Recap #2 -- January 2010!

So... January brought with it lots of wind (surprisingly), a fun visit from Dad, AP, and Tif, and... inevitably... dirty children who decided to play in the remaining ashes of the campfires! :)

Since my policy has pretty much always been... "eat dirt, it makes you healthy," I didn't really care that much; until they tried to get too close... ;)

Dad showed the kids how to make "real" rolly-pollies, and I got an update in what my recipe should really say... :)

The kids were specifically impressed that Dad could flip the rolly-pollies and catch them in the pan; I, too, have been practicing, but it's just not the same as having a "man" do it! It might be right up there with other manly jobs like carrying a drill.

Actually, the "pancake flip" is truly essential to manhood.

Didn't ya know? :)

Jose turned 6 in January, and since he was so totally impressed with the Wulf boys' play swords, we got him one. This was used by everyone! (Including me... quite handy for picking things up off the ground, prodding recalcitrant children into action, and practicing [of course] the delicate art of sword thrusting, slicing, and general body dismemberment. Why not?!?)

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending upon your point of view) the sword also became a favorite of... Rito!!! And there it met a swift demise... although it managed to hang around for awhile in all its chewed-up glory.

Nereida (Jose's older sister) also had a birthday -- she turned 8. I don't have a picture of it on my computer, but she asked for Snow White and her Prince on her birthday cake. I said, "Sure, why not?" And then she made her specifications known: "The part where they kiss, Steph!"

"Ummm... okay."

And so I drew it. She loved it. Everyone saw it. And a couple of our "older gents" [namely Bill and Seth] were shocked that the little girl wanted a birthday cake with such a romantic theme! ;)

The Schicks gifted Candi and Gloria matching pajamas -- and they were pretty cute and cuddly! For awhile, this space between the chair and the bookshelf was the favorite "hideout" of these two little munchkins. :)

Usually when they were getting into something they shouldn't...

Chelsie gave the boys a "shaving kit" for Christmas -- and they loved it! Yet another thing that they should probably watch their dad doing, but... having watched my father for years, I think we got the general idea... ;)

Please keep praying for the kids' attitudes as we adjust to a school and a schedule that is much more intense than these kids have experienced before... it's a good thing, but it's very different from their public school experience.

All the kids are on campus this year (I just realized I haven't explained this), being taught under a CONAFE-approved curriculum by (praise the Lord!) several new teachers. I am so grateful they are here, and just ask that you all would continue to pray for their adjustment!