It's Never Too Early...

 

...to learn to help momma do chores.

And it's easy to just do it myself, rather than having to go back and wash them all again my way, but how else are we going to learn that we all pitch in and help in the O'Donnell family. Even daddy does the dishes. 

Oops, spilled some! 

Consider The Apple

 

It's sophisticated, tasty, pleasing to the eye.

This week the humble apple provided us a teachable moment.  I've munched on many of these and never once thought of how complex they really are until my little girl ate a whole one by herself.  Peel and all.  It was quite interesting to watch her stand in the doorway juice dripping down her chin and a Braeburn in her little hands, much like a squirrel grasping the acorn. 

We borrowed the book I Eat Fruit by Hannah Tofts and in it we learned about the different parts of the apple, so she was determined to get to the seeds!  

It took awhile to get to the core so we talked about how the peel protects the flesh of the apple much like our skin protects us!  She was so happy to hold the seeds in her hand.  Since we did some gardening this year, she understands what seeds do.  

A tiny seed sown in the ground can produce a tree that will bear after its own kind!  How spectacular!  What an amazing world God created for us.

In the Garden

We're house-sitting this week.  Out of town.  It's a great getaway with all the comforts of home.  There is so much more room than our tiny suite, so we have sprawled over all three floors, reveling in all the extra space. 

Ashlene, you and I have been enjoying the backyard, a peaceful Eden.  

You took over the watering and seem such a pro at it.  Have you done this somewhere before?

Can we hold TWO toys AND water the garden effectively?

Anyone need gardening services?  I know just the girl for the job!

Thinking About Father's Day

I have been making a big deal about Father's Day to Ashlene.  We've been to the card store to pick out some meaningful cards (one from myself as well).  She picked out a cute one with Buzz Lightyear on the front, which is right up my husband's alley; he loves superheroes.  What man doesn't want to be the hero to his family?

It makes me think of how important it is for Ashlene to see that her parents honor each other.  She needs to see her mum respect and love her dad.  And vice versa.  Not just on special occasions, but every day.
 
I came across this post today.  It's definitely worth the read, and quite relevant as Father's Day is coming up.  What I want my kids to know about marriage

A Perfect Day

Monday is my favorite day of the week.  Everything is settling down after the flurry that is the weekend.  People are back at work or school.  I like to stay home on Monday and plan our meals and activities for the week, using my Polestar calendar. 

But last Monday we changed it up.  We broke from our routine and ended up having the best day. 

We started at the park where we played on the swings and rode on the slide (upside down and head first one time!).  Then we headed to the creek.  We threw rocks into the water and put our feet in even though the water was so cold! 

We ended with a picnic by a stream in the forest, and ate yummy sandwiches, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries while the sun shined on our faces.  You were quite concerned that we might run into a fox!

Of course mommy didn't bring the camera to take snapshots of our day :(

We were nice and tired by the time we got home and you told daddy all about what we did.  I think he may have been jealous...a little. 

I'm hoping for more of these perfect days this year. 

Book Review

 

We picked up this book during one of our weekly visits to the library.  It is one of our favorites.  With each flip of the page there is a mama animal and a baby animal.  A little poem goes along with it.  

"I am yours,

You are mine.

Mama loves you, 

Porcupine."

It's simple, but the snuggle factor is high when reading this book.  Ashlene, you hug and kiss mama throughout the entire thing, so I don't mind reading this one over and over to you!

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home: Choosing What's Best

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home: Choosing What's Best: "There are so many options today. The local supermarket is sprawling with aisles of choices. Stores are filled to capacity with brand named..."

Hard at Play

 

There's something about watching a child absorbed in play.

Mind and body completely engaged

Totally not self conscious...

...at least until they're caught!!

God's Buckets

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.  Selah."

Psalm 68:19

Ashlene, we don't know where you got the phrase "God's buckets", but the first thing that comes to mind are His blessings which are plentiful! 

Art Class

With our long winters here in the Northwest, we have to find some fun things to do indoors.  With Pop-Pop's help we were able to register you for art classes at 4 Cats Studio.  We had a fun 11 weeks of these classes.  There weren't very many other students, so you got a lot of one-on-one instruction from the teacher. 

                                          You coloured with pastels

                                          You sculpted

                                          You painted

                                                       You sculpted some more

                                                        You love art class!

Sweet Bedtimes

Tucking you in bed is one of my favorite things to do.  It's one of those things that I feel we do really well around here.  We let you know ahead of time that in a few minutes it's time for dodo.  Of course we do all the essential preparations involving washing up and brushing your teeth.  Then we collect your blankies (there are two, one of which is falling apart) and you call for daddy - "daddy pay, daddy pay".  Mommy and daddy kneel beside your bed and ask what/who we should pray for .  Right now we are the ones making the suggestions, but we know that one day you will be able to start making prayer requests of your own.  After prayer you want daddy to leave the room and you ask me to tell you a story or sing a song.  Your usual requests are "Teddy Bear's Picnic" or "Rock-a-bye Baby" (wok bebe).  And when I get to the end of the song you put your little pointer finger up and say "one more tiiiiimmme". 
Something that gives me a chuckle:  When I raise my eyebrows while telling a story, you like to poke my forehead when it wrinkles. 
You can be sure mommy is in the mirror afterwards and wondering when those wrinkles started. 
Most times I like to linger by your bed and chat about the day or about what's going to happen tomorrow.  You seem to like this, and you will even bring up what something special that we did weeks ago.  Right now you like to remember the time when you and I went to Bellingham.  We visited the mall and we rode on the little train ride and then tried on some pretty dresses (pwe dwess).
From time to time, mommy will let you lay beside me in my bed while I read.  The intention is that you will just drift happily off to sleep.  This usually never works.  You are easily stimulated and too excited about being in my bed and you start to chatter and wiggle.  And flop.  And chatter.  And lean over me and try to leaf through the pages of my book while I am trying to read it.  I have to say, it's one of the most endearing things as you are so cute doing it.  I indulge you.  For awhile.  Then when I feel my eyes closing, and I know you are still going strong, I call for daddy to come put you in your bed.  This never suits you.  You usually cry.  Which is why I suppose it's just better to put you in your bed in the first place.