! :-)

I love America! Happy Independence Day!

Knock Knock

Who's There?
Banana
Banana, who?
Please don't cry!

~Courtesy of NE who will be three in August.

When LL was this age, her knock knock joke began with:
Ding Dong!

Now from ED:

Knock Knock
Who's There?
Cow goes
Cow goes, who?
No, cow goes "moo"!

Funny Quote

Last night the girls and I had a party while the boys went camping. We didn't get to all the amazing activities we planned (we will be painting our toenails another time), but definitely had fun! A new movie, dinner in the den, making cookies, and a new puzzle took up our time. One of the requests was chocolate milk at dinner. We rarely have this at our house except in the form of hot cocoa during the cold months. I don't know why. I just never think of it otherwise. Anyway, when I handed LL her cup she exclaimed, "Wow, Mom! Thanks! This is cold hot cocoa: my favorite!" Made me chuckle.

The men came home today smelling of campfire smoke and dirt. They had a blast! Amazingly, the bag of marshmallows is still about half full. I guess a guy can eat only so much burnt fluff. ED was so excited to get his own fishing pole in preparation for this overnighter. I was somewhat surprised to learn that he didn't break it out once--he ended up wanting to swim with the fish instead of catch them. Derrell didn't mind. He would go fishing if he needed to, but has never considered it enjoyable. Shh. Don't tell our son.

Leading Music

AM is really doing quite well for an eight-year-old. Sometimes the movements are backwards, but I bet half the population doesn't do any better! We've been working on it every so often.

The little sisters wanted to help out. LL is obviously trying to steal the show... silly girl!

This is a clip from family home evening. I tried to catch everyone who was "helping" with the conducting, but the men and baby stopped when the camera panned their way.





On another note, AE stands up in the middle of the room and takes a few steps every day. One of these days she'll actually believe she can keep going, and we won't be able to stop her. She is in a really fun stage: mimics everything and tries everything. She blows kisses and "talks" all the time. Answers, "ya" to almost every question. She hasn't ventured into the world of "No!', yet. My little brother, Matthew, called a bit ago. AE called him "ga-gu". Pretty dang good for 14 months! If memory serves, she speaks more clearly at this age than any of her older siblings. She still signs a few words (more, please, thank you, eat), but prefers to speak her form of our language now. The trick is interpretation.

Summer Swim League

ED and AM are now swimming every day. The YMCA started a new swim team just for the summer. There are about twenty kids ranging in age from 5 to 13, and only two have ever been on a swim team before. It's a great set-up for those of us who don't feel the need to push our children to win the Olympics. I'm really pleased.

They practice at the Y where there are kids' classes and nurseries for the three younger girls, and workout equipment for me. They practice for an hour a day getting instruction from one of the best coaches in the area and a bunch of teenagers from the year-round team.

There will be six meets against other "young" teams, (so there might actually be a chance of winning). It only costs $35 dollars. I can't believe it! I'll say it again, I'm really pleased! I think we'll plan to do this every summer. LL will get to be on it next year, and she can't wait.

Pirate

The third graders all got together for pirate-themed activities the last week of school.

Here is our resident buccaneer looking as mean as he can. (Not very mean, I know, but that's my son!) He knew just how everything needed to look, and I came close to creating it for him. He helped make the shirt--who wouldn't want to rip and cut? It's supposed to look like it's been through fights and storms. Holes, dried blood, dirt.

I have a nine-year-old boy!

Look Who's Been Busy

NE, staying true to form, has added another chapter to her book entitled, The Art of Mess-making. An exciting adventure, this latest installment includes a two-year-old, a wall, a picture frame, a floor, three pillows, two chairs, a table, two stuffed animals, three books, a shirt, and a GREEN PERMANENT MARKER. I say "exciting adventure", but that all depends on your viewpoint. For me, it was actually scarier than Psycho.

Here is a picture for your viewing pleasure.

The previous chapters involve water overflowing from the kitchen sink, dry lemonade mix in the living room, and decorating with a book of stamps. Stay tuned for more tales of her escapades! (I can't hope that this is the end, though I want to.)