Field trip: Christmas at Oak View Farm

What a fun field trip with our FIAR group to a local farm which highlighted Christmas through the years!  We have been to this site before and they always do a great job!  It was fun seeing a new program.  We split into 2 groups based on age.  The younger kids started in the barn.

The guide played Christmas songs and tried to see how quickly the children could identify the song.  She then shared some interesting facts with us about the carol including the time it was written or the circumstances surrounding the song.

 We then toured the house which was decorated from different periods.  Well, we actually started in the kitchen which was simply decorated from the colonial period.

 The guide shared with the children the types of gifts children typically received as well as describing how the home might have been decorated.

 As we progress in time, we will see things grow and expand from simple to ... well, not so simple.  This was from the 1800s.  

It really is beautiful with all of the natural greenery.  

Examples of gifts (dolls, nuts, oranges and candy).  

 Isn't this cute?  And in how many homes would these gifts stay wrapped?

 Victorian period.  The tree is introduced during this time period along with Christmas cards.

 The last room  had scenes from 2 different time periods.  World War 1 and 2 I believe.

This was the earlier time.

This is definitely WW2.  Looks a lot like today I think.

 We ended with a game of Christmas bingo.  It was really cute!

 The children enjoyed playing it too.

 I see a lot of possibilities for this type of game in learning to recognize things.  Now, if my energy would allow me to follow up in making things to use, that would be great too.  :-)

 This is the front of the home.  It was a gorgeous day and we stayed for a picnic lunch and time to play.

 Its always fun to spend time with friends and learning while we are having fun is always a bonus!

Thankful for the opportunity to explore, laugh and be with people I love.

Merry Christmas!
Leslie

Happy Birthday Eliana!!!

Another birthday for our family.  The fall is so full with birthdays!  Our little princess had her 6th birthday.  Truly, it doesn't seem like she is 6 years old.  Some of that is just the natural passing of time where things just seem to go more quickly the more years you have under your belt.  The other is that she truly doesn't seem like a 6 year old.  Still young in so many ways, not the least of which is her tiny size.  More than made up for by her huge smile!

Rebecca took her out for a photo shoot on her birthday and she was more than happy to comply.  Of course, Rebecca made sure that her hair was beautiful.

We are so thankful for you sweet girl.  For all that you have taught us about love and life, about God and his strength and grace, about trust and thankfulness.  Our lives have changed so much since you joined our family.  While we have faced challenges, they have been more than overshadowed by the joys.  We remain thankful for the good gift that God has given us in the children He has blessed us with!

We planned to have a party for her birthday, but as the day got closer it just seemed too much to pull off.  We really want to have a fun theme party for her.  This time of year is just so busy for everyone.  We decided to postpone her big party until next month.  When we have more time to plan and enjoy!  We still celebrated though in our usual way and she enjoyed it all.

We ate some of her favorite foods.  Pancakes for breakfast.  Tacos for lunch.  All with the red plate!  Oh, and gluten free pizza (homemade!) for dinner.

In the evening it was time for opening gifts.

Daniel spent some of his own earned money at the Awana store to buy her some dress up shoes.

A knitted cap and sweater from her Nana.  Doesn't she look cute!

A new sticker book which is so much fun!

Time for the cake!

She typically LOVES blowing out the candles and can't wait for this to happen.
Not sure why this year she didn't want to blow them out.  We encouraged.  Tried to help.  Cheered her on.  Yet, she resisted.

Finally though, she did blow them out.  Happy Birthday sweet princess!

Eliana, I thank God for you every day!  I'm so glad that He gave you to our family!  You bring laughter and love and soooo many hugs!  I love watching you learn and grow.  You have taught me so many things.  Things I didn't realize that I needed to learn.  I know that God has a great plan in store for you and for our family too.  I love you precious girl!

Love
Mommy

Serving at Christmas

Wanted to share some photos of two of the service projects we were involved in this year.

The first is a blanket making party with our Five in a Row group.  We have done this same project for many years and it is a lot of fun.  We like that it offers something for all ages from cutting and tying the blankets to making cards to go with them.  

I did something a little different this year.  I often spend much of my time there helping to cut blankets and thus have not been able to be as hands on with my own children.  This year, I sat down in advance and showed them how to tie their own blankets.  This was such a positive thing for Daniel in particular.  He loved helping and worked on 3.5 blankets!

My little cutie brought Phineas to help out.  

Making cards to go along with the blankets.

Its always fun to work on a project with a friend!

Mamas busy at work.

While the little ones play.

Eliana spent some time taking pictures.  She always gets great smiles from everyone!

Isaiah with a finished blanket.  We choose something for the age and gender of each of our children to make and donate.

One of the girls brought and set up a play area for the little ones.  She did a fabulous job playing with them and helping to keep them entertained - and all on her own initiative too!

Love seeing the young ones wanting to learn and help out.

This is a great project for boys and girls of various ages!

After working for a couple of hours, we took a break for a potluck lunch.

And had a wonderful pile of blankets ready to be used.

Some of the group with blankets.  (I didn't get a photo before some people had to leave.)

We also served again at Operations Christmas Child this year.  We have done this for several years now and it is such a fun place to work!  This was Joshua's first year going as you have to be 13 to volunteer.

We joined another small group which actually had a friend in it!  What fun!  We each learned our jobs and then set to work.

Rebecca spent over 4 hours taping boxes shut!

We worked as an assembly line.  First checking the boxes for money or checks used to pay for shipping.

Next the boxes were inspected to make sure that there were no items that weren't allowed - liquids, food, etc.

If anything is removed, more things are added in to keep the box full and complete  Then it is taped up.

The boxes are sorted by age and gender and packed into larger boxes.

Its always interesting to see all of the neat things that people pack into the boxes.

We also enjoy hearing stories of how the boxes are used by God to bless and encourage others.

We were at the facility in Charlotte - the biggest of the seven processing sites.

At the end of the time there, we are tired but glad to have served.

What a wonderful group and we are glad to have been able to help.

Praying that God will use these boxes to bless and meet needs of the many who receive them.  Praying that they would know that God loves them deeply!

Blessings
Leslie