Miriam's Birthday in Paris

Well, we have a little 7-year-old who thoroughly enjoyed her birthday. Once again, it fell just after the start of winter vacation, and so she didn't have any school. To top it all off, we had a guest from the States, Mark Ring, with us for the day who hadn't yet seen any of the sites in Paris. So Tim and the "big kids", a.k.a. M & M, got to spend the day visiting the Eiffel Tower, walking down the Champs Elysées, and taking a boat ride on the Seine. It was a birthday present that fit just right for this little girl!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Mommy stayed home to care for the "little ones" and to make the birthday meal and cake. The chicken pot pie was just coming out of the oven as they walked in the door. So we had a great evening fellowshipping together, and a highlight for Miriam was receiving her very own Bible in French (and it's PINK, to boot!), something for which she's been asking for several months now. The timing fell just right as she is becoming quite the little reader. She has read the first several verses of Psalm 107 to us several times since. (The verse she is memorizing for Sunday School comes from that chapter, hence the immediate attachment! :) We all adore our sole little princess, and are glad for all the rose-colored pleasures she brings to our mostly blue home.

She sure sounds silly when she says her "s's"

She's been knowing it was gonna happen soon, but a pork chop for dinner and a little help from Daddy made it so that tonight was the night! Miriam is now missing a front tooth. :) (Her third tooth to lose in all--first one on the top.)

Tooth Action

The Tim Bixby household has had some serious tooth action this week. Miriam knocked her chin climbing a tree on Sunday, and I think that might have given a slightly loose tooth the added impetus it needed to quickly become REALLY loose, and she lost her first baby tooth then on Wednesday. She had an advantage in this whole thing of having seen her brother lose his teeth, and realize that it really isn't any too scary, and after all, one might find a little something special under one's pillow after such an exciting experience, so she was pretty thrilled!

Micaiah's tooth action was a little less natural. We got an afternoon phone call on Tuesday (actually, it was Papi who took the initial call as he was keeping the younger kids while we were in class) that Micaiah had had an accident at school, and we needed to come pick him up to take him to the dentist. Somehow he had been spinning around with a classmate at the end of recess time when he slipped and hit the ground mouth first. Some of the school workers were still cleaning up the blood when we arrived to retrieve him. After calling three different dentists, we found one who was immediately available and we took him in. He agreed that Micaiah's front two teeth had received a pretty terrific shock, and wanted us to go get an x-ray taken to make sure there was no fracture (see picture below). It was a pretty cool machine that went around his head, and we now have a REALLY cool picture of all his hidden permanent teeth yet to come in. In fact, the dentist was even able to tell us that Micaiah will only ever have one wisdom tooth to come in. We are grateful that there was no fracture, and it seems like the teeth will heal fine, although the dentist did say that those front two teeth are not completely out of the woods yet, and wants us to come in again next week for a check-up. He had a seriously swollen lip, but after three days it is looking much better, too. So there you go. There's a summary of some of the toothy experiences we've had in this Bixby household this week. :)

Miriam Makes Music :-)

This evening Miriam had a recital for her music class. So we got to go see her "play the drum". The class also sang as they drummed :-) It was lots of fun and brought back many, many memories of sitting in the audience watching the prettiest (or most handsome) kids play and sing. Afterward we went to McDo's to celebrate. It was a fun time-- especially the ice cream at the end of the meal. So love having family around...anyone else want to come by for a visit?
BTW, Zacherie decided that if Miriam was playing the drum, he was going to play the big gong!

Miriam's Birthday Party!

Our little six-year-old really enjoyed her day! She had very definite instructions for the meal (taco salad, watergate salad w/ strawberries and red jello with a heart in the middle) and for the cake (chocolate with chocolate icing and strawberries with a large 6 in the middle) which her sweet mother carried out to a "T". It was a fun family evening.

Happy Birthday, Miriam!

Happy Birthday to the sweetest six year old ! 6! Wow! You are getting to be a big girl and such a big helper, too. We love you and can't wait for your party tomorrow night!

Papi et Mimi and the "French" Grandkids

Can't say we didn't try....

It's Tea Party Time!

Today the little girls joined me for a Tea Party! They came all dressed up with their favorite dollies. We had chocolate chip mini muffins, chocolate-peanut butter covered bananas, candies, and hot chocolate and lemonade. How is that for a well balanced snack? Tomorrow is Krista's 3rd birthday so we sang to her, too. We all had so much fun that I am sure we will do it again!



And don't feel sorry for Micaiah. He and Papi had a full afternoon. They went to lunch at KFC and then delivered a care package together before they took off on an afternoon bike ride.
Gotta love vacation time :-)

Miriam and Mimi get ready for Papi's Return!

Yesterday Miriam came over for lunch and to help make some cookies (thanks, Aunt Brenda, for the Big Soft Ginger Cookies recipe --yumm!). We were getting ready for Papi to come back from Algrange and wanted to make it special.

At one point, Miriam climbed up on the stool and said "It's my birthday and now I am grown up." "And how old are you now?" The reply "16!" I laughed and said, "Do you know that your big cousin Elise is going to be 16 tomorrow?"

Papi made it home safely via Paris (his train was canceled) and he loves his cookies :-)

Saying goodbye to Papi

Because of "la grève," Papi got off a day late for his trip up north to teach at the Bible institute. Miriam got a field trip to the train station out of it.

La Rentrée !

Today was the big day!!! We dropped off Miriam and Zacharie at Papi & Mimi Bixby's house at 8:10 this morning in order to take Micaiah to his first day CE1. He was very exited about his new "cartable" which can be rolled like a suitcase or carried on his back. Since it was the first day, we were able to walk into his classroom and meet his teacher. After this it will be back to dropping him off and picking him up at the gate. While he still had a small case of the nervous jitters, this year was definitely easier than last. Right after our parting hug, he eagerly jumped into a French conversation with the other kids at his table, all of whom he already knew from last year. The report at lunch time was that his teacher is really quite nice, and he seems to be settling in well already.

Miriam had not the slightest hesitation about staying at home. She was very thrilled to be able to have the same teachers that she had "met" previously when Micaiah did HomeSat K-5 two years ago. Just before vacation we found a used desk to put into her room that really works perfectly, and now she is all set up! In fact, she completed two full days' work and then some.

In other news, yesterday we enrolled the kids in some music classes (not formal lessons, just general music), and those classes will start in two weeks. We are excited about this new realm of education for both of them, and are hoping it will give Miriam another avenue to keep honing her French skills while she is schooling in English.

He stuck in his thumb and pulled out a plum....

Here are some pictures of the end results of Papi and Micaiah's pickin! (I forgot when I made the last blog that 'prunes' are 'plums' in English--but I am sure you all know that!) A joint effort produced a yummy clafoutis.

Miss Miriam turns 5!!!

Today our smiley little girl turns 5! Since it is Saturday (busy day for preachers Daddy and Papi!) the party is going to be Monday night but we are all still thinking about the sweet blessing she is to all of us. Happy Birthday, Miriam!

Visiting the French grandchildren

This is Dad. I've really had a wonderful time with Tim and Ruth and my precious grandchildren. That is the special bonus. I'm here for Marcelle, and have spent a good bit of time with her. There is no doubt that the Lord wanted me her at this time, and I'm grateful, but I'm looking forward to being back with Mom. And, getting on with our responsibilities there in the states so that we can get back here to the ministry. But I hate leaving Micaiah and Miriam. I felt we'd bonded last time, but I've really it this time. It has been merveilleux.

We'll get this French "très vite"

Isn't this just too cute? They look like they are really concentrating!

Visit to Rockford

This is a bit late, but we wanted to share some of the joys we had during our all-too-brief visit to Rockford, IL. It lasted only one night and part of two days. Patience was recovering from sickness, but she was sweet and happy as usual, and it gave her one more excuse to stay home from school and visit with us. We also enjoyed a not-baby-any-more Corban--energetic yet very sweet.

Thank you Rockford Bixbys for letting us crash in on you! We are sad that we won't get to see you again (or our family north of you) before we leave for France in June.

Miriam reads to Micaiah

While Micaiah does his home work, Miriam reads to him and excellent book ("Big Truths for Little Kids") that combines questions from the Children's Catechism (note that the "Q. A." is misinterpreted as "O. A.") with stories that reinforce the truths. It's not a very good recording, but as parents, we think it's cute.

Playing with Stefan

Brian and Johanna are off to the music conference at the WILDS.
We get to keep Stefan, and have some fun with him too!

Kissin' Cousins!

M & M at Bedtime

Thought you might enjoy this little clip we took of the kids during our family devotions just before bedtime a week or so ago. It was taken the evening after our "Ashtabula Train Disaster" tour, hence the conversation about the train wreck. Please excuse Miriam's Oreo crumb left on the corner of her mouth. ;-)



We've also posted a slideshow of pictures that show a little of what we've been up to lately here.