Happy Father's Day!

To all those men who carry a heavy load,
and never complain.

To Daddy's who like to get their hands dirty,

love having their pictures taken,

and are always there with a hand to grab,

Happy Father's Day!

To my sweet hubby, I am so blessed to have you
as my husband and father to our children.
Love you very much!

Wild Blackberries

We have wild blackberries growing in our backyard.
My oldest just loves picking them.

"Mommy can you bake a blackberry pie
with my blackberries?"
Yes son,
but first we need to stop eating all the blackberries.
Smiles.

Water Fun

One of those simple pleasures,
the water hose.

Big Brother on the attack...

run.

Look out, now it is my turn.

Gotcha.

A Little Workout Time

Get Gwyneth Paltrow's 'Iron Man 2' workout from Tracy Anderson (video)

Here is a little something I am doing in my effort to get back in shape.
I have also started running again.
Only one mile for now, 1/2 mile run, 1/2 mile speed walking.
After my back injury in February, getting back to my
running routine will take time, lots of time.

Also, doing a detox routine.
Just for 5 days.
So far, day 2, things going good.

Looking forward to a healthier me.
Many blessings.

Ramblings

It is Friday afternoon and I have the house to myself.
My loving husband took the kids so Mommy could
get some sleep after working all night.
Loving that man of mine.
Having this time alone has given me time to
ponder and put down many of my rambling thoughts.
Here goes.....

Update on our attempt to reduce our trash impact:
It is going good. Our trash container has not been overflowing
for over a month now.
We have greatly reduced our paper towel usage.
I use microfiber towels and rags for all my cleaning now.
Would love to totally rid our need of paper towels,
but my hubby still is addicted to them. Smiles.

When we finished up our store bought laundry detergent,
I made some homemade dry detergent.
My recipe is simple:
1 bar Fels Naptha - finely grated
1 cup Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax
I use 0ne tablespoon for light loads
and two tablespoons for heavier loads.
So far, I am pleased.
I have thought about putting a few drops of
essential oil in the washing water.
A little nervous though, maybe in the sheets first.

Potty training: Is still an ongoing process.
Pull-ups are still being bought.
I am trying to be patient,
but find myself getting frustrated.
The twins do good with pee-pee,
it is the poo-poo that is their roadblock
to diaper freedom.
Next week will be interesting, the twins
will be going to a VBS from 9-12 M-F.
I am going to put them in "big boy" pants
and see what happens. Pray.

Garden: I have tomatoes coming out of my ears,
but loving it!
Having fun coming up with new recipes.
Peas are having a hard time with the intense heat here.
I am really enjoying the garden.

home school: Only formal schooling we are doing during
the Summer months is reading and math.
We have gone on lots of field trips--
Alligator farm, The Kennedy Space Center,
a WWII museum, science museums, beaches, etc., etc.
This has given us a much needed break while still
learning.
Have not started with planning on our upcoming year.
I think that I will start that around the end of June.

Running: Recovery from a back injury is a slow process.
It is happening though.
I ran my first mile yesterday since my back
injury back in February.
And I will be "speed walking" a 5K on Saturday.
Really looking forward to getting back to running.
It will be awhile before I tackle any long distances.
I am okay with that.
Just happy to have my back back.

We are in the process of finding a new church.
This has weighed heavy on both my hubby and I,
but we know it is the right thing to do.
We love the people of the small church that has been
a part of our family for over 9 years.
This decision did not come lightly.
We have thought and prayed about it for many years.
We are in no hurry to find one.
We plan on visiting around a lot and praying a lot
about this.
Going to church as a family is very important to us.
Please keep us in your prayers.

I think that is enough rambling for now.
Thank you for letting me share some of my pondering thoughts.
Many blessings.

Loving Water

Finally getting much needed rain here.
Here are some fun "wet" pictures
I thought I would share.

If it involves water, my children are for it.
Many blessings on this wonderfully wet Sunday.

My Little Tree Climbers

Big brother started the fun.

Never far behind is the blue eyed twin.
(you can see big brother in left upper corner)

Even my brown eyed joined in.

Getting 3 pair of eyes looking your way,
very hard.
Many blessings.

Hands On Science

While visiting family in south Florida,
we went to a small science museum for children.
The children fully enjoyed it.
We could have spent to whole day there.
Oh, the learning taking place.

My blue eyed twin was just amazed that
Nemo was there.

Learning about pulleys.

My oldest had a blast at the domino table, Mommy did too.

Some Ancient Egypt displays to enjoy.
What a way to end our year long study of Ancient Egypt.

Trains, outdoor trains, solar powered outdoor trains, oh my.

A learning trail to follow.

This really amazed my oldest.

Vacation mixed with a little learning.
Fun learning.

Few Pictures of Our Visit to a Alligator Farm

A good friend and I decided to bring six
children to a alligator farm.
Yes, what were we thinking?!

This greeted us near the entrance.
Chills went up my spine.

This one is more like it.

More chills.
Kept a close eye and hand on my little climbers.

Okay, does the word insane come to mind?

All jokes aside, the children really enjoyed the visit.
They learned a lot. This is one animal that deserves respect.
The staff was amazing and the alligators
were beautiful.

My oldest understands more why Mommy
will not let him play in the tall grass across the street,
the tall marsh grass.

Tough Being The Oldest

My oldest is 8 years old. He has two younger brothers- 3 year old twins.
It is tough being the oldest.
Much is expected out of you.

Younger siblings want to do everything you do.
Go everywhere you go.
They look up to you.
That can be a lot of pressure for a 8 year old.

As a parent, I often forget that my "big boy"
is still little too.
I know I am tough on him.
He is to understand that the twins will get
into his room and mess things up, even that treasured lego
ship you have worked hard on.
He is to understand if they draw on his masterpiece drawing.
He is expected not to get mad, not to cry,
but to toughen up and take it.

Then I see my oldest asking his younger brothers
to come in his room and play.
The smiles and giggles that are heard from the little ones.
They so love their big brother.
Often running around the house calling his name,
wanting his attention.
My oldest came to me today and said that
"it is getting easier being a big brother,
but some days are rough."

I understand my son.
I pray that Mommy and Daddy continue
to understand and cut you some slack.
Just remember, we are new at this too.

Gardening

My little two square foot garden
is coming along.
Had a couple of setbacks, but still going strong.
Gardening is very new to me, so I am learning
as I go.
My tomato plants are full of green tomatoes.
I have a couple of varieties and looking
soooo forward to a fresh ripe tomato.
Mouth watering as I post this.
Little caterpillars also love my tomato plants.
Everyday I check, pick off if needed
and carry on.
Many have given suggestions for cures, but
most involve chemicals and that is a no
with my garden, a big no.
Beets are not taking, so pulled them up.
Oh well, I was the only one who was going to eat
them anyway.
Am I the only one who hates thinning?
Seems such a waste.
Really having to stay on top of watering.
Really hot.
Lots of blooms on my pea vines, hope
that is a good sign.
Not really sure what to expect there.
Like I said all is new.
Strawberries are being enjoyed by some
local wildlife I suppose.
Every time I see a strawberry forming,
before it has totally ripened,
gone it is.
Maybe a little chicken wire might help,
next season.
Planted some marigolds.
Heard they help with some pests.
If not, at least there will be some more color
to the garden.
I think that pretty much updates my
little garden.
I do love my little garden,
I really do.
Many blessings.

Summertime is Creeping Upon Us

The temperatures are in the 90's, high humidity,
gardening, and the baby birds are among us.
Summertime is here early.
Swimming, playing in sprinklers, and going to the beach
are main activities.
With public school out, it can be a little
challenging getting "schooling" done.
Our Spring/Summer schedule consists mostly
of living experiences, but we
do like to continue with our math
and reading curriculum as much as possible.
One possible solution for us is to do our
math and reading in the early am, before neighborhood
children have finished their breakfast.
So far, this is working.
Another option is to do math and reading after
dinner at night.
But, I don't see that happening too often.
My oldest is tired by then.
So, we will stick with our first option.
Smiles.

Going to start having a story time in the afternoon
with my children and a couple of other children
who stay at our house
in the Summer for a few hours each day.
I am going to read the Little House series books.
This will be a repeat for my oldest.
We read them a few years ago.
Going to start with 15 minutes
and build from there.
Hoping, everyone enjoys this.
I know I will.

Well, I am off to buy some more sunscreen.
Going through a lot here.
But, that is okay with me.
Many blessings.

Bedtime Routine

Nightly routine with the twins hardly ever changes.
Bath, pj's, milk, relax with family
starts the wind down to bed.
As the time approaches,
there is brushing teeth with Daddy's help.
Then at last the tuck in by both Daddy and Mommy
A nighttime song is sung by Mommy,
who often is joined by the sweetest little
voices.
A kiss good night.

With the oldest,
there is a little extra snuggle time with
Daddy and Mommy after the bath
and the twins are down.
A chapter of story or a little tv time.
Then a tuck in and storytelling,
done by the oldest.
A hug and a kiss goodnight.

Simple, no fuss.
Many blessings.

Magic Nuudles

We got out the Magic Nuudles yesterday
and let our imaginations soar.
Magic Nuddles are biodegradable building blocks.
My children love them.

The oldest loves to form all different
kinds of shapes.

The twins are happy just sticking them on card stock.

They are amazed when picking up the paper the nuddles
stay put.

All you need to get creating is a slightly damp paper towel
or a slightly damp rag.
I will be using rags soon. Smiles.

Creations look very nice in the kitchen window.
The oldest just looks up at them
and smiles.

Challenging Myself and My Family

I have been thinking about it a lot lately.
How can we reduce our trash?
Every Monday I see the trash collectors come
empty our full to the rim trash can.
I sigh when I look at all our trash.
What can we do to reduce our trash?
What can we do?
I have read a blog where the family had
only one bag of trash for the whole year!
The whole year!
Well, I am not thinking of that drastic of reduction
because I know I would be setting my family up
for failure.
But, I know we could greatly reduce our trash.
So back to thinking and wondering....

I think I might have our simple one/two change(s)
that might just do.
Wonder if we stop using paper towels and the twins
stop wearing diapers, and we stop using wipes?
Miss counted, 3 things.
Wonder how much doing these things
would reduce our trash each week?

We are going to give it a try.
For one month, no paper towels, no wipes,
and (gasp) no diapers.

When to start?
How about when we run out of paper towels,
wipes, and diapers?
Yes, that is when we will start.
Looking at my supply, this will happen soon.
This week.

What will we use instead?
Microfiber towels, old rags,
and "big" boy pants. Smiles.

Will let you know when we start--
Hubby is a little worried,
he loves his paper towels and wipes.

Now, off to start working on the twins. Another smile.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!
Many Blessings.

Home School Conference

We went on our annual home school conference
trip this past weekend.
This was our third year.
The twins stayed with Grandma.
So, it was just Mommy, Daddy, and the oldest son.
He is 8 years old now.
My oldest enjoys the special weekend,
the conference always falls on his birthday weekend.
He participates in a children's program
while hubby and me get to pick and choose
from a variety of classes.

One class really sparked my interest,
The Struggling Reader.
I almost did not go because I thought it was
just one of those advertising classes trying
to sell their product.
And yes, they were advertising their product,
but that was not all.
It was a very informative class too.
The speaker and her husband are the developer.
They are experts, well educated in child education and reading.
They are also home school parents, a plus.
During her class, she went through the top five reasons for
reading struggles-
phonemic awareness, phonics, sight words,
fluency, and comprehension.
Phonemic awareness? Never heard of it?
Me either.
Instead of me fumbling through trying to explain it,
here is what the website
The Struggling Reader says, just click here.
The other 4 make sense too.
This was what I needed to hear.
My oldest struggles with his reading.
He is coming along, but slowly.
After this class, I think I have a better idea
of where to focus.
I would love to order all of their materials,
but they are a little pricey for our budget.
I do believe I will order the phonemic awareness test
because I believe that might be where
my son's weakness is.

One of the missions at the conference for my hubby and me was
to find a science curriculum for our son.
We both have science backgrounds
and were looking for something different
than what we used this past year.
My son enjoyed Apologia's Astronomy,
but he did not seem too interested in the others
they offer and really neither did we.
So, off we went on our hunt.
We found Real-Science-4-Kids and we were impressed.
The writer of these books has a biochemistry
background and is a home school parent.
My son is going to be taking chemistry, biology,
and physics this year...
the pre chemistry, pre biology, and pre phyics
that is.
I think my son will enjoy these.
Real-Science-4-Kids.

At the used book sale I had fun.
Spent 30 dollars and got lots of good books.
I just love looking through books.
Was able to find most of our American and World history
books. Also, most of our language arts.
Yeah.

My son's biggest find was in the form of
duct tape.
He bought a duct tape sword and a CD
that gives instructions on how to make a
duct tape shield, spear, and helmet.
Yeah him.

My hubby always enjoys the Creation Ministries
talks and purchased a few books
for his reading pleasures.

We spent Sunday at a local park,
very enjoyable.
Looking forward to next year.
We are taking the twins.
Yeah us.

Happy Birthday

My oldest turned 8 years old today.

If only I could stop time.

I might consider doing it at this moment.

Not wanting things to change.

No, on second thought, I would not stop time.
I am enjoying watching the young man
you are growing up to be.
I love you.
Happy 8th Birthday.
Mom