Playing in the city

(Two posts today...scroll down.) I was looking through some pictures from our recent trip to the big city. We stayed at a nice hotel with a fancy pool (thanks, Aunt Grace). We were able to swim two days in a row. The kids had a great time. I thought these pictures of the kids were good so I had to share.

Broiled, boiled and baked!

There is another side to all the interesting foods that we get to try here (see earlier posts). We REALLY appreciate familiar foods, especially those that are harder to find. Recently, Beth tried her hand at making bagels. I don't know how they compare with 'real' bagels, but to me they were awesome. We haven't had any in a year and a half. The process takes a little time and has a lot of steps (hence the entry title), but Beth said it wasn't too hard. Then, occasionally, people will send or even bring us foods that we miss. Here is my first Dr. Pepper in over about 16 months. Also, we got some more Fruit Loops, brought by a recent visitor. Elijah loves them. He calls them donuts, I think because of a Veggie Tales Silly Song called Donuts for Benny. If anyone figures out how to hook us up with some NC Bar-B-Q or Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwiches, send some our way!

Miciaih's now riding!

(Several posts this week. Be sure to scroll down so you don't miss anything.)

It's been a long time in coming. We've tried on several occasions over the past several years to get Micaiah bike-riding. She has been timid and anxious about it, and my back has gotten sore from crouching and running beside her. Well, this video shows her stuff, now.

The only remaining hurdle is for her to be able to start on her own.

Moriah turns 10!

March 3 was a big day in our family. Moriah started the day by talking to Granddaddy and Sarah and opening a present. (It actually wasn't even Moriah's birthday back in NC, yet!) She got a digital camera from them, much to her delight.

The next day, Friday, four friends came to spend the night. (Nathanael wisely escaped to a friend's house for the night.) Last year, Moriah had a huge party - 15 kids or more for several hours. So, we told her it had to be smaller this year. I'm still trying to figure out how four girls overnight qualifies as smaller! She also included Micaiah in most of her party activities.

Moriah wanted a cookie-cake. This is made from Joe's sugar cookie recipe, a family favorite, usually around Christmas. There is a horse decorated on the front. Beth is quite talented.

Moriah also opened presents from our family. The other kids got her a bag that she really wanted. She is the queen of bags - bookbags, hand bags, tote bags...

She was also very pleased to get a more grown up looking NIV Bible.

Her friends brought gifts, too. One gave her a set of personalized pajamas.

Here is Moriah with her friends when the party was over.

The big crash

Elijah loves to play cars. I think he'd be happy playing cars all day long. Sometimes I take him out where he doesn't really have much to do for an hour or more. As long as he has a car or two to roll, he'll be content for a very long time. He requests that I play cars with him several times a day. And recently he's even been asking our helper to play too (in Indonesian)!

Earlier this week, though, he wanted to show me the big crash. He had piled up his cars in the floor, along with a few other items...what a mess. I guess maybe the enormous hamburger was the cause?!

Bon Appetite...again!

After the tidbit about the eel earlier in the week, I had to post an article from Fox News about the 10 worst foods in the world. Two Indonesian foods made the list. I have yet to have Durian. I've had several people describe the taste which left me wondering, "And I'd like to eat that because?!"

I have eaten one on the list - Fido (although the current version posted looks like a heading is missing above the section talking about eating Fido).

Let me know if you've tried any on the list.

Hair Cut!

(Two posts today. Scroll down to see the other one!)

Here is what Micaiah looked like first thing yesterday morning.

She said that her hair down on her neck was bothering her and making her hot. So, Beth obliged her by cutting it for her.
So, here is the new Micaiah. Before, I was disappointed that she was getting rid of her long hair. But now, I think she looks cute either way.