Snow! Snow! Snow!

I don't think we've seen this much snow, since we've moved out here!

9 3/4 inches

Looking down our street.
Our view from our front window.


Our house snuggled in...

And BEST of all, three sets of beautiful eyes peeking out from behind scarves and hats keeping them warm.

Sleepless Nights = Cuddle Time Mornings

So, Baby Girl got up to go to the bathroom (cannot do it on her own yet), Gavin had a nightmare, and, well, Ephraim just thought it was party then. Might be worth it to get a king size bed?

Potty trained!

If you look closely, you'll see a little one peeking out as she's using her potty all on her own! Woo hoo! It was too easy! She even holds it now - wow. Soon, maybe, the nights will be dry too????

Thanks Grandma Jeanie and Grandpa Tom!

Little green cutie patootie witch!

No, she's not scared, and she's not joining in the fray. She justs wants the helmet!



He's got the knight moves, that's for sure!

Who doesn't??

It's always nice to get packages in the mail!

So proud!

Gavin did this drawing of Mutant Mosquito from a how-to-draw tutorial. He was so proud of it! His original smile was way bigger than this one!

Hiking with Daddy

Special Weekend

Gavin and i went away for some "Special Momma Time." Much needed, as I am finally out of the baby fog and have some repairs to do in my relationship with him. Such a joy, but gratefully, God knew he had to be my first born. I have to trust in that! We just hung out. Played Monopoly, watched Star Wars, had lots of cuddle time. He made me lunch, because I made breakfast! He is sooooo sweet. My boy...




The biggest mango and the best since our trip to Hawaii! YUM!!

Homeschooling at it's Finest!

Homeschooling has been a trip! I am so fortunate to have a husband that has a passion and direction for our children's education! He is so involved. The kids are going to have great memories. The boys and Daddy have been reading about Egypt and the idea of rafts. So, they created one to see if it would work. It was a great lesson!




I get asked a lot about "socialization" of the
kids when I talk about homeschooling,
not about their education. It makes me sad.
That seems to be the major focus in people's
minds, not the time with family, all the
books we get to read, the time to enjoy God's
creation, being able to run the household as a
family, work on conflict and communication
skills, time to stop and pray during the day,
for big brothers and baby sister to be a part
of each other's lives all day long and become
real good friends, to take the time to really
expand on interests instead of moving on with
the "group" and see how far they can go with
something, to not be rushed, and to build a boat
with Daddy, because they're learning about Egypt and floating down the Nile!
Not that you can't do that any other way, I'm just truly appreciating the joy of homeschooling and the opportunity to do it!



With Charlotte Mason philosophy, the outdoors are so important! Felicity and Ephraim will be getting a lot more outdoor time, than Gavin ever did at their age. Such an enjoyable experience!

Just living!

Clone trooper in "running stance."

Special Daddy time. Took out her "pixie tail" as the boys call it. Now, she just has a crazy poof!

Ephraim's bionicle. He also made his first movie with it!

Need I say anything?

Gavin's amazing Lego creation! He does all this with his own mind and no instructions. Is he a red neck Lego guy or a genius? Guess what Momma will say!

He's finally doing it!!

He saw another boy ride his bike. He wasn't going to be oned up! So, he just got on and started riding on his own intiative. It was so cool, to see that happen right before my very eyes!

Though, after all the time Dad spent with him to work on it, Ephraim says that the little boy taught him how to ride his bike! We know you did, Dad!

Of course, Gavin got in the mix, and started riding in the ditch. Here we come mountain biking!

Little Girl in Big Girl Bed

So, she LOVED her big girl bed (just two mattresses on the floor at this point)!

And then, she promptly fell out of it.

Needless to say, lots of blankets and pillows have surrounded her since. BUT, she only has fallen out two more times since then! Subconciously, I think she knows the boundaries. Interesting how that happens. KERTHUMP!

Some Summer Fun!

oooooOOOOOooooh!

CUPCAKES!!!

Celebrating her 2nd on the 4th!

Do you think it will be alright

having her grow up thinking that

all the fireworks

are to celebrate her birthday?

4th of July Fun

It wasn't hot, but they were determined!

War

So we were playing War the other day. Solitaire, it turns out, is much safer.

Shirt Free Reading Session

So, I turn the corner, and they all have their shirts off! : ) The boys have just watched Clash of the Titans and were looking at the constellations that matched the characters. Little girl is trying to see how Little Grover defeated the Titans and made his own constellation!

No more high chair!

Well, we put it in the garage. It's just been easier to have her sit at her spot at the table. But, I wasn't expecting the reaction I got. She totally started crying, and saying "high chair!" So, I took her in the garage to see it, and asked if she wanted to sit in it. "Da." (Yes for today. Some days it's "ja.") She sat, and I said I need to go in to make pancakes, and we left the chair. Then, she was excited to turn the garage light off! If only, I could let go of things that easily that made me sad!

Reading has opened new worlds!

It was so sweet. I woke up this morning to find the boys reading together in the oh-so-comfy, big blue chair.

Then, of course, in Ephraim style, he had to sit on top of Gavin! Notice, how Gavin is not deterred in the least! It's a new world to explore, isn't it, Gavin?