Adam's Idea On Funeral Meals

My sister, Carol, was in charge of planning a funeral meal this week.  I think she put together a lovely meal.  Several different people were bringing different things, and put together it sounded like a great meal.  I told her I would be happy to make some bars for dessert.  This morning I was packing them up, and Adam asked what they were for.  I explained about the meal.  He said, "oh, was that one of his favorites?"  I said, "I don't know what his favorites were, but this is what they are having for the meal."  Adam replied, "If your having a funeral meal for someone, shouldn't it be the persons favorite foods so you can remember them better?"

Well, I had never thought of it like that.  It sure makes sense to me!

Mild January Days

We have had some mild temperatures the past 2 weekends.   The boys have gotten out and enjoyed this weather.

Last weekend, Austin went outside and...

...buried himself in the garden.  I guess if there is a season to do this, at least it not when I have veggies growing in the garden!

Yesterday, I was out putting some iris bulbs in the ground.  Adam decided it was a good day to...

...climb a tree and read Calvin and Hobbes.  Sounds good to me!

I know these nice days are limited in January.  I'm glad the boys were able to get out and enjoy this limited time break from winter weather!

Pancakes

Adam is my child that LOVES to cook.  He has taken a cooking class through the after school program.  He will help me cook any time I ask him to. 

Recently, I can't remember the circumstances of the evening, but Adam decided he would make pancakes for supper.  I love breakfast for supper, and I love when I get a break from cooking.  This was a win-win situation for me!!

Since that evening, Adam has made pancakes several more times.  Today I was running several errands that I had put off for a while, so it took quite a bit of time.  When I came home I found that Adam had made lunch for Mike and Austin.  They had pancakes  :)

While visiting his grandparents, Adam discovered he likes corn fritters.  He has now determined that he is going to expand his cuisine specialty to include corn fritters.

Bows & Arrows

Some time ago (maybe over the summer), Austin became infatuated with bows and arrows.  We got him a bow and arrow, but at the time Adam was not as interested. 

Getting closer to fall, Adam showed more interest.  We signed the boys up for a short bow and arrow camp through our local rec department.  They both had a really good time. 

Shortly after, it was decided, Adam would be getting a bow and arrow for Christmas.  

He was very excited to have his very own!  Now he won't have to ask to borrow Austin's any more  :)

They, also, got 2 sets of targets to use.   Since we are in the city, we will keep it to our own backyard.  But the targets will make it a lot of fun.

Snow

We have been blessed this Christmas break with several snows.  After not having but a dusting last year, the boys have enjoyed going outside and playing in the snow.

They built a snowman.

This snowman is special.  He can be a pirate, or...

a construction worker!

We actually had to postpone our trip to Mike's parent's house due to the snow.  But once we were up there, we were able to enjoy another fresh falling of the white stuff.

 Adam went out to do some shoveling.

Austin and Adam, along with their cousins and uncle built a very sizable snowman.

Here is the crew with their handiwork.

I Love the idea of the hair.  Adam came up with that!  This photo doesn't show it, but the snowman is holding a shovel. 

My father in law is very fond of deer.  He would be very proud of me, knowing I took a picture of the deer while they were at the feeder.  I just thought they were beautiful!

Yes, that is a stop sign in their yard.  (doesn't every grandparent's house have a stop sign in their yard?)  They have it there for the grandchildren when they are on all the riding equipment.  I don't know if the grandchildren obey the traffic signs, but I guess they won't get ticketed  ;)

Nest

On one of our first days of Christmas vacation, Adam disappeared into the basement for some time.  A while later he came upstairs and told me he had something he wanted to show me.  I followed him, and found that he had gathered pillows, blankets, costumes, basically anything that might be considered soft and comfortable.  He took all those things a constructed a nest.    It was very impressive, it was several inches high, and balanced to make it even on top--yet so the sides would not fall in. 

Later that day he was downstairs with Mike and Austin.  He apparently became bored, because he crawled in his nest and fell asleep!

Looks like a cozy nest to me!

Christmas Play

Earlier this month our church had a Children's Christmas play.  This will have been the 3rd Christmas play that my boys have participated in. 

Austin is a 5th grader this year, so this is sadly his last year of doing the play.  But, on the other hand, since Austin is a 5th grader he had speaking parts.  Austin played the part of Moses.  He got to wear a long gray beard.  Moses was absolutely adorable!!

Adam played the part of Jonah.  He did not have speaking parts, but he sang the songs and was able to do a special part with one song where the prophets were named, and they took a baseball cap off as they were introduced.  Adam figured out a fancy way to....well, make it Adam!

Adam was asked to do a very special job!  The director asked him and his friend, Noah, to be the candle lighters.  They had candles and walked down  the aisle so that people could then light their candles.  He did a great job, and he remembered to keep his candle upright.  :)

You may be puzzled as to why Moses and Jonah are in the Christmas story.    The story is basically they gathering of the angels to announce that God will be going to earth.  The Angels wonder how is God going to earth?  A Princess?  A music star?  How?  Then they find out that God is going as a baby.  

They all worked very hard on this performance.  I know the directors put a lot of time into it.  It turned out wonderfully!