Busy Brood

It's winter season this side of the ocean. That means hot water bottles, down comforters, beautiful blue skies and BUSY SEASON! We are prepping to host close to 300 North Americans over the course of June and July but its not just Mama and Papa Franzen that are feelin' the winter "heat". The Franzen brood is keeping in step with the flurry of activity.

It is Netball season for Sky. She is playing for the A-team at her school. Although the team is off to a tough start it is a joy to watch my girl take to this foreign sport (so foreign to her basketball playin' Mama)....

As well as we are up to our "boots" (aka cleats) in soccer. Blake is playing both Club ball and for his school team. He is shaping up to be a good all around player both as the A-team goalie and when in the field.

And Tori...well no sports this season; she is staying busy being cute and keeping warm....

Things Beginning with the letter "M"

Tori's homework consists of a take home page with the letter of the week. She looks through various magazines to find pictures of things beginning with that particular letter, cuts out the pic and pastes it on the sheet before returning it to school.

This week's letter was the letter "M".....

Tori grabbed scissors and glue as I pulled out the magazines and we began discussing things beginning with the letter "M". I was thrilled when she set out to find the perfect picture to represent "Michelle My Mom". After all look at the magazines she was flipping through....


...I was feeling pretty confident with the choices. :)

So we perused the pages and made our choices...monkey, "moo", "meow", milk....and finally Tori revealed the "mommy" picture. Have a look in the lower right hand corner.....

Yep, I had a good laugh too....of all the magazines filled with pics of gorgeous women Tori chose the one of the lady stuffing her face. I guess she feels her mom has a lot in common with the "moo".

The truth definitely hurts especially when exposed by a 6 year old!

Autumn and Abby

Well it is definitely Autumn here in South Africa...can you tell....

my poor backyard has been so neglected but the kids are having fun in the leaves....


Autumn (you don't say "fall" here) is not the only newness in our parts. Our friends and co-workers, the Smiths, moved here 3 weeks ago and have been staying with us until they can move into their place. We are enjoying all of them but little Abby seems to get the most attention..

And not just by my girls, Blake has a tender spot for his new little friend...

So of course he is encouraging the "important" things....

He'll have her playing soccer in no time. :)

So as the temps grow colder we are bundling up ushering in Autumn and enjoying our time with sweet Abby....

Easterlicious

We started the Easter weekend with festivities at Impact Kids....

Painting Crosses......

Coloring eggs....



Sharing about the Resurrected Saviour....


More coloring eggs with the Franzenfam...

and our new fun friends....Abby and Emma.....

Emma and me making cupcakes for our Easter brunch....

Traditional Easter morning pics......


No spring attire here...it was chilly!

The first South African Easter for the Smiths...our house guests and newest staff members....

Easter brunch with the Impact Africa Family......

And of course there were plenty of sweets....


It was Easterlicious!