Recap on January

It would be an understatement to say that January was busy...but I did manage to capture a few pieces of it with my camera.

 The long 10 chain (or the cube of 10) took every rug/quilt we have, but the eldest two had fun. =)

 A creative spin on recycling:  rag rug making.  I think the favorite part thus far has been the creating of the "rags."  Who knew tearing denim could be so much fun!

 Getting started on the rug...

 Making a galaxy...I will credit myself with a little bit of creativity on this one.  It was supposed to be an art project with glitter and paint to make stars and nebulae, but I couldn't find glitter in this country, crazy considering how many sparkly dresses I see here...but I digress.  So, what I did have was chocolate and SPRINKLES. =)

 We all had fun making different galaxy shapes...although to be honest, I think we were just aiming to put the most stars (SPRINKLES) possible in the chocolate, but oh well.

 Eldest son's galaxy quickly disappears into the black hole between his front teeth...

 My hazel eyed girl.

 I told Imp to smile and this is what we got...

 Showed her her funny picture, we all laughed and this is take two.

 Ahem, Momma's galaxy included tiramisu. =)  But don't tell the plus 3! ;)  Husband dear and I had a date night in with these beauties--I found the "deconstructed tiramisu" here (and it happens to be gluten free if that interests anyone):
http://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/2012/02/tiramisu-chocolate-cups-low-carb-and-gluten-free.html

 Imp's work.

 We studied parts of the seed and then sprouted some of our own.

Hopefully, these sunflower seeds will grow and bloom before it gets too hot here.

 This moment was precious.  The Plus 3 made a carnival of sorts, with games for us to play, including musical chairs (thank you Mimi and Grandpa =)). This was a picture of the "Magic Show" part, where Eldest son with the help of his assistant, Imp, made one of his stuffed animals disappear.

We studied Europe and also a little bit about Impressionism and Renoir and Monet.  Here's our take on it.

 Imp plays catapult math, which I borrowed from this site:
http://deceptivelyeducational.blogspot.com/2013/07/catapult-addition-diy-math-game.html

The henna adds a nice touch I think. =)

Our catapult "buttons" are extras that have been liberated from the chair cushions, waste not...

Hope you enjoy our recap of a very whirlwind January!

Still

 Before it disappears, I thought I'd take one last glance...

And remember why, and be filled with the joy and wonder of it all.

Sure the stockings are hung with care, and the presents are such fun; but each year, in the quiet moments between, I am reminded of why we celebrate.
May the love and light of Christmas, the joy of receiving the Savior and being redeemed by Him, so fill hearts and shine forth into the darkness.

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15

A visit from Aunt K

We have been so blessed this past week to enjoy a visit from Husband Dear's Aunt K.  I think it's safe to say that we had much fun together and did our best to show her a little of our home here.  We spotted sea turtles, camels, gangs of marauding goats (I kid you not--ha!) and parrots in the wild.  We ate out and in, enjoyed tea parties, reading books aloud, opening early Christmas presents and playing outside.  We saw the Opera House, the sea and the mangrove swamps; and we bargained our way through a market.  We waded across a sand bar to an island and then climbed over 400 steps up to a fort on the top.  Unfortunately, I stink as record-keeper, and the few photos we have are because I remembered to grab my camera one day and threw it over to Husband Dear to actually snap a few.
Oh well, you will just have to believe me when I tell you of all the wonderful fun we had, and the things we saw along the way.  Most importantly, we soaked up time with Aunt K and caught up on her life and family news--it was just such a sweet time.

 Aunt K, I would like to say, did a great job taking pictures all along the way. =)  I snapped this one on our trip towards an older city in the interior of our country.

 These next few photos are a little more artistic--that's because I was no longer taking them!  This is a view from the fort of the old city.  We had visited here with the kids about two years ago and I thought I was going to lose my mind with them trying to inch to the very edge of each window and unbarricaded wall, but they behaved much better on this trip.

 I bet it's 'cause Aunt K was there. =)

 We took a break from school, but did take Aunt K along for swim lessons for the plus 3.  Yes, swim lessons in December--outside.

 The water's a little chilly in the morning, but we push through. =)

 Eldest son seems to dislike the cold water the most, but even he hangs in there--we love to swim!  And best of all for him, after swimming he spotted a green parrot in the tree next to the pool.

We did have to say goodbye to Aunt K eventually =( so we decided to throw ourselves back into school work for the next week.  Eldest daughter is doing an Advent handwriting exercise here.
We love you Aunt K, thank you for travelling across the world to see us, you made our Christmas!  

Eldest daughter turns seven and other fun stuff

I thought it might be time to stop in and update the blog. =)  Eldest daughter has turned seven, sniff.  She seems so much to be a grown girl already.  For her birthday, we took advantage of our new city and it's cultural benefits (there's an honest to goodness opera house here!), and we all went to see a ballet.  She, of course, loved it--eldest son, thought it might be a new way to torture him (due to the "fancy" clothes he had to put on to see it).  I did tell eldest son that he only had to go this once, and then after that he could decide if he wanted to go again (assuming we ever get the chance to go again).
Now, without further ado, lots of pictures!

We had fun studying the phases of the moon...

and eating them.

I think it's only fitting that the one picture I have of eldest daughter blowing out a candle (and we had two birthday cakes before it was all over) was on her quiche--that girl loves quiche!

 One other thing to learn to love about this place is that things don't always come as advertised.  I thought I bought regular candles, but oh no, what we got were never-blow-out-throwing-out-sparks-like-a-firecracker candles, but it added to the moment for sure. =)

 Imp's inverted tower.

Making the earth

 and cutting it apart to see all the layers inside.

 Ever the realist, eldest son adds ice caps at the poles.

You say kebab stick, he says art utensil.

Sunset on the beach, so beautiful.

 I couldn't believe it when I saw Imp in the sand, drawing circles (just like she'd seen me doing when I gave a compass lesson to her elder brother and sister, but I really didn't think she was paying attention).

 

 That is until I saw what she had found to be her "compass."  A crab claw!  It worked perfectly too. =)

Final shot, the eldest ones working together on the long 7 chain--it's been a good week!