Birthday Party #2

My niece on my husband's side also had a birthday Saturday, so we celebrated hers on Sunday. She turned 11--practically a woman! Happy birthday, sweet niece. The only celebration we missed was for my brother, who shares a birthday with 2 of my nieces. He was celebrating in Georgia this year, but we missed him! Happy birthday to you, little brother.

Little Sissy got a new My Little Pony as a late birthday present. She thought she should ride it since she just rode a pony at Eckert's.

Birthday Party #1

My sister will probably post more pictures of Sis' 9th birthday party, but it was super cute. Kudos to my sister for planning a birthday party right after a vacation to Disney. My niece is a budding artist, so it was an art theme. One of my favorite things was the paint palette with skittles. So clever. Happy birthday, sweet niece!

The birthday princess herself

My nephew drawing the Batman logo

Thanks for the new lip gloss, Aunt YaYa!

All the artists

Little Buddy hanging out with PaPa

A Day at Eckert's

Our 2nd attempt, but we finally had a successful apple picking experience. We were going to IL anyway for 2 nieces' birthdays, so we spent Saturday morning at Eckert's in Belleville. They have so many fun things to do--for a price, of course. The girls got to ride ponies and a few rides before we loaded up on the wagon to go out to the orchard. My niece even got to ride a camel!

The slide of terror

Back up and ready to go again!

Somehow I seem to old to be in a little cup with preschoolers.

Little Buddy sleeping in the shade of the apple trees.

All of the Brimm cousins (except the sleeping one)

The 8th Day

So I've been thinking about Big Sissy's question about what God did on the 8th day. This is referring to the 7 days of creation. He spent 6 days creating the world, rested on the 7th day, and then what? I really don't ignore her--I just make fun of myself because she's WAY smarter than I am. So today I finally answered her. She's just going to have to get used to mommy needing some time before I answer her questions. Here's my preschool-appropriate answer.

Q: What did God do on the 8th day?
A: He enjoyed the things He had made.

Sounds simple, I know. So, you might ask, why did it take 2 days for you to come up with that? Well, because I want to be accurate. It isn't as though God made the world and then sent us off to fend for ourselves. He is not now lounging on some sort of "cloud recliner" trying to think of what He can entertain himself with next. The truth is that He's still working. He's doing what God does: creating, renewing, restoring, loving, intervening, forgiving, refreshing. But He is also delighting in His creation. He keeps putting new rainbows in the sky. He keeps making newborn babies. He keeps bringing the flowers back around in the springtime. Even in my little blog--my own creation--I read old posts again and again because I enjoy remembering fun things in my life. A painter enjoys looking at his art and remembering the inspiration behind it all.

Most of all, God delights in us. Of all of His creation, only humans are made in His image. That means we have glimpses of His character in ours. We can create masterpieces because He creates masterpieces. We can love because He first loved us. We want justice because He made us like Him, and he is just. Just as I delight in my children so much that I want to share their cute antics with all of you, He delights in you. A parent enjoys watching his child and seeing himself in the child's personality. God does that with us. Even though we are so often like a rebellious toddler--wanting things our own way and making a mess of it all--He sees Himself in us and sees what we can be when we grow up. More like Him. And He is patiently teaching us and drawing us to Him. And delighting in us in the process.

More Conversations with my Little Thinker

Today at naptime:

C: Mommy, do you know what God did on the seventh day?
Me: What?
C: He rested.
Me: That's right. He rested. Just like you need to do now.
C: What did He do on the 8th day?
Me: Ummm...I think He...oh, look. Something shiny!

At bedtime (while on the toilet):
C: Mommy, do you think I would get sick if I ate my poopy?
Me: Gross!!! Yes, you would definitely get sick. That's really, really gross.
C: What if I drank a whole cup of spit-up?
Me: Gross. Yes, you would get sick from that. That's super gross.
C: What if I ate worms for supper instead of spaghetti?
Me: I don't know if you would get sick from that, but I don't think you would like it.
C: OK. I just wondered.

Palin Power

I'm enamored with Sarah Palin, just like the rest of the world. I am not making my final decision until I watch the debates and read more about all of the candidates, but there are lots of reasons to like Sarah.

*She's down to earth.
*She's been successful in "cleaning up" dirty politics in Alaska.
*She's humorous.
*She has made great reforms in Alaska as mayor and then governor.
*She would be an advocate for families who have children with special needs.
*She's a woman. That's just new and exciting.
*She went to public school, sent her kids to public school, and has a vested interest in education.
*She wants to see resolution to the war.
*She is in favor of the "good guys" having the right to own guns.
*She is knowledgeable about our country's natural resources and has a plan for utilizing them.

The most interesting reason I've heard came from a conservative pastor on an online social network in response to an article written by another conservative pastor: "Wouldn't it be great if she took office and that up-do came in fashion for American women?" Hmmm...maybe not a priority for our nation, but OK. Just another group of people she's won over--not just Republicans, not just women, but all those in favor of women wearing their hair up. Palin Power!

Sister Act

I think the girls are about ready to take their show on the road. Here is their rendition of "Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho." Big Sissy does the singing, while Little Sissy does a little backup singing and dancing. Encore!