Eleven!

We celebrated Abby's 11th birthday on Thursday.  

Her day began with the birthday tradition of her Dad bringing her out to breakfast.

After lunch her friends came over for make your own sundae.

At Abby's request we bought one of those cans of whipped cream.   We usually make our own whipped cream from cream from a local farm.  But what a treat it was for them to spray it out!

Then they were off to the lake on the beautiful summer day.

And then  home again with Chinese food and cake, of course, for dessert.

For her birthday gift this year, she requested a set of Prismacolor pencils.  

Sarah is Seven

Our sweet Sarah turned seven yesterday.  She is so alive and full of energy - rejoicing continually in the wonders of life.  Just this morning during a thunder storm she shrieked in delight with every thunder clap and lightening bolt. 

We gave her all handmade and and one vintage gift.

She requested the needle felted hen and chick in a nest from the spring Living Crafts issue.

Her crocheted top blanket for her bed.

and, a vintage pillowcase.

 

With her Poppa visiting from Massachusetts and a wonderfully warm day outside to play, homemade pizza , at her request, for supper - she truly had a special day.

 

 

Preparing for a Birthday and Easter

We had a several years old Ukranian Egg Decorating Kit and while it was a bit too much for these guys, Abby  did enjoy adding some wax outlines.

They blew the eggs out, which was quite a sight to see.  And then using cotton swabs, they applied the dyes directly to the eggs.

Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along, I am making good progress on Sarah's crocheted blanket for her bed and we are enjoying this beautiful book - the illustrations are wonderful.  It is also nice how they used cursive writing, which will probably be a lost art in our lifetime or the next.

I am looking forward to reading about other's book recommendations today through the Yarn along, as I need a new book for myself. 

Sarah has also requested these needle felted chickens she saw in the spring edition of Living Crafts.  She is our chicken girl, and I look forward to making them for her.

Happy 3rd Birthday Abraham

at 11 months

Two!

At Three!

Sarah wrapped up some of her silly bands to give to Abraham this morning at breakfast.

Abraham has brought nothing but more love into our lives.   We are thankful.  Happy Birthday.

 ~Tonya~

Isaac Turns 12

Our sweet Isaac, caring and gentle, happy and confident, a lover of all things related to science, engines and gizmos. An avid reader - (enjoys the Warriors series, all of Beverly Cleary's books, National Geographic, Muse, Gary Paulsen books and so much more).

We are abundantly blessed to be celebrating this special day today - his twelfth year.

After his birthday breakfast out with Dad, he made his own birthday cake (which seemed to be lacking a bit of size once baked - hmm... wonder where some of that batter went), and now is off to the lake with family and two friends on this very hot, sunny, beautiful day. Chinese food (Isaac's favorite) will be picked up on the way home and his grandfather (my father) will have arrived from Massachusetts to join in on the celebration.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Ten Years Abby

Our Abby turned 10 yesterday. She is such a beautiful daughter, wonderful sister, very creative and artistic, an excellent baker, quiet and thoughtful.

She began her day with her father taking her out to breakfast. This is how each of our children begins their birthday morning.

I decorated simply with a newly sewed banner and table quilt.

and sewed some goody bags which contained a lollipop, mints and a hand sewn ball filled with beans.

In the afternoon she had three friends over and with our family of eight - made a nice number of people.

They had an outdoor scavenger hunt that Abby made up: 4 different kinds of leaves, 2 different wildflowers, 2 feathers, 10 rocks, run and get your color flag at the end of the driveway, 50 pine needles, 10 ferns, 15 twigs.

She made a "Guess How Many Beans" jar.

Abby made and frosted her own cupcakes.

A simple birthday that I hope was filled with joy for you dear Abby. We love you.

Love, Mom

Simple Birthday

With six children and keeping in mind the impact of what we do on the environment and our financial means, we keep birthdays simple.

When the children are old enough, the get decide what I will serve them for each meal on their special day and what activities they would like to do, usually right here at home.

Sunday was Abraham's second birthday. It was made more special by having my mother and step-father here from Connecticut and his godparents which are our neighbors.

~ Abraham eating his breakfast with his birthday crown on.~

~We enjoyed cake and ice cream.~

~his gift of beeswax crayons in a handmade wool felt holder~

Abraham is truly a joy. He is happy, outgoing, loves to "talk" with people, and give big hugs. We are truly blessed.

Here is the birthday cake recipe I usually bake.

Vanilla Yogurt Cake

2 1/4 c. flour

1 t. baking powder

1/2 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

5 T. oil or melted butter

1 cup sugar (organic sugar cane or raw sugar)

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla

1 cup vanilla yogurt

I combine the wet ingredients and whisk together and then add the dry ingredients. Mix well. Pour into a pan and bake at 350 degrees. The time will vary depending on the kind of pan used. I like using my pan with the tube in the middle and that needs to bake for about 50 minutes.

Enjoy and warm wishes, Tonya