My "Lil' Punkin" on her FIRST FIELD FORAY

I know, usually, we just call them field trips, but "trip" doesn't begin with "f" ...so? I used a little bit of poetic license!

*smile*

First we milled about, waiting for all the carloads of kids to arrive... then we had a hayride followed by a guided tour with all sorts of info about how the APPLE has impacted history... after that, each child (and parent) was allowed to pick their own apple (they made sure to demonstrate the correct procedure!)... Tori was picked to give a special "teacher's apple" to her teacher... we got to see how apple cider is made, using an old style press... FINALLY ~ playground time and this slide was exceedingly popular... the class had their picture taken together as a group (as you will see... Victoria can always strike a pose when the cameras are out and flashing!)... subsequently, everyone washed hands and headed inside for a snack: cider donuts and cider... they had the opportunity to decorate their own pumpkin... and last but not least, some time to run around the gift shop. On the way home, the kids in our van slipped into silliness, exchanging each others' jackets and name tags and pretending they were the other person. What a fun time!

*don't just smile this time... GRIN*

WARNING!!!

This post contains many, many photos...

...so consider yourself forewarned!

Wordless Wednesday - Mischevious Mary Michelle Miscellany

Roof Raisin' ~~~ It was a good thing...

...that they worked long and hard on this garage,

before the snow started to fly and flurry.

I know Brendan really enjoyed hanging out

with his grandfather.

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Photo Credits to Grandpa Gene, Tim and Brendan

Go Ahead and VOTE!!!! ... and a GIVEAWAY, Too!!!

Last night, we attended our Sunday School class's Christmas party, and we were asked to "do something" to teach a little bit more about our lives in Africa. We came up with an activity focusing on African proverbs... and we think everyone enjoyed themselves.

That in mind, a website that I check out recently is entitled African Proverbs, Sayings and Stories. This is a fun site to explore - especially if you enjoy proverbs and other cultures... One other thing that we like is that there are explanations and biblical parallels for each spotlighted proverb. Since we firmly believe in the value of using these already accepted and popular cultural sayings to teach God's truth as a part of our ministry.

If you head over there this month, you can vote for your favorite proverb on peacebuilding... appropriate for this season where we are looking towards the time when God will bring His Peace to earth... Click on the link in this post, or look at the list of "Blogs We Like to Read" in our sidebar.

Here are the choices...

• Leave bad things, talk peace.
• Only a wise person can solve a difficult problem.
• Unity is strength.
• Where there’s a will there’s a way.
• Where there is peace, a billhook or a sickle can be used to shave your beard or cut your hair.

...so head on over and place your vote.

And, I'd like to try something new this time... the first person to leave a comment correctly guessing for which of those choices I voted will receive a small gift... from Niger, of course.

Hope to hear from many of you!

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Map from the Afriprov.org web site.

The First Real Snow...

We woke up this morning to white ALMOST covering the grass and patches of black ice on the driveway and sidewalk. Finally something more than frost. Our favorite reaction as the kids gazed out the window this morning? Jonathan hollers: "Oh look Mama! Snow! Can we go back to Africa now?"

Wordless Wednesday - ONE Year Ago... Today!