Puddle Jumper

We love puddles. In wet parking lots and amusement parks, we sometimes get judgmental glares over our love of puddles. Seriously.

But I'm convinced that our kids will grow up knowing they lived childhood to the full, and that we gave them the gift of underscheduled days. They've never once--not once--used the word "bored." I just don't think it's in their vocabulary.

Messy? Yes.

Bored? Not a chance.

Here's to being a kid for kids' sake!

I love our ordinary, uncluttered days.

Our New Travel Agent

We tried to hire a travel agent last month. She called us back a couple days later and had decided that our travel plans were just a bit too complex to fit into any neatly bowed package.

'Cause we kind of like to get off the beaten path.

We therefore have hired a new travel agent, all within the family: White Bunny.

 Have I ever mentioned how much these two love each other?

Gryffin is the animal whisperer--they all adore him.

 Lorelei and Gryffy have grown up hearing about my love of travel, and have most of these landmarks memorized. To jog G's memory one day, we sorted them in the laundry room.

 Then, we consulted Mr. Tubbins.

"Tubbins, where do you want to go Mr. Tubbins?" asked Gryffy, extending two cards.

 Mr. Tubbins sorted our entire pile.

 "You can't do both at once, Mr. Tubbins. Try again!"

The next night, we went to dinner at Red Robin and brought these cards with us (along with Yahtzee--Yahtzee and Red Robin are a tradition for us).

Each family member sorted through the cards and listed the five they most wanted to see, in order.

Here are our lists (I think these may end up on a family vision board):

LORELEI: Angkor Watt, St Basil's Cathedral, Gateway Arch (check!), Grand Canyon, Vatican

GRYFFIN: Israel (when he's 7, he says), Grand Canyon, Macchu Picchu, Stonehenge, White House, Christ the Redeemer Statue (okay, he chose 6)

MARK: Sydney Opera House, St. Basil's Cathedral, Christ the Redeemer Statue, Macchu Picchu, Petra

WENDY: Macchu Picchu, Taj Mahal, Israel (and Petra!--can't do Israel without Jordan), St. Basil's Cathedral, Pyramids (in a non-violent world--and I'm not quite sure they're all in order)

We just put a world map in our dining room, with dots on all the places we've visited abroad and on all the places we've lived in North America. Here's to more orange dots one day! Cheers.

7

7 years ago today, I became a mom to this beauty.

I could never have even conceived of how much joy she would bring into my life.

Since L's bday fell on a Saturday this year, she and Gryffy slept on the couch downstairs last night (their weekend tradition) so we didn't get to put streamers on her door. We did the bathroom door instead for her morning balloon bath.

 Lulu loves art, so an art-themed party it had to be!

The kids made floral still-lifes on canvas and beaded bracelets. 

Here's Lorelei with Grant.

 Ah, Grant. The boy whose name we found written on the windshields of both cars...

The boy Lorelei can't stop giggling at in class...

 The boy Lorelei strategically sat next to at her party.

I think this picture says it all.

 The kids created some beautiful still lifes. 

 Lulu wanted ice cream sundaes instead of a cake. These were a huge hit!

 Lulu's masterpiece. I love the way she painted around it.

Grammy stopped by for the party.

 Lorelei stocked up on art supplies for presents. Creativity Queen.

 We wrote 7 things we love about Lulu on her birthday card:

1. I love your creativity. You constantly make the world more beautiful with your art and music. -Mom

2. I love your excitement and how you rub your nose like a bunny when you can't wait for something. -Dad

3. I love that you are, as Mrs. Brahl says, a "free spirit." You think for yourself and follow your own way. -Mom

4. I love your giggle. -Dad

5. You are the best big sister to Gryffin in the world. I've never seen two kids who love each other more. -Mom

6. I love how you make friends with anyone and make people feel included. -Dad

7. I love how you have a heart for God. He speaks to you in words and in dreams, and many times He speaks through you. Your spirit is connected to deep and powerful mysteries. God adores you, Lulu! -Mom

And so do we!  Happy Birthday Big Girl!

Valentine's Day

 Love is in the air.

We celebrated with the kids' Valentine's Day parties at school.

 Arts and crafts.

 (Lorelei made this card at school. I got goosebumps when I looked inside. She had decided to draw an airplane and just happened to write "United" on it for the airline. I don't think she could have possibly known how significant that was to me, but I almost cried. I grew up flying everywhere on United Airlines because my dad worked there for over 30 years. Everytime I see a United plane, I think of Dad. Yeah, goosebumps.)

 Gryffy made me this sweet thumbprint bookmark. I love his little thumbprints and that boy knows I love to read.

Secret messages were revealed.

 Gryffy made all his Valentines himself. He was so proud to hand them out at school.

 We heart attacked our house and mantel.

On Valentine's Day morning, the kids went on a scavenger hunt for their valentines. It was so much fun watching their faces light up when they found each one.

 Big cards with big love inside.

Now the kids are playing with the bunny and rolling suitcases around (they're going on vacation with Mr. Tubbins) and Fed Ex is on the way with my surprise from Mark.  (I built him a desk. He loved it.)

So blessed by my Valentines--I love Mark and the kids so much. Happy Valentine's Day!