Josh's song

We did a lot of driving over Christmas. We drove about 24 hours during the 2 weeks. I was surprised by how little time the boys spent watching movies. They were pretty content reading books, looking out the window, and just talking. Actually, during the first leg of the trip Josh spent a lot of time asking "how much longer?" "are we there yet?" "are we in Grandma and Papa's town?" On the drive from Mercer to Washington Josh started singing and since Richard was driving, I grabbed a pen and started writing down his song...

When I was a little boy
I didn't know what the world was about
I didn't know how to cross the street by myself
and that was so boring
I didn't eat much
and I just said no, no, no
I couldn't cross the street without my mom

When I was a little boy
I didn't know what the world was up to
I didn't know how they made signs or clothes
I didn't know how to work
I didn't know who God was
When I was a little boy

When I was a little boy
I couldn't do anything without my mommy or daddy
I didn't do any work
Wasn't I a lot of work?
You guys had to do everything...

Then he just started talking about all of the things that parents have to do to take care of their kids. He is really thoughtful and so funny. He is like a little grownup.

Tarapchak Family Blog Auctions

I going to participate in the Tarapchak Family Blog Auction next month and wanted to let you know all about it now....

My friend, Jen, is organizing the auction as a way to raise money for a family in need. Jen and Dave met the Tarapchak family at their church a few years ago. Recently, the father died after a long battle with cancer. Jen asked me to help her with this project and I need your help to make it a success. Check out this link to read about what is going on.

I will be auctioning off a group of Pampered Chef bamboo products that are some of my best sellers and my favorites now. The items together have a retail value of $22.75. Please come back to my blog and put in a bid during Feb 14th or 15th to win them and help a family at the same time.

bamboo salad tongs

small bamboo spoon set

bamboo spatula set

Thanks for helping the Tarapchak family!

End of 2008

I have to share some pictures from the end of 2008 before time gets away from me even more....

Josh started at a new preschool this year. He is in a mixed age class (3, 4, and 5 year olds) at Creekside Early Childhood School where he will also go for kindergarten and 1st grade. His class has 11 children and is called the monkey class. His teachers are Miss Cindy, Miss Meena, Miss Elizabeth and Miss April (a speech teacher). He goes to preschool on Monday, Tues, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. He loves glueing, spinning on the tire swing, his friend Ryleigh and playing pirates with Ben.

Josh and his new orange backpack with his name on it.

Sept 2008 - 14 plants transplanted from a patch in Grand Rapids give their fall crop

Josh picking berries

Our small but delicious fall raspberry crop

Sept 14th wind storm damage

Our new red front door

Josh and Papa Box stirring Applebutter in Grand Rapids

Josh and Leah dipped some candles
A Grand weekend in October - we went to Athens for a last minute trip when we heard that ALL of Richard's grandparents were coming for a visit

Josh, Lucas, and Bradley in matching sweaters from Gram and Pap Filer - We took so many pictures. Here is one of the goofy ones.

Halloween 2008 - a knight and his pet dragon ready to get some candy!

The little dragon was tired and decided to come home early, but the knight had his heart set on getting more candy!

My birthday morning - I don't remember why we are hiding under the wrapping paper, but the kids liked it.

Thanksgiving tradition of raking GG Boger's leaves

A Thanksgiving wrestling match - Josh (4), Bradley (3), and Lucas (20 months)