Journal

Photos from a Tulip Festival

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J+M+J

On the second Saturday of May Mom took us kids down to the tulip festival in Orange City, Iowa. Our Grandma, (who lives about five minutes from Orange City), met us there, and we had a great time together. We watched a parade, ate a Dutch almond bar dessert, and watched a show with high school girls and boys singing and dancing dutch songs and dances. These are some of the best pictures from our visit:

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The queen of the tulip festival. I love her costume.

The queen of the tulip festival is on the right and one of the ladies of the court is on the left. I love their costumes.

Street Cleaners in Dutch Costume

Street Cleaners in Dutch Costume

 

A little baby girl in Dutch costume.

A beautiful baby girl in Dutch costume.

A cute little girl scrubbing the street.

A cute little girl scrubbing the street.

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Pretty Tulips

Pretty Tulips

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Bath Time Bubbles

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J+M+J

I walked in to the bathroom one night to wash Alexander and Joseph’s hair when they were in the bathtub, and I was shocked to find that the tub was filled with bubbles. I found a half empty bottle of foaming face wash near the scene of the crime, so I think that the boys mistook that for bubble bath soap.

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THE FACE OF THE GUILTY PARTY!

THE FACE OF THE GUILTY PARTY!

Would you care for some of our bubbles? We have plenty.

Would you care for some of our bubbles? We have plenty.

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Mother’s Day Treat

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J+M+J

This Mother’s day, I was in an experimenting mood. I wanted to try to make an iced coffee drink that Mom likes to get from Starbucks. I wasn’t sure how it would turn out, but if it went the way I hoped it would it would be a nice Mother’s day present. So I got out the blender and put in three cups of ice cubes (I wasn’t sure how much it would be after it was crushed) a cup and a half of milk, espresso, a little chocolate syrup, and some sugar. Then I let the blender crush it up and hoped for the best. It turned out better than I was expecting, so I  poured my creation into a glass, whipped up some cream for the top, and drizzled it with chocolate syrup. Mom thought it was delicious!

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Joseph’s Sweater

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J+M+J

I just finished sowing in the ends of this sweater that I knit for Joseph. A little late, perhaps, but since the next baby is a boy it will get to be handed down.

Isn't he cute!?!

Isn't he cute!?!

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A+M+D+G

Record Temperature!

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J+M+J

Last Thursday, April 23, the temperature in Sioux Falls climbed to 91º F, breaking a previous record of 87º. Even though it was hot, it felt a lot nicer than 91º because there was very little humidity. It felt like summer! Unfortunately, two days after that it dived down to 50º. Brrr!

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Mango Really Likes Me!

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J+M+J

Mango, our little sun conure, seems to have selected my shoulder as his favorite perch. He will come running to me as fast as his little birdie legs can carry him, sometimes trying to fly on the way. He will come for me whether I am across the table, or across the room. Here is a little video: mango-loves-me!

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Adventures in Cooking: Maundy Thursday Lamb Dinner

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J+M+J

Ever since my friend commented to me that her older sister was making lamb for supper on Maundy Thursday, in commemoration of the Passover Supper that Jesus ate, I have wanted to try it out. Last year I forgot about it, but this year I was on the ball, and we did eat a leg of lamb for supper. It turned out very tender, and even Maria (who had insisted she wouldn’t like it,) ate a good portion.  Joseph must have really liked it, because he inhaled it even before he ate his bread and butter, usually the first to disappear off his plate.

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Vivaldi Loving Bird

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J+M+J

Romeo has had a whistling explosion ever since I started playing Vivaldi in my room. I decided I would use my camera to record him so I could try to put a video on my blog. Please tell me if you can see it, ’cause I’m not sure how this works yet. I didn’t ask Dad for help, I just started exploring my blog tools.

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One Year of Penelope

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J+M+J

One year ago today, I brought home my first cockatiel. I remember picking her out, she was my choice because she was swinging and chirping, and I admired her beautiful pearls. When lady who worked at the pet store got her out for me, she stood on my finger for a moment and looked at me, and I knew she would be a pet who wasn’t afraid of me. So I brought her home. When I tried to get her into her new cage, she bit me very hard out of fear, which made me wonder if I had picked a brave bird after all. I had ten days to decide whether I was going to keep her or take her back for a different one, so I chose to wait a while and let her adjust to the new surroundings.

A few days later, I was seriously considering taking her back for another bird. It already knew how to whistle, even though it wasn’t as pretty. Fortunately for Penelope, only five days after I had bought her, she sealed her fate by coming out to me, something Clover was too afraid to do. So I kept her, and I am so happy I did. She is a wonderful bird who likes everybody in the house, and she comes begging for head rubs constantly. Even though she doesn’t whistle, she has a beautiful little chirp I love.

Penelope enjoys some French toast off my plate.
Penelope enjoys some French toast off my plate.

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Alexander’s 5th Birthday in Pictures

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J+M+J

 

Alexander and his presents.

Alexander and his presents.

 

Landon decorated Alex's cake in chocolate chips.

Landon decorated Alex's cake in chocolate chips.

 

Alexander's candy necklace. It was gone by the end of the day. Alexander also had a tummy ache at the end of the day.

By the end of the day, this candy necklace had been eaten. Alexander also had a tummy ache. Coincidence? I don't think so.

 

I took this picture because Alex loves his age, and has been telling people he is going to be five ever since he turned four. If you come to our house, he will probably tell you that he is five, but he's turning six soon.

I took this picture because Alex loves his age, and has been telling people he is going to be five ever since he turned four. If you come to our house, he will probably tell you that he is five, but he's turning six soon.

 

It took a while for Alex to blow out his candle. Joseph is trying to get Alex to play with his new WALL-E and EVE toys, which were his birthday presents.

It took a while for Alex to blow out his candle. Joseph is trying to get Alex to play with his new WALL-E and EVE toys, which were his birthday presents.

 

Another attempt to blow out his candle.

Another attempt to blow out his candle. I think he got it this time.

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