That Sneaky Tooth Fairy

So, as you can tell from the picture Miriam lost another tooth. Today was the first day back to school and she woke up so excited. She has told me she missed her spelling tests, timed math tests and recess. Her top front tooth, plus two lower teeth have been wobbly, and we've teased her about needing to pull the top one, but this morning she came downstairs and showed us that she pulled it out after we put them to bed last night. She was quite excited to come down and show us, especially since it was a surprise to us. She was getting ready to go up and see what the Tooth Fairy left her when Aaron called her over to talk to her for a second, so I could go up and put the coins in her tooth pillow. Thank goodness Aaron's wallet had some 100 forint coins in and I was able to get everything arranged before they made it upstairs. She was quite excited with what was left in her pillow and that the Tooth Fairy made it there. I know one day these things won't be so important, but right now it's a lot of fun watching them use their imagination.

Fall Festival

Last night we had our Campus Crusade Fall Festival. It is an open invitation so everyone in the community is invited to celebrate with us. Miriam and Zach had a good time dressing up, playing games and doing a candy parade collecting candy from Staff members as they sat in their offices. I was happy with the kids costumes this year. Instead of Miriam being a princess, ballerina or some other 'girlie' thing I suggested going as spiderwoman. She loved the idea and it was a huge hit. She looked so cute.

We got a little group pic of her with some of her friends.

Zach was going to go as a basketball player or a football player, but then we thought of something with a cape. With only an hour before we were supposed to leave we put together Underdog. Aaron tried to put black socks on his ears but they wouldn't stay.

Here are just some other fun pics:

Yes, she got an apple

Aaron and Zach waiting for a turn in line

A happy Zach putting candy in his bag

Destroying Pumpkins

You would think that at this time of year we'd be showing videos and pictures of decorating pumpkins and getting ready for the Fall, but that's not the norm here. Back in September Aaron had his school retreat, and on the way home they were able to stop at a pumpkin farm. He came home with one huge pumpkin and a smaller one. The larger one has been developing some nasty spores and not looking so pretty on the porch with big black spots all over. Aaron asked Zach yesterday if he would like to destroy the pumpkin yesterday. Zach's face lit up and he ran upstairs to grap his tools. The picture shows how much fun they had punching holes through with the mallot and kid hammer. They had to break the whole thing apart to find one of Zach's screwdrivers that was pounded into the pumpkin. You can see from the last picture what the poor pumpkin looked like after its demise. Miriam was amazed at how many seeds were inside.

Miriam's New Bike

Miriam got a new bike a few weeks ago. She's been practicing a little more, but so excited that she finally has a big girl bike. She had really wanted her Little Mermaid bike from the States, but when she saw this one it had a princess on it, so she was happy!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Sunday night the kids got to watch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which was one of my favorite books growing up. The kids really liked all the funny things that happened to the other children. But unfortunately one thing 'stuck' with Miriam. In the movie there is a little girl named Violet who is a champion bubble gum chewer. In the factory she is shown a piece of bubble gum that is a three course meal and so she wants to try it and puts her current piece of gum behind her ear. Well, this morning as I'm watching Miriam get ready for school I notice her pulling something out from behind her ear. Yesterday she had received a piece of gum at school for good behavior and that's where she decided to put it when she was done with it. She even slept with it there, it actually was not too messy, just a little sticky back there, but we talked about how that's not the best place for us to put our chewing gum. There's always something interesting happening around here.
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Miriam's Ladybug Birthday Party

WOW! What a day! We celebrated Miriam's 6th Birthday by having a ladybug party. We had 14 little kids, 12 adults and a lot of fun! We played bug, bug ladybug, instead of duck, duck goose, had a ladybug search and ladybug races - which got a bit competitive. You can see the picture of Miriam with her ladybug cupcake cakes above. It's tricky making red icing. She got some great gifts for craft time and some she can use for school. Click on the pics to the right to see her party.


My friend Julie also took a couple pictures which you can view at the link below:


http://s300.photobucket.com/albums/nn5/zachandjules/Miriams%20birthday%20party/



Life continues to be very busy right now as we prepare to pack our house, move on the 7th of June and fly back to the States on the 8th. I've had folks tell us we are going to need the flight home to rest:) I agree. Please continue to pray with us about transportation for the summer while we are back, nothing is set in place yet.

Losing a First Tooth

What a week! Miriam has been wiggling her first loose tooth for a long time, so we've been preparing for it. I made a little pillow for her to put her tooth in and put under her pillow in bed for the tooth fairy, and we were having fun teasing her about pulling it for her. Well, Sunday we were at a going away party for some friends and Miriam fixed a little plate of snacks (grapes, cookies, and a couple strawberries). When we all got in the van she exclaimed to us that she couldn't feel anything with her tongue. Sure enough, while she was eating she swallowed her tooth. She was a little disappointed that she couldn't show it to everyone, but had fun telling all where her lost tooth now was. Last night the tooth fairy must have known that she lost a tooth, but couldn't put it in her pillow because she still left her 100 forint (=.50). She's excited to use this for a ride at the grocery store or for a special treat the next time we go shopping. Zach asked where his 100 ft was, so I explained it was only when you lost a tooth, and he proceeded to show me where he had lost many teeth from the back of his mouth. Very funny!

The washing machine and a bucket

You can probably only guess what the day has been like from the title. Our Miriam has a bug, so she has owned the couch the last couple of days. This morning she woke up early with a stomache ache and we came downstairs to lay on the couch. She wanted some cold water, and after about half the cup she leaned over and let it all go. We got out the bucket, began washing clothes, cushions and the floor. She's had a pretty rough day with nothing in her stomache and continuing to feel yucky. She's been able to catch little catnaps through the day which is good, but Zach is definitely missing his playmate. We're just praying that it will pass soon and she'll be feeling better soon. At least this isn't a busy week for us, and we can just stay home.

Here's a cute picture of Aaron and the kids in their cool Disney shirts from family. I got some comfy PJ's, but I think I'll withhold that picture from the blog:)

If you confess

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