Family Laughs

What does 3 young boys + one Mommy + one whoopie cushion = ?

An hour of rolling, tumbling,
giggling,
and of course,
loud laughter
on the family room floor.

Sorry no pictures, to busy being tickled with laughter.
Many blessings.

Things I Love

I love pictures of our family and art work of our children to adorn our walls. Most of the pictures of the children are simple pictures I took and printed on regular copy paper in black and white. This way I can easily update the photos. Much cheaper than going to a photographer, don't you think? My frames are all finds at either garage sales, dollar stores, or sales at department stores.

Love looking up seeing my children. I remember every shot.
No need for the frames to match. This is what makes it fun.

This wall the frames are the same color, but that is all.
I see I need to straighten a few, oh well.

Many blessings.

Say Cheese

I am always taking pictures of the children. One of the twins grabbed my oldest son's play camera and well, we got a lot of closeups of his precious nose.
Turn the camera around son.

But mom...

this is way I see you hold it.
Smile and say cheese Mommy.
Cheese.

Living Math

Since letting go of Ambleside online year one((we plan to do year one next year), we have rediscovered things we enjoyed and had forgotten. Living math. We do have a more traditional math curriculum that we follow, but we look forward to doing living math each week too. This week we talked about shapes, shapes are all around us.

We collected leaves, cut out spirals, etc.

The spirals made for a pretty display I think.
Many blessings.

Ponderings

Tonight as my hubby and I sat and watched the election results, I started to ponder.
What will the next few years have in store? Better yet what will the next few months have in store? This country is very polarized and has been for awhile. What is next? I pray our next President looks to God for strength and guidance. I shall pray for our President often. I should be cleaning out my closet and pantry. I have three books just waiting for me to read them, why am I watching TV? What will we do for outside time tomorrow? Need to pick the kids clothes out for tomorrow. Need to run tomorrow. Marathon is only two months away. Need new running shoes. Christmas stockings need to be made. Halloween decorations need to be put up in the attic.
Much on the mind, many pondering thoughts. I predict little sleep tonight. TV is off and will stay off. No more news, no more politics, we are done, through, fried. Tomorrow is another day. Maybe counting sheep will work. Good night. Many blessings.

Still Love Them Dawgs!

Spanking.
That is what my beloved Dawgs received Saturday.
Still had fun in RV city though.

My oldest has a pretty good arm.

Go Dawgs.

Boo to You

Had no idea how the twins would do on the hayride.

I think the smile answers for this one.

Don't let this smile trick you, I spent most of the night in the truck with Daddy.

I was a scary army man last year, this year- I wanted to be
yes, a army man, but not scary.

Many blessings

Dirt

Dirt= good clean fun



dirt= time with nature

dirt= playing with brother

dirt= dirt

Many blessings.

Friendly Ghosts

My oldest has begged us to decorate the front of our house with ghosts for halloween.
Well, this is what we came up with. My ds painted the faces and my husband hung them up.
These are our friendly ghosts.
Many blessings.

Coupons

I know everyone has been feeling the pinch these days. Saving money on expenses a must.
I have read alot lately about people who buy groceries inexpensively using coupons.
I decided I would give it a go.

I first went online and looked at websites about coupons. There is alot. The most helpful was Coupon Mom. I printed up all the free printable coupons I could find that I would actually use. I stay clear of most sites that required me to register before receiving the free coupons.
I then bought a Sunday paper and clipped coupons, again only the ones I would actually use. Next, I looked at my local grocery's weekly ads. Best time to use a coupon is when the item is on sale. Believe it or not, I am having fun. My first coupon using time I saved four dollars. Today, I saved over 60 dollars, approximately a 36% savings. Yeah. Not bad for a newbie.
Many Blessings.

Our 9th Anniversary

We took the twins to my hubby's Mom and we took our 6 yr old to Magic Kingdom.
Try to top that for romantic anniversary trips.


Wouldn't change a thing.

Father son bonding.

Fort protecting.

Enemies beware.
Many Blessings.

My Three Sons- Last Hooray for Summer

The joys of boyhood. As I look at my sons I am forever grateful for the gift of them.

As they enjoy life.

experiencing

standing strong

touching and feeling
Many blessings.

My Three Sons- Last Hooray for Summer

Refreshing.

Smiling.

Reaching.

Even fearing.

My Three Sons - Last Hooray For Summer

Looking.

Feeling.

Thinking.

Wanting out.

These days go by too fast. Many Blessings.

Just Back

We returned very late Sunday. We went to Disney's Not So Scary halloween on Thursday and spent the rest of the weekend with family. Enjoyable time. Always nice to see and hug family. But, as much as we love to visit, it is always good to get back home, to routine. Most of today is being spent on catching up with laundry. What joy.

Hay Days- Some Pictures to Share

Each year around this time, our downtown is invaded by scarecrows. The Town calls it Hays Days. We even have a scarecrow stroll. Over the next few weeks I will share some of the scarecrows with you on this blog. Many people have become very ingenious. Even though we are still experiencing near 90 degree weather here , with these beauties around, I can feel the cool breezes of Fall.

On a certain Saturday, all are invited to build a scarecrow for their family. This is much fun.

Aren't these ladies fetching in green?

Too cute.

Many Blessings.

More Hay Days Pictures to Share

Just could not help it, I had to post some more pictures. Can you tell I love the scarecrows?
Where's the hot apple cider?

Say cheese.

Georgia Power has out done themselves again this year.

These ladies help keep downtown pretty as a flower.

Last year there was a table of senior citizens playing cards.
Many Blessings.

Everything is Brighter Now.

After 5 weeks of struggles, frustration, I have decided to put aside Ambleside online year one. I know that if we kept training along, that we would do it, but is that what we want? After some of the readings, my son's head would be tilted like a puppy's. How could I ask for him to narrate? Sometimes we would just laugh and go on to the next reading. I do not expect my son to fully understand all that is read to him. But, well, maybe I am. I do want to look at him and see in his eyes that he "gets" it. I love all that Ambleside online offers and am looking forward to starting year one next year.
Meanwhile, I have created our own year .5. I am simplifying our year and will focus on phonics, math, good books, and of course, nature.

Here is our revised scheduled:

Daily
Bible
Memory Verse
Character- God's Wisdom For Little Boys
Calendar
Copywork
Math- Shiller
Phonics- 100 Easy Lessons
Hymn- Hymns For a Child's Heart

Monday
World History- A Child's History of the World and It's People by A.C. Krug
Seasonal Readings and Poems
Character Focus- How to Behave and Why/How to Speak Politely by Muuro Leaf

Tuesday
American History- A First Book in American History by Edward Eggleston
Literature and Tales- Grimm's Fairy Tales/ American Tales/
Hans Christian Anderson Fairy Tales
Observing- Stories about children and their dreams

Wednesday
Geography- Paddle to the Sea by Holling/ Window on the World
Study of the States

Thursday
Beautiful Readings- Beautrix Potter/Little House Series/ Others
Science- Daddy's choice
Living Math- variety of living math books

Friday
Nature Study
Artist Focus
Arts and Handicrafts

Some of our beautiful readings are books or series we have already read, but I feel that now that my son is older, he will enjoy them even more. Also, this will help with narrations. I am excited about this change. My son was a young 6 yrs old when we started year one. The wonderful thing about home schooling, you can adjust, refocus, tweak til you find what works. Today was our first day with the new schedule. Peace and smiles, joyful hugs and tickles abound. I think this will fit just fine. Many Blessings.

Sick Days

My strep boys. So far they have not shared with big brother.

When Motrin has kicked in, we have some smiles.

We even share our toys.

Well, sometimes.

Many Blessings.