our days & our ways: coloring, caterpillars & camping creations!

not one ounce of regret

(the bathwater didn't take long to turn green!)

amazing (pre-baked) chicken patties our Chinese friend made for us

Found the recipe on Martha Stuart's site- we stuffed them in a wrap and added some dill sauce- SO GOOD!!!

I must be in the mood for Christmas. We made some sugar cookies and a couple days before made some ornaments for the Christmas tree with pinecones we found on our hike. What?? Christmas is only 3 months away :)

Hadassah hinting in her own way that she wants a pet... or two.

Finger paint from America! Wehew!

is green the color of choice for this munchkin?

goofy girl

Augustine watching from the side lines

(not his full name- but another fun nickname :)

Some friends gifted us with some amazing oranges. Look at the brilliant color. The taste was just as sweet.

New family rules that may have prevented some misfortune:

No dragging August across the carpet by his wrists.

No putting socks in August's mouth (especially ones that have already been worn).

No barrets, bows or barbies in August's hair. (Brushing is allowed).

Family night theme: JONAH

I never before have appreciated so much the packaged seaweed snacks sold at the market downstairs.

I meant to research what this is and what he is doing. My guess is: a caterpillar on it's way to becoming a butterfly?? Is that too obvious of an answer? We found four of these guys on our plant outside. Currently they are all in a "crusty" state.

Hadassah is adamant about not doing any kind of school work I ask her to do. But she will write what she wants when she wants.

(When I am 55 and she is 28 (God willing) I don't want us to forget how stubborn she was :)

Big Brodes (another nickname that came from Brother > Brudder > Broader > Broady > Brodes)

And Vivacious "all she wants to do is hold/ jump around/ jump on/ pull/ push/ lift Brodes" Viv

smile if you were a stinker today

Lil attempting some a.m. grammar

(on my top 3 list of favorite subjects this year!)

"i feel like I'm being watched"

Amazing babysitter Laura Jie Jie

One of August's girlfriends named April!

Life's favorite moments!!! Bedtime picture book story that is usually just for Dass and Viv- a few folks crashed the party! Where was my Cades Bud?

"I am severely outnumbered!"

Date night with Viv! We had SO MUCH FUN taking the bus downtown, grabbing a ¥3 cone at KFC and window shopping. This was special because it was Viv's first all time Girl's Night. I love how she screamed excitedly whenever she saw anything somewhat interesting or amusing. I thought she normally talks so loud so that I can hear her among all the siblings- but after this night- I think it is her natural personality that exclaims, "Here I am!!!" (and then trips and falls into something)...

Classical Conversations- here we come! We are beginning week 4 on Monday (out of 24 weeks of fun/ challenging/ interesting classical education). I have many thoughts/ ideas/ explanations/ questions/ on this but will save my ramblings for another time after I have gotten more sleep.

We have been blessed by this challenge!

"Time for more fun!"

I just LOVE this age. When August eats his steamed and blended veggies he puts his arms up like in "touchdown" fashion (and keeps his arms like that). So cute. Now he seems to be trying the sign language Lil and Cade are learning with their history timeline song.

All smiles or all frowns- depends on the minute. :)

Always lovable though.

School at our house this week!

(After an attempt at spot-cleaning our carpet :)

4 year old Christopher sharing his map

Susan teaching Science

observer section

Jamaican Beef Patties! Fun recipe using curry powder and other yummy seasonings.

Who knew cauliflower with cheese would be such a hit?

Now for the moment we've all been waiting for...

Happy Birthday Josh!

"What could it be?"

What seemed like a "six-ish person tent" in our living room...

crepes for breakfast- yummy

To Dad... Love, Viv

Love, Lil

(I think Lil has the wonderful gift of encouragement- her words cause our hearts to give thanks. Her spelling on the other hand, was sadly passed down by me :)

Love, Cade

Simple. Sweet. To the point.

Love, Hadassah

(who INSISTED (to her opposing sisters) that she was wearing a skirt in this picture, NOT a dress.

(there is the sneaky dog again)

Love, Olivet

Hmm, what else can I do to ~~torture~~ show love to my brother???

"Viv, it's pink! Take it off please!"

The big day has finally arrived!

Our FIRST family camping trip!!

We borrowed our friends' friend's car and drove 2.5 hours to a camping spot, stayed for about 22 hours and drove home. What a 27 hours that was!!!

Smart August knows how old he is. (0).

Daddy knows how LOVED he is!!!

p.s. I was impressed once again by this amazing man's capacity and ability to LOVE his family WELL!!! Josh jumped at the chance to serve us in so many ways over these two days. Thanks babe for driving, "setting up camp," changing lots of diapers, playing lots w/ kids, and on and on and on... and seeming to be enjoying (most of) it!!!

"What do we do with all this space???"

We drove past Stone Forrest to this beautiful camping ground. There was a large, long lake and some beautiful mountains behind us.

Xi xi so happy about the carmel corn in the trail mix.

Two ways to xi xi's heart: food & babies.

Jason & Susan are expert campers. We are beginners.

What a great team!

The oft fought over swing- during the whole adventure

... ended up being about a 3/4 person tent. HOWEVER, we were manage to all fit for some unfit-full sleep between 10:30pm and 6am :)

girls will be girls

"Little Ricky" loved the tent. Takes after his gampy :)

"As long as I have lamby and nukie, I'm fine. Well, and a clean diaper."

Speaking of dirty diaper- there was trash everywhere! I kept thinking of asking us all to go around and pick this junk up. It was just the holiday and I'm sure there were a ton of folks here. Sure enough- a few hours later someone came by with chopsticks and a garbage bag to do the dirty work. Josh and I both thought a fine for littering might be more appropriate/ economical.

What a view! It's hard to tell, but there were bunches of super tall bamboo trees/ stalks on our grounds. The sound they made as the wind snuck through them was so interesting.

I can't even put into words how refreshing this time away from the city was for our fam. BCF (big city fatigue) gets to us. We are blessed.

Almost every waking moment, there was Cade, with a stick, hitting something. It was awesome.

One word: ~~screaming kids in the background~~ serenity.

In awe. The water was crystal clear.

What's for dinner Xi xi?

Marshmallows!

smiley girl

The kids were so enjoyable...

most of the time.

(when your patience is failing, take a picture! For some odd reason, that always helps me not be so upset...)

No bonfires allowed, but this grill was nice!

Stinky tofu anyone!

Caedmon making his stick gravitate.

Susan & Jason's first time roasting marshmallows!!!

Singing something about cows and cheese???

These beasts of spiders seemed to be in herds!

(you know what I mean... right?)

We spent the morning hiking around part of the lake. At one point I saw a ferret looking animal and said as I pointed, "Look! Wildlife!" and Caedmon goes, "What's a wildlife?" Ug!