A Pre-Poetry Book

Sonlight's curriculum encouraged us to make a book of Ellie's "Free Verses". The goal was to get her thinking poetically. Enjoy. :)

Daddy's Birthday Book

I know that this post is way overdue, but I just got around to taking pictures of the book. :) 

Close Ups and Other Roof Activities

Abe loves his new red tennis shoes. He loves them so much he brings them to me in the house so he can wear them. Ellie on the other hand, only wears shoes if I tell her she has to, and then when we get to the roof, she takes them off and says she wants to feel the air on her feet. Ha!

And now Ellie likes to have her turn taking pictures...

Eliana's Birthday-Part 3

My afternoon was spent getting the cake and snacks ready for Ellie's birthday party in the evening.

Ellie had repeatedly requested a purple cake. She helped me choose what kind of purple as I was making the icing... we added a little more red, a little more blue, a little more red, a little more blue... until Ellie decided this was just right.

Aside from the heart cake, we decorated some cupcakes.

We had a simple get together with some neighbors, our language tutor, and some friends.  

And the four year old gets to blow out her candles... 

Happy Birthday, dear Eliana. We are so glad you are in our lives!

Ellie's Birthday-Part 2

We traveled to the children's park and Ellie's friends gave her a birthday present, a hand sewn bonnet (to match theirs) and a necklace.

The kids had a blast playing on the playground equipment there.

Even Abe got in on the action.

The big kids got to go on a paddle boat with Franklin as the paddler.

We also got to go on a carousel ride. Notice the three girls decided to sit side saddle. :)

You might think this was enough for a birthday, but there was more!

Ellie's Birthday- Part 1

We woke up and had a pancake breakfast. Ellie's pancakes were an E and a 4.

Then we got ready to go to a children's park. Franklin took the kids on his bike to our friends' house around the corner on his bike. Then we all traveled together.

It was just the beginning of a very fun day.

Having Friends Over

We had a Taco Night the other night and had some friends over. Ellie labeled the cups for everyone.

While the adults played a game in the living room, the kids cuddled up on Ellie's bed to watch the movie "Up".

It was fun.

On the roof in September

 Abraham, always on the move, and he loves to carry buckets.

 

Ellie, writing sweet messages.

Ellie and Abraham, writing on the floor with sidewalk chalk.

Abraham writes a little and puts it in his mouth a little... 

And I knit, or blow bubbles to be chased, or play games where there are letters missing from the alphabet that Ellie has to fill in, or chase Abraham away from some danger, or talk to neighbors, or play dodgeball, or fold the laundry, or just enjoy this stage of life, this pace of life.

Sick baby

Overlapping with Franklin's illness, Abraham was sick, too. Here's the night he went to bed with a fever just over 100. Poor guy.

Fingerpainting

Ellie's trying new things when it comes to finger painting.

Rice, anyone?

Have you noticed I post lots of pictures of Abe in his highchair? I have. I think it's because 1) I spend tons of time with him there everyday and 2) this is one of the only times of the day when he is contained! So, until the next season of his childhood, we'll enjoy the pictures from the highchair. :)

Birthday Disaster

Birthday season is upon us in the Family Five Leaves household. We have three birthdays to celebrate in five weeks.

Franklin's birthday was August 24, and I wanted to surprise him with a nice cake, not just a ho-hum one like usual.

So, I made a separate small cake and cut the necessary numbers out... no problem here.

I made icing...

and turned it into some fun colors. Any guesses yet what design I was thinking of?

During a moment of distraction, Abraham decided he would like to be part of the fun. I did pause to take a picture during his moment of stunned silence after my booming, "Abraham, what are you doing?!" Earlier when I was mixing the cake and pouring it into the cake pans, when he decided to open the Tabasco Sauce (I didn't think 11 month olds were supposed to be able to open little lids like that.) and sample some, I did not pause to take a picture... but it happened.

And here is how the cake turned out.... um, I think the shelf in my oven was tilted. Grrr.

But, I cut off the smallest bit and it was the perfect shape for what I needed.

 A Solomon Islands' flag! Unfortunately, it was so hot in our apartment that the icing melted. I popped it into the fridge right after this shot and cleaned it up a bit later.

But.... the birthday boy was sick on his birthday, so when we were going to be with some friends to surprise Franklin, we weren't there. Poor, Franklin...

A few nights later, while he was still under the weather, our friends came over and Franklin slaved away making pizza for us. :) We watched a movie together and afterwards I kind of surprised him with a much less impressive cake. It would have been much more surprising if Ellie had not given so many hints throughout the day. :)

Happy Birthday, Franklin!