The Sky Is Full Of Surprises

Did any of you see the parade of planets in the nighttime sky on Friday? The moon was so beautiful!  You might need to click on the photo to get a better view.  That's Venus in the lower right , and to it's left is Mars.  Aren't we lucky to live in this beautiful place that God has built? I'm surprised that my camera captured this.  We noticed it on our long drive home from Eastern Washington where we had just attended a memorial service for Adam's Grandpa.  The planets were still visible the following two nights, just further away from the moon.

It seems as if most days when I look up, the eagle is sitting in the tree.  There are three that we have noticed.  This one is gazing out across the lake.

The sky is full of surprises.  We thanked God for the beautiful blue sky this morning on the way home from the bus stop.  I could actually feel the warmth of the sun, even though it is still crisp and frosty.

Throwback photo of Adam's Grandpa Kays, ready to take his great grandchildren for a walk down to see the Columbia River.  He was really a neat man- quite a character.  His memorial was a nice celebration of his life!  He enjoyed rock hunting, trapping and story telling.  You can read his obituary HERE. 

Meanwhile, the gardens are teasing me.  It's too early for me to add to them, and these greens are getting frosted over at night lately. :/

Thursday, we enjoyed some free painting.

I love free art.  The kids do, too.  They will repaint the painted spots just to prolong the time that they get to paint.

They enjoyed a rowdy dance party. 

This little one baked cupcakes at home to bring and share.  She was very proud that she got to help! 

♥♥♥Happy Monday!♥♥♥

Finding White Items

We are looking for items around us that are the color white.  I read this about the color white.  The handsome hubby mentioned this recently to me.  "Black is the absence of light. Color does not exist without light. So black is the absence of color. White is a balance of color in light."  Interesting, anyway.

We got out lots of different art supplies so the kids could sort through them and locate white items to add to their papers.

They worked for quite a while,  just arranging the items.

The kids also used scissors to cut up any of the items they felt like snipping.  Good practice, and I am letting go of the worry about scissors.  They are handling them correctly.

♥♥♥Happy Thursday!♥♥♥

Checking On The Pumpkin

The pumpkin that we set in the garden last november is still standing.  We are checking it often to note any changes.

We noticed that it is losing it's bright orange color and looking kind of dirty.  The purpose of the project is to see if it will decompose and grow more pumpkin vines, without any help from us.  It was a successful project last year, but the pumpkin we placed in the garden was a smaller one.  This larger pumpkin might take a bit longer to break down.

Once we get to looking in the garden, the kids like to see if there is anything else to chat about.  They noticed something.

Carrots!  Several of them are sprouting new greens.  Carrots will keep well in the garden through the winter, and we have found that they get a little bit sweeter with time.

We dug one up to slice and taste with our lunch.  Often times, when we take veggies from the garden, the kids will actually try them.  I was only 50% successful with the carrot. Some kids will just not eat veggies for me.  No matter what.

 The Forsythia is in bloom!  In February!  !!

I've got Spring fever.  I blame our early spring winter weather.

Inside, we are working on the letter Ll.  The kids practiced writing the letter and then filled in the letters above with tissue paper squares.  Easy.

Something interesting- even when the project seems kind of boring or bland to ME, the kids usually seem to enjoy it.  That's good!

♥♥♥Happy Wednesday!♥♥♥

I Wasn't Finished Looking Back

I wasn't finished looking back at the old photos.  Oh. WOW.  I can't believe how small these two are.  ADORABLE!  

 ♥The first year of Henle House. 2009♥

 My "Snuggy" Aiden still had his little toddler cheeks.  SMOOCH.

 I enjoy seeing the differences with the house, too.

 Maybe I was the only one having fun? LOL.

Babies.  All babies. ♥

 FUN summer!!!  Look how small the garden was!

 The firefighters took us for a ride in the fire truck. 

 All of these kids are gone.  We have a younger sister of one, though!

 Cooking!

Biringer Farm in Arlington.

 I remember the 100 degree summer!  Aaaah, the bliss of being able to let the kids play in pools.  Now the state makes it far too difficult.  I miss those kids.  Boy does Ethan look small! (On the left.)♥

 We stuffed a fat scarecrow.

 ♥♥♥

Another Valentine's Day.  

ALRIGHT- on with it!  We've got memories to create today.

♥♥♥Happy Tuesday!♥♥♥

Group Shots

It's really entertaining for me to look back on the group shots over the past couple of years to see how the children have changed.  Many of the kids with me right now have been here for 3 years or more.  We gathered for this group shot on friday during our Valentine's Day party.

 Photos are always better when the kids get goofy.  I told them to make a face.

It made me want to find some old photos.

 I love this one, above.  They are all practically toddlers!  Their legs are so short!

 We had escaped to the zoo.

 Look at their tiny faces. 

 These two took a trip to Home Depot with me.

Baby Petra is growing up right along with the kids.

♥♥♥Happy Monday!♥♥♥