Rich in love.

 

This was the first year we participated in Operation Christmas Shoebox or Child or whatever it's called.

You know, the Samaritans Purse thing.

The girls loved the idea of sending Christmas presents around the world to little girls.

It was easy and fun to package fancy soap, combs, purses, gloves, toy cars, and stuffed animals.

They each insisted on pencils, pencil sharpeners, and paper.

They also insisted on a ball of yarn.  Yarn is fun...I hope.

I love how excited they get about giving.

We have had a lot of money conversation recently.  

Questions about how much things cost and what "a lot" actually means.  

We try to always end the conversation with "no matter how much you have, you are rich in love."

 Emily's school had a science workshop at Legoland.

 They were challenged to build a structure that would withstand an earthquake machine.

 She built her building.  

Put a little man on top.  

Walked it over. 

Stood in line.

Only to get out of line, inform me she wasn't going to test hers and start taking it apart.

I don't like coaxing kids so I respected her decision.

While I helped her break it down I asked why she didn't test it.

She was afraid it wouldn't be the best.

My heart sank.

I gave her the "it's about testing, learning and trying again" speech.

Followed by the "there is always someone who can do something better, it's about doing the best you can" speech.

Finished with the "don't worry about how you compare to others, be happy for their success and your success."

Who knows what sank in.

Sweet girl. Sometimes you will be the best, sometimes you will be enough and sometimes you will fail. Each step is for learning as you go along your path. 

The Safety Inspector says...

Watch Out!

and have a nice day.

Mudding

 It was one of those days.

I needed to get the girls out of the house but I refused to get in the car again.

So we headed to the stream by the house.

It dwindled as the raining season has not started yet.

 A local egret.  Beautiful birds.

 Tromping in the mud while mama watches from afar.

 The only thing better than playing in mud is falling in mud.

We finished the outing with a walk in the Eucaliptis grove.

The girls protested walking so far while wet and muddy but finally obliged.

More random photos. Some old. Some new.

 Happy Morning.

 Have you seen a small mouse?

 Day in San Diego.

Smells like heaven.

 That is what little sisters are for.

 So pretty.

" Mom, I'm doing Daddy's work."

Yea for girls who fasten their own buttons!

More random pictures.

 More babies in socks.

 These girls are to die for.

 A moment to brag.  I grew these.
Okay, really I watered them.  They grew themselves.

 Em is a super reader.  Technically still emergent but everyday she is better.

Random moments.

 Sweet girls after church.

 They are no longer in the same ballet class. 

It was time for Emily to advance.

 I don't mind twice the ballet but I miss there little interactions.

 Swing away.

 I love this picture by Emily. 

 Em begged for a picket knife.  I finally gave in.  She still has all of her fingers. 

Little moments.

 I love having time just me and #2.  It has brought out a whole other side to this girl.

 We love a good game of mini golf.

 We happen to live near an exceptional course.

 Even our little enjoys chasing her ball around.

 Preparing the garden.

 "Who wants blueberries with breakfast?"

I love catching these moments between sisters.

The Fishing Derby

 We wouldn't miss one of our favorite things: the annual fishing derby.

 It is a beautiful site.

 With hot pink fishing poles.

 Lots of snacks and time.

 Plenty of winks.

 Plenty of worms.

Happy Day.