A Week Without Dad

We got a phone call from Doug's dad at 3:20am Tuesday morning that Lori has passed away in the loving arms of her husband, Lance. We were so glad that Doug already had a ticket, and was able to be there to be a support to Lance and Doug's parents.

Meanwhile, the boys and I tried to pass the time without Dad around to help us out. We kept busy with the last week of Bible Study Fellowship, Preschool, some River Festival activities - an afternoon at Botanica, and the closing night fireworks.

Saturday morning we went to Exploration Place to see the premier of their newest cyberdome theater production about a bird named Chirpee. Afterwards there was a chance to take a picture with Chirpee, and eat cake and punch to celebrate the premier of the movie.

Afterwards we all rode the carousel. Sam selected the Lion because it did not go up and down. Ben enjoyed the ride, until I tried to take a picture, then he was ready to get down.

Ben also learned to climb up in chairs, and now helps himself to the chair at Sam's desk and also the computer desk. So Ben began to draw with the crayons on Sam's desk.

He is still learning that the crayons go on the paper, not the wall.

Saturday afternoon, we went to Great Clips so Sam could have a "professional" haircut before Preschool graduation this week. Afterwards, we celebrated with ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery. The chocolate ice cream with sprinkles, was enjoyed by all.



After the fireworks, we went to the airport to pick up dad. We got home around midnight, and put the kids to bed. We expected that we would all sleep in, but no such luck. Everyone got up around 7:30. Sam immediately wanted to play computer games with Dad, and whatever Sam does, Ben wants to do. Everyone is glad that dad is home!!

Monday, May 12

Doug's sister, Lori has been very courageously fighting lung cancer for 6 months. Doug had purchased an airline ticket to go to Oregon in June to visit Lori, but we got a call last Sunday that Doug needed to come out now. Doug was able to get a refund on his June ticket, and purchased a ticket to fly out Tuesday morning, May 13 and would return home the following Saturday. We spent Monday evening as a family, in anticipation of Dad being gone several days. We began our evening at a restaurant called Shorty Smalls. Doug's dad had sent us a gift certificate that expired on Monday. We were in luck as it was free kid's meal night. To top it off, the kids meals came with a fudge bar for desert. Ben loved his
.

Then we went to Doug's parents house to water plants and play in the backyard. Sam had a blast collecting sticks and Ben had fun playing around the swing set.

Silly Boys

Here's Sam with one of his many "birthday parties". Mom just wraps stuff up and Sam decides who each present is from. He'll say, "Joey gave me this." Thank goodness for old newspapers and scotch tape. Mom has probably had about 100 birthdays for Sam. Sam's real birthday is still two months away.

Zoo Visit

Mom had Newton Symphony practice today, so dad and the boys ventured out to the zoo for while this morning

River Festival Parade 2008

Lawn Boys

Sam and Ben are ready to start a lawn mowing business! They are working on obtaining financing to purchase these expensive lawnmowers. Dad is ready for them to start mowing!

Bike Riding

Sam's been enjoying riding his bike that grandpa Shaffer gave him a couple of years ago. Sam has had zero interest riding a bike until recently. He's getting better every day. He's ridden down a full block a couple of times. Steering seems to be an issue. Notice Ben in the background.

Sam's Preschool Olympics

Sam's preschool class took an afternoon and competed vigorously in various sporting events. They paraded around the church with their torches in hand playing the Olympic theme song. No "free Tibet" protests were going on in the facility. In the gym, they played several games. They had a relay, a tricycle race, a basketball game, tug of war, and a few other activities. They took a break to eat Connie's cookies decorated like stars with red, white, and blue frosting. Sam chose the blue cookie. After the opening ceremonies and competition, they ended the afternoon with closing ceremonies including receiving a medal and got their picture taken. It was sure cute!

Kansas Splashdown

We decided to take a break last weekend and travel up to Hutchinson, KS. We did this last year and had so much fun we decided to go again. Our room at the hotel overlooked the water park, which was kind of cool. Ben enjoyed looking out the curtains and take in all of the action going on outside. Sam's favorite part of the water park was again the hot tub. There is a little waterfall that splashes down in to the water tub. Sam was usually in the tub for five minutes and then back in to the wading pool.

Happy Easter

Grandma and Grandpa Keefer brought home matching Easter outfits for the boys from their recent trip to Texas. Unbelievably they kept them clean all through lunch. We enjoyed Kentucky Fried Chicken and Spears French Silk pie (and the "adults" enjoyed Strawberry Rhubarb pie.) We celebrated with the Keefers and Shaffers and our good friend Danny Philips. Happy Easter from the Shaffer family!

Resurrection Cookies

This Easter Sam and I have been reading about the Easter story each day. I found this recipe in the River Community Church cookbook and it seemed to fit well with what we had been reading and Sam's love for cooking.

Here is the recipe along with the notes:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Place pecans in Zipper baggie and let children beat them with a wooden spoon (or in Sam's case, a Hammer from Lowes) to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. (John 19:1-3)Let children smell vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink (John 19:28-30).

Add the egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life (John 10:10-11).

Sprinkle a little salt into the children's hands. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.

Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers and the bitterness of our own sin (Luke 23:27). So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.

Add 1 cup sugar.

Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him (Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16)

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 11 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those who sins have been cleansed by Jesus (Is. 1:18 and John 3:1-3).

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid (Matthew 27:57-60.)

Put the cookie sheet in the oven and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and "seal" the oven door.

Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed (Matthew 27:65-66). GO TO BED!

Explain that they may be sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight, and Jesus' followers were sad to leave Jesus in the tomb. (John 16:20,22).

On easter morning open the oven


and give everyone a cookie.


Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. (Matthew 28:1-9).

Although Sam didn't really try a cookie, the rest of us are loving them. I think next year I'll add mini chocolate chips to the pecans.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

We celebrated St. Patrick's Day at the 2nd annual parade in downtown Wichita. Read about our first St. Patrick's Day parade here. It was quite windy, and not very warm, so we brought lots of blankets. Ben really enjoyed the bagpipes, and Sam enjoyed the candy.

Later in the afternoon we went to Cero's candy to see the Easter Bunny. Sam brought along the picture from 3 years ago when he saw the Easter Bunny, but this time Sam wasn't afraid to sit on his lap. Ben didn't seem to mind too much. Seems funny to be thinking about Easter on St. Patrick's Day.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Ben fell asleep in the car on the way home before lunch. He is usually ready to eat as soon as we put him in his high chair. He wasn't quite awake yet.

Just Hanging Out

Sam really enjoys sitting on the riding lawn mowers at Lowes. Dad's ready for Sam to take this responsibility over!

Another rough day for Sam and Ben

Can I have some popcorn?

Remember the classic Mattel football game with the red dots that run all over the field?