Samuel, our 6th son, turned 11.  The older he gets, the more of a blessing he becomes.  He brings me such joy!

This is an IMovie that Molly (surprisingly) put together about Sam's birthday.  The only thing she needed help with was the words since she doesn't write yet  ;-)   She made the comment recently that she wanted to learn how to make movies so she can "make some good movies!" I'm for that!

About those Pop Rocks......

 

     If you don't let them pop on your tongue, and you eat a bunch at one time, you can hear them REALLY loud in your stomach!

This Mornings Breakfast

The boys like to experiment once in awhile with their morning eggs by trying different spices, sauces, etc. to make them a little more exciting. Sam has been learning how to cook his own eggs and this is his take on making eggs more exciting - fried eggs with sprinkles.  Instant breakfast party!

Picture taken by Sam

Fruity Goodness

What a blessing to live in the Northwest where we have an abundance of cherries, blueberries, raspberries, plum, blackberries, and more.

And they are right in our own back yard!

Speaking of blackberries.....

 

These three children

picked lots,

 and lots

 of blackberries.

 Mom found recipes.

We mixed

and poured

 and baked

one blackberry pie

 

 and one blackberry crisp.

The pictures were taken by David and Peter, but the anticipation of tasting the delectable desserts caused them to forget to take pictures of the finished products.

O well. There's always tomorrow and there's plenty more blackberries!

Seed Time!

     Today we planted seeds!!! We also planted flowers around in our yard.

Molly wanted to plant the pumpkins

Planting sunflowers

Dirty Hands!

Future Veggies

"Are we going to eat this mom?"

Sam made plant markers

David's tomato plant

Nasturtiums

Pansies

Molly's pumkin marker

Clean hands! I didn't even have to tell them to wash up :)



Happy Monday!

Good Friday to You

Sam wanted to teach Molly about Good Friday

Terminology

picture taken by David

The terminology my kids use today is so much different than things I would have said at that age. Take Sam's comment for instance: when he noticed the birds were unusually quiet, he declared,  "The birds need recharged!"

David's pets really like him.  

Molly seems to have the touch with the birds too.

(you can see by the hair and pajama's this was taken in the morning with before Molly was ready for the day)

Kid Logic Friday -

The first day of summer found us setting up our pool. First was the big decision where to put it; somewhere mom could see everyone if she was in the house. The second step was finding level enough ground for our pool (we still had to buy a few bags of sand to fill the holes).

Our first day of summer was warm! The second day of summer was coooold. Again. Never the less, the second day found an ambitious couple of boys (David and Sam) waking up early at about 7:00 am. (with about 50 degree weather) to take a splash in the pool. Sam, after about 20 minutes in the pool, comes in shivering from head to toe, walks up to brother Ben and says through chattering teeth, " Hey Ben! you should come in the pool the water is SO warm!"

Sam and Molly after enjoying popcicles at the park

Post by Ben O'Brien

Take One Every Hour

Sam, unfortunately has had the flu for the past couple of days.  He's a hard guy to settle down even when he's sick so when he spent the day on the couch I knew he was really out of it.  I checked his temperature by giving him a kiss on his forehead and told him this would help him get better soon.  After about an hour I gave him another and told him, "It's been an hour, can't forget the kiss, this will really help you."  Being so out of it, he didn't reply to my comment.  I did this several more times throughout the day with still no reply from Sam, but that was o.k., I knew he wasn't feeling well at all.  It's very rare for Sam to be so quiet!  At one point I made him drink Gatorade because he hadn't eaten anything since early that morning and he didn't want to eat or drink. I didn't want him to get too dehydrated.

Evening had come, Steve was home and everyone (except Sam) had just finished dinner and "retired" to the livingroom.  I soon hear this little voice calling me.  It was Sam.  Did he want dinner? A drink? No, he wanted me to know it had been an hour now...........Yes, my eight year old wanted another kiss to help him get better.  He really made my day  : )

My Little Helpers



My little helpers Molly and Sam



These little helpers were having too much fun switching the laundry for me.

"Behold, children are a heritage from from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward"

Psalm 127:3



Molly and Sam



Perfect Imperfections

Mom, I am going to brush my teeth.

One of my greatest treasures is to have notes from my children when they are just learning how to read and write.  They write everything how it sounds and just how they hear them.  I have kept many "writings" from my younger children just because of their perfect imperfections.  Sam wrote this while I was busy talking the other night.  He knew it wasn't a good time for him to interrupt, but he wanted to communicate with me about what he was doing.

Today's Kid Logic Question

Steve, Peter, and I were stepping out of the house for a little bit.  This would leave Ben in charge for the time we would be gone.  I told the younger ones that Ben would be taking care of them while we are out.  On the way out the door Sam runs up to me and says, "Is that taking care of me if Ben told me to clean my room?"

Yes Sam, it is. : )

Breakfast Time!



Sam making pancakes

 My older children usually make their own breakfast, but lately the younger ones have been wanting to do the same. David and Sam now make eggs (fried or scrambled) just as good as the rest of them!  David's eggs are so good that he can even make them for his dad (who likes them just so). The other morning, Sam offered to make pancakes for everyone. Of course he needs help with which measuring cups to use still, but he knows not to over beat the batter, and when to flip them over, how to add sprinkles, and how to tell when they are done. What's the most fun for me is watching how much fun they have serving each other. It reminds me of something our pastor said recently, "We are most fufilled when we are serving." Amy adds, that he also said in chapel, "It's much better to be a giver than a reciever."


Molly telling Sam she wants "pink" colored pancakes with sprinkles



Sam

Tonight I was reminded of the blessing that children are.  Everyone had gone to bed early except for Sam and I.  He and I stayed up to watch a little TV.  While we were sitting on the couch Sam decided I needed a neck rub.  So he rubbed my neck for a short time. Then he got up went to the other room and brought back a sleeping bag, blanket and pillows.  He put the sleeping bag and blankets on me and asked, "Do you need a pillow on your feet?"  He knows me - my feet are usually cold so I end up putting something heavy on them like a pillow.  So after giving me pillows for my feet, back, and head he offers to rub my arms.  This went on for about 20 minutes.  What a perfect way to end the evening - getting to enjoy a special time with Sam.