Monday, November 09, 2009
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Caden's Party
Caden's party was safari themed and surprised me how fun it was. Obviously, the kids enjoyed it...but I think the adults enjoyed it as well (at least Brett and I did!). The party began when his friends arrived...
It was fun to reminisce about his birth and share a bit of his story with people who weren't there for the experience four years ago.
Listening to the safari guide:
Brett did a great job getting the kids excited about looking for animals and reminding them to be quiet so they didn't scare the animals away. I was surprised how intense the kids seemed to be listening.
Caden spots the first elephant.
At the observation tower:
Recording their findings:
After all the animals were found, we took a break to draw in our safari journals what we had discovered.
Next up, animal races:
The kids raced from one end of the yard to the other as different animals each round. The round pictured here, everyone is doing their best monkey impression.
Feed the lion:
In this game, the kids took turns tossing oranges into the lions mouth.
And finally...
Cake & presents time!
Thank you Asher, Gabe, Caleb, Joshua, Abby and their mommies for joining us in celebrating Caden and his four years of life!
The gift table:
(before all the gifts arrived)
Scrapbook of baby Caden:(before all the gifts arrived)
It was fun to reminisce about his birth and share a bit of his story with people who weren't there for the experience four years ago.
Creating binoculars & safari journals:
Each child was given 2 toilet paper rolls. With the help of the adults, they added construction paper, stickers, drew their own designs, attached the tubes together with tape and added ribbon for the strap. Then they chose another sheet of paper to decorate into their safari journal.
Each child was given 2 toilet paper rolls. With the help of the adults, they added construction paper, stickers, drew their own designs, attached the tubes together with tape and added ribbon for the strap. Then they chose another sheet of paper to decorate into their safari journal.
Listening to the safari guide:Brett did a great job getting the kids excited about looking for animals and reminding them to be quiet so they didn't scare the animals away. I was surprised how intense the kids seemed to be listening.
Caden spots the first elephant.
At the observation tower:The kids were spotting animals right and left with such enthusiasm. They did a great job whispering to each other as soon as they spotted something new.
Recording their findings:After all the animals were found, we took a break to draw in our safari journals what we had discovered.
Next up, animal races:
The kids raced from one end of the yard to the other as different animals each round. The round pictured here, everyone is doing their best monkey impression.
Feed the lion:In this game, the kids took turns tossing oranges into the lions mouth.
And finally...Cake & presents time!
Thank you Asher, Gabe, Caleb, Joshua, Abby and their mommies for joining us in celebrating Caden and his four years of life!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Sweet Pic of Corban from the Party
He couldn't quite figure out the party hats...who do you think he looks like in this pic?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Caden Turns Four!
On Sunday, October 25th, Caden woke up to this before his eyes:
To say he was excited would be close to accurate.
We made pumpkin muffins for breakfast...Caden put all the toothpick pumpkins in himself.
We sang "Happy Birthday"... the first of about 10 rounds before the celebrations came to an end.
We decided to spread his presents out rather than sitting him down and opening them all at once. For lunch, we went to Marox and the boys played on the playground.
It was a great beginning to a fun birthday celebration...
To say he was excited would be close to accurate.We made pumpkin muffins for breakfast...Caden put all the toothpick pumpkins in himself.
We sang "Happy Birthday"... the first of about 10 rounds before the celebrations came to an end.
We decided to spread his presents out rather than sitting him down and opening them all at once. For lunch, we went to Marox and the boys played on the playground.
It was a great beginning to a fun birthday celebration...
Monday, October 26, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Our Bananas
Our banana trees are giving fruit a lot these days, and they are tasty! Here is a picture of one of our bananas next to a locally grown banana for comparison:
Our bananas are bigger and tastier; I think that this is mostly due to the all natural composting we do that fills our soil and the trees roots with valuable nutrients. The funny irony: We have an absurd amount of bananas around the house, but our pet monkey, Tiggy, doesn't like bananas!
Our bananas are bigger and tastier; I think that this is mostly due to the all natural composting we do that fills our soil and the trees roots with valuable nutrients. The funny irony: We have an absurd amount of bananas around the house, but our pet monkey, Tiggy, doesn't like bananas!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Angry Corban
It all starts with a small disagreement with Caden over whether or not the sink is a restricted area...
And then it escalates....
And escalates...
Until he eventually starts to calm down...
And then mommy makes it all better :)
And then it escalates....
And escalates...
Until he eventually starts to calm down...
And then mommy makes it all better :)
Monday, October 19, 2009
A Family Bible Study
Caden: "Mama, I need a cookie please."
April: "No Caden, Mama already gave you her answer (for the 3rd time), and if you ask again you're going to time out."
Brett: "Come on April, he's just trying to be like Abraham asking mercy for Sodom, and in his book, you're God."
April: "Yep, and the next time he asks I'm gonna rain down fire from heaven on him!"
Good thing for Abraham he didn't push it and ask God to spare Sodom for the sake of only 1 righteous person, and good thing for Caden that his mama is not God!
bde
April: "No Caden, Mama already gave you her answer (for the 3rd time), and if you ask again you're going to time out."
Brett: "Come on April, he's just trying to be like Abraham asking mercy for Sodom, and in his book, you're God."
April: "Yep, and the next time he asks I'm gonna rain down fire from heaven on him!"
Good thing for Abraham he didn't push it and ask God to spare Sodom for the sake of only 1 righteous person, and good thing for Caden that his mama is not God!
bde
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Cade's Curls Look Cool When They're Wet
As a follow up to April's swimming post yesterday, here are three pics of Caden's wet head. I love how his hair looks when its all wet, and those big brown eyes too. This kid is gonna disappoint alot of ladies before it's all said and done!
Brett
Brett
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
I Just Wanna Swim
The afternoon began with a little dip in the utility sink. The perfect size for learning to "dive" with a swim mask.
Then we headed over to the big yard with the water hose in tow.
Who wouldn't enjoy your own "pool" just your size to lounge in on a hot day?!
Too cold where you are to play in the pool or sprinkler? We can solve your problem...come visit us!
Then we headed over to the big yard with the water hose in tow.
Who wouldn't enjoy your own "pool" just your size to lounge in on a hot day?!
Too cold where you are to play in the pool or sprinkler? We can solve your problem...come visit us!
Monday, October 05, 2009
My Boys in Buckets
This is one of the many weird things we do when April is not home. I wish I could fit in a bucket too!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
A New Job
As a mother, your jobs are ever changing and my job description is changing yet again. I, along with Becky Reeves, am the new PreSchool teacher. Currently, we have three students: Caden, Caleb & Jonah (his family is visiting). We had our first day last week and it went well. We are meeting two days a week for about three hours. I teach on Wednesdays and Becky teaches on Saturdays (yes, our team kids go to school on Saturday because Monday is a day off for family).
First day of Preschool
September 23, 2009
September 23, 2009
Playing with puzzles at the table.
A "train" of friends going to an outside activity.
We talked about our bodies this first week. These are the boys' self portraits.Friday, September 25, 2009
Boy. Puppy. Monkey.
Recent fun with some of the animals that live at our house. Corban is by far the most wild animal we have :)
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Birthday and Bread
We celebrated my 31st birthday this past Monday and it was such a treat! Brett had the entire day planned to pamper me beyond belief.
I was told I would have no "Mommy duties" but I didn't follow the rules. I couldn't help myself, it's just part of who I am!
One of the treats of the day was when Brett took the boys in town to play and left me alone at the house. Now this is much bigger than you think because there was absolutely NO ONE at my house (no workers!). It was so quiet and I loved it! So what did I do? I decided to make bread. I had found some cracked wheat in Accra and was anxious to try and make wheat bread with the little bits of wheat on top like you can buy in America.
Now I've made bread with wheat flour before and it was ok...but this bread was incredible!
Brett said, "This tastes like sandwich bread we would buy in America" We figured out the cost (ingredients & transportation) and each loaf averages to about $2...still cheaper than the "good" whole grain stuff in the States.
The boys each ate 3 pieces toasted, with jelly, this morning for breakfast and were begging for more.
By the end of lunch (which was PB & J for the boys), the first loaf was completely gone.
I found this recipe on allrecipes.com under a section they had for making bread without a machine. I altered it slightly. So, for those of you still curious about the recipe...here it is exactly the way I made it. (You can find the original at allrecipes under "Simple Whole Wheat Bread")
3 cups warm water (110 degrees F)
3 t active dry yeast (or 2 (.25 ounce) packages)
1/3 c honey
4 cups flour
3 T butter, melted
1 T salt
4 c wheat flour
1/2 c cracked wheat
2 T butter, melted
1. In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast and 1/3 c honey. Add 4 cups white flour, and stir to combine (I used my KitchenAid, dough hook, setting: stir). Let set for 30 minutes, or until big and bubbly.
2. Mix in 3 T melted butter, 1/3 c honey, and salt. Stir in 1/2 c cracked wheat and 3 c whole wheat flour. Flour (use wheat flour) a flat surface and knead with 1 c. wheat flour until not real sticky - just pulling away from the counter, but still sticky to touch. This may take an additional 2 c of whole wheat flour. Place in greased bowl, turning once to coat the surface of the dough. Cover with a dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled (I always use my oven).
3. Punch down, and divide into 3 loaves. Flour a clean surface with whole wheat flour and cracked wheat. Using rolling pin, roll dough out (cracked wheat on bottom). Starting from one end, roll dough tightly towards other end, pinching the seam to seal it. (Add more cracked wheat to the tops if desired) Place in greased loaf pans, and allow to rise until dough has topped the pans by one inch.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes; do not overbake. Remove from pans to cooling rack. Lightly brush the tops of loaves with 2 T melted butter or margarine when done to prevent crust from getting hard. (Next time I will brush butter over entire loaf...it really did keep the top crust soft!) Cool completely.
Several of the comments said this was fool-proof, so I gave it a try and it was so simple! The best part was how yummy it was....seriously, you have to try it!
I was told I would have no "Mommy duties" but I didn't follow the rules. I couldn't help myself, it's just part of who I am!
One of the treats of the day was when Brett took the boys in town to play and left me alone at the house. Now this is much bigger than you think because there was absolutely NO ONE at my house (no workers!). It was so quiet and I loved it! So what did I do? I decided to make bread. I had found some cracked wheat in Accra and was anxious to try and make wheat bread with the little bits of wheat on top like you can buy in America.Now I've made bread with wheat flour before and it was ok...but this bread was incredible!
Brett said, "This tastes like sandwich bread we would buy in America" We figured out the cost (ingredients & transportation) and each loaf averages to about $2...still cheaper than the "good" whole grain stuff in the States.
The boys each ate 3 pieces toasted, with jelly, this morning for breakfast and were begging for more.
By the end of lunch (which was PB & J for the boys), the first loaf was completely gone.
I found this recipe on allrecipes.com under a section they had for making bread without a machine. I altered it slightly. So, for those of you still curious about the recipe...here it is exactly the way I made it. (You can find the original at allrecipes under "Simple Whole Wheat Bread")
3 cups warm water (110 degrees F)
3 t active dry yeast (or 2 (.25 ounce) packages)
1/3 c honey
4 cups flour
3 T butter, melted
1 T salt
4 c wheat flour
1/2 c cracked wheat
2 T butter, melted
1. In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast and 1/3 c honey. Add 4 cups white flour, and stir to combine (I used my KitchenAid, dough hook, setting: stir). Let set for 30 minutes, or until big and bubbly.
2. Mix in 3 T melted butter, 1/3 c honey, and salt. Stir in 1/2 c cracked wheat and 3 c whole wheat flour. Flour (use wheat flour) a flat surface and knead with 1 c. wheat flour until not real sticky - just pulling away from the counter, but still sticky to touch. This may take an additional 2 c of whole wheat flour. Place in greased bowl, turning once to coat the surface of the dough. Cover with a dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled (I always use my oven).
3. Punch down, and divide into 3 loaves. Flour a clean surface with whole wheat flour and cracked wheat. Using rolling pin, roll dough out (cracked wheat on bottom). Starting from one end, roll dough tightly towards other end, pinching the seam to seal it. (Add more cracked wheat to the tops if desired) Place in greased loaf pans, and allow to rise until dough has topped the pans by one inch.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes; do not overbake. Remove from pans to cooling rack. Lightly brush the tops of loaves with 2 T melted butter or margarine when done to prevent crust from getting hard. (Next time I will brush butter over entire loaf...it really did keep the top crust soft!) Cool completely.
Several of the comments said this was fool-proof, so I gave it a try and it was so simple! The best part was how yummy it was....seriously, you have to try it!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Pure Joy
May we, as adults, never lose the ability to experience pure joy in our lives. Thanks for the great smiles, Michal and Caden!
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Some Of Our Recent Fun
The boys from the front....
and from the back...
Corban trying to figure out how to climb the tree like everyone else. 
Caden found this swim mask and immediately needed to "try it out". There's more about this adventure in the video below.
And, of course, Corban had to take his turn at it too.
This video is several clips from different things we've done recently. Enjoy!
and from the back...
Corban trying to figure out how to climb the tree like everyone else. 
Caden found this swim mask and immediately needed to "try it out". There's more about this adventure in the video below.
And, of course, Corban had to take his turn at it too.
This video is several clips from different things we've done recently. Enjoy!
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