Hugs Goodnight!

Bryan and I love tucking Sarah in each night. We read a Bible story, say goodnight, and give one last hug and kiss for the day. Sarah hugs me first, and it's usually short and sweet, because she has to get to Papa Bear next. She even moves the stuffed animal that she's chosen to sleep with out of the way so there's plenty of room. (FYI, she holds the stuffed animal when she's hugging me!) Then, she and Bryan give each other a nice, big squeeze-hug! It's too cute!

The hug in action.

I promise, Sarah's under there!!

A Day at the Zoo!

Today, Sarah and I went to the zoo with two of our good friends, Tom and Sally. Although it was sad that Bryan and Tom's wife, Wendy, both had to be at the hospital working, we had so much fun!

Sarah and Sally getting ready to have a ball! Looking at the flamingos--one of Sarah's favorites! Sarah adores butterflies, so she really liked this part of the zoo! Too cute!

Sarah and Sally.

Leaping along the toadstools!

Discovering some new fish!

I love this picture of Sarah posing at one of the indoor children's areas.

Catching their own fish. Sarah was so excited!

Sarah liked brushing the goats better than just petting them.

Beauty shop is fun!

Learning new facts about birds.

Watching the hyenas.

Me and cute Sally!

Sittin' pretty waiting for the train ride!

Man, I love her so much!

Brownies!

This morning, I decided to make a special treat for Bryan. I combined two of his favorite things: peanut butter and chocolate. I made a batch of brownies and stirred in some cut up Reese's peanut butter cups, then added some more of the candy to the top when it was almost ready to come out of the oven.

Sarah hates peanut butter, and while she always helps me when I bake, once she saw that a peanut butter product was an ingredient, she opted out.

After smelling them while in the oven, then watching me cut them up, Sarah decided to try one. I was so surprised--since she hates peanut butter and all!

Here they are, just waiting for Papa Bear to get home! Sarah said, "Mommy, I have two words for these brownies: de licious!"

What a Novel Idea!

Since Sarah was a baby, she has always loved us reading to her. Now that she is doing so well at reading on her own, today I decided that we should begin dedicated quiet reading time after our normal reading time.

Sarah reading to herself. She loved it and read three books all by herself! Me catching up on a book of my own.

Winner and Loser

For as long as Sarah has been playing board games of any type, she has almost always managed to beat Bryan and me. Now that she's 6, we don't "let" her win on purpose any more, and she still beats us! So, today, I thought I would make a friendly wager.... The loser of Candy Land has to rub Daddy's back when he gets home.

Sarah won. This is her saying, "Excellent" I lost. This is me saying, "Ah shucks!"

New School Clothes

Today, Sarah and I went shopping for a few new clothes for school. After already selecting a couple of cute shirts, I spotted a pair of plaid bermuda shorts that went along with a coordinating top. The outfit was adorable! I asked Sarah if she wanted to get it. She looked at me and said very matter-of-factly, "Mommy, I don't do plaid."

Well, I'll be!

A Trip to the Children's Museum!

Today, Papa Bear was off, so we took Sarah to the Children's Museum downtown! Sarah had such a great time!

Sarah and Mommy riding in the trolley. Sarah standing in a bubble! Stopping to make a phone call! A nice picnic with Daddy, but without any food. Playing the big organ. The notes were so loud, they scared Sarah a bit.

Piloting an airplane.

Captain Sarah!

A nice boat ride!

Sarah ringing up Daddy's sausage and steak at the General Store.

Milking a cow!

Shopping at the grocery store.

This was Sarah's favorite part--watching bouncy balls go up and down the different chutes.

Putting her ball over the air hole.

There it goes!

Watching it work!

Art Time!

Today, Sarah and I had so much fun during art time!

We started with the colored pasta that she and I created a couple of days ago. Her favorite part was putting in the drops of food coloring to get it "just right" then shaking the baggie to mix the pasta, coloring, and rubbing alcohol.

Sarah making her necklace for me.

Then, we made this piece of art!

Sarah wearing the necklace I made her.

And this is the one she made me.

We also painted a lot today. This one is my favorite though. I wrote "We Love Daddy" in a white crayon, then we chose Bryan's favorite colors and painted over it. It was hanging on the fridge for him to see when he got home this afternoon.

And finally, our newest stained glass edition. Although it's hard to see, we added it to the others we've made on this window in Sarah's game room.

Getting Ready for School

I have always loved school supply shopping, and even though school doesn't start for over a month now, this morning, Sarah and I went to buy her backpack! 

Sarah loves her new backpack! And yes, we got the matching lunchbox too!

Weekend Outing

Since Bryan was off today, (hot dog!), we headed out to the Farmer's Market. It's located on the river, so it was really nice to walk around and explore.

Sarah and Mommy Sarah making noises with her straw. She was very impressed with herself and her newly found talent!

A Gift with Southern Charm!

When Bryan came home from work yesterday, Sarah and I surprised him with a set of rocking chairs for the front porch. We also have a wee one for Sarah that's still in the garage...waiting to be built.

Relaxing After we tucked Sarah into bed, Bryan and I enjoyed spending time together in the rocking chairs. We may have also enjoyed a glass of wine or two....