first day of school

Today is the first day of school, well, today is the first day we sit down at a table and do assigned schoolwork after taking some time off.  I'm trying to dismiss the idea that school is done with workbooks and assigned readings.  I had a paradigm shift this summer and I am tired of checking boxes, making lists, and being told what my children need to learn in order to keep up with the norm.  Our plan this year is to seek God, read more, spend more time together, have fun and learn some new things along the way.
Today, we were back at math drills, we are rereading Little House in the Big Woods and doing lots more projects to support our readings.  The girls will do Spanish every day, along with their logic drills daily journals.  Science and Story of the World Vol 4 will be read during the week and then at co-op they will do projects with friends.
Boo has begun theater at One Day Academy and both girls are taking 4H shooting sports including B.B. Guns and Archery.
R2 and HR even started school with the letter O.
LE commented every year I change things and try new things, but I pray this year my kids can fall in love with learning, fall in love with Jesus and love each other.  If that is all we accomplish, it will be the best year ever.

early birthday present

Not only did we celebrate L's bday, Daddy and I got our birthday present.  I have wanted a porch swing since before we were married.  My dad  built my mom quite possibly the coolest swing ever when I was in high school, it is the size of a twin bed.  I have never had a porch big enough to hang a swing, at least not one that size.  But my parents found this beauty on their last vacation, it is not twin-sized, but it's big enough for Ben and I or me+ so it will do.  Thanks PawPaw and Mimi.  It's perfect.

birthday breakfast

Love you sweet girl!
Daddy and I didn't get to take the day off for her birthday this year, but she did get her breakfast wish of pancakes.  Daddy and I got her first Avery's necklace and Boo got her lotion, locket and funky jammie bottoms.  Her other wish to spend an entire week in pajamas.  For the most, we fulfilled that wish.

O.C.C. birthday party

A few weeks ago, we were closer to downtown and happened to have a goodie bag in the van that we were able to bless a homeless gentleman with.  L said wouldn't be cool to have a party to make bunches of homeless bags, then she came up with the idea of making them for children in Africa, which led to her idea of creating Operation Christmas Child boxes for her birthday.  She said, she didn't need anything so why not make gifts for others.  Talk about a proud parent moment.

For her tenth birthday, we invited every girl from 3-6th grade from church plus a few of her best friends not from church and several of the girls' big sisters, 17 girls in all came to create boxes.  We had pizza, big sisters did manicures and pedicures, made rainbow loom bracelets for the boxes, jumped on the trampoline, watched an American Girl movie and stuffed 19 boxes to ship to Operation Christmas Child.  

On her actual birthday, Ben and I were unable to take off, which we have always done in the past and when she realized she wouldn't be opening tons of presents, she seemed a little bummed.  But, after the party she did tell me that it was the best thing she had done.  Amen.  Since her party she has collected supplies from other friends, including Connor from Florida.  We are up to 23 boxes to ship to Samaritan's Purse.

wordless Wednesday

book worm?

I can't make this stuff up.  I found her reading the thesaurus, on her own, in August, b/c she wanted to.

classroom improvements

We are doing some upgrades to the classroom and it is all hands on deck.  Pics to come soon.

birthday date

This month is Daddy's month to plan kids' dates and LE asked if her and R2 could switch weeks so she could the week of her birthday.
Daddy took her to her now favorite fancy restaurant, Cheesecake Factory.  They went for happy hour appetizers and had spinach/artichoke dip, sliders and the Birthday Sundae.  Still cannot believe she is ten years old.

double digits

Where did the past decade go?
L,
You are the most beautiful, helpful, generous, thoughtful kid I know.  I could not imagine how our lives would change when you were born, but I am so glad they did and that God chose you for us.
We love you so much.  We are so proud of the young lady you are becoming.
Love,
Mom

dental date

R2 had to have some dental work done this week.  He has two teeth that are broken, can't imagine why since he can't keep anything out of his mouth.
The doctor recommended anesthesia which I reluctantly agreed to.  Our appointment time was 10 am, and our pre-op instructions including no food after midnight, but he could have clear liquids and Popsicles.  R2 is an early riser and he immediately wants breakfast upon awaking.  The day before, I had a conversation with our pastor about the next morning as his son had a similar procedure done just a couple weeks prior.  He prayed for us and R2 slept till 8:30, I actually had to wake him.  I thought I was being Awesome Mom and allowed him to have a Popsicle for breakfast.  Except when I got to the appointment and discovered he could have said Popsicle up to 2 hours prior.  Oops.
The dentist offered to try laughing gas to repair the teeth and I agreed since I was going to be charged anyways.  He did amazing.  Actually, beyond words amazing.  God gave him and I peace and he went through it like a champ.  They ended up giving him a second numbing shot, and when we left his bottom lip was "big".  Our instructions were soft foods until he had feeling, so In'N'Out milkshakes it was.  I could not think of anything else.  He didn't complain.
We also made a stop at Hobby Lobby for a new dinosaur and this HL had a pterodactyl.  Score.

his first movie

We took HR to his first movie this past weekend, he did great, but afterwards not so much.  He was mad b/c I told him we had to leave the arcade.  I.E. he missed his nap.

all tuckered out

Daddy forgot to put HR down for his nap, so he put himself down.

birthday party at the fire station

We celebrated HR's birthday at our local fire station.  I scheduled a tour with the fire department and then afterwards our friends came to our house for treats.  The kids got to spray water with the hose, tour the station, climb on the fire truck and of course, everyone got fire hats.
LE made the cupcakes, I baked firetruck cookies and Mimi iced the cookies.
It was a great day to celebrate our little fire chief, or as he says, weo-weo num-nums.

three years old

How can it be, this guy turned three today?  You are the funniest, goofiest monkey I know.  You don't talk, but you sure know how to communicate.  He loves to tell knock, knock jokes.
His favorite:
H: knock, knock
Me: Who's there?
H: roar.
Me: Roar who?
H:(in fierce lion voice) ROAR!!!

You like eggs, bananas, grilled cheese, guacamole and chips and ketchup with chicken nuggets.
You love to play in the pool and with your roars (dinosaurs).
Your favorite thing is your bear, you need him to sleep.
Your favorite shirt is your a-a shirt (orange monkey).
You count with your fingers.  And love to tell Daddy and I five more minutes.
You do not like to be told no.  You do not like naps and you think it is really unfair when R2 doesn't have to nap and you do.
We love you so much, sweet boy and I cannot imagine our family without you.