Egg Dyeing 2012

So an odd thing happened when I opened the egg dye kit today. It was empty! Yep, ripped off by the Paas company. So, we improvised and used kool-aid. The colors were so brilliant and everything smelled so fruity!

Talented Foot or Sideways Computer

Okay, so the other night, I had my laptop on the floor while I was cutting out some projects for school. Every little bit, I would pick up the computer, check things and then go back to cutting. At one point as I was leaning down to pick up the computer, my foot ever so gently brushed the keyboard and I mean just slightly touched, no more than your hand would have touched it.
Suddenly, the screen picture was sideways! Oh, oh, slight problem.
I called Alissa since I figure her husband is into all things computer and he could help me with a quick fix. Nathan says he does not deal in sideways computers, huh. Alissa suggested we "google" the problem. John did that for me and found out there really is a very quick fix. Control, Alt, and the arrow key at the same time. Who knew?
So to stage this picture, I just went ahead and turned the screen on purpose.
I share this for two reasons, 1. so I can always remember this crazy incident and 2. so you know what to do if it ever happens to you.

Two other things, it is very difficult to work the mouse from this sideways position and I have one very talented foot. I cannot believe my foot was able to touch all three of those buttons and perform such a feat! A feat with a foot, HA!
Time to move on...

Jenny's Hat

For years now, I have been acting out the story, Jenny's Hat as part of our Easter party. Lynne Uttech and I first were introduced to this "play" at an early childhood conference many, many moons ago.
I play the part of Jenny who wants a beautiful Easter hat, but the one she gets as a gift is very plain. The children play the part of little birds. Jenny feeds these birds and tells them her secrets, hopes, and dreams. The little birds feel sorry for Jenny and her ugly hat, so they decorate it while she takes a nap under their tree. The kids love sneaking up and putting their little decorations on the hat. Of course, "Jenny" makes a big deal out of the beautiful hat.
It is really a fun little play.

Here I am with all my little birdie friends and my very pretty hat!

Soliana's Stool has arrived

Before Tizita arrived home, I purchased a puzzle stool for her with her name on it.
I purchased one for Natnael, too. His stool is now in the care of Tizita who polishes it and moves it around from time to time. She told me she would always take care of his stool since he is not able to do so.
I just received Soliana's stool. I was hesitant to purchase one for her since in my crazy way of thinking, I didn't want to put her name on anything until she was safely in our arms. Then I thought better of that and decided she needs her stool before she gets home, too.
Now all we need is a little girl to sit on that stool.
I imagine two sisters will work together to take good care of their brother's stool.
Hurry home, Soliana, your stool is waiting.

Singing on Palm Sunday

My precious Preschoolers, all 39, of them paraded into church, waving their palms, and then proceeded to sing two songs for the congregation. They did an awesome job and made me very proud as their teacher.

There is just something so heartwarming about seeing little children praising Jesus in their innocent, uninhibited way.

Here they are on the altar. It was like poetry in motion to watch how they were able to gently hand me their palms, walk up to the altar and find their spot without any hassle. This class is the best I have ever had at getting themselves lined up there or maybe this teacher has just learned better methods over the years, who knows? At any rate it is very impressive.

Even those little two year olds in the front row sang, did the motions, and stood like champs. I had no criers this time around.

As the familiar hymn says about the children's songs, "they were the simplest and the best." I have to agree with those wise words!

She will be one great big sister

After Natnael died so suddenly, Courtney and Paul received a number of pictures of him. They had a set made for us and for the longest time I could not look at them. They made me so sad. This picture was especially difficult for me to look at because it made me think about how much fun Natnael andTizita would have had together. It made me think about how his death was not just the death of a sweet little boy, but of a son, grandson, nephew, and brother. I knew the two of them would have followed each other around crawling like this because I had seen Tiz do this very crawl many times.

I am so thankful that Tizita will be able to be a big sister to Soliana very soon. She was made to be a big sister!

Litte Sister Shirt has arrived!

As I have posted in the past, I found an online site that sells these precious little T-shirts featuring "brown" children. I ordered this one for Tizita just as soon as we knew she was going to be a big sister. I was waiting until Natnael came home, to give it to her, but I have since given it to her so she can wear it in anticipation of Soliana coming home.

This is the Little Brother one I had purchased for Natnael. It is now in a safe place along with all his mementos, all the special things that people had purchased especially for him, that he will not be able to enjoy this side of heaven. I actually bought two of these Little Brother shirts because the first one was actually way too big for him. So, I have an extra one in storage in case I need it for some reason down the road.

Finally, on to this one:

I just ordered this Little Sister shirt for Soliana. I am hoping it will fit her in the near future even though she is a peanut. I am now waiting to see my two precious granddaughters in their shirts.

Different characters in the big picture, same dream...