Our Family's Summer Reading Challenge

Inspired by Elder Hales' general conference talk, in particular the story of his family sacrificing and saving for a family dream vacation, OUR family has a simplified plan...maybe it will lead to a bigger goal and bigger dream vacation!

Here's the plan for the here and now- Our family's summer reading challenge.

If we can read 100 books this summer as a whole family (though through individual reading if that makes sense) then we'll go on a special family outing at the end of the summer to a campground with mini-golf, lakes, & lots to do {PLUS a short drive to the Garnet Hill Outlet for mom}. We started "The Reading Challenge" on Memorial Day, and so far we're off to a good start. We've rated these books using 1-5 *'s, 5 being excellent.

1. Little Women (abridged)***** -Grace

2. Book of a Thousand Days **** -Christina

3. Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites, Vol.1***** -Thomas

4. Loud and Clear**** -mom

5, 6 & 7. The Hundred Dresses***** -mom, Grace*****, Christina*****

8. Flatland*** -dad

9. River Secrets***** -Christina

10. Junie B., First Grader- One-Man Band***** -Grace

11. Good Enough***** -Christina

12. John Adams**** -dad

13. Echoes from Auschwitz*** -mom

14. Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites, Vol. 2***** -Thomas

15. Junie B., First Grader (at last!)***** - Grace

16. Heather the Violet Fairy***** - Grace

17 & 18. The Midwife's Apprentice**** - Christina, mom (my review)*****

19. Junie B. First Grader Toothless Wonder***** - Grace

20. Junie B., First Gracer: Cheater Pants**** - Grace

21. Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy***** - Grace

22. Nate the Great on the Owl Express***** - Grace

23 & 24. Zel (a twist on the Rapunzel story- some mature content)** - Christina, mom **(the more I think about this book, the less I like it)

25 & 26. The Lightning Thief***** - Christina, Thomas***** (a summer favorite)

27 & 28. The Sea of Monsters***** - Christina, Thomas*****

29. Star Wars Jedi Quest**** - Thomas

30. The President's Assassin*** - dad

31 & 32. The Titan's Curse***** - Christina, Thomas***** (the first book of the series is my favorite so far)

33 & 34. The Amaranth Enchantment***** - mom (my review), Christina*****

35. Junie B. Jones Is (Almost) a Flower Girl***** - Grace

36 & 37. The Battle of the Labyrinth***** - Christina, Thomas

38. Junie B. Jones and Some Sneaky Peaky Spying***** - Grace

39. Junie B. Jones is not a Crook***** - Grace

40, 41 & 42. My Life in Dog Years***1/2 - mom (I think Paulson is part dog:)), Thomas *** (didn't like the dog deaths) This book is on Thomas' summer reading list, Christina***

43. The Tail of Emily Windsnap***** - Grace (she loves that it's about a mermaid)

44. Star Wars: Episode 2 Attack of the Clones*** - Thomas (left out parts of the movie & that was irritating because it made the story make less sense to me)

45. Fun with Colors, by The Clever Factory**** - Caroline! (memorized, but we'll count it:)

46. Number the Stars**** - mom (I hope all of our kids read this)

47 & 48. The Battle of Bunker Hill***** - Grace, Thomas*** (choose your adventure book. Challenge: Try to survive the battle as a Patriot)

49. & 50. The Last Olympian***** - Christina (The mythology in this series was interesting. This book was my favorite of the series because it tied everything together), Thomas***** (This is my favorite book of the series because it's like the last Harry Potter book where it gets to the action immediately...non-stop action)

WE'RE HALFWAY TO OUR GOAL!!!

51. Ruby the Red Fairy***** - Grace

52. Georgia the Guinea Pig Fairy***** - Grace

53. Sunny the Yellow Fairy***** - Grace

54 & 55. Louise the Lily Fairy***** - Christina read this to Caroline who said, "I LOVED it!, Grace*****

56. Olivia the Orchid Fairy***** - Grace. Fun, easy-reading series for Grace.

57. The Princess and the Pauper**** - Christina

58. Penny the Pony Fairy***** - Grace

59. Getting Things Done**** - dad

60. Barbie, A Special Ballerina***** - Grace

61. Junie B. Jones Is Captain Field Day***** - Grace

62 & 63. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie***** - mom, Christina*****

64 & 65. Nine Days a Queen: The Short Life and Reign of Lady Jane Grey***- mom, Christina*** (this is on Christina's summer reading list & while the author notes her extensive research, this book is considered Young Adult historical fiction & the story is told in the 1st person)

66. The Diamond Castle***** - Grace

67. Junie B. Jones and that Meanie Jim's Birthday***** - Grace

68. Disney's Enchanted*****- Grace

69. Eat, Pray, Love**1/2- mom (I liked the 1st 1/3 of the book the best, but skimmed through much of the last 2/3, esp. the last 1/3---the book is broken up in thirds:) Glad she found happiness).

70. Inkheart***** - Christina (LOVED this book)

71. Goldie: the Sunshine Fairy***** - Grace

72. Disney's Princess Treasury***** - Grace

73. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency**** - mom

74. I, Freddy****- Christina

75 & 76. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules***- Thomas (some of it wasn't that funny even though I think it was supposed to be) & Christina***

77. The Thief Lord**- Christina (after 2 1/2 chapters, still boring)

78. Rapunzel's Revenge*** - Christina (liked the classic better)

79. A Thousand Splendid Suns**** - mom (adult content, sad, riveting story)

80. The Giver**** - Christina

81. Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great***** - Grace (It was really good because it was about Sheila and her family moving to Tarrytown and how she makes friends. I like the swim lesson part too.)

82. Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat*****- Christina

83. Miss Popularity****- Grace

84 & 85. Goosebumps: Let's Get Invisible**** - Thomas (It was pretty corny, but the ending was good), Grace***- it was scary

86. Black Beauty (abridged)*****- Grace

87. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society****- mom (once they introduced the GL&PPS I was drawn in. The stories of Guerncy through the eyes of the residents was compelling. I also enjoyed reading about the literature that "got them through" the war. Literature can have such an impact, and I loved that aspect of this book.

88. Don't Judge a girl by Her Cover***** -Christina

89. The Nancy Drew Files: Into Thin Air****- Christina

90. Classic Starts: Anne of Green Gables*****- Grace

91. Hello, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle*****- Grace (Grace laughed out loud reading this fun, classic chapter book)

92. Mrs. Piggle Wiggle*****- Grace (Mrs. Piggle Wiggle has REALLY funny cures like "whisper sticks" and "leadership pills." Mrs. Piggle Wiggle gave bullies the leadership pills so they stopped bullying kids and helped kids who were being bullied by other kids.

93. A Spy on the Home Front: A Molly Mystery (American Girl series)*****- Grace (I liked this mystery. It was a little bit scary, because Molly and her friends were trapped for a little bit by mean Mr. K, but Molly's aunt found them, so they were ok.

94. Little Britches*****- mom (checked this book out from the library on a recommendation by my sister, but now I've got to buy it. It's a great autobiographical story by Ralph Moody about his young days moving from New England to Colorado where he and his family start from scratch building a ranch and a new life. Very well told/written. I'll have to track down the other books in the series now).

95. Danger at the Zoo: A Kit Mystery (American Girl series)***** - Grace

96. Me on the Map***** - Caroline (I love this book!...Grace helped me read it)

97. Inkspell***** - Christina

98. & 99. Goosebumps: Why I'm Afraid of Bees**** - Thomas, Grace****

100. Tracks in the Snow**** - Christina (good, short adventure book)

100 Books!!! Time to CELEBRATE!

....and do some more summer reading...

101. Shannon the Ocean Fairy***** - Grace

I'll update this list throughout the summer to keep track of our progress.

Happy Reading,

Connie's Quilt

Connie is a woman in our ward who was RS president when we moved here. She has a heart of gold. When she was released from her RS calling, she was called to be the Sunbeam teacher. Caroline was in her class. I'll never forget Connie sharing her testimony in church before her first lesson in Sunbeams, and telling the little Sunbeams that she had already been praying for them. Caroline, along with all of the Sunbeams fell in love with Connie. In January there was a little staffing shuffle in Primary, and Connie was asked to teach the CTR 7 class; Graces's class. I don't know who was more excited, Grace or me! We love Connie...I honestly think that everyone who knows Connie loves her.

A couple months ago, Connie's husband died of a sudden heart attack. The RS came together and made a beautiful quilt for Connie to show our love for her. Connie's former Sunbeams had a quilt block, as did her CTR 7 class. Our family made a quilt block with the New Testament scripture reference John 16: 20-22. Back story: I was friends with the RS president in our family's ward when my mom was sick. I was on my mission in TX at the time, and she sent a talk she gave in sacrament meeting titled, "Joy" which included this scripture. It was just what I needed, and I've held it close to my heart ever since. I know that the Lord knows how to comfort us when death takes a loved one.

I took on the task of assembling the quilt top. At the onset of this quilt project, Wayne's work hours were cut more than 50% in order for his small medical device company to stay alive while trying to secure more funding. We struggled once again with unstable employment. Putting together Connie's quilt was good medicine for me. Everyday I thought of Connie and felt reminded to embrace each day I have with my own family. Things were still challenging, but I found it healing to find a way to give of myself everyday and offer my time and resources; things I already had on hand, for someone else's comfort.

That, and it was FUN!

~Girls night out tying the quilt...gabbing so much that we missed who was voted off Dancing with the Stars...3 hours of quilt tying never went by so fast. Before we knew it, it was 10pm!

~When Kelly showed up at my house with her quilt square, and there I was in my black fleece sweats covered in white thread strands. I told her it probably wasn't a good idea to wear black fleece for this project...we laughed!

~Amy's autistic son who kept dropping in as we tied the quilt at enrichment. I loved talking with him and he even helped tie a bit while his mom was at one of the RS classes.

~Seeing all of the different thoughts and expressions of love on each quilt square was amazing.

~I loved this way of interacting with and getting to know other women...service really can bring out the best in us.

The quilt literally took over our dining room...go ahead and imagine the mess; it was real, and yet my family never complained. When women came over to bring their quilt block they looked through the stack of quilt blocks already turned in and could tell that something very special was in the making. Connie's quilt will forever be one of my favorite projects. It was one of those things that never felt like work because it was such a joy.

For more on Connie's quilt, you can drop in on our RS enrichment blog.

Wesley + Corn Starch = ?

If I bathe him, will he thicken?

The Annual Father's & Sons Outing

Dad gave me this awesome new pack. Now I don't have to lug around a suitcase. My pack has a bunch of pockets for all of my stuff.

This is dad & me by a tree by Living Waters.

This is dad and me in front of Living Waters.

This is Dad & me, my camping friends, and their dads. This was taken at our camp site. At our camp site I liked to tend to the fire and lay in the hammock. I slept in the hammock. It felt like I was sleeping on air.

"My Survival Hike"

So, Cameron, Ben, Josh & Luke, Nathan and I were exploring a little trail at Zion’s Camp. We saw a cliff and walked toward it and noticed a trail next to the cliff. Ben and Luke didn’t want to go on the trail. The rest of us started to go down, but it was much steeper than we thought it would be, so we couldn’t get back up that way. So, we started to get a little scared. Cameron noticed a really narrow passageway. While we were hiking through the passage we had to grab onto rocks to hoist ourselves up. I was holding onto a rock, but I started to slip. I noticed Nathan found an easier passageway, so I let go in order to go that way. I got Cameron and Josh to go that way too. It was sort of hard because it was steep, but it was easier because we had trees to hold on to so we wouldn’t fall down. I was the first one to get back up to high ground. Josh was pretty scared by this time, and Cameron and Nathan were behind him. Josh was frozen in fear and started to cry. Josh’s dad came and literally climbed down to help Josh. He got Josh. Nathan slipped, but grabbed onto a tree, and then he and Cameron got up to the top.

The End

Mommy notes

*Christina had a really nice YW mtg. last week. They introduced the Virtue value. One of the achievements within the virtue value is prayerfully reading the Book of Mormon. Christina's leaders showed the girls a necklace made of sterling silver chain & "ruby" crystals (see Proverbs 3:10...). The girls will earn a ruby for each book in the Book of Mormon they read, & in December when they complete the Book of Mormon reading chart, each girl will make one of these necklaces for herself. The YW leaders invited the moms to participate in the BoM reading challenge, but only the girls will make these necklaces. I'm taking this on...I'd have loved to do something like this with my own mom. I also want Christina to know that reading the B of M is truly a lifelong worthwhile study. No matter how many times you read it, you'll always find something applicable, learn something new, and be reminded of true doctrine. I'm thankful that Christina is taking this challenge on & has such great support from her YW friends & leaders.

* Thomas gave a kid the bird on Tuesday at recess. He doesn't even know what it means, although he does know it represents a bad word. We talked about reacting to situations and recognizing triggers that push his self-control to the breaking point. He deeply regretted what he did. I'm glad someone called him out on it right away. I told Thomas that kids are going to be cruel. Kids are going to be mean. You can count on someone not liking you, quite possibly all of your life. You can't control that, however, you can and have to control how you behave and react to every word and action that comes your way. You are accountable for your behavior. You can't control who loves you and treats you with respect, but you can and should find a way to think kind thoughts about everyone, even those who offend you. They don't need to be your best friends, especially if they constantly bring others down, but harboring ill will isn't just not nice, it hurts you; it's never a good thing. I told Thomas that behavior like giving the bird is completely out of character for him, and that was obvious by how upset he was at HIS own behavior, not just at the boy who offended him. On Wednesday there were a couple things that took place at school that were hard for Thomas to deal with. This time he didn't let the situations get the best of him. He had no regrets, and I helped him recognize the difference in how he felt Wed. as opposed to Tues. I told him how proud I was that he was true to himself today. We stopped by Barnes & Noble on the way home and Thomas used his birthday money from Grandma Ann to buy The Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-it-Yourself Book. Good day.

* Grace is reading The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs. To hear her talk about it is hilarious. She finds a way to insert "sassafras springs" into each sentence. She took her book to school to read aloud to her class. Spring has sprung and Grace is back on her bike. She loves belting out HER song, "Amazing Grace." She loves to sport her striped sunglasses to school (thanks, Aunt Sara!). Grace went on a field trip to the zoo and rather than track down a brown bag for lunch, she found a blue & yellow polka dot gift bag. She's fun as ever.

* Caroline: "Mom, if carrots are good for your eyes, what's good for your ears?" Do YOU have an answer for that? I don't. I told Caroline that I just couldn't let her go to Kindergarten next year. I want to spend another year at home with her. She said, "OK." "Really?!!!," I asked, although I knew her reply was too good to be true. Just to be sure, I asked, "You really want to stay home with me?" Caroline didn't miss a beat and said, "For ten days." She gave a start date of sometime in the end of August, which quite possibly could be 10 days before school starts. I can't win! :)

* Stunt man, Wesley: He does a stop, drop and roll stunt...don't know where that came from, but it keeps us laughing! He's so easy to adore. Last night after putting the kids to bed (Thomas & Nina were at church with Wayne), I heard Wesley laughing hysterically from the gut, just like he does during tickle torture. I went in his room fully expecting to send the girls back to bed. No one was there, and Wesley, while awake, seemed to snap out of a day dream. I felt terrible for interrupting. I asked him if grandma was playing cars with him, and I helped him snuggle back in his blankets and put his head on his pillow. Happy Dreams:)

Faith

The whole talk this quote is from is well worth reading....

"Master, the Tempest is Raging," by Howard W. Hunter, Ensign, November 1984

Visiting Teaching

After 10+ years in Primary (still love it!), I'm in RS now serving as Enrichment Counselor. It's interesting how the gears change. I still LOVE the primary children, and those I served with (now dear friends), but feel that love broaden as I've moved next door to RS. I love the sisters and feel my stewardship in a real way.

We had our Relief Society Visiting Teaching conference on Mother's Day. It was so nice to gather for the 2nd & 3rd hours of church while the men taught all of primary & SS. YW joined us the 3rd hour. Our theme was "Instrument of the Lord." We had flowers, musical instruments, sheet music, and art for decor. Our handout was a small booklet for the sisters to utilize in visiting teaching. The purpose is to show how visiting teaching can be literally offering ourselves as an "instrument of the Lord," looking after one another as the Lord would were He here. I don't pretend to be a perfect VTer, but I have to say that since starting this, I have definitely thought of my VTing sisters more in a genuine sisterly way, rather than the end of the month rushed "visit." The booklet is now HERE on Sugardoodle. You can tweak it to make it work for your theme or just print it as is. The flower is symbolic for the God-given feminine attributes of compassion, creativity, and nurturing. When we as women join forces through VTing, the effects are immeasurable, but certainly start with more capable women and stronger families.

Have you ever had a conversation with women where you came away inspired and empowered? I went to lunch with several women from the Resolutionary Challenge I participated in last winter. My friend Whitney has a gift for guiding discussions and keeping the bar of the conversation high. It was a delight to meet these women, to offer compassion and understanding, and to feel that in return. The topics of conversation steered clear of the gossip gutter and self-pity street. We talked literature, life, and dreams. I felt enlightened and inspired by these women, and discovered a thing or two about myself as well. I walked away as if I was given a super-heroine cape and a mission. I took a natural reassessment of my dreams and pet projects. I felt empowered to take on a dream project; writing my mom's story, that I had on the back burner with much easier tasks (emotionally & intellectually) always coming first.

I think that part of the reason I felt compelled to drive 45 minutes to Cambridge to have this lunch date was because this experience gave me a message for the sisters at our VTing conference 2 days later....There is great power and potential in us as women, especially when we strive to act as an instrument of the Lord in looking after each other and building one another up. It's no wonder VTing teaching started in the first place. Isn't it the Lord's way that as we act on His behalf we change, and our relationship to Christ changes as well. So efficient and beautiful!

Now, go give your sisters their cape, a dose of sisterly support, & a truffle just because:)

The Garden

One of the best feelings of spring...

The garden is in. I wish the bulbs bloomed longer, but it was time to cut them down and get the veggie garden going. It feels good to have tomato plants, romaine, jalapeno & herbs from Berberian Farm in Northborough (plants starting at .50!) in our little garden plot. The work has begun. My Mother's Day rose bush is in a pot with some trailing vinca. The bright pink hanging geranium I found at Home Depot for $5 makes me smile, as do the perennials that are actually showing up (I'm always happily surprised when they do). Thank you to my little helpers, Caroline & Wesley. The garden is IN!

The garden story of the season is my chives. Remember the ice storm? I had my herb planter on the railing of our little deck. The wind from the storm knocked the planter on it's side on the deck floor. Winter's snow kept the planter buried. When the snow thawed I forgot about the planter since it was still too early to plant my herb garden. One day in March I looked out the kitchen door window and there was the chive plant growing sideways, but growing strong. I picked the planter up and set it back on the railing, trimming it a couple times when chives were needed in the kitchen. Fresh cut chives smell so good! Today was the first day I attempted to arrange the planter. It has been overcast & it even rained once I got the garden in...nice, huh?! I wonder how long it will take for my chives to straighten up? Maybe a good dose of sunshine will do the trick. For now, I've got a trailing chive plant & now you know how you can grow one too:D.

I {heart} perennials, my plants that actually grow, my little garden of hope & work... HOMEGROWN, and SPRING.

Two Candles

We started the day singing, "Happy Birthday to you!" Kisses! We sang some more and dug into your donut tower. Thanks for sharing!

You are So Much FUN! Zooming & crashing cars...

You're such a big helper too...our little dish washer (esp. when brownie crumbs are involved).

And our games..."chicken in a chicken," "I see you!," turtle, statue, whisper/"What?!?!!!" Prayers, lullabies, holding hands & chase. Poor thing; even when you stomp your foot and shout, "No!," we chuckle at your cuteness. Yes, we've had to play charades trying to figure out what in the world you want as you melt down in frustration, but even through tired, cranky, frustrated moments (like when you are certain you are starving), we adore you. Day after day you bring JOY...even on the day you pooped in the bathtub while your sisters were there. The room cleared (including you) in record time! We laughed until we cried.

A quote that has gone around the family....

You, my dear Wesley have been one of the great surprises of my life, and you are an answer to a lonely big brothers' prayers; a HUGE blessing from the start.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Wes!

Our wonderful ward family...

Last Saturday night was the Young Womens' camp fundraiser; the annual dessert auction/talent show. The poor economy has hit our ward hard and there are many who are unemployed, semi-employed (us), and/or effected in some adverse way by the economic downturn. I don't think anyone expected to witness the outpouring of support we saw on Saturday night.

The entertainment was light-hearted. I enjoyed talking with my friend, Whitney (You should follow her thoughtful & inspiring blog, Dare to Dream). As we were talking, laughter erupted. I looked at the stage, and there was Wayne and the YM presidency lip sync-ing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".....& Wesley, who had spontaneously joined them on stage. Wes even tried to copy his daddy's moves. Wayne picked Wes up at the end and they danced the few last seconds together. Great ward family moment!

The miracle of the night was that our ward family rallied together for our Young Women and raised enough money for each girl to go to Girls Camp this summer. Wayne's cheesecake went for $160! We have an amazing 20-something man in our ward who is quadriplegic. He couldn't attend the fundraiser, but he sent $$ with his mom...really amazing acts of generosity.

As things wrapped up, the rain came down & leave it to the youth to have a blast in a downpour. They even dragged beloved "Menzie" into the rain.

We LOVE our ward family & the fun, friendship & unity we share.

Mother's Day

After years of the corsages, bouquets, chocolates, and Mother's Day fan fare, I find myself in need of no such gifts. I feel FULL of joy today. Life has its challenges, but I feel rich with love.

Friday/Saturday- Grandma Ann sent a beautiful card....had fun catching up with her on the phone. Grandma Ilene called. We spoke for quite a while. She said some things that I needed to hear...made my day. Happy early Mother's Day.

Saturday, I felt compelled to drive with 4 kids in tow to our former ward to be there for an old friend while her oldest son was baptized. Her husband has battled cancer for 4+ years, and witnessing the significance of that milestone reminded me of what is of most worth. Perspective is everything.

Mother's Day....Thomas served me a breakfast omelet. Oodles of homemade cards came my way & a rose bush ready to plant first thing tomorrow...can't wait! Church was beautiful. Dinner was tri tip & veggies courtesy of Wayne + his homemade vanilla/heath bar ice-cream. I blogged with my headphones on listening to my music while Wes & Wayne watched race cars, little gals colored, and 2 big kids battled it out cleaning the kitchen. Bedtime's near... XOXOXOXOXO's. Called Ama...Wesley hollered, "Happy Mother's Day!!!!" over and over and over {& MoMo sang to me! Lucky!!!}. Oh, my little loves.

I'm thankful to be mother to our five children. I am thankful for MY mother who showed me a beautiful example of motherhood- sacrifice, bravery, tears, service, laughter, and all. She has profoundly effected my perspective on life and motherhood. I don't think I could miss her more than I do right now.

I love you, mom....everyday.

Top 10 Reasons Why I Love My MOM

10. I love my Mom because she made me a quilt.

9. I love my mom because she kisses me a lot.

8. I love my Mom when she tucks me in bed.

7. I love my Mom because she tells me to learn my time-tables.

6. I love to hear my Mom talk on the phone.

5. I love my Mom because she likes to snuggle with me.

4. I know my Mom cares because she let me name the baby.

3. I know my Mom is smart because she knows what six time six is.

2. I love my Mom because she helps me bake cookies.

1. I love my Mom because she's the BEST MOM EVER!

Happy Mom's Day, MOM! Love, Grace

Celebrating Thomas!

Recently we celebrated our Thomas and his entrance into "double digits." ...the big 1-0.

Oh, how we love our Thomas! (For me, you were love at first sight)

1. He and Wayne are regular fishing buds.
2. Thomas, we love that you are brave enough to share your voice- in song and in faith, and more recently in school...hurray for your personal best 4/4 on an oral presentation. You've come a long way this year & we're so proud of your progress.
3. You're not too cool to wear Grace's hot pink back pack for her as we walk home from school together.
4. One of my favorite things in the world is talking with Thomas, even if we're talking about not much at all.
5. He's not too cool to "hug-a-bug-a" Caroline.
6. Hearing him sing lullabies to his little brother at night, in particular "Stille Nacht" is heartwarming. And Wesley has nothing to fear if comfort is required....
7. Thomas' omelets are outstanding! Every now and then we even get breakfast in bed... just because.

Some time ago Thomas realized his birthday would fall on a fast Sunday. Rather than complain about not getting all 3 choices in birthday meals, Thomas focused on the one meal he'd have- dinner. After church he chose to make chocolate chip pancakes & blueberry pancakes for everyone....another reason to love our Thomas! After dinner we had cake and ice cream and presents....the pogo stick was a HIT!

On Monday for FHE we went to Kimball's and had ice-cream.

Thomas, you are stronger and smarter than you realize, and as your biggest fans, we wish you great things in the coming year. Thank you for all that you are and the great blessing you are to our family. We're so very thankful that you are our son & brother, and we LOVE oh, so much!

Leaving DC...& our stop in Philly

It looks like we'll have a photo book of just our spring break vacation!

I just found more photos...

Happy Aunt photo...

Our good-byes.... Oh, what we do for a group cousin photo!

Our last adventure.... a spontaneous stop in Philadelphia.

Independence Hall is a must. Christina and I did this tour last year, so I hung out with restless Wesley while Wayne and the rest of the kids heard the history and the reading of the Preamble....a wonderful tour.

The Supreme Court where Oliver Ellsworth (my ancestor) presided as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from March 8, 1796–December 15, 1800, and swore in John Adams.

The Liberty Bell

The Betsy Ross House

2 great options for classic Philly cheese steak...

We ate at Pat's & everyone gave it a thumbs up.