Origami, Soccer Saturday, Catapults

We've been having fun this weekend.

Elin is almost 11 months old. She has all sorts of little things she can do, but I think what she loves the most is laughing and giggling.

The hat belongs to Svea, but she wanted Elin to wear it.

We got a wonderful mystery package in the mail from Aunt Gig awhile ago and I was thrilled to find it contained origami! Wow!! And we finally got it open! I have been wanting to sit down and just do some origami but I really have a hard time finding . . . time.

Viggo and I got stumped on this step. It was only Step 4. We both said about ten times, "Fold only the inside sheet along the dotted line." Then we would look at each other. Duh-uh. Finally it clicked. I think my few remaining brain cells were in rebellion there for a few moments.

Svea "read" in her book corner while we worked on the origami mushroom.

Success!

Next up, a pig.

I thought this one was really cute!

Time for soccer. I was thankful the game was not the early bird 8:30 game. It was at 9:30. It is amazing the difference an hour makes.

We lost again, but Viggo's coach was quick to say that losing is a great way to learn defense. According to the coach, Viggo apparently did some impressive moves but I was watching and all I saw were kids running around chasing a ball. But from a mom's perspective I am happy to report that Viggo and the other kids were having a good time, and really that's all that matters to me.

The whole crew was there. And the wagon.

Elin was excited to be there.

She squinches up her face when she smiles.

I love that.

Looking at these pictures of Viggo, I think . . . wow, we have the palest kid in the universe. He is nearly the same color as his jersey.

Is that his skin or his socks? Hard to tell! We love you, Viggo!

Then we headed over to Lowe's for the kids' build.

Svea was so excited. She got her own Lowe's apron and got to build a project because she's 3 now.

She wielded her little hammer and banged away without hesitation.

The end result? A little catapult that flings ping-pong balls.

And of course they each made their own, so we have two now.

Just what we need.

Elin was having a great time at Lowe's too. A sales associate stopped and was talking to her and couldn't get over all the smiles Elin was giving her. I wanted to tell the nice Lowe's lady that Elin was the cutest baby in the world but I figured that obviously goes without saying.

Thanks for stopping by!

Eight

It is our eighth anniversary today.

Every year for our anniversary Nate gives me a teacup. I have to say this is my absolute favorite, with the pretty birch pattern. I have some stored in boxes, and all the ones I've received while we've been out here are on a shelf upstairs. I love all my little teacups. It is Nate's goal to someday build a cabinet to store them all in. When we celebrate our 50th anniversary I'm going to invite 48 of our closest friends and family and we'll pull all the teacups out of the cabinet, have a big party and drink lots of tea to celebrate 50 years of lovin'.

Nate did buy me a bracelet for our first anniversary (along with a teacup). I picked the bracelet out and it was nothing fancy, just a plain silver bangle. A week or so after our anniversary we went out to a movie with some camp friends and as I was leaving the trailer I slammed my wrist - and the bracelet on it - into the sliding door. The poor little bangle was completely smashed. Thank goodness Nate had bought a repair warranty on it. He must have had a hunch I can be a destructive klutz. Now it has nice little weld marks all on the inside. The outside looks beautiful, but Nate said the jeweler was a little surprised he had to repair something that had only been owned for a week.

I think that was the last time Nate bought me jewelry for our anniversary. I can't carry teacups around with me so obviously there's less breakage there.

We have had another wonderful year together. God is so good and so faithful!

Oh, Viggo!

We love the V-man.

Viggo got off the bus the other day with this bloody bandaid on his head.
"What happened?!" I asked.
"Colin's zipper. It's like there's a hole in my head, Mom!" He was thrilled about it. As far as we can tell, poor Colin threw his jacket on and the zipper hit Viggo's forehead in the process.

Reading.

And digging for dinosaur bones. He was certain he found a Brachiasaurus.

Happy Thursday

Elin and I just wanted to let you know we're having a happy Thursday.

1. I had a great time at MOPS this morning and so did the girls. Happy!

2. Elin has been clapping a lot. She is pulling herself up onto everything and we cheer along with her for every victory she achieves with growing every day. Happy!

3. Viggo is excited about soccer practice tonight. And he has three loose teeth. He's about to cash in to the Tooth Fairy. Happy!

4. After four days of rain and gloomy weather, it is gorgeous outside and Svea and I read Berenstain Bear books on the porch this afternoon. Happy!

5. Nate doesn't have to work tonight. Happy!

6. Three words: Pecan Strusel Coffeecake. Happy!

7. We're having leftovers tonight; I don't have to cook dinner. Happy!

Hope you're having a happy Thursday too!

Paleontology

Viggo came home from school today with a little dinosaur egg that held a fossil. He assured me it wasn't real. "The bones are only plastic, Mom. Just so you know. They're not real dinosaur bones."

It was a leftover project from school. Meant to be done in the classroom. Viggo told me he wanted to save it to do at home. Why? Is it that boring here?

Being a paleontologist is hard work.

He chipped away and - surprise! - found all the little bones.

But it was hard to focus on paleontology when Svea was having so much fun on the tire swing.

Elin kept reaching out to Viggo and Svea.

She was really amazed.

Svea got antsy and decided to climb a tree.

Then Daddy came home. Elin kept chit-chatting and just wouldn't stop! She had so much to tell Nate.

We ended the afternoon with Svea and Viggo hauling the garbage bin back up the driveway. They love doing chores. Love this phase!!

In the kitchen with Viggo & Svea: peanut butter goodies

We made little yummy bites of goodness this afternoon.

We rolled and decorated little bite-sized pieces of a delish mixture made of peanut butter, honey, dry instant nonfat milk and flour.

Last weekend when we were bumming around Lancaster, Viggo and I found some homemade peanut butter at a market and I knew exactly what I was going to do with it: make this stuff.

Caution: this is super-addictive.

And look what Elin can do now.

We used mini chocolate chips, sprinkles and coconut to decorate.

Viggo made little "tacos" out of his dough.

No baking needed! You just eat 'em.

Peanut Butter Goodies

Equal amounts of:

all-natural peanut butter

honey

dry instant nonfat milk (I used 3/4 C of each)

And some flour to reduce the stickiness. Probably 1/4 C or so.

Blend this together in your mixer, and refrigerate for an hour or so to firm it up. Roll into shapes, and decorate as you please! Eat immediately (or refrigerate).

And a bonus movie of Elin :)

Soccer Saturday

Another early Saturday morning, another soccer game.

Viggo's team gets ready to go!

All his little cheerleaders were there.

Elin kept a close watch on the game.

Nice job, V-Man! I think Viggo scored 6 or 7 goals today. Or something like that. I lost track. Actually I was talking to another mom there. We both wonder how our boys could possibly have any athletic ability because we have zero athletic ability. When Viggo got the ball and dribbled it down the field for about ten feet and scored a goal, I said, "I think Viggo exhibited more athleticism in the last ten seconds than I did in my entire P.E. career." That's a fact. The other mom and I have decided we each really excelled in the square dancing unit we had in elementary school.

I can't believe how much Viggo loves this sport! It is fun to see him so excited about it.

The other mom thinks her kid is there because of the exciting snacks the players get after the game. I highly suspect somebody else I know might be motivated by that little incentive.

I think Viggo looks like he's ten years old in this picture. I just can't believe how big he is getting.

He might score a bunch of goals but what I really appreciate is his good sportsmanship. We are so proud of you and love you, Viggo!