KIDS IN PJ'S

I haven't had internet for a couple of days. I have lots of pictures to post, so I'll try to get to it soon. We celebrated Ben's birthday last week, so there will be another long birthday post. I have some pictures to share from our Good Friday Fellowship at church as well. In the meantime, here's just a few that I have time to upload this morning before we head out to do some errands and go walking on the trails.

The other day Ben and Cal got into the dress-up box and had some good imaginative playtime together. Before they had to take it off, I took their picture and asked them what they had been playing. They said that their airplane had crashed and they were on an island and had built a new home for themselves (the laundry room). They both have army surplus canteens slung over their shoulders (borrowed from their brothers), and are holding some play "flashlights" that they built.

Ben asked me to take this picture. He's been working for several weeks on learning to wink his eye. He finally accomplished closing one and not the other! He told me that Dad said it would help him to aim his gun. Boy, he's been working hard on that! He is a good aim too. I think he's the most natural of all the boys at hitting what he's shooting for with his toy gun and crossbow.

BOY TIME

Last Friday we got the opportunity to take some friends that we hadn't seen in a while out to visit Cooper's Rock. The Ha family are a homeschooling family that we met when we were living in Pennsylvania. They have three sons that are similar to my first three sons' ages. When all those boys get together they always have a great time.

There's some really wonderful rock formations at Cooper's Rock that the boys love to explore and play in/on. They couldn't wait to take the Has there. There's all kinds of crevices, tunnels and caves.
All 7 boys had some sort of gun to play with. The rocks are great to hide behind in pretend combat.

Such a beautiful place. The mother, Sarah Ha, and I enjoyed talking and watching them play.

The one girl in the group couldn't possibly keep up with all that boy-ness.

There are so many interesting things to see at Cooper's Rock. I thought these exposed roots were interesting.

There they are all together. From left to right, Samuel, Ezra Ha, Isaac Ha, Jonas Ha, Benjamin, Calvin and William.

When I asked them who they were when they were playing, they said, "Marines at Belleau Wood." I believe that's a location of a WWI battle. It was so fun for my boys to have some nice boys to play with who are interested in the same kinds of things. We were grateful for the time!

EASTER

Easter only sort of happened here at the Jones house. There were big plans and then a wrench thrown in. Peter really wanted to plan an Easter feast at our house and invite anyone from church who didn't have family to be with. He handled most of the planning. He bought a big ham, got more wine glasses. He helped me plan the menu and then cook much of it on the day before. The wrench thrown in was that I got horribly sick with a bacterial infection on Saturday night and ended up in bed, dilirious with fever, all day on Sunday. Peter, single-handedly, fixed strawberry shortcake for breakfast for himself and the kids, got the boys ready for church, put the ham in to cook while he was gone at church and got the tables set and ready for the feast along with many other last minute details for the feast. He went to church with the boys and led the service and preached, then came home and entertained more than 12 guests and managed all six kids while I lay useless in bed. The report was that everyone had a great time. They set up a volleyball net and played outside for hours. I don't think anyone left until 6 pm or so. Way to go, Peter! I was sad to miss it though.

I briefly rose to give the kids their little Easter gifts in the morning. I had this bunny suit in the holiday box. I really don't know where it came from.

This is the boys, ready for breakfast. We had put up tables in the basement for the feast, so they were eating down there.
They had a few little treats to celebrate. Will is looking at his stickers.

I don't know that we would use Easter baskets to give the gifts, but I have these baskets that my sisters and I used when we were little and so I usually get them out.

Sam got a yo-yo.

I'm not sure what he's doing. I guess he's just studying that egg.

At the end of the day the boys hid a few plastic eggs for Millie to find. Peter took one picture!

Pretty feeble Easter pictures! Ah well, the feast went well and that's what matters. Church was good as well, I just didn't get to participate in it this year.

CELEBRATING NUMBER 2

Here are a couple of highlights from Millie's birthday. First, she's feeding herself her birthday breakfast so nicely. Helping William with some sweeping.
She nominated herself to be the "dustpan man."

That sweeping really wears you out! They needed a reading break.

She changed into play clothes and had some fun outside in the afternoon.

Birthday dinner included a really big pan of homemade refried beans.

Millie with the "It's Your Special Day" plate, enjoying her dinner.

BIRTHDAY PARTY

The cake was intended to be an imitation of the cake that my mom made for me on my second birthday in 1978. Of course, this is the first birthday that she has some idea of what's going on. She's soaking it in and trying to figure it out.
There, I got a good smile from her.
She had a hard time understanding the concept of blowing out the candles. It took a while! :-)

That was some very blue icing. She liked it just fine.

Millie and her gifts.

The first one was from Papa and Grammy.

A fun wooden cookie baking set!

There's a cannister for storing the cookies in.

All laid out on the tray!

"Thank you very much Papa and Grammy! I will love to be a baker like my mom!"

Next...

...a new outfit for her dollie with a diaper.

Putting on the diaper,

...then the dress.

So nice!!

This one is from Aunt Leslie and Uncle John.

She's peeking inside, she's not sure what that is yet.

Now she's understanding.

Trying it out!

Coming around to check on the baby. What a good mommy.

I really can't describe how much fun we had watching her enjoy this first stroll. She's getting so big. The boys and Peter and I have so much fun giving her things and watching her figure them out.

Just a couple more strolling pics, I took a whole lot.

She kept coming around and checking on the baby and just admiring her sitting there.

We had to tear her away from the stroller to open the last of her gifts.

Peter and I got her a play tunnel.

In she goes...

...out she comes!

This was really fun too. Once again, we didn't need to say anything. She knew just what to do and squeeled with delight all the way through her first time in the tunnel.

Look close, you can see her looking through the window.

Millie's last gift was this blue ball.

Naturally, she immediately put it in the tunnel.

Happy Birthday to Millie. We are so grateful for the privilege of raising her. She has added so much to our family and is adored by all of us.