Art Lesson: Oil Pastel Fireworks

Found the inspiration for this weeks art project here.

Here is our take on it:

1. Make a mark of your choosing and then repeat it in a circular pattern until the "explosion" is as large as you want it

2. Choose a new color and repeat again and again until paper is filled to your liking

My example. 

My finished example. 

This project was quick and the girls each made two. They experimented with the "sky" color and seeing which colors stood out the best on them.

I enjoyed the variation in the marks they chose for their fireworks and how different they all turned out. It would be fun to incorporate glitter if we did it again to mimic fireworks even more.

Jungle Cats

Our alley cat Blackie (or is it Stinkeye? It was too far to tell...) had a little surprise for us.

Kittens!

Baby B Birthday Party

Our friends invited us to celebrate baby B's birthday with pizza, cake, and a bouncy house. We loved it and so did Lu. Lucy was the oldest attendee at the party, and so took advantage of all the room in the bounce house and jumped up a storm (jumping being one of her current favorite pastimes).

After coming inside she decided she wanted to bounce some more and enjoyed jumping in the baby bouncer.

Lucy has gotten quite adapt at singing Happy Birthday after celebrating so many birthdays this past month. 

Can't get enough bounce!

Birthday girl snugglin' with Zach.

Forcing two babies into the Bounce House. Hurry! Zip it up!

Queen of the Bounce House!

B trying to stay cool in the shade.

J also trying to stay cool in the shade.

Two babies wishing they were able to jump. Both settling for shade tanning in the corner.

S excited for her baby boy to come!

Superman!

So lovely together.

Cake time!

Or is it snuggle time?

Lucy is hot and flushed after so much jumping!

Strawberry cupcakes. Mmm!

B trying to decide if she wants her cheeto puff or a cupcake more.

All the loot.

So tuckered out from all the partying.

We love to party! Thanks for inviting us to celebrate with you R family!

Going Away Party

One of the sad realities of where we live is that almost everyone here is transient. We see a lot of people come, but also a lot of dear friends go. 

We had a going away dinner for our friend S who is moving with her family to a new job in another state. We will miss you! 

It also happened to be baby B's birthday, so we made sure she got her free dessert. 

Two lovely ladies, both due in August?

Family Double Date Night

We went on a double date with our friends to Texas Roadhouse. Mmm. I always love an excuse to go out to eat.

I enjoyed my crispy critter salad, Zach enjoyed his ribs, Lucy enjoyed her fresh rolls with honey butter, and baby J enjoyed his strained vegetables?

Loving our family date night.

Bread!

"More please?"

Peter's Memorial: Eight Months

Every time Lucy sees a balloon, or picture of a balloon, she points it out and tells us it is for Peter. I'm glad she has things to help her remember him and remind her of him. 

Lately I have noticed that it seems like she understands a little bit more about where he is and often expresses to me that she misses him. Partly it is her mimicking what she hears from us, but I also sense her own sadness and genuine missing of him. 

We try to use these conversations as teaching moments and remind her that Peter's spirit is in heaven with Jesus and Heavenly Father, and that his body is in the ground at his grave.  We encourage her to send him love and kisses and we send along a few of our own.

Sending Peter kisses.