A Happy Tenth To Odell!!!

Odell's birthday marks the beginning of something I am not quite ready to face.

By August's end I will have nine NINE children in the double digit age range! That will leave only five in the single digits and next year two of those five will be turning ten as well!

But even though I'm not ready for this, the kids turning ten are so


HAPPY BIRTHDAY

ODELL !!!!!!!!!








Warmly, A Patchwork Mommy

Say Cheese....

A trip to the dentist and no cavities calls for those pearly whites to be shown off.





Lily did not actually go to the dentist but how can I not include her in the fun!



Um...Joel didn't you already get your pearly whites in a few other pictures already?



I had to do a little pleading to get this picture. He He. But I got it. And I'm happy.



Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

True Love Waits

This makes me smile every time I see it.



How can my oldest have grown up so fast.

Almost 17.

Just a few more years with her.

Can I rewind time.

Please.

Pretty please.

With whipped cream and sprinkles on top?

Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

Unfortunately

Unfortunately

Dinosaurs lived so long ago,
they never had a chance to know



how many kids would love to get
a dinosaur to be their pet.



Poem by Bobbi Katz

Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

A Few Sweet Gifts

Aren't these just SO sweet!

Look, the heart guy is winking at me.



This makes me smile.


Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

Mother Cat's Purr

Sleep the half-sleep,
Kittens dear,
While your mother
Cat-naps near.

Every kitten
Is a cat,
And you must
Remember that



Naps for cats
Are mostly fake:
Any time
Is a time to wake,

Or time to pounce,
Or time to scat.
That's what sleep is-
For a cat.

by Jane Yolen


Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

Yesterday

was Grace's half birthday!

She is now getting closer and closer to being 7 and getting farther and farther away from being 6! It is a big deal when you are little.



My twins.




Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

A Little Bit Of Joel

A little late night coloring



Joel made this house behind the couch especially for Lily, himself, and there cute stuffties.



I love that Lily is looking to Joel to make sure it is ok to smile. Big brothers have a lot of influence, don't they. I hope I'm teaching Joel to use his big brother influence well.

Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

Here Is A Snapshot

of a late evening moment with our teens.

Alan and Joyce playing Mancala



Grant next to them on the computer



Elena who did not want to be photographed (something having to do with me being bothersome. So not true.) She was in the process of making chocolate chip cookies for a late night snack. She still shared her cookies with me even though I was accused of being bothersome.



Just an FYI: not all Africans have heard of Mancala the African Stone Game. False advertising? Maybe.




Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

Where Have I Been?

Here...



and having a ball!

Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy