Friday, August 31, 2012

Homeschooling

SCHOOL this year:  For those who do not know and for those who do, YES - we are homeschooling this year.   I strongly believe this path for my family was placed on my heart by God.  I never thought I would be doing this, but I am and now, I couldn't imagine not.  I know there are many people who do not understand or that think I am crazy and that is o.k.  I know I am capable and I know that I want to do this.   I know this isn't right for everyone, but I do believe it is where and what we as a family need to be doing at this time. (we are taking school one year at a time).  We are so excited to take this journey together.  I know it will not be easy, but I do know it will be rewarding in so many ways.  We started Monday and I can't even tell you the blessings that I have felt since we began.  I have also already come across what I know will be some of our challenges.  I will be documenting and sharing some of our adventure (here on this blog) along the way ...the Good, the Bad and the Ugly! ha ha.  I pray for strength and wisdom as we educate at home and I believe with all of my heart that this is where we belong.
 A beautiful morning glimpse out of the sun room porch .  Please try to ignore the weeds that I need to pull between the stones.
 Belle & Ben getting ready for our History lesson yesterday.
 blue bird in birch tree
Ben has been waiting for a package in the mail and was sooooo excited to get this handmade batman cape from Aunt Mary! (You should have seen him running from the mailbox!)  He was so excited and it's perfectly exactly how he wanted it!  He even shared it with his sisters! (for a moment). Thank you Aunt Mary!  Also, a big thank you to my dad for sending us such wonderful pictures of some of our recent times together!  We are really enjoying them so much.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Foxy

I have been trying to create a new post all evening, but for some reason, the picture function is not working right now.  I feel frustrated as I really wanted to share some pics along with my words and thoughts...yet, I suppose in life, sometimes "we can't always get what we want".  So for now, I may ramble a bit, I may or may not share my original intentions and purpose at the moment...I don't know.  So anyway, today is way too warm for my taste.  I thought we were supposed to be on the cusp of fall yet tomorrow is due to be 95 degrees.  Um...no thank you.  I do not want 95 degrees...I don't want it on ham, I don't want it with green eggs, I don't want it at all.  The end.  Anyway, today, as the kids and I read a history lesson together under a tree in our yard, Olivia started pointing and screaming....and not far from us was a...beautiful FOX.  It was awesome. It was staring at us and we were staring at it and I couldn't get my camera out fast enough before it high tailed it away (most likely in fear and shock of the small child screaming at it).  (( by the way if one more flickin fly or gnat or whatever lands on me right now, I may scream)).  Anyway, point of my story was...it was totally unexpected and awesome to spot this creature today.  History Lesson & Nature Study all in one!  Also, I got a great pic of a bluebird in a birch tree.  Ben and Noah attend Ben's first cub (tiger) scout meeting yesterday and Ben was super excited.  Watch out family and friends, he will be selling PoPcOrn in the very near future so you may receive a phone call or a visit from a cute little boy with big cheeks asking you to support the Troop.  Olivia is in a total not sleeping mood at all lately which is oh so fun.  The other night we are all sleeping /laying on our beds, next thing I know, and my light is on....Olivia got the stool out of the bathroom, and decided to come in and turn our lights on, then she says:  Hi.   Geez, this kid- she seriously needs to go to sleep once in a while.  It would be lovely.  k, im hot and crabby and bugs are still landing on me so I think I will go.  Have a good night...and hopefully a super friday.  I will try and post my pics tomorrow or soon...cuz ya never know what ya gonna get and...you get what you get and you don't throw a fit.  The end.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

pink ball

 Love that I captured this hummingbird resting for a split moment! hehe
 This molting cardinal looks a bit of sorry sight.  I do know he gets fed well though.
 Baby Girl will not share our new pink basketball with anyone.  Although you can't see it, she is now sporting little pony underwear (not a diaper) for the time being.  I just follow her around with a mop.
 This is my brand new Easel!  I have always wanted a BIG one and we picked this out yesterday!  I guess that means that I need to start painting again.  Better get those "art" boxes opened up!
A glimpse out the back door on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Yes, I do believe I like this Camera.

 I am in LOVE....with my new camera!  (above, one of my very favorite birds - chickadee). This morning has been so quiet and beautiful.  I saw a mommy and baby deer frolicking together - the baby kept tagging the mom and running away and coming back. The sun is shining bright.   The kids are mostly still sleeping.  My coffee wasn't bitter.  My thoughts are not bitter.  I was just thinking about how I have not seen any "new" or "different" birds lately and an Oriole (orange and black) appears on the back deck and stares at me!    Wow.  Little miracles around us all the time.  Little signs of hope to hold onto.  Things that tell us, we are ok....we are going to all be o.k.  Just do what we can in this moment.
 Hummingbirds come to this flower all the time.  It is awesome.
 oh, speaking of...here's one now. hehe  Pic is taken through the screen but I still like it!
 Our bees are finally moved here.  Now all we need is a Bit Of Honey. :).  Below:   This is our backyard and here are the kids walking to the creek.  We decided to go for a little stroll in the woods.  SO, yes I am loving my new camera (I did not love when we were at the store and Honey Badger knocked down an entire display of ipad cases, but we survived).   Happy Saturday!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

an apple a day...or 2 or 3.

 This is how Olivia eats an apple.  (next time I blog, I will be sharing pics taken with my new camera!, also soon I will be sharing new school year news).  Have a lovely day!
 Isabelle wanted me to take a pic of her in her new shoes, of course livy jumped in the pic.
 3 scrubs in a tub.
 Ben fell alseep in the car
 new recipe:  brick grilled chicken with garlic & artichoke sauce
We found this awesome walking stick insect on the screen.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Benny The Kid lasso's up 6.

Our Ben has turned 6.  We surprised him with an awesome day at a Wild West Town.  We just got in the car and drove.....when we arrived, he was in a bit of a shock.  speechless.  Then when we walked in....Ben was greeted by some of his very favorite family members!  This day just kept getting better and better!
 (good thing I secretly packed his cowboy gear...and then the kid got some fun face paint to boot!)
 Here is Ben and Grandpa Al in jail.  Both arrested in town and dragged to the slammer.  They had to sing and answer questions to get their way out.
 At home later, we concluded this amazing day with chocolate covered strawberries, ice cream and ninja turtles.  Ben got so many wonderful gifts including his very own golf clubs and a snorkel!  The boy child announced that this was his best birthday ever (he says that every year, hehe).  Thank you to everyone who helped make it so special.

Friday, August 10, 2012

My own little wildlife.

This morning when I woke up, I heard the turkeys outside below the deck and saw and heard the various birds. Next time I look out the window I see deer in the back.  fun.  Next thing I notice, the turkey and deer had joined eachothers company and merged in what seemed to be at times frolic and play.  At one point, one of the deer stood on it's hind legs, it was...awesome.  I wish my camera was working properly (must get a new one).  All pics turned out fuzzy and dark or too light.  I caught a little bit on video.  I know that I am a super dork, but I just truly love this stuff.  It is a beautiful slightly cool morning...and I feel so blessed to witness God's creation...and now it's time to tend to the wildlife inside my house!  Have a great day!

Thursday, August 09, 2012

Happy Birthday Isabelle Claire!

Happy 9th Birthday to my amazing Isabelle!  This photo is a self portrait that she took using her long awaited, much desired birthday present...IPod Touch.  All her dreams have finally come true.  She has declared this to be her best birthday ever!  (she says that every year, hehe).  I love this little girl, I just wish she wasn't growing up so fast.  It's so true when they say, a blink of an eye.  

Monday, August 06, 2012

Canned you Beet this?

 bird watching
 Happy Sunny Olivia
 Canned Beets
 Glued this puzzle for keeps.
lamp we fell in love with at an antique shop and bought for the new abode.
Weekends come and weekends go and here we are Monday morning.  I woke up at 6 am to hear cows mooing and find a mama and baby deer in the back.  I love this place!   I was freezing so threw on my favorite plum robe and some slippers (this is awesome, this weather, I am not complaining in any way shape or form).  I drank my coffee and now I will write some lists.  It's nice to put things behind from last week and focus on this fun week ahead.  Last week, we worked much at the old house.  Finally, I can say all our stuff is out and its pretty darn clean (with some help!).  Even though we do not close until the end of the month on that house - Now, I finally feel like I can start focusing on here.  So many boxes to unpack, organizing to do, purging to do.  But, it's all good.  Exciting.  I love having a storage room with shelving verses an attic with everything thrown in disarray.  Due to our heating/cooling unit needing to be replaced, we are putting off our main floor painting...so not sure if I will hang anything on the walls or just wait.   It's been so joyous buying school supplies.  Today shall be fun as there is a special girls trip planned to go shopping.  Tomorrow, my Isabelle turns 9.  I cannot believe it.  Wow.  She has asked for one very special gift and tomorrow (she's actually been asking for it for months and months and months)...she will get it.  Tomorrow we will celebrate what an amazing girl that she is.   I can't wait for her to wake up to decorations and surprises.  Well, I must be off for the moment.  May today be wonderful to all. :)

Wednesday, August 01, 2012

Summer Leather

 It ain't a home, if it ain't got a GnOme.
 Beautiful flower that my parents brought us...it attracts the hummingbirds like crazy!
 A Glimpse of a dinner prep:  There was ginger garlic pork in the crock and I was making mango cucumber cabbage slaw for the side.
 Ben found his Harley leather jacket in one of the boxes and wore it a majority of the day yesterday (although quite warm out).
Ben and Olivia just hanging out on the sun porch together.   Misc. Notes:  The Sun porch can get quite sunny.  Wicker furniture is not that comfortable and kind of falls apart.  Especially with climbing acrobatic type children in usage.  Kids did a lemonade stand last week with their new neighbor friends and it was so fun to watch them conduct the process.  I'm still working in between both houses.  Still lots to do at the house in town but slowly we are getting there.  I need to start planning Isabelle and Ben's birthdays.  I have some thoughts in mind.  No parties this year  but some special thoughts in mind to make their days special.  Olivia has dirty feet every moment of the summer so far.  I love school supplies in the stores!  We are very excited about this school year.  More on that soon!  Guess, I better go get something done this a.m. - Happy Wednesday my friends!