Spring Snow in Texas

Last night, on the eve of the first day of Spring, it snowed 6 inches. For those living in northern areas this would not be an odd event, but those living in Texas this is VERY odd. In the midst of the trees blooming we have been dusted by heavy, wet snow.

This afternoon Ashie and I went out and built a snowman. My only goal was to build a larger snowman that April had built with her last month when it snowed. When we were done the snow man stood over 6 feet tall, had chocolate chip eyes, an asparagus nose, and carrot mouth. Ashie insisted that real snowmen have buttons and since I didn't know where any were I resorted in the trusty black spray paint.

Kids Can Do Good Things

Monday for Family Home Evening the lesson was on giving to others that are less fortunate. After a short lesson on baptismal covenants and caring for another, we got talking about the recent events in Haiti and Chili and how the people of those nations had some very significant needs. We looked at maps and learned about these countries and where they were in relation to the U.S.

After asking the kids how they thought they might help we received ideas such as we could take some of our toys and give them to Haitian children, we could give some of our allowance, and we could sell lemonade to the neighborhood.

As we continued to talk, the idea of selling lemonade to our neighbors expanded to selling baked goods, ice cream sandwiches, and fruit punch drink from the LDS cannery (referred to as Celestial punch in our home). We discussed how we might get the word out and April and I accepted the assignment to send an email to our neigborhood. Here is what the email looked like:

Bake Sale for Haiti

Saturday, March 6, 2010 @ 1:00 - 2:30pm

Please come and purchase baked goods to raise money to send to Haiti.

Cookies
Brownies
Rice Crispy Treats
Fruit Punch

All proceeds will go the humanitarian aid fund for Haiti. Thank you for your support.

Bingham Kids

We finished up Family Home Evening spending time deciding on the prices for each of the items then Abby was assigned to make the poster with the details. Here is the poster that Abby made and they displayed during the fund raiser:


The kids set up out front of the house at the end of the driveway. They got off to a slow start, but eventually several neighbors came by and purchased items. Our neighbors were VERY generous most times giving the kids significantly more than the price for the items. All together the kids raised $68.26!

Tonight the kids spent time counting up the money for Haiti, completing the offerings slip designating it to the 'Humanitarian Aid' fund, then placing it in envelopes to be handed to the Bishop tomorrow.

We are proud of Payton, Abby, and Ashlyn! They were all very excited to participate and contribute towards those that are less fortunate. Hopefully the kids learned that even at their young ages they can do good things for their brothers and sisters wherever they might be in the world.

With love -

Texas Bings

Funny Talk

Recently Ashie has had some funny "one-liners" that have caused April and I to laugh. Some we have corrected and others we have just shook our heads at. Enjoy!

April is pushing Ashie in the shopping cart at the grocery store and Ashie out of no where says to her mother, "Get me out of the cart you old woman!" It was all April could do to not laugh. Later in the day when April headed up stairs to get the kids ready for bed, Ashie yelled while running behind her "wait for me you old woman!"

The other night I was with Ashie up stairs in her room and April was in the study on the computer looking at our checking account. She shouted something up to me advising me of the balance to which I responded. Ashie who was on her bed looked at me suddenly and while holding her hands out to her sides said "I don't even know what you are saying, boy!"

If these weren't enough to make you shake your head, yesterdays quick one-liner was the icing on the cake. I took the kids to 'Donuts with Dad' at the elementary school yesterday morning before class. Ashie was holding my hand and as soon as we stepped foot into the school Ashie looked up at me while walking toward the cafeteria and said "Everyone is going to think you are weird!" I then asked her why and she responded "Because of your bald head!"

She cracks us up -- we are not sure where she came from!

With Love -

Texas Bing's