Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Nest Update

Mama bird is still sitting on her nest in our hanging basket. I've managed to water it while she's off hunting worms, and I also managed to sneek a picture of what's in there. I think she's getting used to us.

Happy Birthday Ben!


It's hard to believe - but our "Baby Ben" is four!! He doesn't seem very perturbed by it - he grinned when his birthday cake came in, he happily opened his presents, and he giggled fit to beat the band when his Auntie Charlotte sang "Happy Birthday" to him on the 'phone. And he will proudly tell you how old he is now, and show you the appropriate number of fingers too.

Earlier today, Emily and Granny and I were remembering some of the stories around his birthday, four years ago. It's neat that Emily can remember parts of it! When I remember Ben's birthday, I am reminded of my overwhelming feelings of thankfulness to God for his safe arrival. His delivery was just fine, but after he was born the midwives discovered he had a knot in his umbilical cord, that if it had tightened during delivery could have killed him. In fact, we had a friend whose sister-in-law lost a baby about a month before Ben was born that very way. I remember feeling so happy to have my new little baby, and feeling chilled at how I could have been feeling, and just thanking the Lord for his hand of protection on Ben right from the start!

I still feel very thankful when I look at my four year old! Thankful for the way God has been helping him to grow and develop. And just so blessed to have my wiggly little boy to tuck into bed these nights! Happy Birthday!

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Monday, May 21, 2007

Surprise in a Hanging Basket

Happy Victoria Day Everyone!

We spent today doing work around the house, and playing too. Emmi and I put together this planter in a large pot that I made last summer in a pottery class I took. I can't wait to see how it looks in a month or two when the plants start growing over the sides more! My pottery instructor was a little disappointed that the pot was not symmetrical, but I think it just has personality!

Emmi and Pip are doing battle with the cold virus that has come to live at our house, they both alternate between feeling really yucky, and feeling pretty good. Instead of church yesterday, I took three of the children in to the doctor. Only Pip got antibiotics (for an ear infection), and rest and fluids were perscribed for Emmi and Tim (he's almost through the cold).

Saturday we bought the plants that went in the planter, and some that went in to three hanging baskets I put together. Today, when I checked if they needed some water, I found an "extra" in one of them:

A robin has built a nest! We took the basket down to admire it, and I hope we haven't frightened her away. I was amazed how quickly she worked! I just hung the basket up two days ago!

David and "the boys" worked on our kitchen, installing new baseboard and installing coasters on a set of cabinets, so now you can pull them out from the wall to act as an island if you choose.

Early to bed for the Marshwiggles, no fireworks this year!

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Signs of Spring


Spring is really on its way! We've got some nice flowers in the garden including this Bleeding Heart. And our lilacs are out! We have some purple ones, and a big white on one corner of our garden. They smell wonderful!!
This has inspired me to put together some hanging baskets and a planter for the front porch, but when I went to my garden centre of choice, I was told their shipment of plants was only partially in! Some I was looking for won't be in until Thursday! How frustrating!
Instead, the children and I have been putting some gardening energy into readying the back veggie garden, we've got it dug over now, and Granddad added some compost on his last visit, the next step is to put up the "bunny fence". The rabbits around here are cute, but destructive.

Monday, May 14, 2007

Still pretty cool...

I don't know about the rest of my southern Ontario neighbours, but it is still pretty cool here for mid-May (which is almost is). At the Marshwiggles homestead we are alternating between nursing children through head colds (Tim is the current victim) and getting the garden ready for planting. Most years we don't plant before our Victoria Day "safe frost date" but I feel like we've missed a couple of weeks of good growing time. This year, I am wondering if Victoria Day may be too soon....

...stay tuned.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

End of AWANA

We participate in weekly church club called AWANA (it means "Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed" which comes from 2 Tim. 3:17) which focuses on memorizing Bible passages.

Last night was our final night and we had a potluck supper and awards ceremony. Grandma and Grandpa drove down to be there - which was great! We sang "Jump Into the Light" which went well, and speaking as one in the Sparky Band, was a lot of fun too. Here are some photos:

Ben gets his award:



and looks inside to see what it is:


Tim received an award:


as did Emmi:


Emmi has finished 3 years in the Sparks program and will move up to the next level of AWANA next year, TNT (Truth and Training). Here she is with two of her friends who are also moving up. They are a pretty silly bunch sometimes!

Monday, May 7, 2007

Tagged!

For those of you who don't know, people who blog play a game called tagging people. It's when you post a series of questions (sometimes called a meme) on your blog, that you answer, and then "tag" others to answer also. So I got tagged by my friend Kristi-Anna.

This game is to post seven random facts about yourself, or little known habits, and then tag some of your friends.

So here are my random facts:

1. It is hard to say who is more excited over new children's books at the library - the children or me.

2. Rainy weather is my favourite kind.

3. Spaghetti is my favourite food. (Preferably with meatballs, garlic bread and caesar salad!)

4. I like to snack on a few frozen peas whenever I cook them - my children are picking up this habit!

5. I have read through the Bible five times.

6. I prefer to have our mouthwash co-ordinate with our bathroom.

7. I enjoy painting (houses not canvases).

I am clearly a socially stunted blogger, because I can't think of many friends to tag. However, I will start with Rachel
and Charlotte

.

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Jump, jump, jump!

On our music theme...

I have moved out of choir director mode for our children's latest musical adventure, and into the pianist's seat. The three oldest children will be singing in a choir for our AWANA closing ceremonies next week, and I get to play the piano for them! David is planning to bring the bass guitar and another leader is playing guitar so they should have quite a groovy band.

The song is called Jump Into the Light and involves a lot of movement (including jumping) so that the director seemed to have had a full aerobic workout after practice last night. Hmmm, maybe it's a good thing I get to stay seated at the piano!

It is a fun song, and when I practice it here, I always end up with at least one child beside the piano (it was three of them this morning!) jumping and singing along.