Our Resident Artist

Hannah had a WONDERFUL time at art camp. The theme for the week was "It's A Bug's World". She made a paper mache' of a lady bug and it has glow-in-the-dark paint on it. She painted a forest scene on a canvas. She decorated a tshirt and started a "sketch book". She also made a glow-in-the-dark butterfly. She's ready to go again whenever we'll let her! She told Brent last night that she can draw butterflies very good because she is "an artist". When she got paint on her coverup, Ms Susan (her teacher) told her that she was "wearing her art".

Brock is doing a good job of writing letters. He has a few he needs to get in the correct direction but otherwise, he's doing a very good job. He is only 3 1/2 so I'm happy that he's holding his pencil correctly!

Corinne has a molar coming in the bottom right side of her mouth. She still thinks most everything we do is funny and is climbing on anything she can get up on. She has learned that climbing on the trunk is a "no-no" but she'll still go over to it, put her knee up on it and look at me to see what I'm going to do about it. Very cute but I don't let her know I think she's cute! The main lesson she's learning right now is to sit, not stand, on the couch.

Emma prefers walking over crawling now. She still has her "sneaky" walk but she's fairly steady now. She too can crawl up on the couch so she's learning to sit, not stand, as well. She does okay until her sister climbs up with her and leads her down the wrong path:) She has a molar coming in the bottom left side of her mouth. We've started letting both girls walk to/from the van, into buildings, etc. I had forgotten how much more time it takes to get somewhere with a toddler walking beside you...and Emma takes even longer.

Brent is at the lot trying to clear away some of the tall grass. He's meeting a builder there next week to get some ideas on house construction costs, house location on the lot, etc. We're in the very beginning stages of getting ready to build. We'll hopefully know more after he meets this builder next week.

Our dryer quit working Thursday night so we found a used one today. Long story but we were very happy to not buy a new one at this time. At least we can have clean, DRY clothes now. And the man we bought it from was even nice enough to take our old one to the dump! (It was beyond repair even for a repairman.)

That's all for now. I still need to learn how to post photos. I'll try to do that soon. Until then...I'll send photos via walmart.com when I can.

The Freeland Family

Sneaky Emma and Princess Hannah

These days it seems like every day is a milestone for someone. Emma had decided that walking is better than crawling...most the time. She walks like she is sneaking up on you. It's really fun to watch. We started letting Corinne and Emma walk to/from the van this week. Corinne tries to make a break for freedom everytime but Emma is just happy to hold my hand and get to her destination without falling.

Hannah went to a birthday party today. It was a dressup party so she wore her favorite pink dress, her pink stockings, her pink sparkling shoes and her gold cross necklace. I curled her hair with the curling iron. She looked very pretty. (Sadly, she has hair like mine so it doesn't stay curled for very long.) When she came home, she made Brock a crown so he could be a prince. They rode around the house on their stick horses looking for their castle.

This week Hannah will go to an art camp each day. Brock and I will try to work on reading books just the two of us while Corinne and Emma compete for my attention. It should be a fun time:)

The Freeland Family

The Freeland Family

Hannah's tooth finally came out yesterday. We were at a neighbor's house for a birthday party. She was watching a video (it was pouring down rain outside) and said, "Mommy, look what was in my mouth!" It was her tooth. It just fell out while she was wiggling it with her tongue:)

Corinne had her first dentist visit today. She did great...no crying! She still only has 6 teeth but her gums are SO swollen. She'll have more before long, I hope! The other three go to the dentist next week.

Have a nice weekend!
The Freeland Family

4th of July trip to Virginia

The Freeland Family

We are home from our trip to Virginia Beach. I'll try to recap...

Last Thursday was our (Brent and me) 10th wedding anniversary. We had given gifts Wednesday evening since we knew Thursday was a busy day going to VA. Well, Brent kept surprising me all day Thursday with gifts. After we got to Va Beach and got the kids in bed that night, he wanted us to go down to the oceanfront to walk around. Little did I know that he had another gift hiding in his pocket. While we were walking on the boardwalk, he gave me a ring. It is a silver band with all our children's names and birthstones on it. I had been wanting something with their birthstones but had not found anything I liked. He found just the right gift!! I was completely surprised...I even cried:)

Friday we closed on our house. It's sold! After lunch we took Hannah and Brock to the oceanfront for ice cream while the twins napped at Jane's house with her. After dinner we all went back to the oceanfront to ride a 6 passenger bike (we made room for seven though). The twins thought it was just great.

Saturday morning our family went back to the oceanfront for Corinne and Emma's first time in the sand. They really had a good time. After lunch I took them back to Jane's and left Brent with the other two. I picked them up around dinner time. I think Hannah would have slept there if we'd let her! Ask her about the sand crabs the next time you talk to her. Brock prefers the sand to the water.

Sunday we went to New Hope Church with Jane. We have not been back since we moved here 2 1/2 years ago. It was good to see our friends and meet the new pastor. Funny how Hannah and Brock have no memories of being there. Brent took Hannah, Brock and Jane's granddaughter, Kaitlyn, to the oceanfront Sunday afternoon for more beach time. A good time was had by all!

Monday we decided to visit the 'big harbor' instead of the beach. We rode the ferry and had lunch at Waterside in Norfolk. We had dinner with some New Hope friends that evening. We swam about 15 minutes before it started thundering. The twins enjoyed it while it lasted. They were splashing and kicking and laughing. Hannah enjoyed trying to do what she had learned in swim lessons. Brock got in without any fussing so we're making progress with all of them.

We came home today. Everyone is in their own bed. I'm going to unpack and get ready to do all the laundry tomorrow. We'll make a Wal-Mart run too, I'm sure.

Happy 4th of July to everyone! God bless America!!!!