It was a busy weekend for us, but we still needed to complete a few chores. Our philosophy - divide and conquer. The older girls were inside cleaning their rooms and tending to their laundry while the the rest of us were outside either gardening or washing the cars.
The one chore the kiddos love to help with - wash the cars. What's not fun about water, soap and of course spraying each other down? Get the kiddos involved, and you'll be done faster than you know it. Make it fun!
Carys loves to help me in the kitchen. Over the weekend, she wanted to make brownies. To keep it simple and organized, I have her help me pull out all of the ingredients. Then together we measure everything into separate bowls or measuring cups. This is a great learning tool. For example, she has been studying measurements in math so this practice will reinforce those concepts. Last, I read aloud to her the instructions. In order, she assembles the ingredients.
Of course the best part of baking... licking the spoon and bowl!
this morning. her hair falls softly around her face. she lovingly snuggles with wally. the sun seeps through the blinds and caresses her with a light glow. cherising this little moment.
chalk art by connor and carys. chip was away on business to okinawa for the last week and a half. the kiddos missed him so much. we have been spoiled. we have not endured a deployment for some time but chip is traveling a lot lately and the kiddos miss him ever so much. on sunday afternoon, connor and carys decided to create some welcome home daddy artwork on the driveway. fun.
construction. i'm anxious to be rid of the construction that surrounds us right now. large equipment. empty lots. nasty dumpster. hoping for a quick buildout.
good news. our neighborhood is growing. we'll have new neighbors beside us in a few weeks. they have three kiddos themselves... more playmates so the kiddos are super excited. three more homes opposite of us are ready to move in as well. and new homes are in the process of being built. excitement everywhere.
adding on. we're adding another living space by building a deck off the back of the house. i cannot wait until it's complete. the new deck overlooks a conservation area. we've spotted a bald eagle, deer, a fox, a few groundhogs and unfortunately a few snakes. for those who do not know me well... very scared of snakes. we have these lovely wood chip trails throughout the community great for nature walks and runs; but after running into two snakes back to back, i'm done with the trails for now. i'm hoping that once the digging and moving of earth is complete then the snakes will settle down. one can only hope.
the positive. i'm looking forward to enjoying our new living space. coffee in the morning. dinner with the family in the evenings. happy hours with friends. basking in the sun (with sunscreen!). creating art. happy times lie ahead.
what's going on in your neck of the woods?
two of my girls, roan and carys, take riding lessons here on the island at mihara stables located near camp courtney. i asked gina (one of the instructors) if she would help me with a photography session. many thanks to gina. she was so patient on a very early, hot and humid morning.
i'm in love with these images.
more to follow.
mihara spring show - april 2nd 2011
roan watching the japanese students perform a japanese drill.
the american students with their instructors - miss eve, miss gina and miss maddie.
carys giving mama a little pose.
roan riding sly during the hunter walk trot canter class.
carys all dressed and ready for her very first show. hunter walk trot class.
i love this image. roan leading carys into the arena giving her last minute instructions.
carys riding bounce. at this point, carys has been riding roughly for six months. this is her very first show. and i'm pretty sure i was more nervous than carys.
carys took 2nd place in her class. way to go carebear!
roan jumping with rocky. roan & miss eve call rocky... the rockstar pony. he sure looks like a rockstar here. go rocky!
and over the jump she goes! i love the concentration on her face.
roan won 1st place in all of her classes. dressage. walk trot canter. bareback. jumping equitation. way to go roan.
thank you to all at mihara horse stables who made the show possible. a special thanks to miss eve and miss gina who train with roan and carys. we love ya!
one last thought... i love to watch my girls during their lessons. i especially love watching roan encourage carys and carys looking up to her big sister with much admiration. their bond is sweet and very special. i pray that they always share this bond. supporting one another, encouraging one another and loving one another.
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