Hospitality and Listening

I enjoyed reading this today...a homily from a great priest!
Hospitality and Listening

Field Trip: Moon Marble Company

This morning I took the kids on a field trip. We went to Moon Marble Company in Bonner Springs. They have marble-making demonstrations there and we had a great time watching a man make handmade marbles, one at a time. It was actually neat for me to see, too, how the glass is layered to make the different designs. He said he's a fast marble maker and made each one in about 15 minutes. I think the kids had a lot of fun, too. Then we of course shopped in the toy/marble shop for a while. It was really neat to see the variety of marbles they had there. I'm sure we'll be going back there some time.

Anne's 1 Year Stats

Last week Anne had her Well Child Visit. Along with receiving 3 shots, she was measured at 23lb 13oz, 28 3/4 inches long, and developing normally. Yeah (not that we were surprised). Dr. Herrick figured she may be a bit scared about standing much and recommended we try & get the other kids to distract her to see if she'll do it...and she will/does. She sure does seem scared, though - terrified, actually. Cutie pie.

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!

Monday was a great family day and a wonderful day for a birthday. Happy Birthday, Anne! (aka Anne-boo, Boo, "Sweet Pea", Annie, etc.) What a great girl, a priceless little happy girl. She's content "scootching" around the house, getting to what she needs or wants. She likes music (great at moving to the music) and seems to also really like playing with shoelaces. Her favorite words are: "Momma," "Bubba," and an occasional "Dadda." I love how happy and full of smiles this laid back girl is. The year has gone quickly and she is such a blessing. Jacob made a great comment on her birthday morning, "Mom, is Anne one now?" I said, "Yes, Jacob, she is." He said, "She doesn't look different to me." Hee, hee. He thought she still looked like a baby; I don't want her to change too quickly! I don't mind if she waits a while to walk, either; I'm in no hurry to see her grow up more!

A Wonderful Bare Foot Walk on...

my kitchen floor! Ha, ha. Today I did that. After I mopped the floor, I just had to do it. I know it doesn't always last long, but I had to experience that clean clean feeling of the floor right after it's mopped. I basically feel like I mop sections every day due to spills or sticky messes, but this was the whole kitchen, entryway, and family room. They boys wondered what I was up to, and before I knew it, everyone was walking around bare foot. Kind of funny. Enjoying it while it lasts. Ha.

Sweet Anne

How can it be that she's going to be one in just a few days? The time just flies by. She's doing so well. We are all enjoying her interaction these days. She's much more intentional about her sounds and actions. She'll mimic a lot of what we say, claps all the time, is full of smiles, and has now been working on her fake laugh/cough. She's so much fun. Her favorite food? Well, she's totally not picky. It's wonderful. And, it appears she's going to be able to tolerate regular milk (Jacob & Leah were allergic at the age of 1 so they drank rice milk)! She's not walking yet, but that is totally ok with me. I love watching her get all around the house (not the stairs) and we can just watch what it is she is trying to get. The kids love her dearly and they all watch out for her and can always make her smile. Don't grow too fast my sweetie!