It's Only 11:15

Y'all.
I have the castle cup out.  And it's only 11:15.
I slept later than I should have (7:00), which I thought might lead to a challenging start to our day.
But we ended up getting started earlier than usual.
Everyone has worked cheerfully and is now playing quietly.
And we are done with the bulk of our work for the day.
We'll do a good review this afternoon and make some valentines.  Maybe we'll even make it to the library.
Maybe I'll get to the pile of laundry that needs to be put away.
Have a clean house when Brian gets home?
I may be getting ahead of myself but hey, I'm feeling optimistic.
And thankful.

Some Favorites from the Week

What's better than the cutest three-year old cowboy?

One that says, "Mommy, how can I help you?"

"She's a peddler roaming the grounds of the house."-Jack

It makes me laugh, at least on the inside, when I upload pictures and find strange ones like this.  Kayla? 

We're closing out our week with homemade pizza.  Kayla pretty much made the dough herself.  She's really a great help to me- and she enjoys it.

Finished When Crickets Cry last night.  It's a good read.

Starting Still Glides the Stream by D.E. Stevenson.  I love the title.  

"Praise to the Lord!

O let all that is in me adore him!

All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him!

Let the Amen Sound from his people again;

Gladly for aye we adore him."

       from "Praise to the Lord, the  Almighty"

  Joachim Neander, 1680

The Old Fashioned Way

Some guys from church gave Brian these free-range eggs on Sunday after church.
Brian joked that they paid the preacher the old-fashioned way.
We could get used to that.

Taking 5

I like to reserve this cup for quiet moments in my day.  Which means I don't get it out too often.  (Smile)
It's so pretty and reminds me of some Charlotte friends.  In particular, a book club I attended just once but thoroughly enjoyed.
The day has not been quiet nor peaceful.
I thought I'd take five.
So, I got out my castle cup this afternoon along with a book I'm reading.
When I made my coffee, it was quiet.
When I took the picture, it was quiet.
When I sat down to enjoy both coffee and book, it was no longer quiet.
I waited too long.
No matter.  I enjoyed my coffee anyway and will get to the book tonight after everyone is sleeping soundly.

Oh Yes

Oh yes, as Sammy says.
A spring-like day in January.  What a wonderful respite from the cold, dreary days we've had lately.  Though the grass is still brown and the trees are bare, it reminds of what's to come.  (Also reminds me why I feel a little crazy by this point in the winter.)
The kids were out for most of the afternoon.  Lucy's really getting her first taste of "playing" outside.  I think she's gonna love it!

 A picnic after church sounded like a great idea to them.

Notice Lucy's "ball-ball" as she calls it.

 Checking out Jack's camera.

This guy is passionate about shorts and short sleeves.    

Ready or Not

Ready or not, Mama, I'm growing up.

See what I can do!

No matter how many times I tell them not to, these kids grow up anyway and take a little piece of my heart with them.
This baby girl is no exception, huh?  Last night she took her first steps alone.  I almost missed them.  I turned around in time to see her smiling big.  First, one step.  Then, two, three.  Three little baby steps and the whole house went crazy.  The kids were so excited.  Lucy was so proud of herself.

I was somewhere between "Yay!" and "Oh not yet..."