Spending time in Downtown Jacksonville!

Yesterday we spent the day exploring Downtown Jacksonville. Arianna didn't have any books to read so it was time for a trip to the library. We decided to go to the one downtown which is a little farther away from home but it is all new and decorated like a jungle! The kids enjoy sitting on all the different types of chairs. Now that school is finished we could really spend time at the library and enjoy it more. This is the park that is right in front of the library called Hemming Plaza, I for some reason have never seen this park before we usually use a different entrance to get into the library. It was so beautiful.

it was a challenge to keep Julianna out of the water

entrance to the children's section

can't go wrong with a "Dora" book!

Asher still loving the Berenstain Bear books,
notice how intent he is, he can stare at the pictures for a long time.

...and Arianna is into big chapter books. She's reading the Caroline years. (Laura Ingalls' mother) It's a series of 7 books each around 300 pages and she is one the 4th book! She is a book worm...and I taught her how to read. It is a rewarding thought.

checking out the books at the self checkout,
always time consuming but a lot of fun for the kids

we ate our lunch in Hemming Plaza

Since we were downtown, we decided to use the Skyway system. It's similar to a subway but not underground.

Views from the Skyway.

Hemming Plaza

overlooking the St. John's River

Landscaping

Follow the flower planting progression under the direction of Asher...
(don't mind Asher's clothes, he wears that combination every, yes every single Saturday for well over a year now!)

This is where we want the flower to go...



Dig a hole right here Julianna



Good job Jules



looks great Julianna!

This is the finished product. We planted our plants about 6 weeks ago and I'm amazed how fast everything is growing. Since I've been in Florida I haven't planted any flowers, it's so hot here that most plants wilt away. This year I payed more attention to where the sunny/shading parts of the yard are and bought plants accordingly (it helps I know, but so does the irrigation system!). So far they are all still alive and thriving. I love color! So far our grass is healthy and green an improvement over last year, hopefully it will stay that way after all the trouble we had last year.

Mother's Day Survey

In Sunday School the kids were asked to answer questions to a Mother's Day Survey. On Sunday (Mother's Day) our pastor read some of the more humorous answers that the kids gave. I had no idea that my kids were involved in this as the kids never mentioned it. Well, tonight I found the answers to Asher's survey and I opened it with a little trepidation because we all know kids say the darndest things! and usually the truth. Here are Asher's answers, Arianna wouldn't show me her answers!

Why did God make mothers?
So they can take care of you

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mother?
I don't know

What kind of little girl was your mother?
The kind that played with dolls

What did Mom need to know about Dad before she married him?
He had to be holy

Why did your mom marry your dad?
She loved him

Who's the boss at your house?
On Saturday my dad, when my dad is at work, my mom (the Pastor read this one, which everyone thought was very funny!)

What's the difference between moms and dads?
They are different people

What does your mom do in her spare time?
She plays with us

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
A holy heart

If you could change one thing about your mom what would it be?
Nothing!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to ya moms! I had a very special day starting with breakfast in bed. The kids were so excited to make me breakfast, they were planning it for weeks. With Cor's help they made an egg, ham, and cheese sandwich on an English muffin. It was delicious. Top that with an excellent cup of coffee in my new Starbucks mugs. Before getting my coffee, Asher said that I was going to just love my mug. He couldn't keep in a surprise till the end. The kids also bought me new perfume and lotion, Heavenly by Victoria Secret. It is beautiful.


Last week the kids made cards for me. Arianna and Asher were outside on the picnic table with construction paper and paint, and I was told not to look.They helped each other and made just beautiful cards. I will cherish these, they will be kept! Asher glued a magnet on his so that it could go on the refrigerator!

The Work of our Hands

This past semester Arianna has been taking art lessons twice a month. The classes are on Thursdays for two hours. Here is a sampling of her work, we didn't get to see any of her work until the art exhibit. It was exciting to finally see all her work after hearing about it every week. She completed 32 hours of art.

Julianna and Arianna in front of "cubism" art

clay fish (my favorite piece)

drawing of the white house and cubism

contour shells, and drawing of hanging jacket
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Now the work of my hands.....the girls Easter dresses!

I know how to sew but I've always wanted to smock. After years of wanting I finally took a class on a Saturday morning (while dear husband was grocery shopping with 3 kids) and learned... and I'm hooked. I absolutely love it. This is my first project, the girls have matching bishop dresses. Many, many stitches and hours, but so relaxing and enjoyable.

The finished result!

I just started my next project matching bishop dresses with Angel sleeves in soft yellow microcheck. This is the smocking plate:


That's what smocking is for everyone who has asked me lately what I've been up to!