Softball

Bullet at Bat....base stealer extraordinaire 

 Sweet little Shoo Shoo peeks around the stroller...'Mama is it time to go yet or will I get to bat?'

Bubba has been engrossed in softball and can now throw and swing a bat! 

Sugar Pie...line drive hitter up to bat!

We've had lots of fun eating dinner and watching the girls play at the Ball park!

{Pretty,Funny,Happy,Real}: Family Camp

{Pretty}

Two kittens the kids found !

 {Funny}

While repelling Bullet got her hair stuck in the line and the Cadet had to get it out for her. He later (the next day) asked her if she was okay when her saw her the next day at the American Heritage Faire.

{Happy}

Sugar Pie learned to ride her Bike at Family Camp! 

{Real}

We stuffed our family and another family into this tube, Sweetie did not like the small space and to get out of the tube but the rest of us are all in there!

For more Pretty Happy Funny, Real check out "Like Mother Like Daughter"

Mondays are for Memories...Baseball

Sugar Pie and Bullet at the Ball Park with McDaddy

 Pearson listening to the instructions before participating in her game of musical chairs.

This is serious business!

 Normally, we cannot get anywhere near Kaboom because the twins are afraid of him, but this time they got this great picture with the mascot!

 Here is Bullet listening to the instructions for her game which involved running and turning in circles. She won her game in a photo finish!

All in all the girls and Dad had  a wonderful time at the game!

Watch Children are a Blessing Free (Until April 30th)

Since we have 5 kiddos I've been asked if I'm Amish (?!?!?!?), Pentecostal (because I love to wear skirts) & Catholic and folks are so disappointed to learn that I'm just a run of the mill big family loving Bible Believing Baptist. Those that read this blog or know our family are not going to be surprised by the fact that we love this video. You know we love big families and that when the doctor announced the end of my childbearing we moved to adopt. We are currently getting ready to start fostering to adopt again, hopefully sometime this month.

"Perhaps the reason that I watched this DVD with tears in my eyes is because I feel a heavy burden for thousands of Christians who believe the lie and refuse the eternal blessing of children in exchange for perceived physical and/or material comfort. Perhaps it is because, despite my efforts, I will never be able to communicate the indescribable heights of love, joy and peace that arise from willingly accepting the gifts which God chooses to send. Perhaps it’s simply because the film brings with it remembrance of our merciful and gracious God who has showered blessing upon blessing on our undeserving family."

So this month you can watch this movie for free! I hope you enjoy it and please do let me know what you think about the movie after you've had a chance to view it.

Big families are a lot of work but the reward is worth it, even though it overwhelms other people who look in from the outside.I remember that "I have chosen the way of truth;Your judgments I have laid before me.." Psalm 119:30


They really articulate the position better then I can and as Mr Moore says several times "What saith the scripture?"

I hope your family enjoys this free family friendly movie.

Big Family Blessings!

Ideas for Teaching Small Children to Sit in Quietly in Service: Part 2

Although this post is entitled teaching small children to sit quietly in church these are just 'my ideas' on how to teach them to sit in church ( homeschool & quiet outings like the Music Theory Test at a local church). Out of our 5 children we've used the nursery for one, and taught 2 small ones to sit and we are working on teaching 2 more to sit quietly during church. So we are by no means experts but I thought I might share a few things that have worked for us this go around.

practicing sitting for & during homeschool for the big kids

As you may know we've been blessed with twins, who are now almost 2. We have been pretty lax on teaching them to sit during service. It's really been overwhelming to have the two one year olds as you can imagine. In addition, to having them chattering, talking & occassionally screaming to each other throughout the service. I finally decided to just sit in the hallway with them. But this was just teaching them that if they chatter they get to play when we go to church.

Then we started a family book club and we became very serious about teaching them to sit quietly it and service. The biggest thing we've done to help them to sit quietly is that during family devotions & book club (and soon we will start at Lifegroup) is having them sit still & quiet in our lap. If they are fidgety or noisy they are gently warned and if they continue, then they receive a punishment and we quickly return to what we were doing.

more practicing sitting for & during homeschool

We are no longer alowing them long periods of time removed from the activity but instead we go right back to what we were doing. We have enjoyed several services sitting in the service for the most part with quiet and obedient toddlers. By the way one of the twins is a boy and he is the fidgetiest thing I have ever seen!

For our family when we made it a priority that they sit quietly with us then it began ot happen. If you are having trouble training kiddos here are a few questions that we had to consider that may help you ....

1. Is it a priority for your family?
2. Have you identified good training times?
3. Have you been consistent in both the training times and the  discipline?
4. Do you provide proper encouragement while they are sitting and after they have done a good job sitting quietly? ("Oh, you sat just like a big boy/girl...)
5. Are both parents really & practically (as in hands on/will stop whatever they are doing to disciple their children) on board? If Dad espeacially is busy teaching/talking then training may take much longer. If Dad doesn't think this is something he wants to do, then we need to joyfully be on board with Dad's plan.
6. Have you discussed your game plan so you are both on the same page.

Quiet blanket time at the Music Theory Test

That said I know this is difficult, I live the difficulty times 2.  I know at GFBC the pastors (who are elders) share in the preaching responsiblibty and I can't help but think what a blessing this must be to their wives. I choose to discuss this church because they are Family Integrated Church with an emphasis on husbands shepharding their children. This is not meant to say if  your church doesn't do it like this your church is wrong, it's just an option. I attend New Life Baptist church and we have Elders who occasionally switch duties too. I know for single Mama's & Mama's attending church without Dad they too would face special challeges in child rearing and my prayer would be that families would come along side of them and help them in what they think is right for their families.

Not suprisingly I have also found is that it has been a huge help to me in homeschool also. The little ones play happily on their "blanketed area" or sit happily in my lap. We have less random crying and fits and our life has become a little more orderly because the twins are learning self control through this training.

Linked to two wonderful bloggers at :

Helping Children Listen in Church: Part I

Although we do not attend a family integrated church we do believe it is beneficial for all of our children to remain in worship with us. Accordingly, we seek out products/ideas to get our children to listen closely to pastor. Our church does give out a wonderful handout but we prefer our kiddos to complete it after church because they get so focused on answering the questions and doing the activities that they do not listen to Pastor. So here are some products that we are using/planning to use to enable our children to fully engage in the sermon.

• Mama's corner Listening pages for pre-readers from Mama'a Corner for our 2ish -4ish year old
• Listening pages for readers from Raising Arrows  (once they can read they can start this one for us this is a 5ish year old)
• Church Notebook from Soli Deo Gloria Listening pages for proficient reader/writer

I hope this helps you to train your littles to sit and listen attentively to your Pastor. Most importantly, always remember raising kids is hard work no matter how you look at it but the Lord has told us no to grow weary  for you WILL reap a harvest if you don't give up (rough quote of Gal 6:9)! So be encouraged.

Blessings

Heart Focus

I'd noticed that throughout the day our hearts were often not in tune with one another or the Lord. After reading a couple of things and assessing our home it became evident that the problem was in the way we began our day, we started our days off in isolation. We normally woke up did chores ate breakfast and started school. So this pattern need to change so we could seek first his kingdom in our home!

So in the morning we focus our hearts on 1 Peter 3:8-9-  Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Each day we talk about a part of the verse and I give practical examples of how to live the verse out. We encourage our children even our unrepentant children to think on the word of the Lord because we believe it does not return void. So this is just formative because we believe the Holy Spirit has to get a hold of our children's hearts and it is this heart change we seek.

.

2-3 days per week we read from Leading Little ones to God. I've found that this book often providentially expands on the Catechism questions on which the children are working. We read the article, answer the questions, sing the hymn and discuss the memory verse.

Then we move on to Truth and Grace and we sing the hymn we are working on 3 or 4 times. Then we do our Catechism Questions together in an old fashioned recitation style. I read the first 25 questions and the children say the answers. We then discuss how yesterday went and try to resolve lingering problems and celebrate good things then I tell them what is on today's schedule. During this time I try to anticipate any "problems" that might occur and we discuss those things ahead of time.

This sounds similar to family worship but its not our family worship. My husband leads family worship in the evening which for us consists of Bible reading, singing & prayer.

This has really been a wonderful change it focuses our day on first seeking Lord. Then as I remind children about pieces of our Devotional or our focus verse it is fresh in their minds. This has truly been an encouragement to help this Mama press on to the harvest focused on the hearts of her children!

May this be an encouragement to you!

Picking Books for Children

I tend to be cautious about the books I let my children read. I remember curling up in the big chairs of our house and slowly reading the Ramona books and imagining reaching out my hand and pulling the curls of the girl in front of me. I felt her angst as she looked for that one person in her class that would be her friend. I joined in the story with I spent long hours pretending to be Ramona.

So as my children have begun reading I want to encourage the growth development of Godly character. I do not believe that this alone will produce righteousness but I know our Lord wants us to think on the beautiful things and it is my hope to facilitate this. Since it is our belief children are born sinful I do not believe they need any additional examples of children disrespecting their parents, being ugly to their siblings, calling names (which may be acceptable if the names are not curses and the child is rebuked!), disrespecting teachers, practicing magic etc...

So I have spent some time reviewing Children's literature books.First, thing I do is try to pick a book that is part of series written by on author. An example of this is the Box Car Children, the first 20 are written by Warner the last 100+ are written by a variety of authors. Thus, we would stick with the first twenty books. Second, I have found that for me one of the easiest ways to do so is to listen to the books on CD. I do this while I am cooking or cleaning and the kids are otherwise occupied, normally outside.  so I can listen to 2 or three complete books by the author and I will be aware of any things I may not want my precious ones to pretend. If I am unable to find the book on CD then I will ask Wayne to read the book because he is a much faster reader then I am. Finally, I tend to choose older books written at a time when children respected their parents. Now, keep in mind just because a book is old does not mean it is a book that needs to be read.

We are currently reviewing B is for Betsy by Carolyn Haywood. Perhaps, soon it will be a part of our list of recommended reading for our children. I have listed a few books below that we have enjoyed and I think you will too.

Here are a few of the books we have enjoyed:

• Brighty of the Grand Canyon
• The Five Little Peppers and How they grew (this is a series)
• The Boxcar Children (Books 1-20)
• The Boppsey Twins (they use the world negro, instead of black due to the time frame. This should be discussed with your children because it is insulting/inappropiate to be called a negro nowadays.:) )
• Understood Betsy (amazing book we cried, we laughed, we cried again!)
• Sign of the Beaver (girls will like it BOYS will LOVE it. The kid basically becomes an Indian for a time!)
• The Moody Family Series by Sarah Maxwell (Fall with the Moody's, Winter with the Moody's, Spring with the Moody's & Summer with the Moody's)

If you have run accross some wonderful series please leave us a note in the comments so we can also enjoy your finds!

May the Lord guide you as you too seek His will for your children.

Weekly Wrap Up - homeschool went swimmingly?

We've been really busy the past two weeks with swim lessons. So that is the focus for our week in review with a lot of pictures....

Sugar pie had a great week at swim lessons. She was promoted to the class above hers on the second day. This is a miracle we never do well in swim lessons and here we have our first promotion. Additionally, after swim lessons she is now able to swim, float dog paddle to the side of the pool from the diving board unassisted! She also lost her first tooth this week,.Its been a very eventful week for Sugar.

A Superstar showed up at swim lessons on Thursday...The Daddy! As you know we only have one car right now so as Daddy was riding with us to Swim lessons the girls are peppering him with questions. Since we thought it we thought it would be great to surprise them he's trying to think of honest answers. So he answers he is going to a very important place this morning. Finally, they figure it out when Mama spills the beans by saying she is going to drink some of Daddy's drink at swim lessons.

Now this is truly amazing, what you are looking at is a swimmer. A little 7 year old swimmer. Why is it amazing ? Because in the 4 years that we have been taking swim lessons, at the end of the swim lessons the instructors come up to me and say something like....'if you enroll your children in swim lessons again this summer...MAKE SURE THEY ARE IN THIS SAME LEVEL, THEY DID NOT PASS ,  and may be in danger if they walk to close to a puddle kinda thing. Seriously, we've never done well and say we've done poorly would be an overstatement. But this year she is not only swimming across 12 feet deep water she is winning a race against her peers. I'm currently doing the Mama dance! Not because she is winning a race but because we can now safely walk past puddles! 

Sweet Peyton started her week terrified of the 12 feet deep water at the beginning of the week and the teacher finally had to inform her of the consequences if she did not swim. Because she would not even try to swim once they got to the deep end. We spent several very timid days where she in true McVay swimming glory nearly drown her teacher. Then she dragged her teacher 1/3  of the length of the pool while stating she was too scared to swim.We even discussed dear Sugars favorite verse: God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and love! On Thursday Daddy came to swim lessons and of course she wanted to show him all the stuff she was learning! But let me tell you on Thursday & Friday my timid big girl was swimming with the rest of them. She even dove off the diving board several times. What a blessing to behold. She did a great job conquering her fear and diligently completing her class.

So these last two weeks of Homeschool PE are being considered a success. We now have 2 McVay swimmers and 1 half a swimmer!

Time for a picnic



In Texas summer time is not the optimal picnic time, since its 105 degrees in the shade. Although you could probably make S'Mores by leaving the ingredients in the sun for 2-5 minutes until they are done or burst into flames.So if we are picnicking in the summer it's at dinner time when the Texas heat has cooled down to a comfortable 85 -90 degrees.


But we do love to go on  a picnic. We normally go to a park and eat dinner while the kiddos play. This summer I hope to go picnic (in the evening)  and watch Shakespeare in the Park in Houston or Austin. But I'm not sure the twins are up for that yet :) .

When we picnic I like to keep it simple for Mom so we take bottled water or Capri Suns (if there's been a good sale on them) and here are some of the foods I like to pack:



Our beloved picnic basket from the Philipines


• left overs that would be easy to eat and not too messy. These are usually already in a Tupperware container in the fridge so I put it in our cooler and we are ready.
• Simple sandwiches such as PB&J
• Wal-Mart's Fried/BBQ chicken and their seasoned french Fries
• A $5 Pizza from Little Ceasers

I think you are getting the idea that for us its not about a gourmet meal so much as about spending time together as a family playing, laughing and eating!  One of the sandwiches I really like to take with us is egg salad sandwich both because I like egg salad sandwiches and we have chickens so we have an abundance eggs!  I double the recipe found in the Joy of Cooking for a simple and tasty egg salad:

Egg Salad

3-4 servings (I double this when I make it)

6 hard boiled eggs

1/3 cup mayo (I use miracle whip)

2 Tablespoons minced onion & celery

1/4 teaspoon of curry powder (it has a very very very mild curry flavor)

salt and black pepper to taste

chill and serve!

May the Lord bless you as you continue to make wonderful memories with your family! For more recipes and helpful hints & encouragement regarding picnicking check out more 4 mom posts!

In & Out of the Hospital **revised**

We just got released from the hospital. Bubba had some sort of bronchilitis and his oxygenation rates were really low in the 70's & 80's, his breathing was labored, his nostrils flared. So we headed into the Urgent care and sure enough we were admitted to the hospital Saturday Morning and we are just now being released on Monday.Right before we left an older couple came through an laid hands on Bubba and prayed for his health, it was so sweet.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor 4:16-18

All the yukky stuff we go through down here provides sanctification (refining) and so that at each turn remember to look to the Lord for what we should be learning. I don't remember to do this every time but when I do I can become more like Him in all things. I praise Him that I was not filled with anxiety regarding the unknown and that while we were in the hospital he sweetly meet our needs. Still he also tenderly and slowly answered other questions that were more painful over the days. But in all things I will focus on what is unseen, because I have more then I deserve. I am blessed to serve my family and our God daily and in that I will rejoice.
So hopefully I'll be back and blogging a little something this week but the days are really busy as we get ready for an upcoming trip & have 2 birthdays in less then 45 days!

May the Lord fill your home with the grace and peace that only he can give!

Frugal Family Fun: Letterboxing

which way is east?

We have been looking for fun and frugal things to do with our family for family fun nights, not just the regular movie or games. Don't get me wrong we have a great time watching movies and playing games, but I was hoping to create more unique family traditions and memories.

Looking

 So I recently learned about letterboxing because I was being nosey! I was at the ladies blog and low and behold they were at Washington on the Brazos letterboxing.

Box found

 We had our first adventure last Friday and it is definitely going to be repeated with 17 boxes in BCS to be found we will be busy for a while. "LETTERBOXING is an intriguing pastime combining navigational skills and rubber stamp artistry in a charming "treasure hunt" style outdoor quest. A wide variety of adventures can be found to suit all ages and experience levels."If you want to know more about letterboxing click here

Contents examined

This Month's Character Focuses

Well last month we embarked on a journey to specifically identify discuss and encourage the development of the 49 character qualities listed here. This month we are covering the following character qualities:

• Orderliness
• Attentiveness
• Obedience 
• Hospitality

This month I am hoping to have a fun activity to illustrate each of the character qualities we are studying. I think for Obedience we will play red-light green light, Hospitality we may have a tea party, Attentiveness perhaps a scavenger hunt & orderliness I am at a loss at the moment. Right now we are introducing the character quality and they are learning the definition. We plan to do a much expanded study of character next year and over the next several years.  So this is really just the introduction to the character qualities we will be studying in the future.

Last month we started off slow because my idea was to cover character qualities during lunch time. Well during lunch time I am feeding babies and rarely have time to discuss anything other then "Hey, can you heat up that bottle." So we did not cover one of the character qualities.  But now we do it right after Truth & Grace (Bible Memory) and it has become a consistent part of our day. I think sometimes we give up on something that is important to us a little too soon. Sometimes we need to change the time, place or how we do it so it fits in well with our family.

I was wondering if any of you wonderful Mamas out there have any ideas or games that could be used to teach these qualities. Or any other character qualities for that matter.  Please leave me a comment.

Shaping Character at Rooster Hill!

Getting Ready for Soccer Season (or whatever sport you kid plays): Large Family Logistics

As I am working my way through Large Family Logistics I have been reminded of how smoothly our life ran when I was more organized and thus have dedicated this year to organization.

This year my focus is on getting organized and making lists so I am constantly thinking about things in the future. One of the things that causes a lot of busyness at our house is soccer season. We are usually gone 1 night a week for practice and at least 1/2 a day on Saturday. Being gone can and does wreak havoc on my home management abilities.

So I am resolved to be prepared for this event as much as possible. So here are some of the things I can take care of before hand:

For the Team

• First Wayne & I usually coach both girls teams.
• 2 sets of emergency snack (to cover forgetful parents)
• Buy my  2 sets of snacks of as soon as I see a good sale
• a blanket for the kids to sit on (really it keeps them off the field)
• trash bag (after snack time)
• end of year gifts/gift certificate for players
• Note cards for the players I write each player 2 notes of encouragement during the year. I can write most of the notes before hand because the majority of it is scripture.
• Buying extra water bottles for practice & games.

Our kiddos comfort

• snacks for our kiddos at the field

At Home

• Saturday soccer check of list so everyone can help.
• I am cooking double meals now to put in the freezer so I can just defrost it on practice days.
• Planned really easy fast meals for game days!

Once the season starts

• I will leave our snacks and the emergency snacks in the van!

Looking for:

• Cheap Pop up canopy
• wagon for the twins
• cute sweats to coach in

Can any of you think of some things I can take care of ahead of time? I'd really appreciate your help!

May the Lord grant your family peace through all the 'seasons' of your lives!
Rooster Hill

This Month's Character Focuses

We have been encouraged by several local families and the Duggars to actively pursue the development of Godly Character Qualities. These family had grown children who exhibited the Godly character we are seeking to develop in our own children. Although we were always reminding them of character helping them with character flaws & and celebrating successes but this was happening without a plan. So we have decided to actively have a measurable plan for character training into our home. When we decided to focus on character development we borrowed the 49 Character Qualities from the Duggars website. Each week for the next 49 school weeks we will focus on a different character quality this month we are focusing on the following:

• Truthfulness
• Alertness
• Self-Control
• Wisdom
• Resourcefulness

During the month the children will work to memorize the definition & receive sticker awards for putting the character quality into action. We also fill out a worksheet that has the definition for them to copy and a place to write examples of the character quality found in the Bible during family devotional time. I will be looking for fun games and activities to do during our recess time to reinforce the weeks character quality.

Be encouraged as you do not grow weary in doing the good work of child training! Remember practice make progress!

Reading the word to the littles

I am always looking for ways to fill our home with scripture. At the Above Rubies retreat we went to the speaker (Nancy Campbell) mentioned in passing that one of her daughters had all of her children listening to the Bible on CD. She'd stop the CD and they would discuss what they just heard and then they would plow on ahead as Mom and the children all listened  and discussed the Bible intently for about an hour. WOW! So shortly after returning home we began to listen to the Bible for an hour each day and we would stop and discuss portions of the Bible. Or I would clarify the things they wanted to know more about or I would tell them to ask their Dad when he got home if the question was just too much for me! :) By the summer we had listened to then entire new Testament and we are currently listening to the Old Testament.

Now they listen for 15 minutes to 30 minutes while they are eating breakfast in the morning. We listen and stop and discuss what we have heard,  I answer questions and we talk about the word. All 5 kiddos are usually listening and if Mom has to change a diaper or feed a baby we just continue on listening seamlessly. Additionally, the kids are retaining information they have heard. This is has been really great way to start our day.

Maybe you cannot listen for an hour...neither can we so I'd encourage you to listen for as long as you can. Maybe you cannot listen over breakfast because it's too hurried then try to listen in your car/van/truck if you are rushing off somewhere. Or you could listen during lunch or dinner?.. Maybe you cannot discuss it then don't just listen. There are always obstacles to overcome but the fruit, oh the fruit sisters is worth it. I just want to encourage you to listen to the word to read the entire Bible you and your family will be blessed through it.

As the rain and the snow

come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11


Rejoice and be exceedingly glad because great is your reward in heaven!

Kyle

An Old Friend

My favorite book mapping a child's progress has returned to our coffee table, lost friend and a much needed resource. If you do not have it buy it...if you know someone having a  baby get it for them. This is such a great book it covers not only development but common problems and treatments. Thanks Jess this is a great gift I love it, again!

Things Change Quickly - TWINS

We are now a family of 7.

So, suddenly this week things just don't seem so important. I'm just not concerned about what we eat, my simple goal is that we eat. I am no so worried about the activities for the Fall as there will be no additions. I'm not so concerned about starting school on the 16th because that ain't happening! I'm just living His
plans which are higher then my plans and I recognize that as I was thinking about all my plans all along He knew the twins were coming. Game over, agenda reset!

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

Our Life group prayed for boy girl twins a few months ago. I laid it all at the feet of the Lord a few days ago finally submitting my family to his will to his plan. So why am I surprised that here we are now here gratefully in baby land again! All there is to do is praise Him! Continue to lift us up in prayer as we are not done and it is not guaranteed the twins are here forever but they are here now and we are still rejoicing in this moment!
Praising our El Shadai!

Our Staycation

Peyton on Stage during a Zoo Show

We recently went on a Staycation ...that is where your hubby takes a week off of work and you go and see things that are around you. You do not stay overnight  but you just enjoy your area of the country.

Day 1: Family swimming at the Briegers! Whohoo we have had so much fun swimming over there this year. Wayne has been able to rejoin the family in the pool without having to worry about immodesty of many women. During family swim we always play basketball which means all the girls against Wayne and we hang on him and pull him and hold his arms and always wins (even though I usually claim victory) and we always laugh until our tummies hurt! Then for the next several days Wayne informs us of all the sore body parts he has!

Sugar Pie in the petting zoo

Day 2: We are nerds and we like museums so the first thing we did was find out when Houston's Museums were free to attend. Only the Natural Science Museum fit into our schedule so that was our first stop on our staycation.Okay this museum was great! We are young Earth Creationists and we have been trying to teach our children to watch and listen to science critically. To make sure what is being said lines up with the truth of the Bible. So during a presentation at one of the science shows Parker yells back to Wayne: "Daddy that's a lie they said millions of years ago." ! If your family does not believe in/discuss dinosaurs then this is not the museum for ya'll. I do not think there is even anyway to avoid them in this museum. That said let me tell you this is a great museum and if you have not been it is worth the drive and the time. We were able to see some of the things we had learned about last year. The kids were especially interested in the Eskimo items and the giant "IDOL" as they called it.

Dad debunking evolution

Day 3:  We went to the Chemistry Road Show at the Library and watched the man make  a variety of items explode. The the car broke down in the Wal-Mart parking lot but super hubby did not miss a beat as he fixed the battery and we were off again on some more adventures. 

Natural Science Museum "Mama an idol!"

Day 4: The Houston Zoo We have a zoo pass to the Cameron zoo so our family was able to  go to the Houston Zoo for free. We did however find out that the Houston Zoo only allows 2 adults and 3 kids and after that you have to pay $7 per kiddo. Parking at the Zoo is free.

Day 5: Finally on the last day back to the Briegers for more family swimming!

I would encourage your family to enjoy some simple vacation time as you explore your local area making lasting memories and growing together.

Birthday Feasts...two thumbs up... waaaaay up!

We are constantly looking at things that we are doing and trying to make sure that all we do glorifies God. When our kiddos turn 10 we no longer have "birthday parties". We had just been having cake and ice cream and eating their favorite foods. But this year we decided to change it to a birthday feast. We asked Peyton to invite one friend to the feast and she invited Rebekah Blanco (and her family) to attend. So we set our table and a card table and began to prepare for our first feast.

• 
  
  So Wayne read Proverbs 31 to directly to Peyton and Titus 2:3-5 to all of the ladies in attendance.  Thus we were reminded of our duties and goals we should have for our lives.
• 
  
  Peyton then received flowers from her Father.
• 
  
  We had a powerpoint presentation of pictures of Peyton throughout her 11th year. She really enjoyed watching herself and seeing all the things that they did last year. Next, year I would like to add some of the verses we pray over her throughout the year to the presentation.
• 
  
  Then we ate dinner.
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  Then everyone in attendance prayed blessings over Peyton and her upcoming year.  and we ate cake, ice cream and cream puffs!

I do want to point out that this was a low stress event. Peyton picked her favorite food which was pizza so I bought about 3 or 4 boxed pizzas & pizza rolls for the feast. I ended up picking up a cake with cupcakes  & cream puffs at Sam's club. We used the flowers we gave Peyton as the centerpiece in the table.  Truly, this is not about my table decorating, cooking  or cake decorating ability but about the child. I would encourage you to think of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to manage your feast.

This was such a wonderful time of fellowship and blessing for our family. I am looking forward to honoring the next birthday person in a way that brings glory to God. A birthday that celebrates God's soverignty in our lives and is thankful for another year. BTW the little girls are now really excited about when they will have their first feast!