A Day with Dad

I recently got to skip school and go to "work" with my dad. My mom said I could tell you about it...this is Blake, Franzenfam kid #2, btw.

This is where my dad "works"....It is like a big city of cardboard houses with dirt roads...

I thought some of the houses looked like forts that I wish I could build in my backyard....

We went to a school with lots of kids. I wish my mom would have sent me with a red cap...


My Dad had an idea that helped me fit in a bit better....

It was a very cold day so we brought lots of blankets and I got to help give them away. It was fun to see how happy it made people....



There was special stuff for the kids; they seemed happy that we were there....

I got hungry and my dad gave me a special African snack to eat....a mopani worm. I thought it tasted like chicken.....

There was lots of ministry and some clowning around.....

My dad has a pretty great job and it was really cool hangin' with him....

Oh and did I mention I got to miss school?

You Know it is Cold When...

you reach for your hair products and they are frozen....

The Camp In

Skyler had a "Camping" themed birthday party this year. With our winter temps we decided it would be more of a Camp "In" instead of a Camp Out. Somehow I never got a picture of the tent...I know but give me a break I was juggling the big event while trying to remain warm. Just picture an 8 man tent in your living room and you get the picture.

The party commenced after school with team type activities...

Teams had to design a treasure map, provide clues and find each other's treasure.

There were all sorts of relays...







The favorite relay ended with participants having to find 3 worms in the whip cream pie...






The teams also had to mummify one of their mates




They took a break from the brawn and got in touch with their creative side. Our friend Mutsa taught the girls the African art of potato stamping and each girl made their own t-shirt. They were too cute.


Of course dinner was cooked over the fire


And what would a camping party be without smores...I mean "dirt" for dessert?

Flashlight tag was cut short due to the frigid weather and because the $1 store flashlights kept breaking. The girls settled down for a movie "under the stars" (aka- glow in the dark stars on my lounge ceiling)

Any guesses as to what the preferred show was?



Yep...good ole Miss Garrett in Different Strokes. That is Sky's favorite at the moment.

After a few episodes the girls retired to the tent for more games, junk food and girlyness. Just prior to midnight the girls drifted off to their dreams and the day's festivities became a special memory .

Top 10

10 things I love about you…

Your chocolate brown eyes.

Your genuine love for the Lord.

Your thoughtfulness.

Your spunk and zest for life.

Your love of learning.

Your love of literature.

Your love of what is good.

You being our #1.

Your desire to do what is right even when it is hard.

YOU!

Happy 10th Birthday my precious Skyler Grace; you are dearly loved!

The Nightmare Bear

Skyler has a new class in school this year that she is very excited about, it is technology class. You know computers, spreadsheets, powerpoint....or so I thought!

When she came home and told me her semester project was to knit a bear I was slightly confused. And when I realized “technology” in this case was pertaining to the industrial arts, specifically knitting, I was horrified. Horrified because unlike my blog friend Leigh Ann who puts Martha Stewart to shame in the sewing arena; I am domestically challenged in the technology department of knitting, sewing, or anything of the sort. My last and only sewing project was a Poodle Skirt in the 8th grade and I am embarrassed to share that my mom had to finish it. (BTW, thanks Mom...you got an 'A').

I did remember seeing some beautifully knit bears that were being made and gathered for the poor, at a local coffee shop I frequent. Now I know I am a missionary so I shouldn’t have any faults (hee) but the thought did cross my mind to perhaps offer to buy one of the finished bears.

What can I say…I panicked. Don’t write me off yet as it did not take me long to realize the flaws with this plan, mainly the glaring fact that it would be dishonest and perhaps not the best example to my daughter.

Thank God for another idea….Enter Lizzy….our special friend, adopted family member and helper! Liz can remove the toughest of stains, is Tori’s favorite babysitter and glory be to God the girl can KNIT!

After a few weeks of working with Lizzy, Skyler finished her very first knitting project...the beloved bear.




And I gave Lizzy a raise!