Yup – we did it again!

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In the midst of a vomiting illness that nabbed some of our kids this week, we managed to place The Call to our long-time travel agent friend, Sue.  LORD willing, sometime in 2016 (we know the date, but I’m not posting it for obvious reasons) we are heading to Caribbean and Central America on this luxuriant vessel.  Waterslides, ropes course, mini-golf, and people who cook and serve dinner. 
Psalm 93: 1-5
The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty! Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O Lord, forevermore.
Yes.  I sincerely love the sea.

Ready for summer

Bathing suit shopping for the girls after age 5 is always a hassle for us.
ALWAYS.
I care about modesty and I care about sun protection. 
I have gone the Christian-owned business route and shelled out beaucoup bucks for custom made swim suits.
And they fell apart half way through the season.
 
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I tried it with more than one company.  And they just don’t make them as sturdy as we need them.
So a few years ago I started doing what I had to do to create my own suits from what was out there.  It’s been expensive, but so worth it. 
I think we have winners this year!  Marie found two suits that we liked the tops to at Justice (of all places – FYI – it is my new favorite store).  And I found her bottoms in the women’s section of the Land’s End catalog.  Each bottom cost more than two full suits at Justice!  Ouch.
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Hanny’s was easy.  It came from Old Navy as is.
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Tab’s was fun to pick.  This year Land’s End had some seriously beautiful suits to choose from.  (Last year they were kind of, um, ugly?  We had to go with LL Bean last year.)  She selected this two-tone purple and we were able to find a cover up skirt for $12 in their clearance pages.  YAY.  The skirt isn’t totally necessary, as it is a really nice suit.
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Marie also got a zip up rash guard like Mom’s and Tab has some that still fit from last year. 
I think we’re covered… (ha – I made a funny!) Now we just need summer to show up!!!!!!!
 
Little girls suits are easy to find… remember this one?

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Balto…

For as long as I can remember, Tabitha has liked dogs.
Here she is pulling a dog sled…
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Now it is Katriel’s turn…
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It’s just a normal day at the Butler house…

Can’t be MY kid!

Katriel and I joined Nan and Nene for dinner at Panera while the rest of the family was at The Sound of Music.
(Um – it was $17 for our dinner – and she just got a bagel!!!)
After we’d eaten our meal, I slid over the delicious double chocolate brownie I intended we share.  As soon as she saw this succulent, frosted confection she said, “I wahn happy-to-you; I wahn happy-to-you.”  Which, of course, means, “I want some of that cake.”

So I cut her off her first section of Happy-to-You.  And just then Nan returned from the counter with a dish of fruit.  She scooped out some for herself and gave Katriel the rest of the cup. 

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And my KID then turned her entire attention to the FRUIT.  FRUIT? over chocolatey brownie goodness!!!
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Um.  Yeah.  I guess I should be happy she prefers fruit.  It’s just that… that is so wrong.
(I only eat fruit because I know it is “good for me”.  But – bleh.)

The Sound of Music & other musicals.

One of the local Christian high schools does an annual musical production.  Last year we went to see Annie.  There we learned that the school welcomes local homeschoolers to participate to expand the cast as needed.  The boys were eager to try-out.  And although their parts were small, they enjoyed the experience overall.
Nigel was one of the contestants in the final scene.  Stewart was, clearly, a Nazi. 
(I admit, I hesitate to share any photos of Stewart by himself on the internet.  The last thing I want is some future endeavor in his life foiled because someone mishandles a photo of him and brands him a Nazi.)

I watched the production three times.  That is far too many Do-Re-Mi’s.  Just sayin.’
The second night of the production John took Marie, Tabitha, and Johanna to Bath, NY to see The Secret Garden at Family Life Network.  It seems March is often punctuated by musical theater.  It’s a great way to survive winters. 

The Sound of Music & other musicals.

One of the local Christian high schools does an annual musical production.  Last year we went to see Annie.  There we learned that the school welcomes local homeschoolers to participate to expand the cast as needed.  The boys were eager to try-out.  And although their parts were small, they enjoyed the experience overall.
Nigel was one of the contestants in the final scene.  Stewart was, clearly, a Nazi. 
(I admit, I hesitate to share any photos of Stewart by himself on the internet.  The last thing I want is some future endeavor in his life foiled because someone mishandles a photo of him and brands him a Nazi.)

I watched the production three times.  That is far too many Do-Re-Mi’s.  Just sayin.’
som 6

som 8
   som 4
som 11 

The second night of the production John took Marie, Tabitha, and Johanna to Bath, NY to see The Secret Garden at Family Life Network.  It seems March is often punctuated by musical theater.  It’s a great way to survive winters. 

Laurel wreath

Marie made this laurel wreath on Monday and has been wearing it ever since.  All day long.
I love her so much.  She’s a jewel.
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* note * as I am entering this weeks later I can note that she wore this to stores, doctor’s appointments, and everywhere else we went.  It finally tore.  I hope she makes another one.  ♥