Birthdays and Bikes and Bears Oh MY!

It's been a fun-filled, busy week and we're continuing in festivities. We're celebrating Elisha's birthday a day early-- let me tell you that cap guns at 6am are a bit noisy. And that was after holding the birthday boy off an hour- he was up at 5am. You'd think it was Christmas or something.

Had a tough time deciding on a gift this year. Not wanting to buy a bunch of material things if they weren't needed or really wanted, everyone decided to pitch in for a big-boy bike with gears. It was a huge hit and I haven't seen Elisha or Daddy since they came home with it. Hope they don't get rained on....

Elisha's not the only one with bike milestones. After begging for weeks, little Elizabeth learned to ride without training wheels. Yay Elizabeth!

And among all the festivities, another rare event- the siting of a black bear along the road.

Have to run- the bike boys have finally returned and someone needs to play traffic guard to deter driveway bike crashes...

Watch Out

Be careful Daddy-- Just when you think you can relax, 4 little elves might decorate your resting place to transform it into a jungle.

13 Years Ago...

was the day of my dreams...

They always say time flies-- boy does it ever! It's been 13 years, 4 children later, lots of ups and downs- but honestly mostly ups, and 13 years of blessings.

I thank the good Lord each day for my husband-- even when he doesn't pick up his phone :).

With the Nation's divorce rates sky-high, I don't know what I've done to deserve such an amazing guy, and I thank him for putting up with me!

Here's to the next 13 years-- and MANY more after!

I love you! Happy Anniversary!

When your ball gets stuck...

in the tree REALLY REALLY high...

What do you do?? Why, you call SUPER-dad to the rescue, of course!

And SUPER-dad can provide many moments of fun for the little ones as he hurls sticks into the tree!

And it's worth every minute to see a little girl with a once-stuck ball smiling again :)

Yard beautification

The weekend started with a stinky car-load of mushroom manure, flowers, fertilizer, and 4 kids. (Lydia was in the front seat.)

Add a little pre-planning...

A little help...

A little time for play-- and the game of the day is: "wheel barrel rocket-ship"...

And voila-- pretty back yard!

I didn't forget

Last week I promised more picts from our Idlewild outing. For those who don't know, Idlewild Park is one of the best parks for little children- it's an amusement/water park with a fairy-tale Storybook forest- all of the attractions are built to children's proportions, and they can pretty much ride everything.

And WHY are my children not looking at the camera? "Mom- QUIT taking our pictures!" Can someone please tell me why they won't let Mom take their picture, but when Hello Kitty appears they pose like little models-- (my camera just didn't capture that image-)Little Elizabeth's favorite ride. The watering trough. Jacob DID have a great day, he was protesting a smile because at this particular moment he wanted to eat. The end of a LONG day, and little Jacob wasn't tall enough to ride with the big guys-- made me want to cry. He did get extra rides on the Merry-Go-Round, but that didn't seem to count.

Until next time~

Perspective

My cousin-in-law--nah, my dear friend/'sister' :) gave me a link to a blog the other day. She warned me to read when the little ones were in bed, with some Kleenex in hand. If you need some perspective, if you're upset or complaining because you have too much to do, or the fuel is just too darn expensive-- take some time to get a new look on life. Make sure to start at the beginning and get ready to be encouraged, inspired, and reminded about what is important in life. See if the Disney picture especially touches you as it did us. Here's the link:

http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/

Picture of the Day

Today was the first day of swimming lessons for the year. Elizabeth was tired. And wanted to leave NOW. And didn't like her cereal. You can't get anymore classic 'Elizabeth' than this. Smile :)

A picture's worth...

No matter how many times they fight, push, scream and pretty much act like true boys, moms must remember there is hope-- just look at these angelic little guys.

How could they EVER be mean? Or throw mud at their sisters? Or take Mom's Popsicle? Or...

Just look at those sweet little faces... and burn them into your memory the next time you hear screams from their sisters because they're being antagonized... :)

Boys will be boys.

We're still here!

We haven't forgotten ya! We've just been enjoying the summer- the uncharacteristically sweltering warm summer (but NO complaints here!) away from the computer-- relaxed summer schooling means time for digging~

What is it about dirt and boys?

Maybe they've watched to movie "Holes" too many times. Maybe there's an unknown buried treasure in our back yard?

They soon had to cover their mess back up-- can't have anyone tripping in the yard :). That just means the dirt will be softer for the next urge to dig.

More picts of the weekend coming soon- I promise!

World of Color

Bright sunny days mean messy paints outdoors! Watercolor 101. Hard at work- notice Jacob's focus, complete with his tongue sticking out- Add some cheap salt to the wet paint- and you end up with sparkly, textured paint-- that can get just a tad messy after it dries indoors :)Not sure what Elizabeth's work of art is-- but it's very characteristic of her colorful personality! Jacob was still very focused-

And Mom's favorite-- Lydia's piece of Mommy and her at the beach under an umbrella!

GREAT FREE website!

Just found out about this site that offers FREE- NO strings attached- items- DAILY-- something different every day. Will pertain mostly to homeschooling moms- even if you're not, you might find something of interest. Check it out:

Homeschool Freebies of the Day.

homeschool 'lifestyle'

I've often talked about how we don't have a home'school' but rather a homeschooling 'lifestyle.' Here's a prime example shown by a joke well-known among us 'home educators.'

Q: How does a home schooler change a light bulb?

A: First, mom checks three books on electricity out of the library, then the kids make models of light bulbs, read a biography of Thomas Edison and do a skit based on his life. Next, everyone studies the history of lighting methods, wrapping up with dipping their own candles. Next, everyone takes a trip to the store where they compare types of light bulbs as well as prices and figure out how much change they'll get if they buy two bulbs for $1.99 and pay with a five dollar bill. On the way home, a discussion develops over the history of money and also Abraham Lincoln, as his picture is on the five dollar bill. Finally, after building a homemade ladder out of branches dragged from the woods, the light bulb is installed. And there is light.

And with the added new 'green twist'- we discuss the value of using new compact fluorescent light bulbs and their value-- even though they cost more in the beginning, they save in the long run, and the impact it has on the earth....... and then we get into the value of recycling...... phew-- all in a day!