Getting our spirit on...

We got a nice surprise in the mail yesterday.  I had sent in the girl's picture to be featured in my college alumni magazine as "Future Ravens", my college mascot.  As a thank you for sending in the picture the girls received their own Anderson stuff to wear.  Looks like it is time for mommy to get herself something new as the Raven has gotten a makeover since my last purchase.

We have plenty to praise God for; Anderson University, where my relationship with Christ came alive!

being a ham

 

After dinner tonight Anna was being such a ham, throwing her bib up on top of her head and looking to us and laughing at herself. She was quite a hoot!

Knitting needle bag

No, I do not knit and no I don't need another hobby to learn.  I had wanted to make a gift for a good friend who is moving soon.  She is a knitter and I had heard her say that she would like a knitting needle bag.  I happened to find a pattern for one in a book at the library...SCORE!  She had asked another friend to make a couple of knitting project bags, so she had extra fabric from that, which I used to make this project.  It was super easy to make and I am happy with the way it turned out. Once you store the needles in it, you fold it in half and roll it up, then tie the ribbon.

more birthday fun

We had family over on Saturday to celebrate birthdays.

Maria's requested flower cake...and I guess also MY cake.  Can't wait till she is old enough to make mine for me.

cheesing with the cake

Make a wish...

ha, now do I get some cake??

Present time

Don't look so excited about it Maria.

Seriously, you look like you got a pair of socks.

This doll cradle was made by my dad for me when I was a little girl, it was repaired, cleaned up and grandma made Maria a doll quilt. 

Me checking out my sewing book present.

Maria seems pleased with her bike.

I found this swing-set on Craigslist, but it was over by my parents.  So my parents picked it up and stored it till spring.  They spent part of the morning piecing it back together.  Thanks grandpas!

Hmmm...is Maria or Daddy the foreman on this project??  Daddy actually had just gotten home from a funeral service. 

Maria thinks is pretty cool already!

Happy about the swing-set.

Pretending to sleep for my picture.

Let's try out this bike.

Here I go.

4 generations.

Modeling the birthday dress...which had to be layered with some extra layers...last year we were too hot outside on her birthday...you can never predict in Indiana.

Mom with her sweet girls!
We have plenty to praise God for; the joy of celebrating birthdays.

Birthday duds and some sewing work

The Miffy doll I made Maria...complete with matching PJ's.

I had a pattern to sew this kite. It was super easy, but I am not finding it as easy to actually fly the thing...maybe I need a reminder lesson in aerodynamics?? Anyway, it looks like a perfectly functional kite!

Maria's flower birthday dress...she'll wear it Saturday for her party with the grandparents.

Anna's "sweetheart" dress for her party next month.

A nightgown I made for Maria.

A pillowcase turned nightgown.  Maria had fun twirling in it.

She hasn't really wanted to wear it though...maybe once it's a bit warmer this summer.

Earth Day

Hanging laundry in honor of Earth Day...and it was such a gorgeous day we had to take some pictures!

nom, nom...this cold wet pant leg tastes great!

oooo...the sun!

eating grass, perhaps?

sisters

Watching the flapping laundry.
We have plenty to praise God for; the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it...

Psalm 24

 ¹ The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it,
       the world, and all who live in it;  ² for he founded it upon the seas
       and established it upon the waters.
 ³ Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ?
       Who may stand in his holy place?
 ⁴ He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
       who does not lift up his soul to an idol
       or swear by what is false. 
 ⁵ He will receive blessing from the LORD
       and vindication from God his Savior.
 ⁶ Such is the generation of those who seek him,
       who seek your face, O God of Jacob.
       Selah
 ⁷ Lift up your heads, O you gates;
       be lifted up, you ancient doors,
       that the King of glory may come in.
 ⁸ Who is this King of glory?
       The LORD strong and mighty,
       the LORD mighty in battle.
 ⁹ Lift up your heads, O you gates;
       lift them up, you ancient doors,
       that the King of glory may come in.
 ¹⁰ Who is he, this King of glory?
       The LORD Almighty—
       he is the King of glory.
       Selah

Turning 3

Maria requested her meals for her birthday as cinnamon rolls for breakfast, peanut butter and jelly for lunch, and apple pancakes for dinner.  So, here is her breakfast complete with a candle.  So she got to hear the Happy Birthday song about 4 times, as we put it in her sandwich, pancake and her cupcake too!

One of her presents was a new kite.  Daddy and the girls were testing it out.

There it is, Dora, Diego and Boots.

Anna enjoyed tasting the dandelions!

and watching big sister run around.

Like the missing slipper?  It was found later, amidst toys in the living room.

Opening more presents, a princess flashlight.

An Ariel electric toothbrush.

Her cake request was a flower cake, but since we will have grandparents over on Saturday I figured we would make some flower cupcakes and save the cake for then.

We have plenty to praise God for; each new year we get to celebrate.