blessings

In science we've been studying geology, specifically, what the four layers of the earth are made up of. So, today we decided to enroll the help of AbbySue's best buddy, Mira, and bake a cake. But this wasn't just any cake...this was the "Layers of the Earth" cake. Judging from the photo above, the cake wasn't beautiful, but it was made entirely by the hands of a 3rd, 4th, and 5th grader...(with a little bit of help from the preschooler too.) From inner core (yellow cake) to outer core (funfetti cake), mantle (chocolate cake), lava (cherries), more mantle, and then to crust (coconut icing) the kids did it all and were obviously very proud of their creation.
Mira pouring in the "lava".
The prompt for writers workshop this week was "Home Sweet Home". AbbySue & Ben wrote about their new home and what they love most about it. They worked on a rough draft, corrected that, and then did their final draft. We cut out the shape of our house from a moving box (we have a few lying around), and then the kids decorated it, including illustrations of every pet we now own. Zibby decided to join in too (notice her drawing above). Next week we plan to give it to Cathy Hopkins as a big thank you for choosing us to be the owners of this beautiful place we now call Home.
My star pupil.
great preschool math game with an egg carton....sorting 15 bean soup into groups by color and shape. This entertained Zibby for almost an hour.

I loved this week.

I could list over a thousand gifts this week has given to me, but here are just a few:

I loved learning with them. I loved praying with them and reading to them. I loved teaching them and being taught by them. I loved watching them from the window, climbing, exploring, & running. I loved that they loved being together. I loved the peace that comes from knowing this moment of childhood will not slip through my fingers. I loved choosing not to rush around like a chicken with my head cut off. I loved worshipping at church on Wednesday night. I loved making beeswax candles and learning about faith with my daughters and new friends. I loved watching Daddy teach Ben how to haul wood from the shed and start a fire in our wood stove. I loved meeting a dearest friend for breakfast with all 5 of our kiddos and actually having a conversation of sorts. I loved watching AbbySue and Mira play together again, and the blessing of a kindred spirit kind of friend. I loved seeing the power of prayer and the healing touch of Jesus in the life of a family so close to me. I loved emails from far away friends that I miss terribly. Oh, and I loved the commotion of a Hamster on the loose, only to find her tucked away and resting in a closet.