Arboretum

Last week it got up to 70 degrees so we erased all of our plans and headed to the Arboretum for a picnic and some fun!! Look at that clear blue sky!!

The kids had so much fun being outside with no coats on!!

Eating a snack on "Big Rock"

You can do it!!

Making a "zen" garden.

Caroline took this picture of a twisted tree. Can you tell why the Arboretum is one of our very favorite places to be??

Yummy Snack

In the mood to eat something "bad"?? This yummy snack will satisfy the sweetest of teeth. Just a squirt of REAL (not the kind with high fructose corn syrup) whipped cream (we used Redi Whip) and a chocolate chip on top of a juicy berry. yum!! Eat a few!! (OK, maybe ten!)

We loved it on strawberries . . .

. . . and raspberries.

Enjoy!!

Happy "First Day of Spring"

Yesterday, the kids and I were running around in the backyard with no shoes on. Today . . . well, look at this . . .

What a difference a day makes!!

"This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalm 118:24

Favorites on Fridays

Favorite Maple Syrup: My Brother's (and his family's) of course!!

Steve and his family make maple syrup every year from the trees behind their home. (they have LOTS of trees!) It is a very long and hard process and the results are definitely worth it!! They produce a very rich and dark syrup that we love. I will NEVER buy another bottle of Aunt Jemima again!

If you would like to purchase a bottle like this, e-mail me at FiveKoz@sbcglobal.net . They are $15. Way cheaper than in the stores and way better!! :)

Caroline's Valentine Party Photos . . . Finally

Well . . . I am finally getting around to posting some pictures from Caroline's Valentine party, which I realize was over a month ago! (how time flies!!)

It was a very sweet party and most of it was coordinated by Caroline herself. She looooves doing things like this.

the flowers . . .the favors . . .
the food . . .

little heart tarts and raspberry lemonade

heart-shaped ham and cheese / peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

"decorate yourself" cupcakes heart-shaped Jello Jigglers (a favorite)
strawberries and heart-shaped watermelon pieces

the sweet girls . . .

CarolineNoelle

Kelsey
Jillian
Bethany

Kelly
Alie
Caroline thought it was a fun party!
These girls are a blessing to Caroline.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

"Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me. "

-Saint Patrick

On my way home tonight, I was listening to K-Love and they were talking about Saint Patrick. He was a missionary in Ireland. (don't you love his quote?)

Something I never knew before was that the shamrock represents the trinity. (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) Love it! :)

I hope you all had a Happy Saint Patrick's Day!! We spent it at the Arboretum. (pictures coming soon)

Little Artists

Caroline has been taking an acrylics paint class all year. I am so impressed with what she has learned so far. It is perfect for her because she loves all the different shades of colors and what they are called. So many times, she says things like, "Look at that crimson red cardinal, Mom." The other day she looked at me and very seriously asked, "Mom, do you think my shirt is more of a lily lavender color or a tropical violet?" My response?? "Caroline, I would have said it was purple." :)

She loves to mix her colors and see what she can come up with.
She loves to teach Luke about all the colors as well. :)