Think Spring

For just a $1.49, even the grocery store is helping us "think spring"!

Fun Friday

For a super cheap and fun toy, grab a container and fill it with some popcorn kernals, dried beans, dried peas, etc. Add some plastic spoons and small measuring cups and voila--instant fun. Another great option is to make rainbow rice (1 C rice, 1/2 t food coloring, 1 t rubbing alcohol). Make a couple of different colors of rice and then combine. These are both great sensory activities and are very calming to children (and adults too!). Rainbow rice was an ongoing sensory activity in my classroom and it was always a hit. It goes without saying that you should use your best judgment as to whether your child is at an age where they can use the materials appropriately. The other nice thing about this, is that it keeps for a loooong time. BTW, it is also a great developmental way for children to begin learning about volume, measurement, capacity, etc. I guarantee you'll have fun playing right along with them. Oh yeah, unfortunately the clean-up isn't quite so great. Those darn kernals tend to keep reappearing, even after you've given everything a good sweep. Oh well, dim the lights and light the candles instead :0) Happy Friday everyone!

March Birthdays

Lots of people in our family celebrate birthdays in March. I decided to do one, big corporate birthday wish to all of them. We hope that this upcoming year is filled with God's innumerable blessings, clear direction and a deeper relationship with Him.

March 3rd--the big 3-0 Uncle


March 11th Papa


March 25th Grandma


March 25th Great-Aunt T

Gramma Nut

C*ndyLand has become a popular game in our house. If you haven't played in a while, then you might not remember where Gramma Nut is located on the board. It is relatively close to the beginning. If you happen to draw this card, you have to go to the "Gramma Nut" space. The Chinese Noodle LOVES Gramma Nut. Doesn't matter whether she is within a few hops of the Candy Castle. She gets so excited about drawing that card. J and I generally do not share her excitement. We have had sessions where we've gone through the entire deck, almost twice. That's a rather long game. Especially if you decided to do a quick pick-me-up game close to bedtime. On the flip side, she doesn't like Lord Licorice. She says he's sinister (one of her favorite words to say--also frequently used to describe "bad" people in her picture bible). I tried to get her picture with L.L., but she said no way, that she wanted to cover his eyes and then promptly put the box lid on. So there you have it. In with Gramma Nut. Out with Lord Licorice.


**Auntie C, do you recognize the dress from last year?

Final CNY celebration

Over the weekend, our small group at church got together to celebrate CNY and catch-up. We did this last year and had quite a good time. Everyone makes (or buys) a Chinese dish to share. Delish. J had spent all afternoon making Jiaozi or potstickers, only to forget and leave them in the fridge. Oops! There was more than enough food and we brought little "goodies" for people on Sunday so we don't have 100+ dumplings to eat.

As in typical fashion, the moms and the kiddos were where the toys were and the dads were...somewhere else. Ha ha.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

He may come across as serious and no-nonsense, but don't let it fool ya. He's really a great big teddy bear on the inside!

Maple sugaring

In our little corner of the US, late February through March means it is time to tap the maple trees to make maple sugar. This morning we went to our local Metroparks to learn a little more about it. While most of the time was indoor, we did venture out at the end to see an actual tree with a bag full of sap. I was amazed to learn how much sap is needed in order to produce just a small amount of maple syrup. No wonder the real stuff is so expensive!! There was sap to taste (it tasted like sugar water) and then a small amount of real maple syrup. Yummy!! As we drove down the winding, tree-lined road to the nature center, the Noodle kept saying "Mama, I'm so excited!". I think she thought we were going to get pancakes, since I had explained that we were going to learn about maple syrup, like we put on the pancakes Daddy makes. When it was over, she seemed to have forgotten about the pancakes, but again said "that was so fun", so I know she enjoyed it.

"Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God"--Job 37:14
I can't wait!
Getting a chance to try to drill the hole.

Waiting to taste the sap and syrup.

Collecting sap from the tree.