Is there really a Santa?

This morning at breakfast, Sylvia looked at me and point blank asked, "Mommy, is there really a Santa, or do you just buy all the presents?" Well there it is! At first, I responded with, "What do you think?" and there was some discussion between the three kids before I casually changed the subject.

After the kids were done eating, I called Sylvia out to the living room and sat her on my lap. I told her that because she asked, I wanted to be honest with her and tell her the truth. She didn't seem surprised, or disappointed, or hurt, or relieved. And I did ask her not to tell Caeden or Annah, since they still believe and we don't want to break their hearts. She was cool with that.

So, I do plan to tell Annah at some point before Christmastime arrives again. I'm glad it was easy with Sylvia...

Tessa's Dedication

It was such a blessing to be able to be present for Tessa's baby dedication today!  She looked so precious!

Travis & Erin brought her before the church to proclaim that she belongs to the Lord, and that they will do their best to raise her to know Jesus.  Both sets of grandparents, all her cousins, and aunts and one uncle (Jeremy wasn't able to come.) all went forward with her to show that we promise to help, and the church was in agreement too.

What a blessed day!

I didn't get any good photos during the service, but Travis sang Mark Harris's song, Find Your Wings, and had us all bawling.  It was a beautiful ceremony, and we were so glad to be there for it!

New Bike Rider!

A couple days ago, Sylvia asked Krampa to take the training wheels off her bike at his house.  She was determined to learn to ride without them.  That night, she got tired of trying, and was frustrated that she hadn't learned in a couple hours.  We encouraged her to keep trying later, and told her that it could take days or weeks. 

Today, Krampa walked outside and started whooping and hollering when he saw this...

She kept trying by herself, and learned!  She rode up and down the driveways all afternoon!  

So proud of our girl!!

'Busco Naz' Community Easter Event

This morning we attended a great community Easter event at the 'Busco Naz' church.  Gram went with us, we saw Clayton there, the Skinners met us there, and we saw lots of our 'Busco Naz' friends too.  

There were tons of fun games, like Plinko, Lucky Key, Soda Can Ring Toss, Duck Pond, Face Painting, Hoop Shoot...

We decorated tiny pots...

...and planted violets in them!

Our friends, the Skinners, came too!  (We had visited them at their house on Thursday, but the kids didn't want their picture taken together then.  ;)  They'd been too busy playing!)

At this table, the kids put jelly beans in a little ziploc, and received a card showing what each color represents in the story of Easter--really cool!

The kids got to pick up real chicks and have their pictures taken with them!

After all the inside excitement, there were Easter egg hunts too!  It was a really fun way to spend the morning!  Thank you 'Busco Naz' family!

Sylvia's 7-year portraits

I took Sylvia's 7-year portraits in my parents' yard today.  It was very sunny (not the best time to take them), but we got some good ones.  Her sweet little face and spirit just make me so happy.  I love this girl!!  

(Click on a photo to see it larger.)

Crocheting with Grandma

We visited Great Grandma C. today for a bit.  Caeden headed to the basement, where all the toys are, as soon as we got there.  The girls took their violins and reluctantly played for her for the first time.  I took my crocheting, and asked Mom to take a picture of Grandma and I crocheting together. 

Grandma taught me to crochet when I was nine.  I clearly remember her and Grandpa coming over to our house one night and her teaching me to make hair ties and pin cushions with purple, lavendar, and mauve yarns.  She taught me chain, single crochet, and double crochet stitches, and how to read the abbreviations in pattern books.

These days Grandma said she crochets about 9 hours a day.  She was working on some "scuffies" slippers today.  (Our family loves to wear the scuffies in our old drafty house!)  She is always making something for someone, and gives away pretty much everything she makes. 

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Here are some more of the name doilies I've made for the Crochet for Haiti project. 
I only have a couple more projects to go!