Beach

Beach, here we come!
Much to do and see.

There are shells to find.

Bird feathers to catch.

And truck driving to do
in these wide open spaces.

Lunch

One of the twins wanted to fix lunch
for his brothers.

He set the table.

He chose peanut butter and jelly to make.
The brothers ate it all up.

Cleaning After Little Boys

One little, two little, three little toilets,
four little toilets done.
Mommy has decided that there will be target practice
this afternoon.
I am really thinking of painting that fly too!
Many blessings.

Good Morning

It is 0700- glancing out my kitchen window
I see neighbors passing by taking their children to school.
It is a cold and rainy wet outside.
I pour a cup of coffee and take a sip,
still in my slippers.
I hear giggles upstairs as the twins awaken
and are deciding if it is okay to come downstairs.
My 8 yr old wanders in the kitchen,
gives me a kiss and goes to snuggle under a blanket on the couch.
Twins do finally come down in full spirit hugging everyone.
Daddy appears- showered and dressed for work.
Kisses and hugs and Daddy is off.
We, on the other hand, are home.
Home.
No rushing to get dress, no rushing to get breakfast,
no rushing to find homework, no rushing.
Breakfast is made at leisure, getting dressed delayed.
This is how we start our mornings.
We have a natural rhythm to our mornings, no clocks are attached.
How does our rhythm look, what is it filled with?
Well,
-with breakfast
-with the usual morning chores
-with free play time
-with circle time of reading, singing, snuggling, and sharing
-with more free play time for the younger ones
-with creative writing, reading, and math for the older one
-with outdoor biking and dirt digging
-with maybe just a little baking or art making
and maybe still in our slippers,
home.
Some say they would go crazy being with their kids all day every day.
Well,
just call me crazy then,smiles.
Many blessings.

Five, That Is Us

Monday, our holidays truly come to a close.
My husband had taken an extra week off after
the holidays to do nothing, to relax.
We have really been soaking up the family time
with just our little five.
It will be sad to let it go.
To my husband and I family being together is important.
Just the five of us.
We have family dinners.
We go on family bike rides,
even shopping for groceries together.
We enjoy being around each other.
We have been sleeping in, snuggling on the couch,
building train tracks, out door playing,and lots of giggles.
This is my little slice of heaven.
After Monday we will still do these,
but duty does call, bills must be paid, smiles.
We will still have our afternoons, evenings, and weekends
to look forward to.
Many blessings

I Have Begun

Today was day one of 90 days!
Here is where to read about day one.
I am both excited and scared.
I have always wanted to read the Bible
in its entirety.
I have started many times, but never completed.
I think with a mentor and a accountability group,
this time will the time I complete.
In reading my first 12 pages,
I got chills.
These very familiar stories took on new meanings to me.
I could really see and feel them.
God's presence was wrapped around me.
One of my twins snuggled with me quietly while I read.
Thank you Lord
for Mom's Toolbox and this challenge.
Many blessings.

One Word Resolution for 2011

One word,
no resolutions, just one simple word.

Quiet.



I love this.
I want to inhale this.

Quiet

Meaning...

still,
hushed,
silent,
not easily excited,
peaceful and relaxing,
calmness.

Quiet chose me.
Quiet will be my guide for my/our daily rhythm.

I want to be quiet so I can clearly hear the Lord.
Quiet waters.
I want to be quiet so I can hear my children.
Gentle and quiet spirit.
I want to be quiet so I can wrapped my arms around
my love ones and breathe.
Quiet rhythm.

Have you chosen a word for 2011?
You can find inspiration at Ali's blog.

Happy New Year
and
Many blessings

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.