Paper Bag Puppets

Henry had a grand idea yesterday morning, "Let's make puppets!" Thank goodness for the internet and this website http://www.teach-nology.com/crafts/brownbag/

YAAAAWWWWNNNNN!

Some kids can sleep anywhere. Jack crawled up on the blanket basket, curled up and went to sleep during scripture reading the other night. Jack is potty training so I went into nursery at church to take him to the restroom and he was crashed on the floor next to Colton behind a chair barricade.
Henry crashed on the couch the same night

CH@!K

I really don't like sidewalk chalk. My mom gave us some years ago around Easter time that was shaped like eggs. When our annual Easter egg hunt commenced we shouldn't have been surprised when 1 yr old Henry kept smashing the eggs on the wall and the patio - he thought is was chalk. I bought a set of chalk for a buck a while back and let the kids draw on the driveway. Jack was playing outside with Brinley last week and had a GREAT idea, "Brinee - I know, let's get the chalk and draw!" His excitment was such that I couldn't deny them the chalk. He did draw a fantastic ladder that he 'climbed' up and down.

The Whole Armor of God

For Family Night last night we had a lesson about putting on the whole armor of God. Henry helped me collect some items to make our 'armor'. It was such a simple lesson and it really sunk in. We talked about arming ourselves every morning before we go out into the world by praying and then fighting the evil in the world by using our sword (the Spirit). This was a perfect introduction for us to also talk about 'Stranger Danger'. The kids have started riding their bikes to school this year so we had a talk about talking to strangers and keeping ourselves safe. We did some roll playing where the kids pretended to be riding bikes and I was a stranger trying to give them candy or asking if they want to pet my cute puppy... They were very good about what they should do. Kayla was explaining that she would turn her bike around and go as fast as she could and I told her, "Kayla if the Spirit gives you a bad feeling about someone drop your bike and run, we can get you another bike but we can't get another Kayla." I think the lesson was learned! Anyway - here are some pictures of the kids dressed up in the Whole Armor of God.



Here is what we used for the 'Armor':
Helmet - bike helmet covered in tin foil
Legs/feet - soccer shin guards
Shield - cardboard covered in tin foil with cardboard handle
Girded Loins - blanket wrapped around body and tied with a belt
Breastplate - part of a policeman uniform costume we got at the DI
Sword - plastic toy

We started by just having each child wear one of pieces of armor and we talked about how we aren't very protected if we just have a shield or just a helmet...we need the WHOLE armor to be really safe and protected. Then we talked about what kinds of things we need to be protected against... cheating, lying, bad feelings between friends, fighting, disrespecting our parents/ teachers/ friends and how the 'sword' or the Spirit can be your best defender against those things. It was a great lesson. (See Ephesians 6)

Saturday

Lars was helping with Youth Conference all day. It got really overcast late in the afternoon so it was perfect for picture taking!
I love how Jack looks like he is bald on top in this picture.

Brinley got her chicken pox vaccine 12 days ago and she busted out with a fever and 3 small chicken pox yesterday. She was so happy - you'd never know she was 'highly contageous'

Giddy - up Cowboy Henry!

Kayla was playing inside and didn't want to come outside until I said, "Come take a picture with me"

Peek a boo! She is so stinkin' CUTE!!

Jack practing his 'Spidy Skills'

Sunday

Kayla made these cute flower clips in Activity Days. I took so many pictures of Brinley - she actually left the flower in her hair all day! YEAH!! Then the other kids wanted to pose so we had a fun photo shoot. We spent Labor Day weekend watching alot of Brady Bunch and Man vs. Wild. We love to get movies from the library.

Happy Face Pancakes

We went to IHOP for dinner the other night - kids eat free every night from 4 - 10pm until September 12th. The next morning the kids wanted to make "happy pancakes" for breakfast. Yummy!!

Camping

We have been wanting to go camping for a long time now. Lars made a goal at the beginning of the year that he wanted to go camping 4 times this year. Counting this camping trip he's been twice. Looks like we've got some camping to do...
We went with our great friends the Rabners. Kayla, Henry and Jack enjoy their kids so much. Brinley loves to see Arabella and play with her.

We had a blast roasting marshmallos and eating a few of them. The kids were so helpful and kept the fire going with all the wood.
Jon was being so cute - he washed his hands and then tried to make Brinley's hair stand up - he succeeded!

The fire made for great lighting to capture these beautiful baby girls!

I took rice krispie treats and Brinley was sharing with Arabella. Brin gave her the treat, Brin took a bite, Arbella took a bite and gave it back to Brinley... repeat... repeat! They are going to be great friends!
Shellie and Arabella
Snuggle Bugs!
Shellie took the kids up the 'big mountain' for a hike.

Brinley found her 'happy place'. Digging in the dirt. She was a mess... but a happy mess!