Snapshots

We took a hike up the "M" with some friends. Tyler and Emily have been asking to hike it when the weather turned good. Going with friends (Ike is in Tyler's class and Ava is 6 months older than Emily), was a "good thing", in Martha Stewart terms. The kids were distracted by having fun with their friends so didn't realize how much they were hiking. The trip down didn't go AS smoothly, with running causing a couple spills and skinned knees but overall it was a success and a good start to the hiking year. Now I know what they can do, I can always refer back to, "but I know you can hike the "M" so I know you can make the rest of this trip."

Tyler's Very Important Discovery: As I was reading the Bible to them one night, Tyler looking on realized he could read some of it. So he took over reading and became very excited saying, "I can read God's Word all by myself!" He was so excited about it, I suggested he keep the Bible by his bed and read it each morning when he woke up. He has!

In my great "clean-out", I have been identifying things to sell. Emily's play kitchen was one of them as she hasn't played with it in months. Here she is helping me clean it - she was thrilled to help and is a fantastic helper and great company no matter what I am doing.

CUTE! Some friends have some teeny, tiny kittens and we had an opportunity to hold them. Here is Emily in throes of delight at holding the adorable creature. While holding it, she gently stroked it, softly reassured it, "I have you, I won't let you fall" and kissed it's head a few times. She has a natural bent for nuturing and love for animals and babies.