Happy B-Day, Little Lady!

Our E is having a birthday!

We celebrated with a little pre-birthday outing on Saturday. (We were also celebrating my having gotten several major projects done for the Ed Tech course I’m taking and our being together again as a family after JM’s working as a counselor at youth camp last week.)

We rode the bus down to Montevideo’s southern-most point, Rambla Punta Carretas, getting there just in time to see the sun set.

We then enjoyed two of our family’s favorite Uruguayan delicacies: Chivito al Plato and La Cigale.

Fun stuff!

Every year we’re more and more thankful for the sweet, sensitive (albeit highly excitable and emotional!) Little Lady that our Loving Shepherd has entrusted to our care. We can’t imagine life without the sparkle that our Little Punkin Spice adds to every day!

We love you, Little Lady!

Another Riddle (from DJ)

He’s been thinking hard this summer...

What do second graders need when they get hurt?

They need Second Aid Kits!

Because first graders use the First Aid Kits!

J

Quick Visit to Camp!

A certain Little Brother has been missing his Sister & Very Best Friend this week, so we made a quick visit to the camp today.

DJ was welcomed as part of The Orange Team – especially by E and two boys from our church in Pando!

We all participated in the morning Bible class. The theme this year is “The Book of All the Ages!”

We always enjoy the flora and fauna out at the camp.

DJ always enjoys playing in the sand. I love to watch him, wondering what all he’s imagining, immersed in his own thoughts, sifting sand back and forth, back and forth... (Maybe, among other topics, he’s coming up with riddles...) J

SO much simple fun!

A Riddle (from DJ)

How do frogs contact each other on their smartphones?

With WhatSAPO! J

“Moose Mud Muffins!”

Inspired by the book given to DJ by los Abu for Christmas, he and E have been requesting for days that we make “Moose Mud Muffins!”

Mouse Cookies & More: A Treasury

Yesterday we adapted the recipe given in the book – and are enjoying the muffins immensely!

In addition to the four If You Give... stories, this “book treasury” includes recipes, songs, games, and even a “behind the scenes” glimpse of some outtakes from the artist’s sketchbook.

It’s a current read-aloud favorite in our family – and has already become a summer vacation bonus!

An added bonus for me was hearing DJ read the recipe instructions out loud to me as I mixed the dry and wet ingredients together. He’s becoming an accomplished reader far more quickly than I would have anticipated – and is a joy for my parent and teacher heart! J

“On the Twelfth Day...”

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas (i.e. yesterday), we finally got to record E singing a favorite Christmas Carol for this Christmas Season.

Not without a number of interruptions, however, including the threat of low battery and the camera insisting on cutting off after 18 seconds (or so) of filming! But, thanks in part to editing with the YouTube Editor, we have a clip...

[And you can see DJ’s clip in the post on “Christmas Memories...”]

Like so many traditions, this idea of recording a favorite carol didn’t start as a yearly (or almost yearly) event, but somehow here we are... And I’m thankful! Via modern technology, we can share special moments with extended family far away. (We can also gauge growth!)

In Uruguay, the Christmas Season ends today:

“¡Feliz Día de los Reyes Magos!”

In other family news: E lost her first molar at the very end of last year; she even took the loose tooth out on her own!

♥♥♥♥

Pray for us! (January Ministry Report)

The last quarter of 2016 was intense on many levels for our family: Joys, stress, disappointment, tears, peace, thankfulness... And always, the great faithfulness of our Good Loving Shepherd! He continues to lead our family “in righteous paths for His Name’s sake...”

We’re grateful!

You can read details about the past quarter as well as the upcoming quarter’s activities in our January Ministry Report (posted, as usual, at: Good News from a Distant Land).

Thank-you for praying for us!

Favorite Books Read in 2016

So! I actually ended up starting even more books – and not finishing any of those posted in “My Reading Challenge for 2016!” (I did, however, read many work-related articles...) J

Consequently, my goal in this new calendar year is simply: Finish reading the already posted list! (I plan to add a title here and there – especially by C.S. Lewis. But I’m planning to start with the already existing list.)

Since I posted this picture in early January 2016,

we have undeniably become a family of four readers!

And a few favorites – read together in 2016 but not included in The List – were the following:

A Little Princess (by Frances Hodgson Burnett)

I have fond memories of my mother reading this classic to our family, gathered around the fireplace on winter evenings when I was elementary age.

The Velveteen Rabbit

(by Margery Williams Bianco; illustrated by Monique Felix)

A classic that I discovered late!

I still recall the moment, sitting in our glider rocker in the baby’s room, transported back to the emotions of my own childhood, choking back surprised tears: “Where has this gem been all my life?!”

I especially love the illustrations in this particular edition!

Two heartwarming stories that give a human perspective to WWII have become favorites:

Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot (2002)

(by Margot Theis Raven; illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen)

Twenty and Ten (1978)

(by Claire Huchet Bishop; illustrated by William Du Bois)

I will comment only that both are must-reads!

The Story of Holly and Ivy (1958)

(by Rumer Godden; illustrated by Barbara Cooney in 1985)

We first discovered this warm Christmas classic in 2012 when I bought it right before Christmas (on clearance!) for E; it has become a favorite for JM to read aloud to our Little People! ♥

Barbara Cooney’s illustrations – capitalizing on light and shadow – play a delightful part in telling this sweet “story about wishing. It is also about a doll and a little girl...”

“Happy New Year!” J