The week before May...

Has been sunny and bright. Here are a few reasons why:

We successfully constructed another award winning Pinewood Derby car. Not quite the first place of last year, but second isn't bad considering we felt like we built it with hands tied behind our back, you know since we live in Korea and don't have Home Depot and all. Congrats to Henry and Darin. Job well done boys!


We got to babysit this cute dog Isabel. Not exactly my idea of fun, but a valuable lesson passed on from my own mother. My mother insisted that we would never own a dog, but she was always willing to babysit cute small dogs belonging to other people. It really is a brilliant idea. However, babysitting Isabel only confirmed to me all the more that indeed, "We will never own a dog." She followed me all around the house as if she was my own little toddler. At least she didn't whine or say "mom", but seriously, I don't need anymore shadows.


We had glorious weather for three days straight. My days consisted of offering to take the girls outside to each and every playground on base, where I would quickly find the direction the sun was shining and lay myself directly in it's cancer inducing rays. The vitamin D has never been so appreciate by any living soul. And my girls thought that all that laying down was part of the game, in every instance, talk about brilliant!

As a side note, one time this week when we were walking to a park, Ruby spotted a beautiful full azalea shrub. As we passed it she said to me, "Mom, when I die, will you lay me out here in these flowers?" I was so confused at first because I had no idea what the correct answer to that question was. But then a quick scan through the memory helped me recall that all of her favorite princesses at one time or another temporarily die and get laid out on a pile of beautiful flowers. I quickly reassured her that should she ever fall into an enchanted death, we would indeed find that particular patch of azalea to lay her in. She seemed completely satisfied.



A while back, somewhere after the green polka dot dress, but before the yellow one. Around the pajama bottoms but before a baby blanket, Ruby suggested that she needed a caterpillar shirt. Music to my ears! Late one night this week a caterpillar creation was constructed. And I do believe it is the exact shade of happiness and joy. I did that on purpose.

Darin always blames me for asking leading questions which result in statements like "Ruby wanted a caterpillar shirt". I swear, as God is my witness, that no such leading questions are ever asked. These girls are marrow from my bones, and requesting a caterpillar shirt is akin to any child requesting a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch. Fabric creations are now part of our daily colloquium.

Flip flops arrived in the mail. Hot Dog, was that a great day!

Much spontaneous crafting has occurred this week. And short of the laundry getting folded, or having fresh flowers on the kitchen table, nothing tickles me as much as walking past one of the children only to find them engaged in a creative pursuit:

Henry's new church clothes also arrived in the mail this week. I feel like he is growing right before my eyes. Have you ever seen such a fine young man?

and the matching yellow dress was lovingly made this week too. So a pair of spotted dresses, tied with bows, perfect for the first Sunday in May.

But capturing a posed picture of four children, not so perfect, this first Sunday in May.

And finally, here is what we woke up to on Sunday afternoon...

Kids being kids.

P.S. My sister Rachel has mentioned posting one picture a day in May. Maybe I should too?!