Funny Kids

My kids just seem to be getting funnier and funnier. It seems like every time I turn around, they have discovered some new way to laugh, play, and be silly. What a privilege it is to be invited to join in the merriment every day! In a lot of ways (though not all!), I feel like my job as a mother is becoming easier as my kids grow; their beautiful personalities are showing through more and more, and it makes my work so much more enjoyable!

We have a big grape vine growing in our backyard, and once we realized the grapes were ripe, we fought off the birds to get our share. --There wasn't much left, but we had fun picking what there was. We even went through the trouble of juicing them, but when it came down to it, there just wasn't enough to make a batch of jelly. Oh, well.

Michael and Sarah got to ride in an Independence Day parade at church. They even decorated their bikes for the occasion.

We recently celebrated Ada's 1st birthday!  Sorry, no messy cake-and-frosting encrusted face picture. She didn't really like the pumpkin custard I made for her. . . . So much for Mom trying to be healthy.

This girl loves to climb! She started with couches, then went to rocking chairs and beds, then kids tables, then the dining room chairs and table, and now, the step stool up to the bathroom counter.  It's a miracle she hasn't fallen yet. I guess she takes after her dad. --His amazing climbing abilities were just one of the reasons I married him. ;)

She has also discovered that playing in the pantry is a lot of fun!

What do you think of her new look?  I think she actually enjoyed having hair for the first 15 seconds.

How could you not fall in love with this face?

Sadie always keeps me laughing. She is all sunshine, even on the cloudiest day.  She has recently discovered the joy of making faces.

Michael remains the sweetest boy in the world.

His day just isn't right unless we go outside and spend some time swinging. (Toad usually accompanies him on these little excursions.) And while he is swinging, he makes two requests --"Mom, tell me a story about a mole." (Once upon a time there was a little mole named Moley who lived in a little house he called his hole-y . . . .)  and "Now tell me a story about a goblin." (Once upon a time, there was a little goblin who woke up one day and  . . . .) Everyday I am required to come up with two complete and original stories about a mole and a goblin. Everyday.  I must admit I'm starting run low on material.

Michael also loves crafts, and most days, we make some sort of something-or-other. 

This, if you can't tell from the picture, is a ghost-monster-dinosaur-dragon made completely out of pipe cleaners.