Farewell 2010

On these last couple of days of 2010

we visited another plantation,

climbed some very big trees,

chased birds on the beach,

and talked about the adventures 2011
will bring.

Happy last day of 2010.
Many blessings.

More 2010 Memories

Here are some pictures from a
late September evening walk at the beach.

The boys love the beach,
so do I.
The sounds, the smells...
all your senses are aware.

The boys always find new wonders.

Their bare feet leave their temporary marks.

My oldest---
He is getting so big---

Many blessings.

A Few Moments to Share

Seems 2010 will be gone soon.
As I look through some pictures,
I noticed a few I wanted to share.

Thanksgiving strolling

exploring,

touching and learning

and Halloween playing, of course.

Many blessings.

A Fun Surprise

Look who popped in for a little visit?
And it was only 3 days before Christmas?

The twins jumped for joy!

The oldest wondered if he was on the nice or naughty list.

Thank you Santa and Mrs Claus.
So nice for you to visit during this busiest
of times for you.

Christmas 2010

Seems like yesterday- that Advent was just beginning.
Now, Christmas is over.
Stayed away from blog land most of December,
enjoying family.
But, I thought I might share a few
Christmas memories with you.

This is a picture of our Advent tree this year.
By the date, you can see it is still early in the month.
We used a wonderful Advent devotional from here.

A simple nativity in our guest room.

Some magical and whimsical elves.
Caroling and baking...

A simple craft for hanging and sharing.

Hope your Christmas was a blessed one.

Holiday Baking Begins

These yummy cupcakes and banana bread
have been made.
Tomorrow, beginning all the chocolate delights.
Then Monday, there will be coconut, jams,
cakes, etc, etc.
Good thing my diet is on hold til the new year.
Hoping you are indulging in delights this
Christmas season too.

Many Blessings

2010 Christmas Tour of Homes

This is my second year participating in the
Christmas Tour of homes.
It is so much fun looking at all the
beautiful homes.
Here is a little glimpse at ours.
Merry Christmas.

This is our front door, nothing fancy.
But, I like it.

This table is in our foyer.
You can see our foyer tree in the mirror reflection.
Yes, we believe in the reason for the season-Jesus.
But, we also love the magic of Santa.

Family room tree and fireplace mantel.

Tree in the kitchen- my favorite.
It has all of our most treasured ornaments displayed
on it.
We will need a bigger one next year.
Our decor is pretty much the same as last year.
Did get some wonderful ideas from looking at
other blogs.
So, next year, I think I will change things up.
Many blessings.

Do take a look all the beautiful Christmas
decorations in the tour of homes.
Just click on my sidebar and enjoy.

"School" With the Twins

For the last several months the twins
have wanted to do "school"
like their Big Brother.
I have been fighting this because
I want them to play, explore, touch, smell,
and taste things more naturally,
not structured.
But, their 8 year old Big Brother
is doing a little more formal work this year and
they want to join in.
So, twice a week for 10 minutes,
I do "school" with each twin.
Only 10 minutes, no more.
I do the twins "school" while my older son
is doing his handwriting
and math workbook.

I have been amazed.

They love the scissors.
Need to get left handed ones for my blue eyed twin.

Again, I am amazed at their letter formation.
I have seen them do letter formation
in the sand, but I was still surprised.
My instruction is simple.
Sometimes they only trace one letter
and that is okay.
Other times they do the whole sheet.
I do not push.

Letter recognition is there.

After 10 minutes, they say
"school work all done".
Then, they are off to the dirt pile outside.

Some Fun

Got out the play dough for the twins yesterday.
My oldest joined in too.
It had been awhile....

Forgot about how much the kids love any kind of dough.
For my oldest, it is modeling clay he loves.
But, for the twins anything they can freely
smash, squeeze, mix, and form will do.
I like to make our own play dough,
but if there is not time,
bought play dough works just fine.

Friendly play dough monsters was the theme
this go around.

Each making their own.

My oldest kept his intact for a few days....
the twins, well....
we now own a lot of grayish, purplish play dough.
No worries.

Many blessings.

We Are Now 4 Years Old

On December 6th, my two youngest turned 4 yrs old.
For twins, you will not find two any more different.
They are my wild, lovable boys.

Happy Birthday!
Mommy and Daddy and Big Brother love you!

Thanksgiving

Hope all have a very blessed Thanksgiving.

What is Happening to Thanksgiving?

Feeling a little sorry for Thanksgiving.

Had to get treat bags for a Thanksgiving party
the twins were going to and...
Well, everywhere is decorated for Christmas.
It went from Halloween straight to Christmas!
What about Thanksgiving?
It is the most traveled holiday.
People gather with their families and loved ones
and give thanks.
The wonderful recipes and the aromas...
I love Fall and all this season offers.
I refuse to rush it on its way.
I may the only one with pumpkins, scarecrows,
and finger-painted turkeys hanging up,
but I will not succumb.

I am thankful to our Lord for so many blessings.
And I will take the time to thank
Him.

Sorry for the vent, but well....

November books

Some books we are enjoying this time of year.

Many blessings.

Slowing Down and Being Thankful

Hard to believe it is the 13th of November.
November is swirling by.
This is my favorite time of the year,
especially now that soccer for all three
children is completed.
We slow down and focus.
Monday, we start our focus of Thanksgiving.
We will read books of the first Thanksgiving,
draw maps, globe exploring, talk about the pilgrims
daily lives of survival.
We will make "Mayflower" boats,
turkeys from leaves and acorns,
rub leaves, learn some new traditions
for Thanksgiving.
We are going to make a thankful tree
with water colored leaves.
We are going to dance and sing merry songs.
We are going to recite poems
and bake yummy things.

All this while we thank our Father
for all He provides.

Many blessings.

First Twelve Week Complete

First twelve weeks of second grade completed Friday.
How did it go?
If I had to put a grade on it--- "B".
As with every year, we have had to do some tweaking.
Finding I was a little unrealistic in my goals for the first 12 weeks.
Math has been slowed down to really
focus on mastering the basics.
Also finding that I needed to step back with pushing
reading books just because "most 2nd graders" are reading it.
Have found readers that my son is much more successful with.
This has allowed his fluency and confidence to soar.
He looks forward to reading now.
My "struggling" reader loves to read.
You can always find him with a book or two.

We had lost our daily rhythm around week 5,
but slowly regaining it now.
It has really made a difference.

Looking forward to slowing down.
Soccer with all the children ends soon
and this always is bitter sweet.
It will be nice to have more free time in the afternoons
to just be at home.

As the air takes on a more chill, finally,
the comfort foods start coming out.
Love cooking soups and stews, slowly.
The smells in the house are always inviting.

Our schooling also takes on a slower pace
this time of year.
Our focus is on the holidays.
With reading the main.
I love reading aloud to the children.
I am also trying my hand at storytelling,
using ideas from others as guides.
Circle time is becoming more consistent.
Singing and dancing is a joy.
Will be doing lots with our hands,
imaginations, and creativity in the next two months.
Looking forward to where we go.
Oh, the stories we will tell.

Many blessings.

Soccer

Soccer this Fall season has been humbling
for my oldest and his whole team.
They are use to being a winning team,
only losing to one team.
This year, they all moved up, new age division,
same coach, mostly same kids,
but now they are the new, younger kids.
They have only won one game so far.

But, I think they have played their best ever.
My son sometimes hangs his head after the game.
I believe learning that you will not always
come out on top no matter how hard you try
is an important reality to learn.
It is tough, as a parent, watching your child
learn this though.
The lessons learned from this season
will help them be better players in the Spring-
importance of good sportsmanship, listening,
patience, not to let up, the last 5 minutes do count, drills do work, etc......

They have 4 more games.
I still hope they win them all,
well, at least one. Smiles
Many blessings.

A Lesson

It is Wednesday and we are off to the beach.
There is so much to take in at the seaside-
the sounds, sights, smells, feel, and the tastes.
This trip, I did a "lesson" with the twins.

Lately the twins have been pointing out
letters and numbers
they see from everywhere, books, road signs, etc.
So, while at the beach...

I wrote out a few letters and numbers in the sand.
They love scribbling in the sand.
I first asked them to trace my letters.
They watched me and started tracing.
Fun.

I then asked if they wanted to make letters
by themselves.
They smiled and giggled and said
"yes, mommy."

I was truly amazed.

They were forming them correctly.

Not once have the twins written
a letter or been asked to write a letter in crayon.
We have played with
shape formation with chalk,
but that is all.

They would form their letters and ask me
"what letter is it mommy?"
It was as if they were giving me the lesson, smiles.

The "lesson" lasted maybe 10 minutes.
Soon, they were off and running into the water,
chasing birds,
looking at crab holes,
and shell collecting.

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