The Trumpet of the Swan

Jonah's class read The Trumpet of the Swan for their summer reading.  I read it too and was delighted (somehow I'd missed reading this classic in my own childhood).  It is a beautiful book, full of nature, fancy, and adventure.  It is a story that is good, true and beautiful is the most wonderful of ways.  It would be a beautiful story to read aloud and after I finish the Misty series with Rowan or after Daddy finishes Narnia with him, this one is next on our list to read with Mr. 4.

 And in honor of summer reading, Rowan, Isaac and I made swan cookies for Jonah to share with his class.  So much fun!

A Little Texas Fun

We've been enjoying Texas sunshine the past couple weeks and last weekend Jim's parents took us on a fun Texan adventure to San Antonio.  There were the classic sites (the Riverwalk and the Alamo), caves, a wildlife park (thus the african animal photos below), yummy food (oh, fish tacos!) and some quality time in the pool.  

7:15pm - on the way to knitting night

Last week was a week of thought and emotion; a week of pondering what really matters.  We found out last Saturday night that my 2 year-old niece Maren has Leukemia.  The prognosis is very hopeful, but thinking of my precious princess Maren going though years of chemo therapy is devastating.   I have never felt so far away from home before.  And I feel a great need to do something... but there is very little I can do.  I am left with prayer.  Which certainly isn't a bad thing to be left with... but a hard thing for me to be content with when I want to physically be present and make a difference.

I was walking to knitting night Thursday, thinking on this (as I so often am) and was struck with how light it was and how beautiful with the spring blossoms over the path.  Somehow they gave me hope and I was reminded that a God who could create such splendor was really worth being left in control and that prayer is really the best thing to be left with in the long run.  I am so grateful for life, for my precious niece and nephew, for medical research and care, for sunshine, and for family.

If you want to stay updated on Maren's progress Emily's cousin has set up a blog - www.prayingformaren.blogspot.com

Castle number 3: Edinburgh

Again a castle on a hill with a fabulous view.  If you looked right over this wall you could see the train tracks.  The highlight of Jonah's day was standing there in the cold wind and waiting for trains to come.  When they came he would sing them a beautiful song about going fast - through the underpass - and Aberdene and inbetween... I love it that he is learning to rhyme and to make up songs.  My days lately are filled with Jonah's train songs and they are precious!

One, two, three, Jump!

Saturday Morning with Uncle Jeff

Hallowed Hill was a pict burial ground between the 5th and 9th centuries and is a short walk from our house.

Jonah wanted to hold Uncle Jeff's hand all the way to town.

(Also, don't Jim and Jeff look cute in their matching jackets :o)

A cool tree on the Lade Braes walk into town.

the final destination - town (particularly the bakery and the castle)

Uncle Jeff

Today when Jonah woke up from his nap he asked "Is uncle Jeff here again?"  

Jonah loved having uncle Jeff around.  I'm not sure exactly what they were doing upstairs when they were playing, but I know I heard lots of thumps, bumps and giggles.  I think I heard something about tickling, wrestling and peek-a-boo.

We took a bus trip to the town of Anstruthers - which is known for having the best fish and chips in the world.  Unfortunately the best fish and chips place was closed for a week, but we found another one which was also yummy (though I had roasted chicken - fried foods make me feel sick)

This is Jonah waiting for Uncle Jeff to wake up in the morning.  He was always so excited when I told him he could go wake uncle Jeff.  

Jonah is reading "The Rattletrap Car" in this picture - a fabulous book!

50 things to do on Grandma and Granddad's farm (3)

1. Sing Baby Beluga with Grandma

2. Play memory

3. Do puzzles of states, trucks and tractors

4. Visit Maren, Elijah, Aunt Emily and Uncle Jeremy and see their new house

5. play piano with Elijah

6. Eat Aunt Emily's scrumptious lime mousse

7. Run around with a basket on your head and pretend to be a robot

8.  Feed Lightning McQueen pea balls.

9. Play with all the old playmobile that Mom dug out and cleaned

10. Have tea parties on the breezeway

11.  Play with Grandma while mommy writes a Sermon on the Mount Curriculum

12.  Look at fish at the aquarium with Elijah 

13. Go to the Pittsburgh Zoo and see the baby elephant

14.  Catch fireflies

15.  Chase a remote control fire truck

16.  Wear a new fireman raincoat and put out fires.

Visit from Jeff and Aunt Jill

Here are some photos of Uncle Jeff's Birthday dinner. 

Jeff requested brownies for his 'birthday dessert' so I made two batches and put them in round pans for a double layer chocolate brownie cake.

Jonah had a great weekend with Uncle Jeff and Aunt Jill.  He was sad when they went home.