Seven Snippets: Homemade Soda, My Girl Turns 11, and Proof I’ve Got Awesome Kids

— 1 —

My little girl is now eleven. I know everyone says “I can’t believe it!” about how big/old their kids are getting, but seriously, peeps…she’s half grown. Obviously, I’ve been aware of this fact for awhile now – especially since September when things started to go downhill due to her rapid growth, but it’s still strange. We moved to Mayberry in the summer of 2008, when she was five, which means…she’s lived here half of her life.

— 2 —

We had a quiet celebration with my dad and stepmom, which included shopping for a new charm for her charm bracelet, lunch at a restaurant of her choosing, a movie, and cake at home. Papa and Bebe gave her an ice cream ball so we had homemade ice cream (yes, it actually works!)

— 3 —

Sarah Kate tried her hand at baking this weekend – dog biscuits. Mr. Andi’s mom gave her an apron and a set of bone-shaped cutters, so we bought the necessary ingredients and baked them on Saturday afternoon. The dogs approved. 🙂

— 4 —

For Christmas, Sarah Kate got a SodaStream from “Santa”. Responding to my desperate pleas for help with gift ideas for my tween was my friend Beth, who got one for her son last year when he was a fifth grader like Sarah Kate. She loves it! So far we’ve tried most of the sample flavors that came with the kit, as well as Cola (sweetened with cane sugar!), Cherry Cola Syrup, Dr. Pete, Kool-Aid Grape Syrup, and Energy Drink Syrup (similar to Red Bull or Monster). She loves those first two, while I am partial to the Energy Drink.

I may not sleep the entire month of January, but here’s hoping I get lots of stuff done. 🙂

— 5 —

Sarah Kate and Nathan always get along great, but they really warmed this momma’s heart over the Christmas break. On the days Mr. Andi was working and no one was here but the kids and me, I let them eat on TV trays in the living room – something I NEVER do. One day I got them sorta set up and went into the other room to work on some photos. I could hear Sarah Kate telling Nathan what to do, and I distinctly heard her say, “Don’t eat yet – we need to pray first.”

Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are about to receive from your bounty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

I love my kids.

— 6 —

Kristen Lamb blogs about writing, not special needs or faith or photography, but she’s funny and smart and I love her blog! Yesterday she published a poignant piece on bullies that needs to be read by anyone who worries about putting themselves “out there”.

— 7—

You know I have to say it: the BCS National Championship is Monday night. War Eagle!

Have a great weekend!

This post was inspired by and is linked to Conversion Diary‘s 7 Quick Takes.