Random pictures

Little Tessa is growing but still only a pound and a half.  She fits in my hand easily and often falls asleep there.  She is loved on by all the kids.  Miriam and Elijah especially.  Miriam, every chance she gets, asks if she can hold her and will hold her for as long as I'll let her (much to the chagrin of the other girls).  Elijah is learning how to be soft with her.  His hugs get a little overzealous.

One of the things Jonas had to do as a part of this program is to do a Science-type-display of something about Australia.  He chose to do a display of the animals of the Great Barrier Reef.  This is what he came up with.  The animals are made out of sculpy clay or salt dough.  He worked hard on it.  And it was the best, most in-depth display of all the Ambassadors.

When he was tilling the garden, Keith ran over a ground nest.  (He still feels really bad about that).  There were four baby birds in the nest.  One of them died immediately.  Another died within an hour.  These two were left.  The man at the pet store was very discouraging.  "They won't live," he kept saying.  But then proceeded to sell me some wax worms to feed them.  Luckily, feeding these chicks isn't like feeding baby lovebirds.  I only had to feed them about every 6 hours.  But I did have to pull the heads off the wax worms or they would eat through the crop of the chicks. Blech!

These two eventually died too.  But the kids enjoyed watching them and we had to do what we could to try to save them.

Our home teachers are the best.  Brother Von Forell in particular has been with us for a while (through 3 other companions)  He always has a kid-level lesson prepared and he is very patient with this crazy, talkative bunch. Everyone enjoys having them come.  Here he is making brownies (even though each ingredient alone might be different if you mix them all together they become better, so it is with members of a family)  .  Here he even let them lick the bowl.

And lastly, not a picture, I found this recipe on the internet for garlic bread that is to die for.  I even cut off a few leaves of oregano and cinnamon basil out of my garden.

Italian Style Garlic Bread Spread

1/2 c butter

1/4 c mayonnaise or salad dressing (I didn't add this)

2 tbl grated parmesan cheese

1 tsp basil

1/2 tsp oregano

1tsp garlic, minced

Beat together all ingredients with mixer.  Spread on french or BBQ bread.  Broil until golden on an ungreased baking sheet. May be stored in covered container up to 1 month.  Make 3/4 cup.