Katriel

Bible Belles

| Stacy

We barely made it!

We were up so late last night for the concert, I decided not to wake her up. 

She woke just in time for a splash of a shower and Out The Door!

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The settings was gorgeous.

They played games. 

Had a fabulous devotion.

And ate delectable treats.

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Critter Keeper Birthday for Katriel

| Stacy

Some days, it feels like there is nothing new in this parenting gig.

Other days, you have amphibians in your house.

As Katriel’s birthday approached, we weren’t sure how to handle a party.  She’s been making friends both in the neighborhood and at American Heritage Girls.  As always, her friends are both boys and girls, and the age range is pretty large.  We weren’t about to do a princess theme…

What does Katriel like best? 
Frogs.

And my mind started spinning.

A web search turned up the Critter Keeper  Not only does he bring crazy creatures into the homes for facts and fun, but he is a born-again believer and He shares scripture as he shows the animals. 

I had just printed invitations and had the kids hand them out on the street, when we got an email that the AHG troop was going to do a hike that day.  Sigh.  So we only invited our neighbors and some non-AHG friends.

We laughed. We screamed. We had a blast.

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I told our neighbors that we aren’t always this kind of party animals.  Winking smile

Brace yourself–Tab’s teeth, whirlwind NY weekend.

| Stacy

It was finally time for Tab to get her braces off.  Who doesn’t like to drive to NY in February? 

It was actually an amazing drive. We left home by 5AM and by 5:30PM we were sitting around the George’s table FEASTING on Thanksgiving dinner with Jennifer and the family.  I was exhausted, but it was like a gigantic hug engulfing me to walk into their loving home.  The grandparents were there as well. 

Tab stayed to visit with Lauren, and Johanna, Katriel and I checked in to the hotel, caught up on some HGTV (it is a staple in all our hotel visits) and had a good night’s sleep.

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Sunday included church and Katriel went to Madeline’s house to play.  Tab left with the Goodchild’s and Johanna and I did some local errands and collected all the girls in time to visit with Ba and Poppy.  I don’t know why I don’t have any photos from that day!

Monday morning, bright and early, we took Tab to Dr. Huff’s to have her braces removed.   We stayed in the van because they still need masks in their offices and we didn’t have any.

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From there we ran to Wegman’s to buy some sandwiches for lunch and then headed to the Strong Museum of Play to visit with Asher and his mom.

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We paid extra to do the ropes course.  It was over $100 for the four of us for the day.  Love inflation.

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Then we hurried back to Fairport to meet Kelly and Barb for dinner at Noonan’s.

And before you knew it, our weekend was over.

Next morning, we woke early, and had the car completely loaded before the hotel served breakfast at 6AM.  We were the first ones eating, and out the door by 6:45AM.  We stopped outside of Buffalo to pick up NOELLE who would join us for the week before flying back.

We had another wonderfully gentle drive back.  God was so generous.

Katriel is NINE

| Stacy

Her day started with the birthday wake up song. 

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And yummy cinnamon rolls.

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While her siblings did normal school, she only did a few things.  And she had a few deliveries from friends from church.

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She picked pasta Alfredo for her dinner meal.  Stewart had to work through the supper hour.

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Sweet girl does love The Chosen

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Nigel gifted her junk food.  Her mind was blown!

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Marie gave her a lizard.

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She was a little happy to get a The Chosen t-shirt.

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And a sweatshirt from the movie How to Train Your Dragon.

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Nan gave her two new dresses for church.

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And Mama and Daddy gave her a dress to be Mirabel from Encanto.

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Our last single digit birthday.

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