New Realization:

I think you'll be hearing from me a bit more often. . .

Books We've Been Reading

Right now we are reading three books aloud.  It's a bit much, but it's all about convenience.  We have one book upstairs, one book downstairs and one book in the car.  I love it that my girlies still want me to read aloud to them!  It melts my heart when Sco takes over the reading.  What a sweet man!

Christmas in July

Trying to photo-journal the main events of the past year.  Enjoy!

 St. Lucia party at Oma and Opa's new house in Daybreak

Next few pictures are from Christmas Dinner 

with the Halversons, Ballous & Dansies at our house

 Homemade snowflakes (idea from Family Fun) hanging from lights

 Candy cane mouse craft done by me and the girlies

 Paper plates and cups = Merry Christmas for the Hostess!

 Beautiful paper tree made by Chloe at school.

 We're back to being a single tree family.

Our holiday is better when it's simplified!

 Extra ornaments decorate the garlands

 Gifts displayed all of December.  A little tempting. . .

 My nod to our Swedish traditions

 Living room filled with gifts and Nativity sets

 Each girl got to choose from our collection of stockings.

No one seemed in favor of a matching theme. . .

Ashley decided to have TWO stockings just in case.

One of my favorite Christmas decorations.

Given to me by my mom.

Painted for her by my Aunt Paula

Notes for next year:

1. Find physical ways to serve as a family

2. Less is more

3. Enjoy the mess 

4. Christmas doesn't have to be picture perfect

5. Change expectations

One Inch Tall by Shel Silverstein

Project Jess did for her poetry unit in 3rd grade

So clever!

 If you were only one inch tall

You'd ride a worm to school.

 The teardrop of a crying ant

Would be your swimming pool.

 A crumb of cake would be a feast

and last you seven days at least,

 A flea would be a frightening beast

If you were only one inch tall

 If you were only one inch tall

You'd walk beneath the door.

 And it would take about a month

to get down to the store.

 A bit of fluff would be your bed

 You'd hang upon a spider's thread

 And wear a thimble on your head

If you were only one inch tall.

You'd surf across the kitchen sink

Upon a stick of gum.

 You couldn't hug your momma,

You'd just have to hug her thumb.

You'd run from people's feet in fright

This poem took fourteen years to write

'Cause I'm just one inch tall.