Pictures from the Kitchen Table

We don't get to see our Kansas grandchildren often enough!

Grandparents' Day 2010

While we waited for the time to go to school, Grandpa played outfield while Carson practiced batting. 

After arriving at school, we found Caden's class.  He showed us some of the story he was reading and gave us poems he'd written.  Grandma Roth was there, too.

s

 

Before we knew it, it was time for lunch.  Spaghetti, peaches, tossed salad, bread and margarine, and chocolate milk!

 

Recess was next.  Caden played tether ball and then ran down to the playground equipment.  When the bell rang, he and Grandpa walked ahead of the Grandmas to line up to go inside.

 

When we got back inside, the grandparents had to take a timed math test.  Grandma G did pretty well, huh, Caden?

Then he interviewed us using ten questions and writing down the answers.  We also saw some slide shows about the butterfly festival, gingerbread house making, and the visit to the apple orchard.

After all that, we went outside to watch gym class.  We were really proud at how fast Caden ran.  (The girls started out ahead of the boys.  Caden never stopped running the whole two laps!)

Then the kids got in groups of four and tossed a frisbee.

Before we knew it, gym was over and it was time for us to go back to Indiana! We had a great time.  Thanks, Caden, for inviting us.

Good Advice

Don't get into a habit of giving your children expensive gifts and clothes.  Your children only want  to feel safe and secure.  They want to spend time with you and to feel loved - that is the most precious gift available, and it can be given every day.  

For more great advice about building financial security, read this post: Simple Living in Your 30's .  I couldn't have said it better myself!

Happy Easter, Dear Grandchldren!

Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

I didn't get you any candy this year, but here's something fun to do!  Have your Mom or Dad  take you to this place.  Then see if you can arrange this play house JUST the way you'd like it!  Have fun!

I serve a risen Saviour,
He's in the world today;
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy,
I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him
He's always near.
CHORUS
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives
today!
He walks with me and He talks with me
Along life's narrow way.
He lives, He live, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives:
He lives within my heart.

 

These are two of Grandma's favorite Easter songs!  I hope you know them, too!

More Spring Fun!

Saturday afternoon - picked up sticks and burned them....

First picnic of the season...grapes, cheese, crackers.

Then came Sunday,,

Sunday, rain completely obliterated Easter Egg hunt.  We went to Burger King & kids played in the playland.

We  had some indoor egg hunts when we got home.

Monday we went to Ohio to visit Great-Grandpa & Grandma Z.

The children enjoyed looking at old photographs with G. Grandpa & Grandma.  They treated us to McDonalds, a trip to their church with its indoor play area, and then home for ice-cream cones.

Some Saturday Morning Fun with Grandkids

New game...Pen the Pig!

Together time.  Arranging the dollhouse.

The "Broom Brigade" - Helping Grandpa clean up outside.

Crafting.  Safety pins and beads.

Happy Birthday, C!

A Birthday Riddle

Grandson 2, Look at you!

Six you are and growing.

Strong and happy, fast and smart--

WHO knows where you'll be going? 

(Clue:  Job 34:21)

Email us the answer when you know it!

Four Minutes of Your Time. PLEASE!

Whatever else you remember of me as mother and/or grandmother, know this song is the expression of my heart--AND the desire of my heart for each of you. Many, many times I have failed to demonstrate this passion. Forgive me.

Please make Him YOUR passion today.

It's Your Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Titus!

Leaving  your threes and starting your fours...

You're full of stories and music and more.

Ideas abound; enthusiasm, too.

We can't wait to see how God will use you!

What Are YOU Reading?

I wonder what our OTHER grandchildren are reading?  Send me your picture reading your favorite book!  Grandpa and Grandma are reading, too!

Simple and Sentimental Craft

Here's a craft idea for you, Moms!  It reminds me of a Christmas wreath one of our daughters made in third or fourth grade. I laminated it, cut out the center, and hang it proudly every Christmas.  Be sure to date these little hands!

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

Besides a telephone call with Happy Birthday sung to him by John and Ross, Grandpa received several things in the mail  (or hand-delivered, in the case of A & T's card).

The paint on C's painting seemed to sparkle!  It must be a special kind of paint.  Grandpa loves the color blue, by the way!

This card said it all!

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

Celebrating a 31st Birthday at Das Essenhaus

Amber and Brenton, relaxing after dinner...

while Grandpa doled out pennies to...

spin in the spinner!

The animals were lovable...

large, and tame.
Das Essenhaus, Middlebury, IN.  A  wonderful place to eat and shop.  It is a half-way point for us to meet our children and grandchildren.  We have celebrated Amber's birthday here for several years!

Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too!

Moist, delicious and a gorgeous shade of pink - perfect for Valentine's Day!

Easy Valentine's Day Cake

1 box (18.25 ounces) white cake mix
1 package (3 ounces) red Jell-O powder (Strawberry, Raspberry, or Cherry flavor)
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Buttercream Frosting (recipe below)  or you can use prepared frosting
Assorted candies for decorating (optional)

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees  Grease one round 9-inch cake pan and one square 9-inch cake pan and dust lightly with flour; set aside.
*In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, Jell-O powder, milk, butter, eggs, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for one minute. Increase mixer speed to medium and continue beating for another two minutes, until batter is smooth and well blended.
*Divide batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until very lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool cakes on wire racks for about 10 minutes; remove from pans and cool completely.
*When cakes have cooled, create a heart-shaped cake by turning the square cake so that it looks like a diamond. Cut the circle cake in half to make two semi-circles; place one half on each of the top two sides of the "diamond" to make a heart.

Buttercream Frosting

1/2 cup butter, softened
3 3/4 cup confectioner's sugar, sifted
4 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
liquid food coloring (optional)

*In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on low speed for about 30 seconds, or until light and airy. 
*Add the sugar, milk, and vanilla. Beat on low speed for one minute; turn the mixer to medium speed and continue beating until frosting is fluffy, about another minute.
*Add food coloring, a couple of drops at a time, and continue beating until desired shade is reached.  If frosting is too thin, add more confectioner's sugar (about a tablespoon at a time) until desired consistency is reached. If frosting is too thick, add milk using the same method. Use immediately.

Organizing Kids' Papers

You can find more about this here - hers contain hanging file folders made out for each grade (?)  I just really liked the decorative way she personalized the crates!  Isn't it clever?