Hollywood Park

Day two of our mission to wear Grandpa out and make lots of memories got off to a great start. Since everybody went to bed early everybody woke up early. By the time I got back from dropping Frank off at work the kids were having breakfast.

Our first stop was Hollywood Park. We did not stay at the park as long as we did yesterday because we had to make it to the library in time for storytime!

 

 

With a little help from Grandpa, Sabrina got to be Superbaby!

 

 

Marie-Anne

Winchester Park

After visiting the Wetlands Park we stopped at McDonalds then headed to Winchester Park. (I already said our mission is to wear Grandpa out and make lots of memories).

The kids used their energetic superpowers to conquer the playground while the less energetic adults either pushed swings or sat in the shade.

Then the kids wanted to visit the playground on the other side of the park. The discovery that it no longer exists didn't get us down. We just took another (much shorter) nature walk through the garden back to the playground we started from.

We may have been a bit too successful in our mission- we all went to bed early. (Except for Frank who wasn't on this mission.)

Marie-Anne

Wetlands Park with Grandpa

The kids and their parents are super excited to have Grandpa aka Grandpapa aka Frank's Dad aka Wayne here to visit! Our mission is to wear him out and make lots of memories!

The kids and I took our mission very seriously, (while Frank was at work) we went to the Wetlands Park. We visited the Nature Center, but the displays aren't open yet. So we took to the trails. The kids took turns leading the way.

Sabrina took the map and took charge.

We finally made it to our destination, (after much grumbling from the kids about it being too hot- this is nothing; Summer's coming...) We enjoyed the boardwalk and even got to catch the end of a school's field trip disscussion.

Alex successfully read the map and lead us back to the car.

Marie-Anne

Our Nature Center

We have quite a collection of nature items that were in a drawer in the garage. Of course that kind of defeats the purpose of having nature items.

I wanted our Nature Center to be out of the way, but still accessible to the kids. I also wanted it to be out of reach or easily put away when we have young guests. After giving it some thought and almost drooling over ideas on pinterest I finally came up with an idea that works for us.

I created our nature center using things we already owned. The only thing I am planning to add is a nature scene calendar to go next to the shelf. I placed a brightly colored placemat under the fish bowl. The items in the wooden tray, (which a puzzle came in) will be rotated, but for now are seeds and pinecones. On the other side of the fish bowl is a wooden cup with a couple of small magnifying glasses. We are raising sea monkeys next to the plant. The shelf will house some herbs we will grow for the bunny. I think this is a great use of part of the kitchen counter that only had the fishbowl.

Sabrina was excited to check out the items in our nature center.

Marie-Anne

table

We bought a new table and bookshelf for Sabrina's room. Alex got to help Frank put them together.

Marie-Anne

Neighborhood kids

When the weather is nice the kids have a great time with the neighborhood kids. You know how unsocialized those homeschoolers are.

Marie-Anne

Rocky update

Rocky is a very good pet for Alex. He's pretty low maintenaince, but still requires Alex to take responsibility. He's also fun!

Marie-Anne

Shadow Rock Park

For family day we went to Shadow Rock Park. We had a good time.

Alex being super silly.

Marie-Anne

Nibbles

Our friend "Annie" brought Nibbles over for the kids to meet. It is nice having a animal nurse for a friend; we never know what interesting animal she'll bring next! The kids don't know, but the plan is for Nibbles to come live with us on Easter. Someone found Nibbles and gave him to "Annie." By Easter he'll be big enough to come live with us.

I had rabbits when I was a kid. They are one of my favorite pets.

Marie-Anne

Meet Rocky

Alex has been asking for a bearded dragon for a long time, (several kids at church have one). Yesterday, a friend called to ask if they could give their bearded dragon to Alex. Rocky came to live with us last night.

Marie-Anne

Sunset Park

We have not been to Sunset Park in a very long time. It has been completely redone. I like the fake nature theme they have. It is very big and very crowded and way too easy to lose track of your kids. At one point Sabrina got out of sight and tried to cross the monkey bars. She fell and bruised up her face.

 

Alex had to prove his daring and skill by crossing the rope bridge the hard way. He did it! He was so happy that he had lots of kids to play with.

 

I think the giant swings were the kids' favorite part of the playground. They learned about taking turns because they weren't the only ones who felt that way.

Here's proof that I was there.

 

Of course, with a crowd this size Frank could not resist witnessing to as many people as he could.

We spent hours there and the kids could have spent several more, if we let them.

Marie-Anne

Home Bible Study

One of the highlights of our week is the Friday Night Home Bible Study. These Bible Studies have not only helped us learn about God's Word, but they have also helped create a sense of community. We have met a lot of our neighbors through the Bible Studies and have gotten to know some members of our church better.

Marie-Anne

New Beds!

We used our tax refund to get new beds for us and Alex.

Alex was super excited when his loft bed was delivered. I am glad that he now has a desk and shelves for his Lego creations.

Our bed was delivered in a box, so Frank and the kids put it together last night. (Thankfully, Alex's bed was a floor model so they put it together for us.)

Our bedroom is a work in progress. I got the curtains for Christmas. I spent some of my babysitting money on the slipcovers. My next project is the computer desk in our room.

Marie-Anne

Modge Podge

I used Modge Podge for the first time yesterday.

 I used some cheap gift boxes that I got from the dollar store and some wrapping paper.

I love the way they turned out. I have plans for more modge podge projects that I'll share later.

Marie-Anne

MLK Park

Last week I took the three kids to MLK Park. It has been a long time since we've been to this park. They got rid of the sand- which was one of my kids' favorite parts. They had fun any way.

Marie-Anne

Fremont Street Experience

Last Thursday John and I went to Fremont Street to preach. We brought a small amp and got hundreds of passer-bys and some great one-on-one witnesses. Cat-in-the-Hat got a tract, Elvis tried to get me to reject God and John spoke to a young man that wept for his sin. Also, we met evangelists from two different ministries. All in all it was an awesome night. The place we found was a good fishing hole.

Harvest Time

I was given the opportunity to minister on Sunday night. The topic was: Harvest Time. There is a limited amount of time for the harvest. Then the crop is ready is when it needs to be brought it. The harvest will not wait for us to be ready. The harvest is all-important, our very survival depends upon it. It does not matter what your vocation or calling, but all must stop their pursuits and quite literally their lives in order to harvest so that all will survive.

Teaching Sunday School

Sabrina is super excited that I am starting to teach her Sunday School class. Yesterday was my first day teaching the preschool and kindergarten class. I had a lot of fun. We are going to have a lot of fun and learn alot.



The kids also loved my assistant; the Green Hippo.

Marie-Anne

Flamingo Arroyo Trail

On Saturday we walked the Flamingo Arroyo Trail. It's a trail near our house that we've never walked before.

Marie-Anne

Climbing Trees

Before we joined Frank on outreach Saturday, the kids had fun climbing trees in the church parking lot.

Marie-Anne