When It's Cold at the Beach

On A Rainy Saturday Afternoon

This was a rainy Saturday afternoon. So when we arrived home following our morning activities which this week included martial arts conditioning, ballet, football and a birthday party which we all attended, a movie was in order for all. We relaxed watching The Lorax. Our kids have been very much into Dr. Seuss lately. 

Then we decorated Valenties boxes, which, as always, turned out cute and hilarious (Blaise!). 

We have friends coming to visit this week so it was a great day to get these done early!

We Love Starbucks

Sim built a coffee stand today. I wonder where in the world he ever would have gotten that idea?

Twins Recently

Our middle two are finding themselves in their own little ways these days. 

Lieren is excelling in dance already. She was made for this. I can't get over our tiny ballerina each week. 

Simeon recently started playing football. Upward sports are so great at this age...

Sim plays with exuberance and passion. He scored a couple touchdowns this week, which was thrilling to his little heart...

I took them to their first classmate birthday party in Florida yesterday...

...where they played hard with friends...

...and where Sim hilariously knocked the head off the piñata!

Being a middle probably isn't always easy. And it might be harder when there are two of you. But we love these two and how God is working in them individuality and gracing them with their own place.

He Earned It

Silas has been working hard these last couple months in karate. He goes at least once a week to a martial arts class.  Besides that, every Saturday he joins his instructor for a conditioning class. It is pure exercise on Saturdays (running and circuits), which is a fabulous workout. With all the effort he has shown, we were super proud that he was invited to come to belt testing last night. He passed and earned his yellow!

The Mess and the Beauty

So Silas just walked into the room from outside, wandered around for a while, then said, "Mom, I need a car. Where's the car tub?"

Ummmm...seriously?

Right before you, darling. Right where Blaise was playing most of the morning while we did school next to him. A world of cars, right there, covering the walkway. 

I can get very stressed by mess. I really like things picked up. I mean, I really like things picked up. 

But. I can also be very thankful for the creativity that happened amidst those cars and the freedom it gave for Silas and I to school. Isn't that what they mean when they say messy beautiful?  I think so. 

Florida Wildlife

We went to a fun part of St. Petersburg on Friday with Judy and Lee who are back through visiting. It was a great experience in Florida wildlife. 

We walked along the boardwalk and saw dolphins swimming. I didn't get a great picture of them but there were probably at least 5. 

There were very many birds. 

Very many. 

And then we went to an alligator place. It was actually quite well done. The kids fed them and held one.  Except Blaise who is not one for that kind of thing. 

 

We ended the night at the Planetarium at a college nearby.  I might have considered it a little bit low-key but for free, it was great!