frostys and art

I recently bought Charis some face paint...

Caleb took us to an amazing dive of a place in Vista: Pepper Tree Frosty. I guess they've been there forever, and have a local following. The shakes were quite tasty. I recommend them to anyone in the area. Of course the kids loved it.

Charis and Pax took an art class at the local art school this summer. Pax wasn't into it, but Charis liked it. They did both like seeing their finished work mounted on the wall with printed name tags. So official! I'm happy to see my kids figuring out what they like (or don't like). Charis tends to like everything and Pax tends to like nothing. But I've been seeing them both grow. Recently Charis took a crocheting class at Joannes. She hated it! There was supposed to be a part 2 class and she had zero interest. I was shocked. She's never turned down an opportunity to go to an event. But she was confident she didn't like crocheting (too boring I think) and being with new friends in a class wasn't enough reason to go back. Conversely, Pax has been making good friends quite easily recently. It is so heart warming to see him have "best friends". He was never that kid before. I hope they continue to know who they are and feel confident in that. I hope I do as well.

our friends

I met my friend Rochelle in college. She stood out right away as a free-thinking hippy chick. I knew we should be friends. She really was influential in helping me see non-conventional ways of living (who needs bathrooms?) She's always encouraged me to think and live more naturally. The seeds she started planning all those years a go have really taken root now. Although we haven't lived near each other since our girls were babies, we've kept up our friendship through many moves, states, kids and years.  She's one of those friends I know I'll always stay connected to. 

Rochelle and her husband and 4 kids came to visit us last weekend. Our kids love each other so much. They were all born with in a couple months of each other. Charis and Eva are especially close since they are only 10 days apart, and have seen lots of pictures of themselves together as infants. They always immediately reconect, no matter how long it's been. Rochelle has had one more kid than me recently. Baby Lilly. Charis was in love. She knows what she wants for Christmas now (Santa ain't gonna deliver that though).

We both have Jo Jo's. Jonas and Josiah. And they are both amazing and beautiful little stinkers.

Lots of fun was had climbing trees, playing dress up, eating yummy farmer's market food, and talking about kids and China and God and parenting.

We could hardly pull Lilly away from Charis. She must have given her 10 good bye hugs and kisses. 

vbs, worms, peaches and bread

my kids went to vacation bible school a couple of weeks a go. their grandma's church was putting it on, so we decided to try it. i wasn't sure what they'd think, but it was the most fun week of their lives. they made strawberry jam, planted grape seeds, made cinnamon rolls, watched skits, played games, and ended the week with a carnival. they are still singing the songs they learned (signs and all) and can't wait to be babysat by one of their leaders. 

some day Pax will appreciate this picture. but at 5, he just said cheese and ran away. the week was really fun for me and jonas too. i've never spent that much time alone with him! 3 hours every morning. he's so different when he's not with his siblings. 

caleb's mom brought over the ingredients for these "worms in dirt" desserts. the kids loved it. it's chocolate pudding with crushed oreos and gummy worms. yummy.

i went back and got more peaches from uncle mitchy's back yard. with Renee's kids this time. it was fun but hot.

here is charis enjoying the peach jam i made with the peaches from uncle mitchy's back yard. it turned out really good. she likes to eat it by the bowl full. i also made kumquat marmalade with the kumquats from my back yard. intense but tasty. and it really was not very difficult. flo let me use her jamming equipment, so that was helpful.

i made my first non-bread-machine-bread with Renee last week! she is an experienced bread maker, so she taught me what to do. it was a fun thing to do together, and the bread turned out quite delicious. i think my bread machine is not going to get as much action anymore!