he was almost a new year's baby

He turned 7 yesterday...two days from the new year.

Toys from the family.

Getting ready for pizza, his choice of supper.

Enjoying a root beer float.

The birthday cake with the usual decorations - toy animals (his favorite animal is the tiger).

Goodies from ma-maw.

Overall it was a good birthday. :)

Until next time...

JenT

gifts they love

You can see what Mamaw got the kids for Christmas this year...

...they were all excited...

...and couldn't wait to pose on them...

...or push them...

...or try to avoid a picture...

...or just freely ride them...

...or inspect them...

...or help a sibling enjoy theirs...

...in other words they all had a fabulous, grand time with their gifts.

Until next time...

JenT

White Christmas

Well "they" said we would have a white Christmas...

...I guess for once "they" were right.

Until next time...

JenT

Birthday number 13

Our oldest turned 13 today. Last night we had her party so that her ma-maw could be there.

She decided to not have a traditional cake and instead wanted Key Lime Pie. She also likes to make her own, so she made two pies.

Lighting the candles.

She served it up.

And everyone enjoyed.

Some a little more than others.

It's hard to realize that my oldest is 13. It seems like yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital. They grow up so fast and the time seems to fly by. Before we know it she will be grown up completely and maybe even a world away. (She wants to go to Australia).

One thing I am thankful for is that she isn't in any hurry to grow up. She still likes to play with her siblings and her toys. She is not interested in boys or any of the trappings that go with being a "typical" teenager in today's world. I say, let her take her time. There will be plenty of time for that later when she is mature enough to deal with it.

For now, I am happy to buy her toy horses and let her play.



Until next time...


JenT

"hair" today, gone tomorrow

Unfortunately, I forgot to take before pictures. So just imagine that her hair is a foot longer than what is shown here.

Her hair was about the same.

The hair that will be sent to Wigs For Kids.

Both girls decided to donate 12 inches of their hair to Wigs For Kids. Wigs For Kids is a non-profit organization that takes donated hair and makes wigs for children suffering from cancer and other illnesses that cause them to lose their own hair. The difference in Wigs For Kids and Locks of Love, is that Wigs For Kids makes the wigs available to the children for free.

Until next time...

JenT

for the birds

My daughter felt sorry for the birds and decided to fix them some food. She had her brothers find her some pine cones, put some string on them, spread on the peanut butter, and rolled them in birdseed.

She did have a little help.

Hanging them on the trees.

Until next time...


JenT

conglomeration or masterpiece?

bunched up ornaments




empty spaces

homemade

whimsical




traditionally round balls

elegantly shaped ornaments

everything in between

a tree decorated by 9 children ages 12 to 2

conglomeration or masterpiece?

I vote...

...masterpiece

Until next time...

JenT

siblings

One thing I really love to see is my other children loving a new baby brother/sister.









Until next time...




JenT

Chocolate Friday - Double Chocolate Nut Clusters

Lisa at Stop and Smell the Chocolates is bidding farewell to Chocolate Friday. She is also not blogging anymore so you must go say good-bye. When I first read that she was leaving the blogging world I knew that I, for one, would sorely miss her (and her chocolate). But, then I noticed that she would keep her blog up, just not add to it anymore. Isn't she sweet? (Pun intended).

And now my final contribution to Lisa's Chocolate Fridays:

Double Chocolate Nut Clusters

Ingredients:

2 lbs white chocolate almond bark, broken into small pieces

1 lbs dark chocolate almond bark, broken into small pieces

1 4-ounce bar German chocolate

1 12-ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 32-ounce container dry roasted peanuts, lightly salted

1 16-ounce container whole almonds

1 teaspoon almond flavoring

Directions:

Turn slow cooker on high and add the first 6 ingredients. Cook for 45 minutes (don't peek or stir). Reduce heat to low and cook one hour, stirring until all chocolate is melted. Add almond flavoring.

Put into miniature Christmas muffin liners. Store in an airtight container or place on trays for holiday gifts. Yields appoximately 75 pieces.

There you have it, folks. Yummy chocolate-y treats. And now please, please, please go over to Lisa's and check out her delicious site. And if you have a chocolate-y recipe to share, post about it, and link up to her Chocolate Friday post.

Until next time...



JenT