Tangled

Last weekend we hosted a Tangled theme birthday party

in honor of

Sierra's seventh

and Ally's fifth birthdays!

(The cake looked much better in my mind than it actually turned out in reality. Oh well! It tasted good with purple ice-cream.)

The ladies wore beautiful purple gowns.

(Mom found hers at Goodwill!)

We had lots of fun presents to open.

(The paint sets were party favors for our guests.)

And we ate lots of yummy treats!

After lunch, we started with a Pascal Hunt.

Annie found the extra-special card with a picture of the enchanted flower.

Then it was time for a golden yarn braiding race. Even the adults got in on this game!

Chuck and Dad's braids were quite impressive - for boys, that is!

Next, it was time for a pine-cone toss. Check out the amazing job that Marc did on Rapunzel's tower. He drew it free-hand and then I painted it. We were quite pleased with ourselves and couldn't stand to throw it away, so it's going to be used a few more times during the summer.

Valerie didn't score any points, but she looked good trying. Nice form!

The last game was "Pin the Nose on Flynn."

"They just can't get my nose right!"

After games it was time for cake and presents...

...followed by the world's greatest water fight.

(The river is still too high for swimming so we had to improvise. The kids had sooooo much fun!)

Chuck and Valerie set up a great ambush!

Cold watermelon was the perfect snack in the heat of the afternoon.

Deception

At times the devil shrieks his lies.

"There is no God! He's dead."

"How could a loving God do this?"

Sowing seeds of doubt and dread.

He points to earthly tragedy:

Destruction, war, disease.

And with a mocking sneer he shouts:

"Curse God! Get off your knees."

Sometimes he speaks in clear, calm tones.

"My way is easy. Come."

But following his deceptive paths

Makes my heart weak and numb.

He promises great pleasure, great friends

And great rewards.

Causing me confusion about

Where my treasure is stored.

Most often he will whisper lies.

"It's not that big a deal..."

His subtle tactics are well disguised,

But their deadliness is real.

"You deserve it. God won't mind."

"You can't ALWAYS be good."

And suddenly my captive heart

Does what it never should.

Lord, help me then not to believe

The lies the devil tells.

To prize the jewel of Your true word

Above the trinkets that he sells.

Focus my eyes on what is true:

Your Word, your love, your plan.

Expose deception, fraud and sin

As only Your TRUTH can!

(5/5/11)

Uncle Banjo

When you marry into the Cook family you get a lot of ~ how shall I say this?! ~ "BONUSes." We can be a pretty obnoxious bunch. Over the years Benjy has survived the "Man With the Axe" camping trip, ribbing over his golfing hobby, many early Christmas morning wake-up calls, plenty of bathroom humor, and the endless repetition of favorite family stories. The one way he can always get back at us is by destroying any hopes that the rest of us may have of ever winning another board game again....ever! He is the KING of Settlers, Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride, Othello, Blockus, etc., etc., etc. We are so glad that he joyfully puts up with our family.

Happy Birthday, Benjy!

Hail to the king.

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - FIVE!

Ally Grace is five today!

I want to stop the clock. She is growing up way too fast. Today she thought that she was going to get to go to school. WHOA! I'm not ready for that - but I did promise that we would work on reading skills tomorrow. Where have the years gone?!

Ally's first birthday - ZOO Theme

Ally's second birthday - ELMO!

Ally's third birthday - Littlest Pet Shop

Ally's fourth birthday - Cherry Picking in Emmett

Ally's fifth birthday - Chocolate Mocha Cake with Peanut Butter Drizzle

We celebrated the day with a trip to see RIO in 3D. (Cute movie!) After naps, we had a quick family dinner with her choice of cake before going to Main Street to watch the Dairy Days Parade. Now we have cousin Annie over for her first slumber party at our house. The "real" party is with our whole family next weekend at the cabin. We'll be getting TANGLED up in lots of fun...but that's another post.

Thank you, God, for our Ally Grace!

If you're looking for a great way to cool off this summer, check this out! Our next-door neighbors just started a summer business. Their family is running a shaved ice shack in the parking lot of Compass Charter School (formerly Cherry Lane Christian Church). So - if you live on the west side of Meridian please give them your support! They have put a lot of time and energy into getting things set up. I believe that they plan to be open from 11a.m. to 10p.m during the summer. They have all the basic flavors, great ice and competitive prices. We stopped by this afternoon for their opening day and really enjoyed our cool treats.

Two-fer

Sierra lost not one, but TWO teeth this weekend!!! We are now affectionately calling her "Bugs Bunny" for the rest of the summer.

School's Out! (What's next?!)

Songs have been sung.

Reports have been presented.


Friendships have been sealed with BFF necklaces.



Teachers have been thanked.


NOW WHAT?!?!?

Now we get to enjoy several weeks of freedom from routine! There will be lots of bike rides to the park, Vacation Bible School, birthday parties, cherry picking, summer reading prizes, picnics, camping trips, splashing in the river, naps, movies, etc.

And then...
we will embark on a new adventure: the adventure of HOMESCHOOLING. Yes! After months of debating, we have finally made the official decision to keep Sierra home next year. There are several factors in that decision, which I will gladly share with you in just a moment. But first, I have to say that Sierra's experience at Ponderosa Elementary has been wonderful! She has been blessed with two great teachers and has made wonderful friendships. There have been many opportunities for her to be a testimony for the Lord. I really couldn't be happier with the facilities, the staff and the quality of education that she received there. *BUT!* But - it is a public school and it will never be a place where she will received a Bible-based education from God-honoring teachers. So, let me share with you what Marc and I believe are the top-ten Pros regarding our decision:

1. We get to choose a Bible curriculum to study along with and integrated into her regular academic subjects.


2. We will have more time for extras like field trips and piano lessons. (Do you know how much dead time there is on an average day in school?!)


3. We can pick and choose what materials we want to use and learn at Sierra's speed. Sierra is reading at a 3rd grade level, but needs work in other areas. I can focus on her weaknesses without worrying about 23 other students!


4. Sierra won't be around as many negative influences. (I have heard some astonishing things on the playground while I wait for the bell to ring.)


5. There are several families in our church who are already homeschooling who will be great resources for us and who we can team up with for field days, poetry recitations, holiday parties, etc.


6. We won't have to worry about what controversial material she might be exposed to through literature and videos.


7. We will have great flexibility to make our schedule fit around special events, illnesses, and outings without being concerned about tardies and absences.


8. I won't have to pack a lunch every morning. (Okay - that's not really a big deal, but you get the idea.)


9. I can teach Sierra some skills at home that she wouldn't get at school: cooking, sewing, cleaning, art, etc.


10. Sierra wants to be at home with her family - and we want to have her around!

We realize that this is a HUGE responsibility and time commitment. Believe me, it hasn't been an easy decision. I loved being in a classroom setting as a kid and I don't want Sierra to miss out on those kinds of experiences. BUT (again- the but) we know that God has given us the responsibility to raise our daughters in a way that pleases Him. We don't feel that sending Sierra off to a public school for 7 hours every day at this young age is accomplishing that goal. So, will you pray for us?! And, if you're a homeschooler who loves a certain textbook/workbook/system/idea will you leave a comment? Thanks.

*** I realize that I didn't mention Ally in this post. She will be starting Kindergarten in the fall. (Can you believe it?!?!?) We will also be homeschooling her, but at this point she is not very excited about it. After dropping Sierra off and picking her up every day for the last two years, Ally has grown fond of the idea of going to Ponderosa. I really think that once she sees our little at-home classroom coming together, she will want to be a part of it. Pray for her change of heart too, okay?

Woodhead Camping Trip

Last weekend we enjoyed a one night camping trip to Woodhead Park at Brownlee Reservoir with several families from our church. It was great fun and we are ready to plan some more outdoor adventures this summer!

I can't think of a better way to get to know your church family than by eating all your meals together outdoors and sleeping next to each other with only thin nylon walls as privacy!

There were a couple of boats available for fishing. The "serious fishermen" did okay for themselves. On the other hand, the "party boat" enjoyed touring the reservoir while eating plenty of snacks. (Sierra did catch a fish!)

I hope that this becomes an annual tradition! You can sign our family up for next year's outing.