Thursday, September 29, 2011

Is It Time To Harvest?!


"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Galatians 6:9


I think this verse is amazing! I read it in the book I talked about recently called Believing God by Beth Moore. This is a great book! If you haven't read it already, I highly recommend it! In this part of the book she is talking about living the day to day. I can totally relate. I get so sick of doing the same tasks all of the time. Such as loading and unloading the dishwasher (I know I should be thankful I even have one!), washing laundry ( at least we have clothes), and making another meal for my kids ( I have kids?!). There are many more areas, but I think you get where I am going with this idea.
It is so hard to be thankful for the chores we have to do all the time, but our families benefit from every little thing we do! We save money by washing dishes instead of buying new ones. They wear clean and neat clothes. They grow and are healthy from the meals we prepare.
On that small list my least favorite is making meals. I feel like I am constantly serving someone. Most of the time my girls don't even appreciate it. They come to the table and look at the food like it is going to kill them. Pants usually runs away crying. Pie Pie will choke it down if there is dessert. Don't worry my husband ALWAYS appreciates any meal! That's who I actually cook for. 
Every once in a while I make something Pie Pie loves. It is totally worth the effort to see her happily eating a meal. A meal she would eat even without dessert! Pants is still a mystery to me in the food department.
So whatever your least favorite task of the day is you just have to keep at it. Eventually you will get your own, "Yum, this is ACTUALLY good, Mom!"!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

The Writing Process Pie Pie Style

The second chapter in our Language Arts book is learning the steps of writing a story. Writing happens to be Pie Pie's least favorite subject. I told her at least she gets to pick what she writes about for this project. Later in life you will have to write about the topic that you are assigned.
Our first step was to figure out the topic. Pie Pie picked Pet Pet Park.
Then we filled in a word web about her topic. They had different questions to help give her ideas for her story. We numbered our ideas so we could put them in the right order.





Then we wrote out our story in number order.


Our next step was to write out a rough copy. 




Then we made some revisions for our final copy.



It was rough, but we got the job done! Just in case you can't read the final copy I'll type it out for you on here.

 Pet Pet Park
Pet Pet Park is an online game. I saw it on a commercial and wanted to try it out. I played at Grammy's house on a computer. Jonah and Lissa were with me. My Pet Pet's name is Rocky. I like this game because I see other Pet Pets, I get to help other Pet Pets, and I win prizes.
The End

Not bad for a week's work. Chapter two is done!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall!

Pie Pie's Title
Goodbye Pool, Hello Halloween!

Now, I know the first day of Fall was Friday, but we managed to sneak an extra day of Summer in this weekend. We went to Knoebels!



My cousin and his wife got married on the Phoenix platform in Knoebels about ten years ago. This weekend they decided to have a ten year renewal ceremony. We were some of the lucky guests who were invited. I was so excited to witness this event along with my family. My girls have never been to a wedding, so this was a new experience for them.

The happy couple!
We had a great day of riding the rides. It started off with multiple rides on the Phoenix.



I only rode twice, but my girl Pie Pie rode as many times as she could!



We enjoyed a picnic lunch and then our group stormed the park!




Just so everyone knows if Pie Pie has to get married she wants to have the same kind of wedding. But she's going for the Twister! I hope the boy she picks loves roller coasters too. Well, seeing as how she said if she has to get married, I guess he's going to pick her!





I want to say a BIG Thank You to my cousin and his wife for inviting us! We also want to say thanks for the tickets, We enjoyed every last one!



Friday, September 23, 2011

God is Love

I am currently reading a Beth Moore book titled Believing God. It has some challenges in the book. One of them is memorizing five statements about God. The first one is:
God is who He says He is!
(I added the exclamation point! I am sure Beth Moore would approve.)
This week Pants is learning the Bible Verse God is Love. 1 John 4:8. Now I know there are many other qualities God is, but I thought this was pretty neat. These two learning experiences matched up so sweetly. I could see a little bow right on top of the present God has given to me. I thought I'd pass it on to whoever happens to be reading this post. By the way my bow is green with pink polka dots, you can pick whatever colors you like!


I also wanted to share some more verses about God's love!
God loved us and sent His Son. 1 John 4:10
For God so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
The Lord is gracious and compassionate slow to anger and rich in love. Psalm 145:8
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
The earth is filled with your love, O Lord; teach me your decrees. Psalm 119:64



There are many more verses about God's love! What is your favorite?

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Gotta Catch 'Em All!

Pokemon has been discovered at my house! We have basically been taken over with the love of all things Pokemon! We've got books, movies, cards and drawings.


Pie Pie has been developing her drawing talent by drawing various Pokemon. As you can see, she has gotten quite good!



Pants likes to pretend to be different Pokemon. Her favorite is Squirtle. She runs around yelling, "Squirtle, Squirtle!", and then she curls up on the floor and pretends to be in a Pokeball. A Pokeball is where a Pokemon rests in between battles.


Both of the girls like to use plastic eggs from Easter to hold their pretend Pokemon. Pie pie currently has a Pickachu and Charmander. Pants has a Squirtle, of course!



I find Pokemon interesting. I was tired of the same old thing, so this was something new for us to explore. You can only watch so much My Little Pony and Dora before you go a little crazy! (Not that I wasn't already.) There is a ton of movies and books in the Library System, so it will be a while until we watch all of them.



I like to learn about all of the different Pokemon. One of my favorites is Shuppet. This Pokemon takes all of your negative feelings and makes them positive. Who wouldn't love a creature who can do that!?!


Shuppet
I also love the ones who say their name in a cool way!  I'm not a big fan of the girl characters in the show choice of dress. They all have tops with their bellies hanging out. I didn't notice, but Pants did. One night she was walking around with her shirt pulled up saying, "I'm a girl, I'm a girl.". I was racking my brain trying to figure out where she got that idea. I asked her, "Where is that from?". She said, "Jessie, from Team Rocket.". Jessie is a character from Pokemon. That is when I noticed the girl's clothing. I just explained that kind of clothing is not my girls! I've decided it's still a basically decent show. We all have to make our own decisions about what shows are appropriate for our children to watch.


One of the positives is that the Pokemon do fight, but they don't die. They just need to go back in their Pokeball to recharge! I still have much to learn about Pokemon. I've just started on my journey. I am going to take my time and enjoy the ride.




I doubt we will ever "Catch 'Em All!", but does Ash Ketchum ever accomplish that either?!
P.S. Ash Ketchum is the lead character in Pokemon!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Plant Observation Journal Part 2

(This is the continuation of the journal we started at the beginning of this Summer.)

August 4th, 2011
We had pretty much given up on our plants. They were mostly dead, but two of them have gone from brown to green. The already growing marigold has many buds. Our sunflower has started buds too!




August 11th, 2011
Our plant must be tasty because we caught a grasshopper eating our sunflower today. Lucky for us, and him, it was a stem without a bud. So, we still have two buds. Yeah!





August 26th, 2011
Our buds are getting very close to opening on both plants. We are very excited. You can already see the yellow on the marigold.





OK, I admit it, I'm not perfect! I kind of forgot to keep exact dates after that last one. We did continue to take care of our plants and the flowers did bloom.
The marigold opened first.



A few days later our sunflower opened.







This was a successful, scientific journey for Pie Pie and Pants! A+ for everyone!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Flavorful Friday

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies



Ingredients:
2 cups of flour
1 1/3 cups of oats
1 tsp. of baking soda
pinch of salt
2 sticks of butter, softened ( 1 cup )
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of packed brown sugar
1 cup of pumpkin
1 egg
1 tsp. of vanilla
1 tsp. of cinnamon
1/4 tsp. of cloves
1/4 tsp. of nutmeg
1/4 tsp. of ginger

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves,  nutmeg, ginger and salt in a medium bowl.
3. Beat butter, brown sugar and sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
4. Add pumpkin, eggs and vanilla, mix well.
5. Add flour mixture and mix well.
6. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake for 14-16 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned and set in centers.
8. Cool on baking sheet for two minutes.
9. Eat and Enjoy!

This tasty treat is pumpkin bread in a yummy cookie! My girls loved them and so did I!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Join the Club!

A.W.A.N.A.
Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed
2 Timothy 2:15
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

My church, along with many other churches, started AWANA recently. I am a big fan! It is a Bible Club for kids. The kids get to enjoy games, a Bible Lesson and snacks every week!
This year Pie Pie is in her 3rd book in SPARKS. SPARKS is the program for K-2nd grade. You are supposed to try your best to finish one book each year. So Pie Pie is right on track.
Pants is in her 2nd year as a Cubbie. Cubbies is the group for preschoolers. She was much more interested in learning verses last year, but I think she will warm up to it soon.
Learning verses is another part of AWANA. Each week the kids learn verses. When they learn a verse they earn points, patches and/or jewels. The points they earn get accumulated for a trip to the AWANA store. The amount of points they have determines what they can pick at the store.My girls usually come home with stuffed animals! The kids love store night!
AWANA is not just for kids. I am one of the lucky leaders of the kids in the 1st book of SPARKS.Brand New Sparkies! I enjoyed my first night and am looking forward to many more!


See if you can find an AWANA club near you.  For you and your kids!


Monday, September 12, 2011

Archie The First (Lesson)

The day finally arrived for Pie Pie's first horseback riding lesson. She completely enjoyed the experience. Her trainer's name is Miss Heather and Archie was the first horse she got a chance to ride.


Archie is a Paint horse who is very calm and patient. His personality is very laid back, which is perfect for a new rider like Pie Pie.


Miss Heather and Pie Pie started off with grooming Archie. They had to get all of the dirt off of him. Once that was done Pie Pie got a helmet and saddled up the horse.


Archie was led into the ring. Pie Pie was ready to ride. Miss Heather taught her the basics: to turn, walk and stop. They walked around the ring and over obstacles. She even got to trot a little!


When the ride was over she had to make sure all of the saddle marks and sweat were brushed. After that Archie was ready for a rest. I think he earned it.




In Pie Pie's words, "It was awesome!". We will be back, HorseBACK riding!


Sunday, September 11, 2011

Remember


We Will Never Forget


(Photo Credit: Kayleigh Kline)


The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8

This Is Pie Pie and my memory verse for the week.  I like to memorize the verses my girls are learning right along with them.
I think this verse can apply to our lives today and the events that happened ten years ago. Many people were and are afraid. We also get discouraged when things don't go our way. We can be assured that the Lord will never leave us!
I am thankful that I can teach my children such wonderful verses from the Bible!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Daddy's Birthday!

My husband's birthday was a little while ago, September 2nd to be exact! We didn't have a big celebration, but my mom made a yummy cake for him and we let him know how much we love him. I just wanted to share a couple pictures of my handsome husband! I am a very lucky woman to have him in my life!


Pants and her Daddy


Waiting to blow out the candles!



My niece is having a great time!



He had a little help blowing out the candles!


Enjoying my mom's tasty cake!


Happy (late) Birthday Daddy!  We love you!