Peek into our week

We had an emotional roller coaster of a week. We have a lot of big decisions to make and are sometimes feeling excited and expectant, other times bewildered and without real direction. Thankful that He who holds the future in His hands is faithful! One of the particularly disheartening days I realized that we talk about doing a treat with the kids often but almost never do because they often don't eat what they're supposed to at dinner or someone gets in trouble and we end up not being able to go. So this particular day all the kids finished their food and we felt like we needed to do something "fun". All we did was walk down to the corner grocery and bought a box of cheap icecream bars on sticks (and I brought my big helper Olivia with me) and we all ate them together. The kids pretty much thought they were in Disneyland. Sometimes its the simple things:)

Nom nom nom...such a treat!

We had a brunch with friends on Saturday...brunch and worship time in english! First time we've sang worship songs in English in a year and a quarter! Fun times with great friends:)

Marianna "dressed" each of our plates when we had homemade pizza pockets this week. She made a fruit and veggie face for each person...very cute and creative!

These two goofballs have too much fun together. Louis' recent thing is crawling up the ladder to try to go to bed with Liv. He tries to act like he belongs there. I can't imagine the mischief if I actually let them try to nap together!

Menu Plan

I'm looking to try some new recipes this week while remaining close to gluten free for my part. In order to keep mutiny at bay I am going to try some new recipes that I think most of the family will like though.
Sunday: Mexican corn bread, beans, raw veggies
Tuesday: Loaded potato soup with leeks
Wednesday: Sour Cream Rice Bake, Salad
Thursday: Stuffed Peppers
Friday: Pizza Pockets, peas
Saturday: Enchiladas, mexican salad

 Lots of yummy comfort food this week...its supposed to snow and the kids are on break...plus its my last week of school! Time to celebrate!

New pillowcases and SNOW!

Our last couple weeks have been full of sickness and snow... and change. We'll share more about the last one later. But last week we enjoyed a thicker than usual snow fall. It was beautiful but ill-timed since we were in the midst of sickness after sickness...first O, then M, then moi (although mine was less severe than the others') and now Daniel. A fun thing was receiving the kids' new pillowcases in the mail this week! Grandma Kathy made them with love for the kiddos...they love them! Little guy copying daddy, taking notes. The littles happily holding their pillows.

Flashback pics

Since we've been sick and I don't seem to have any new pictures, here are a few "flashing back" to less than two years ago, when Marianna was Liv's age now and Liv was Louis' age (approx.). Weren't they cuties?

I was hugely pregnant with Louis at this time and we were living with my parents!

Under the blanket and out of doors

Everyone snuggled up (for about 2 seconds until Louis escaped) to watch a french movie

Trip to the park with Daddy. It was COLD, but they all had a good time.

Until this little turkey pooped and they had to go home.  But fun while it lasted.

Checking out the beekeeping exhibit. Which we can finally read and understand.

Yep, he's still cuter than anything. 

And this one too.  Usually the cuteness disguises copious amounts of mischief.

And then some more mischief.  But who's counting?

Je me cache, je me cache, il fait froid...

Pretty views from the park

The three little pigs, um, turkeys, um...no wait, precious children:) 

Bonhomme de neige (snowman)

Marianna is learning a poem each season for her class.  I think it's awesome!  This one is about a snowman who melts.

Scrubbing the tile

There are a few odd chores the kids enjoy...among them scrubbing the floor (only when we are all doing it together) and cleaning the toilet!  Weird.  This episode of scrubbing the floor was actually requested by the kids after our regular chore time ended.  Lest you think I have the ideal, most amazing kids EVAH...the "regular" chore time right before this was p.a.i.n.f.u.l.  As in we had to practically use cow prods to get anything done and it took forever.  But with a fresh burst of energy, they all wanted to join in and scrub our tile.  It actually looks really awesome right now!

Thanks kids:)