Messy!

ONE SMALL COOKIE! That's all it took for Clark's clean face/hands/shirt/shorts/ AND socks to have evidence of his treat. It's truly amazing how one child (CLARK) can barely touch food and it's EVERYWHERE, and his twin brother can be so clean. We are SO blessed to have almost polar opposite sons to help us appreciate the way God created them so individually. I wonder how easily I would recognize/treasure their little personalities if they weren't so different.
Elizabeth is also quite proud of the mess she so easily makes with her cookie. How is it that there is not ONE crumb or smudge of chocolate on Foster's hand or face ?(or shirt and shorts for that matter.)

"Peanut" woke up in the best mood, and wants to hang out with me in the kitchen. Her hair is a little crazy, but she doesn't care as she sings "Deep and Wide" at the top of her lungs. Look out church choir! Foster says, "LET'S GO RED SOX!" Daddy is coaching his little "leftie" to be a power pitcher with aspirations of going to "the show" with the Red Sox!

Much Needed Discipline

(I've gotten this pic and the next one out of order, but oh well!) After the naughty corner, she takes her rabbit to the "If-Then" chart to talk about what the Bible says about hitting. (This little chart is AWESOME! Offense-Bible verse-Consequence . It has taken the guess work out of what consequences are and gets us all on the same page. Fortunately, yet for unfortunate reasons, they are memorizing some neat Bible verses about character.) Anway, I join Elizabeth at the chart, and she tells me that now "wabbit" has to get a "pankin'" b/c "he didn't obey his "pair-wents". We have to obey our pair-wents. Right Mama?" I try to keep my composure during this reverent event, yet love the way she speaks kindly to her rabbit as she "panks" him. Although she doesn't cover the subject of forgiveness and grace as we strive to do while disciplining, my heart melted as she reminded her "wabbit" how much she loves him, even when he's acting "ugly."

Elizabeth came to inform us that "Wabbit is in the naughty corner." When asked what her precious "wabbit" did, she promptly replied, "She hit the monkey, and we don't hit in this fam-i-ly." (Family is truly 3 syllables!) In this shot, she is having a "talk" with the rabbit to make sure he understands.

Zoo Fun

Riding the train at the zoo is often a highlight in our trip to zoo. I took about 12 pictures trying to get at least 2 kids looking at me, but oh well! Welcome to my world! That's life with two preschoolers (3 1/2) and one "toddler". (Elizabeth recently informed me that she was not my baby anymore, she was my "tod-el-lur."All three are usually doing their own thing-each in their own precious way and time.



Clark gets "brave" and decides he wants to feed the Larikeets at the zoo. He squeals each time one lands on him. At one time, he had 3 of these guys on his arms and shoulder-we both got a little nervous then giggled. Foster was the only one who fed them the last time we were here, but decided he'd "just watch" this time. Elizabeth's food went all over the place as soon as we went into the feeding area (and four birds descended upon her). She definately did not enjoy the experience!

More Zoo Fun

Elizabeth is not afraid to touch or hold this "crockie" (or of much of anything for that matter). She was the first Snow in line to take care of this "baby that misses its Mama." She even rocked it back and forth-too sweet! Yes, I struggled to explain why this crockie doesn't have a tail. (I left out the part about her not having an arm IF it did in fact have a tail.)
Are we in the monkey house or visiting the rhino? Almost every picture I took of Foster had his tongue out, fingers in his ears, or him messing up his hair. It must be a new phase.!!!!!!!!!UGGGGHHHHH!

These precious explorers are in awe of the huge frogs and turtles in the pond. My heart skips a beat each time I let them climb onto this wall. Does "Shout" get out pond scum, too? For those of you who's hearts are skipping a beat, too-don't worry. I was close enough to catch Elizabeth.

Robin Hood (aka Clark) stops from fighting the Sheriff to sip a bit of tea with Maid Marian (aka Elizabeth). Unfortunately, the camera is not capturing his bow and arrow over his right shoulder, the arrows coming out of his red "quiver" (aka backpack), or his droopy drawers from all of the change in his pocket for the "poor". Cracks me up!

Weekend at the "Ri-ber"

There's my "Clarkie"! This is about the only time he was still enough to take a face shot. Constantly on the go---building things, "roping" things, protecting things (namely his sister), and chasing anything or body that will play. Truly, while reading books or cutting with scissors is the only time Clark's body is able to be still. We are in amazed at his energy, generosity with others, and imagination. I could just kiss those dimples right now!
Yes, that is his bathing suit on his head. I wonder if REAL pirates have this sense of humor. Foster is off to find treasure but has to make some kind of joke about it, too. He's our comedian in training and loves to tell jokes (over and over and over and.....). God has gifted him with keen sense of humor, quick wit, and eyes that melt your heart to pull it off.

We had a great weekend at the "riber" (as Elizabeth) calls it. Cousin Laura joined us for lots of laughter, kayaking, splashing, and "contoon" (Clark's word for pontoon) or "ship" (Elizabeth) riding. I "tubed" briefly for the first time this year, and I was quickly reminded what a few years can do to the body.
Laura is soon going above the Mason Dixon line for law school in Baltimore. We are amazed, encouraged, and not at all surprised with her determination and strength. She is so precious to our family and loves each of my children individually for who they are. We will miss visiting often and hearing her cackles, duets with Matt, and her refreshing nature. Elizabeth brought tears to my eyes when she prayed for Laura last night unprompted. We love you, Laura!

July 4th Party

We had few friends from church over for food and fun the evening of July 4th. Highlights of the night included three sweaty boys playing "Robinhood", an appearance of the "superburger", toddlers with sparklers, Baby Gracie having a blast with all the baby dolls, and Baby Reese flirting with Elizabeth (she of course flirted back:) ). We thankGod for His gift of freedom, and for all those who have and are fighting to preserve it. Hope your Independence Day was as wonderful as ours. Happy Birthday America!

Morning Edition

It is 5:52 am and I have just created the Southern Snows blogspot. This is our second attempt for online updates to our family. Hopefully we will be more successful at keeping this one updated. The access for all you who are the interested parties should be simpler than the old site...

No trips for us this weekend just a couple days at home playing. We did have a family adventure on Saturday that included a picnic. There was a lot of sweat since it was 97 degrees outside, but we all survived and cooled off in the YMCA pool later that day.

Sunday included a big fellowship at church which the kids love since they get to run and play with so many of their friends (pictured on the right). We finished off the day with another trip to the "Y" to play sharks and dolphins and pirates. The pool even wears Mommy and Daddy out and everyone slept without a peep last night.