It's party time!

I'm sharing a few pictures from Lucas' Super Mario birthday party. It was a fun party and we had a great turn out. A big thank-you to Dadi and Dada for hosting and a big thank-you for everyone who came out to help us celebrate Lucas. 

Happy 6th Birthday Lucas

...Happy 6th Birthday...

Today, this handsome boy turns six years old. Over the past couple of months, I've seen him grow and mature beyond his years. He is gentle with his sister and does his best to be friends with everyone. He is excelling in kindergarten and is looking forward to summer vacation. We are all looking forward to seeing what year 6 has in store for him. 

purple dress

This dress was once a men's stained button down work shirt. However, today it is a lightweight summer dress in my daughter's favorite color. This dress was a great way for me to practice basic sewing skills and a few new ones as well. 

FYI. Model was bribed with goldfish and an episode of Llama Llama. 

She was well rewarded for her participation.  

Orphan Train Girl by Christina Baker Kline

Between 1854 and 1929, trains full of orphans and homeless children ran regularly from cities in the East Coast to farmlands of the Midwest.

This sad, but fascinating time in history has always interested me.

When I was in elementary school, my Mom read to us "Train To Somewhere" by Eve Bunting. The book told the story of Marianne a young girl riding the train and who was finally adopted by an elderly couple in the West. It was a sad story, but not without hope and it sparked my interest in the orphan trains.

"Orphan Train Girl" is the young readers edition of "Orphan Train." If this version is anything like the original one, I'm going to have to read it!

Molly Ayer has been shipped from one foster home after another for as long as she could remember.

After stealing a book from the library, Molly is forced to do community service by helping Vivian, an elderly women clean out her attic. At first, Molly isn't thrilled to be working in the dusty attic of some rich old lady. However, working with Vivian soon reveals that they have some things in common. Vivian, like Molly, was an orphan and was put on the train in New York in 1929 and sent to the Midwest with hundreds of other children. 

As Molly and Vivian work, old memories are uncovered and past hurts are brought up resulting in friendship, forgiveness and new beginnings.

I would highly recommend this book.