Saturday Outing

 Dave has come up with a list of at least 30 things to do in Philly. Some are free, some cost money, some are outdoor and some in. I will post the list sometime soon, maybe in 2 parts so as not to overwhelm you.
So Saturday he took us to the Fireman's Museum in Old City. We took the train down to 2nd street and walked a few blocks.
The museum is by donation only, so it's up to you whether it's free or not. The former fire house is filled with old fire trucks. Alex was in his glory. He absolutely LOVED it.

The kids could try on gear

Robin

Shaving with Poppy

Using the back side of the razor, my dad let Alex "shave" too. He loved it.

Alex's quote of the Day

"Alex, what are you going to be when you grow up?" -Katie
"A man. With money and trucks!"

Little boys will be boys

Last week I met my friend Jing and her 2 year old son Christian at the Academy of Natural Sciences. One of their exhibits is a butterfly garden. When you have a pass, it's free to go in.
We've been in their plenty of times and we know to watch the floor, don't touch the butterflies and check yourself on the way out.
Last week there were more butterflies than I've ever seen. They were everywhere! There were a couple on the floor and we were watching out step.
Alex was observing one on the floor and then before I could even blink, 'STOMP!' Alex crushed the butterfly.
Immediately the young man came over, scooped it up in his hands and gave me a look that said, "How could he have done that!?"
I consoled Alex as he began to cry. He knew he did something wrong. We left pretty quickly after that and Alex got over it. Although I'm not sure the young man did.

Snow Day!

"Catching snowflakes on my tongue."

"Snow angel!"

"Now what?"

"I'm ccccc-cold."

A boy & his bear

 We brought stinky bear out and gave him a ride on the sled too.
I think he liked it.

A visit with Sarah

Alex and I stopped at Starbucks to grab some tea before meeting Jing and her son Christian. When we got out of the car there was Sarah.
I had seen Sarah before, but we hadn't met. I saw her when I went to this same Starbucks to spend some time reading by Bible. Sarah sat down at a table that was already occupied by a college girl on her computer. The girl was greatly annoyed that Sarah sat down. The girl put on headphones to make sure Sarah would not talk to her.
As soon as another table opened up the college girl very loudly moved to that table leaving Sarah alone. I watched the whole interaction. I kept peering back at Sarah's face, at the girls face, trying to understand Sarah a bit. I felt bad that this girl so rudely wanted nothing to do with Sarah. I can understand though; someone like Sarah isn't easy to love.
So when Alex and I got out of the car and Sarah asked me for a dollar, I knew I had to engage her. I told her I didn't have any money, but I would love to buy her a coffee. Sarah said alright. Alex right away told Sarah about stinky bear.
Starbucks was crowded as we walked down the stairs and stood in line. Sarah doesn't talk quietly either. We got in line and I asked her if she was hungry. She said yes. I ordered Sarah a breakfast sandwich and a coffee, as well as my China green tips.
Sarah asked me if I lived around here. I said I do and that I come to this Starbucks to read my Bible.
Sarah also commented that she didn't get any sleep the night before. I encouraged her to get some rest this afternoon and be sure to get some sleep tonight.
Before we parted ways we introduced ourselves. I think she thanked me, but that doesn't matter. I was more than happy to provide her with some food and a drink, even if it would contribute to her awakeness.
As I buckled Alex into his car seat he said her name, "Sarah?" I tried to tell him that we loved Sarah by getting her some food and coffee. We then prayed for Sarah as we drove away.

There are always opportunities to love people and I don't often take them. I'm far too selfish, I'm too busy. Heck I can't do it, "I've got kids."
This one though seemed too easy. Like it was on purpose. What's a few dollars on some food and a drink. It's nothing to me, but to Sarah it probably meant so much.

Stones

 Clark Park redid one section of the park and added a circle full of stones. Do you think they knew how much kids would love playing in them?

Holiday Concert

Here are some pictures from Lilia's holiday concert from December. Dave's parents were able to join us this year which meant a lot to Lilia.

Lilia chose her outfit (of course) and she wanted to wear this beautiful and warm vest that friends sent us from China. It started up some conversation with one of the other parents who is from China. Dave and she were talking; he got to practice more of his oral Chinese.

Alex with a mouth full of grapes, Al, Lilia & Marilyn

A cry for help

Alex has been refusing naps for most of the past week. He stays in his crib and plays for over an hour, which I am incredibly thankful for, but boy oh boy is he crabby when he doesn't get much sleep.
Today in his crib, after playing for a while he grabs a plastic cup and clangs it against the crib rails shouting, "Emergency, emergency..."
After laughing hysterically we brought him out to play with Lilia.

On the inside

Ok, here's how my creative side works. I search through super creative people's blogs and I see something that catches my eye...(this banner made of burlap and cardstock).
I like it, but I don't love it.
Lilia's birthday is March 7th. I already have a theme she wants to do along with a color scheme (party planning 101).
I know I have felt rectangles that would look really cute as the background for a "Happy Birthday Lilia" banner. I just need to cut out big letter in fun vibrant card stock colors of our color theme, red, pink & purple. I love how they did the banner strung with clothes pins on string. Easy & cheap!
Here's another way I'll do fun creative stuff for her birthday that's also cheap...
Cupcakes iced in our color themes.
How can I make them say "My Little Pony?"
Buy My Little Pony stickers at least 1 inch in size and a jar of toothpicks. Put stickers on either side of a toothpick and stick it in the cupcake! There you have it. Now I don't have to search the globe for a way to make a My Little Pony cake or cup cake flags.

Creative Blogs I follow...
u-createcrafts
http://www.moredesignplease.com/
http://www.realhousewivesofbuckscounty.com/
http://www.makeit-loveit.com/

Time to make a book

The other night Dave was working through dinner. I got out a notebook to entertain the kids with drawings. I drew some owls for Alex and a giraffe for Lilia. She was inspired by my drawing to then make a book.
We spent the next 40 minutes illustrating, glueing and writing out our own book. From Lilia's 4th birthday party in March, I had traced and cut out these animals from cardstock paper to make into a banner. I've had them in a drawer just sitting around. She came up with the scene and the words for each page and we stapled it all together. I love it so much; I think I'll get it laminated so we can keep it and read it to Lilia's kids one day.

"The watering hole is all for the animals so they can play in. But it's not for you to play in because there are crocodiles."

Lilia's Quote of the Day

Context: Dave is working form home for a bit this afternoon. Lilia and I just came down from reading stories to Alex and putting him down for a nap.
She walks down the stairs and says to Dave, "Dad, after I eat dessert and brush my teeth you and I are going on a date."

Putting others first

So on our wall between the kitchen and the dining room we have wall decals with three phrases/words.
1. Put others first
2. Honesty
3. Fun
These are our family values. I've posted about them before, but they are actually having an impact on our family.
Yesterday at my in-laws, Lilia and Grammy were playing tic tac toe. After a couple of rounds Grammy told Lilia to go first again. Lilia stopped and said, "No Grammy you go first because we have 'put others first' on our wall at home."
I was so thankful/happy/proud of her in one moment. Those few simple words on our wall have made an impact on her. They haven't even been up a year and already she uses them as a grid for what she says and does. (Our value of honesty comes up a lot more often.)