We Made It: Friday Showcase....Buzzy, Buzzy Bee

Keeping with our springtime and insect theme, this week we made bees out of throw-away bowls. I saw the basic idea at DLTK crafts.

We started our bees by painting paper bowls yellow

Painting seems to have overtaken every other art activitiy in popularity around here lately.

Maybe it is the "messy" factor".

It took patience, but they got the job done.

Phew! That is a job well done, Kim!

After the paint on the bowls dried, I outlined stripes to be colored in with black marker. Kim and Luke just turned 3 and 4 so I gave them the outline, but the older kids easily did this step on their own.

Add a triangle stinger, wiggle eyes and draw on a mouth. We also used pipe cleaners to make antennea.

The pattern said to use wax paper for wings. We didn't have any wax paper so I used a clear laminating sheet to make wings. Cut a large heart from the clear sheet and then cut it in half down the middle. These make very nice bee wings. Glue them to the top of the bowl. Happy bee crafting!!

Not a Good Spot to Nap

" That's not the best spot to try to nap, Daddy!"
"Be careful of waking him, kids!"
"Watch out!! You woke him up!

The attack is on!

Small Successes

1. I cleaned up a very large pile of accumulated "stuff" from next to the refrigerator. Doing this made a great spot to put Dudley's cage--he is now out of the living room!

2. I managed to somewhat feed my family while in the middle to 2-8pm drama rehearsal, 5 o'clock softball practices, 6 o'clock baseball games, religon classes and comfirmation classes,and 3 full time jobs, all with one usuable vehicle--usually meals were "free for alls", but at least it was food.

3. It has been ever so long since I baked anything--this job has been transferred to the big girls---but yesterday, using Grandma's fresh picked rhubarb, I made 2 very yummy rhubard custard pies.

Come on over and share all your Small Successes with us at Faith and Family Live!

Water Rocket Fun

We had fun with the Aqua Zone Water Rocket today in the backyard with Daddy.

All is takes is water, air pressure, and off it goes.

Mark receiving launching advice from Daddy.

It may not go too high, but the splash you get from the "exhaust" is nice and cooling on a warm day.

Daddy got it to reach a pretty good altitude, but it seemed to be hit and miss. Sometimes it took off---like a rocket---and other times, for no known reason, it kind of fizzled out.

It certainly did make everyone smile, though!

A real family affair.

Three, two, one.......

Matt demonstrates a bit of a flop.

Overall, this was a fun toy, and great for an air pressure experiment.

For the money, it was well worth it.

I would love to find a more durable, higher flying rocket (if there is one out there).

Let me know if you have any info about one!

Gracie can fly---sort of....

I Heart Faces-Kids

This weeks IHeartFaces theme is laughter. I just love this picture of Gracie. Laughter at its most beautiful.
Head over to IHeartFaces and show us your photo full of laughter.

Child labor at the ball-field....

"The chairs are as big as them, Daddy!"
10 seconds in, Kimmy has had enough!

Luke can do it, and keep smiling!

Luke takes a fall.

Back on his feet.

Time for a new technique!--Is this against child labor laws? I don't know, but it is really, really slow!

A Mother's Day Questionnaire

I saw these questions answered by children somewhere on the internet, but I can't find my source. I wrote out the questions and then had my youngest kids give me their thoughts----their answers are, to say the least, insightful!

Luke's answers---age 4

1. I really love it when my mom brings up the Geotrax. (his train set)

2. My mom likes to wear clothes.

3. My mom always tells me stories.

4. The best thing she does is make food.

5. It makes her happy when it is time to bring up the Geotrax.

6. My mom loves to relax by sitting in the sun.

7. I like it when she gets presents.

8. The best thing she cooks is peanut butter and jelly.

9. When mom shops she likes to buy Geotrax.

10. My mom's favorite household chore is knitting.

11. My mom's favotite tv show is Bill Nye the Science Guy.

12. If she could go on a trip, she would go to the creek.

13. I love my mom because she lets me play with Geotrax.

I really see a theme with Luke's answers!

Grace's answers---age 7

1. I really love it when my mom helps me do schoolwork.

2. My mom likes to wear dresses.

3. My mom always tells me to help.

4. It makes her happy when we clean the living room.

5. The best thing she does is clean.

6. My mom loves to relax by sitting.

7. I like it when she comes and kisses me.

8. The best thing she cooks is spaghetti.

9. When my mom shops she likes to buy groceries.

10. My mom's favorite household chore is cleaning.

11. My mom's favorite tv show is Little House on the Prarie.

12. If she could go on a trip, she would go to Hawaii.

13. I love my mom because she's special.

Mark's answers---age 9

1. I really love it when my mom get's me Starwars stuff.

2. My mom likes to wear glasses.

3. My mom always tells me not to do "this or that"

4. The best thing she does is sew.

5. It makes her happy when I clean the the whole house.

6. My mom loves to relax by taking a nap.

7. I like it when she cleans my clothes.

8. The best thing she cooks is tomato soup.

9. When my mom shops, she likes to buy food.

10. My mom's favorite household chore is doing the laundry.

11. My mom's favorite tv show is Dirty Jobs.

12. If she could go on a trip, she would go to Hawaii with me.

13. I love my mom because she is the greatest.

It would appear, in the eyes of kids, I like to clean, do laundry and shop for groceries. I really like the fact that all three kids said their favorite food is what I cook the best.

A Mother's Day Prayer

"Dear Lord, today I turn to you to give you thanks for my mother. With your own gift of life, she bore me in her womb and gave me life. She tenderly, patiently cared for me and taught me to walk and talk. She read to me and made me laugh. No one delighted in my successes more; no one could comfort me better in my failures. I am so grateful for how she mothered me and mentored me, and even disciplined me.

Please bless her, Lord, and comfort her. Help her loving heart to continue to love and give of herself to others. Strengthen her when she is down and give her hope when she is discouraged.

Most of all, Lord, on this Mother's Day, give my mother the graces she most needs and desires today. I ask you this, in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior forever and ever"

Paul in a Basket-A Musical Adventure for Kids

We have been having the privilege of reviewing Paul in a Basket: Musical Adventure for Kids.
This was written by Rob Evans (The Donut Man) and was written to "hightlight the life and teachings of the Apostle Paul."

You can enjoy Paul in a Basket as a simple cd. Narration is provided for each song and adds so much to the understanding of St. Paul's life.

Also available is a director's cd. "The Director's CD equips you with everything you need to perform this musical yourself. This includes audio in stereo and split track; a "Production guide", an "Audience Hand-out with Family Reflections" and "Instrumental Tracks."
It is written for between 15-30 kids and the narration script can easily be read by a 2 or 3rd grader.
It would be great for a summertime parish musical performance.


My children, young and old, have been enjoying listening to and learning all the songs. Gracie's (7) favorite song is Shipwrecked. She says it is her favorite "because when St. Paul becomes shipwrecked he is sure that God will protect him because he loves God and God loves him."

Mark's (9) favorite song is Earthquake because he learned "about the powerful things that God can do to help us when we are in need of His help."

The only problem I find with this CD is with the song Christ Strengthens Us. The narration for this song is: "What made Paul so brave? He explained that it came from the grace he found in the Holy Spirit."
The songs chorus is this:

" I can you all things, all things, all things, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, Philippians 4:13"
The song continues with the leader singing back and forth with the children. The leaders askes, "How many things can you do?" Children answer-"All things"
At one point on the CD a child says "can I ride my skateboard?" and is answered with "All things!"

After listening to this song one afternoon, Grace, 7, said to me "I prayed before softball yesterday that I would catch every ball, but I didn't do it. I must not believe enough." I struggled for an answer for her, and was also very surprised at how carefully she had listened to the song's lyrics. I then explained that God gives us the strength to help us practice softball and the strength to do out best. We can't just count on God to make is succeed, we need to do our part also, and we can do our part better with God's help.

I definitely recommend Paul in a Basket as either a CD for just listening too, and learning about St. Paul's life, and also as a musical for a children's performance. At $20.00 for the complete script, music and director's notes, this is a great bargain.

Blow Luke, Blow!!!

A Geotrax Birthday Cake

How many birthday boys can wake up on their birthday

and drive their birthday cake?

Happy Birthday, Luke!!!

Who could ask for more......

... my Luke is 4 !!!

Pictures of a 3rd birthday

Kimmy's Dora cake, lovingly made by big sister Becky.
I can't keep her a baby any longer, she knows she's 3.

It was a beautiful Sunday at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Of course, what birthday would be complete without a ride in the wagon behind the tractor

Kimberly is ready for the big event----

light the candle and she will blow it out, (or pray-as it appears she is doing)

Baby needs new shoes!

A princess tea party set, the perfect 3 year old present.

Happy birthday, my baby!! Don't grow up too quickly--this Momma's heart can't take it!

I Heart Faces-Kids

I couldn't resist entering this photo of Kimberly and the hat I made for her last year into this weeks "hat" theme at I Heart Faces. This photo was taken at a ball game last week--and as you can see the hat is still serving its purpose.

Check out all of this weeks entries at IHeartFaces.

Gracie's new dress

"Little girls dance their way into your heart, whirling on the tips of angel wings, scattering gold dust & kisses in our paths....." author unknown