Cookie Baking Night 07/29/13

Tonight was Cookie Baking Night. In attedance this evening we had the usual crew plus a couple guests. Emily's friend, Julia, joined us for the evening and Ethan's friend, Jabin, joined us for the evening. Two 12 year old girls, two 10 year old boys, and an 8 year old year old little girl. It was a lively bunch to say the least.

Tonight we made a classic: The chocolate chip cookie. Since we had a big crowd, we had to spread out in the kitchen, but we managed to get all the measuring, mixing, and scooping done and came up with a pretty tasty cookie in the end.

Emily led the crew in a game of "Spot It". It was a new game, so she was teaching it to them. At one point, Emily called out to me from the living room (I was in the dining room) and said, "Look Katrina, I'm a role model."

It was fun to have other children with us this evening. I'm grateful God allowed us the experience. It was an evening filled with Gospel-spreading occasions and sanctifying opportunities.

We continued reading in our book "God's Names" by Sally Michael. Tonight we learned the name Jehovah-Shammah meaning The Lord is there, a lesson I very much needed today, myself. (God teaches us all through Cookie Baking Nights). We continue to learn about God's character and who He is by learning His many names.

We ended the evening with a walk through the neighborhood to the local gas station and 25 cent candy all around (Jabin said, "This night just keeps getting better and better.")

As usual, a fun time was had by all.

Birthday Musings!

Today is my mom's birthday. I spent the weekend at her house in celebration. We had dinner together, hung out on the patio, talked, played a game, prayed together. My niece, Emily, is here too. She made the birthday cake. (Okay, by made the cake, I mean assembled the cake. We made a "strawberry sparkle cake" from The Pioneer Woman blog with a pre-made angel food cake and store-bought whipped topping. She did a good job. It was quite tasty).

Mom, Dad-Larry, and Emily

Happy Birthday, Mama! I love you, and I thank God for you. May He bless you in the year ahead and draw you closer to Him with each passing moment. 

Cookie Baking Night 07/01/13

Tonight was Cookie Baking Night. In attendance this evening: Emily, Ethan, and Carissa. Today is Carissa's birthday. She turned 8 years old today. As is the Cookie Baking Night tradition, it was her choice tonight for supper and for the "cookie" we made. For supper, she chose macaroni & cheese, cornbread, and "berries w/ half&half". For her cookie, she chose "dirt cups".

Much work to do with this project. There's making the pudding..

crushing the cookies..

assembling the cups..

And don't forget the gummy worms..

Ahhh..the finished product. 

We also read a lesson from our book God's Names by Sally Michael. This week we studied the name El Roi meaning "The God Who Sees". (again, highly recommend this book--we are learning much about who God is by studying His names). 

The time tonight was lively and the discussion was good. We lingered over supper talking with Uncle Greg about the day. Sometimes conversation is abundant at Cookie Baking Nights, and this was one of those nights. Greg and I learn much about who our nieces and nephews are and how their little lives are shaping through our time with them at Cookie Baking Nights. We wouldn't trade the experience. It's very valuable. 

As usual, a fun time was had by all.