We did catch some fish and we had a lot of fun

Over the weekend ...ok we actually skipped church and went fishing Sunday. ( It sounds alot like Tom Sawyer doesn't it ? ) Anyway it was the best time for us to go and we had a fun time. It was a catch and release area of Poor House Farm and we only had 7 poles for our family and Mk and Keith's so we took turns and some actually caught something not always fish but it was fun anyway.

Urgent Prayer Request for a friend's daughter

Janet Ruddock Murnaghan

13 minutes ago near Philadelphia, PA · 

• God is great! He moved the mountain! Sarah got THE CALL. She will be taken back to the OR in 30min. Please pray for Sarah's donor, her HERO, who has given her the gift of life. Today their family has experienced a tremendous loss, may God grant them a peace that surpasses understanding. Please pray for Sarah and her surgical team and our whole family! We are overwhelmed with emotions!!!! Thank you to all of you for the unending support. Xoxoxo!! God bless! Today is the start of Sarah's new beginning and new life!

  

One week from formal school and we are learning so much and having fun....

Finger weaving is all the rage here

Then some of the girls decided to "sew". This is a skirt that Sari , Mya and Anna made. I am not sure if she can wear it out or sit down easily but they did it :)

Ben bought 2 kayaks and before he and Ana took them to the river he tried it out in our pool.

We went fishing Sunday and even caught some fish.

Then Leah made a soap, water slide for the kids to play on when we came home. We have crossed off  some of the things on our bucket list for summer and it has only been 1 week. I am loving summer.

Ever since our Ghana adoptions this is how we play baby dolls

Russia, Ghana and the US are represented in birth countries- ( Mya, Sari , Selah and Ava) but all of that goes away during play with their babies...the method for mothering is definitely Ghana....having the baby on you during the day as you go about your day....I love how the girls can be seen wearing babies wrapped on their backs just like they do in Ghana.

Another start to our summer is strawberries....and of course yummy eating

We picked strawberries yesterday and even though it has not been a good strawberry season ( to cold - I guess strawberries like the warmth of summer just like the rest of us ) we were able to pick 5 flats full. Abby my granddaughter was the quickest and best picker...she picked 4 in the time some took to fill on half of theirs ( although I am sure the others had full bellies ).

Then during quiet time the older crew helped me to put them up or make yummy desserts. We made delicious freezer jam, 3 frozen strawberry pies, and this truffle. Next week we will pick sweet cherries and then on to blueberries....love the fruit of the season.

Story Sticks and finger weaving all a part of our summer so far

We made a bucket list for the summer and it includes this idea I got off of pinterest. 

They are called Story Sticks. You find a stick, peel the bark off and write a picture each time you want about something during your summer. After summer is over than we will shellac it with a clear coat. Decorate ribbons with beads and add to their sticks...and they will have a story stick of their summer vacation. Who would have thought how much they loved the idea and enjoyed taking the bark off for hours. 

These are some of the jump ropes, necklaces, headbands they made with the rings of material used to make potholders...and weaving with their fingers. It is a great activity to teach and to keep hands busy. I have been making these with kids now for 30 yrs.....

Here are the story sticks waiting for the symbols and writings of the kids next few months.

Last of school...first day of summer celebration

We had watermelon....Grandbabies....that are too cute.....

Pizza and cokes 

Fun playing, fun playing ultimate frisbee, fun just being together.....

Eating brownies with ice cream and nite swimming with glow sticks....