Isaac and the Frog

My hippie child Alexis has discovered that the pond on school grounds has all kind of amazing and interesting animals. Naturally she brings some home. I've asked her not to bring home anything disgusting but she tells me all about them. One day she caught a leech! DISGUSTING!!!! Her nature studies teacher asked her to catch one and give it to her so she did. We thank God for Ms. Nance, she and Alexis are so much alike. They love all of God's creatures big and small and find beauty in the ugliest things. Well before school was out Lexy brought home a baby frog. She has seen many tadpoles and brought some home but today she brought a little frog. Now normally I hate frogs and almost anything that looks slimy but this little frog was so cute. He was about the size of Ella's pinky nail. Isaac was not afraid and held it. Normally he's terrified of all animals even our dog. He looked so cute just examining this little frog. Avery wanted to kiss it to see if it would turn into a prince. Lexy took the frog back to school the next day and let it go back in the pond.

Tino's 29th Birthday

Tino's 29th Birthday was Monday June 23. We spent the day getting ready for when he came home from work. We woke up early and cleaned the house. One of Avery's friend was with us all day. We went to the mall, ordered the cookie cake, went to Party City and got balloons and silly string. Then we came home and decorated the house and chalked on the sidewalk. The kids had so much fun.
When Tino was close I had him call, the kids waited outside for him.
As soon as he got out of the car the kids sprayed him with silly string. The two little ones cried the whole time and Ella was so scared. Ella thought that we were hurting her daddy, and Isaac was crying and screaming, so I couldn't even take the pictures I wanted to. After it was over Ella and Isaac cleaned off Tino and tried to hit everyone who "hurt daddy".
Then we went inside and ate cookie cake. Isaac picked out the choo choo train for his daddy and he also picked out Spider Man plates, napkins, and cups.

The kids had fun. We finished our day by going to eat dinner and watching Lexy play softball. It was a great day.

Kit Kittridge

Kit Kittridge the American Girl Doll movie is having a special premiere. It will be at the North Park AMC tomorrow. If you go online and buy tickets with your American Express Card you get a souvenir. I know, it's just a way to get you to use the card, but oh well. We will be there tomorrow. Here's the link. www.kitkittridge.com

Father of the Year Winner!

Avery entered an essay contest for the father of the year award and she WON! I received a phone call today from the committee telling me she won in her age division. There were only three winners in all. Her age group was 7-9 year olds. She has won for her daddy a Tag Heuer watch from Bachendorf's. When we pick up the watch they will take pictures of them and will be featured in the Dallas Morning News. We are all so excited for Avery and for our wonderful daddy Tino. Jesus has blessed us with an amazing father. Here is Avery's essay:


Why my Daddy is the best in the World by Avery, age 7, Father: Tino

I was born very small. My daddy would hold me on his chest and rock me to sleep. I am seven years old now and my daddy still lets me sleep on his chest. He likes to cuddle with me and I feel so safe with him. He is the best daddy in the world because he tucks me in at night. When he comes home from work I am so happy to see him and I tell him all about my day. He likes to play with me and he pushes me really high on my swing. My daddy also has a really cool job and sometimes he takes me to work with him. People say that I look just like him, but I always tell them, I do except I wear glasses, have long hair and I don't have a mustache. A perfect day would be to go on a picnic with my daddy and play and talk with each other. I love the daddy God gave me.


You can also go to www.fatheroftheyearawards.org and view the other 2 winners.

resource

OK, so I've been trying to find other things to help Avery learn her spelling words. One night I was reading about this website that helps you learn your spelling words while having fun. It's a friendly was of playing hang man. It's a duck on a bridge and with every wrong letter a plank on the bridge falls. If you miss the word the duck just falls into the water, if you get it right he tells you congratulations. You can create your own membership, which is free, and you can create your own list of words you want your child to learn. I've played it too, I'm a little too competitive, I want my name on the high score board. The link is www.wordduck.com

Ice Cream Lady

OK, so for a couple of days now the kids have heard the ice cream music when they are outside. But when we go look for it we can never find it. So in steps Tino. Yesterday on his way home from work about 5 blocks away from our house he spots the truck. He waves at her and tells her to follow him to our house. He said she looked at him like he was crazy. I can't imagine why? So he walks in our front door to announce he brought something home for the kids. We can all hear the music but don't put it together until we all go outside and see the ice cream lady waiting for us. The kids scream "ice cream" and we all sit outside and enjoy our ice cream on the curb. How fun! They have the best dad ever! God gave me a sweet man, I absolutely love him and the kids just adore him. Lexy is still in Florida so she's not in the picture.

It's Market Day!

I found this wonderful community garden close to where I live! Our family has been going almost every Saturday. There are chickens just roaming around, horses, and ducks, and a couple of cats (not my favorite animal)!!

Lexy is know as the hippie, she loves being out there. The horses, well really all the animals like Lexy. This horse comes to the gate when Lexy calls him. She feeds him and talks to him. Maybe one day she'll have one of her own. The horses have not been ridden in a long time so she can't ride them.

Avery and Ella are both "Condo" girls. Avery can't stand the heat and Ella does not like the bugs or when the grass gets in her shoes! And Isaac is "squawker" because every time he sees the chickens one of the roosters looks at him and lets out the loudest crow you've ever heard, and Isaac squawks really loud at him. Weird I know but you have to see it to believe it. This is the rooster that makes him squawk.

We've helped to maintain the community garden. There are a lot of herbs in there. This weekend we will go harvest a few things to sell in the Farmer's Market this Saturday. Also there are local vendors that sell veggies, fruit, bread, eggs, chicken, and now beef. All the goods are organic, pesticide free, and the animals are all free range with no hormones. Did you know there was a season for meat? I didn't, we've learned so much from this place.
We've learned to place plants in a seaweed mixture to help it before planting in the location you choose. Also there are nematodes to help with flea control in your yard instead of using harmful chemicals.

Our market day is this Saturday. I'm posting the link to Eden's Organic Garden, if your in the area or not, come by. Two weeks ago there was a new vendor from an organic blackberry farm just located down the road. They do offer tours so I'll let you know when we go.

http://www.edensorganicgardencenter.com/

This is Marie she has turned her residence into the garden's we go to. She has opened up her land for the community to use. She wants everyone to access good quality, organic food at affordable prices.

Father of the Year

Our precious friend Cindy Brinker-Simmons told us about this contest. It's the 2008 Father of the Year Essay Contest! I thought all you guys would be interested in nominating your child's father. I think all daddies should be honored. Good Luck. You can find all the rules at WWW.fatheroftheyearawards.com , you can also submit your forms online. The three winning fathers will receive a Tag Heuer Watch from Bachendorf's Jewelers. A little fascinating fact; The Father of the Year Award has been given to a governor, turned president!