Tiny Talk Tuesday

Lydia approached me about what she wanted to eat for breakfast....

kind of different since Lydia isn't a big breakfast eater, I"'m usually trying to talk HER into something.

She says," I want to eat two crabs for breakfast."

I KNOW I gave her a confused look.... she's asking to eat something for breakfast AND it's something she's never eaten before (and we've not eaten since having kids!!).

She adds," They don't pinch me when I eat them!"

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I walk into the room coughing. Brian and Chris look at me.

I attempt to tell them," I feel like I have granola stuck in my throat."

Chris attempts to diagnose me," Is it stuck in your tube? ... [pause]... Is it blocking all your air?"

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And Brian isn't TINY... but when he studies all day, he comes out with a goofy sense of humor!

Trying to get dinner on the table I asked him if he could get everyone's cups prepared and on the table.

He responds back [totally joking, of course],"I bet Priscilla never asked Elvis to get the drinks!"

Then in his Priscilla Presley voice he adds," Elvis, stop that hounding dogging and get the drinks for supper!"

[groan] LOL!!!

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On Sunday I wore a rather BOLD top that I don't really like... but it was the Sunday before Memorial Day and looks nice on. Anyway, Sunday morning I got some sweet compliments but Sunday night I was undecided whether I should put it on again:)

And that's when my very practical and nurturing Anna says to me, "Mom, I think you should wear it. Remember, it's what is on the inside that matters more than what's on the outside, like your clothes."

I thanked her (she was listening!!) and walking into my bedroom to get the pants, unknowing that Brian wasn't fully dressed!!

But Anna followed me and looked at Brian and said, "Daddy, you can't not wear that.... I have to get out of here!!"


Aren't kiddos funny??? Mary has more and a linky at her blog, here!

Weekly Wrap-up: The One we Wished Didnt End

I enjoy the titles Kris from Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers gives to her weekly wrap-up posts. As I thought about last week, I couldn't help but wish for our week to last. It was wonderful having our days free from "have to get done"s and to play and spend time together. And then we finished the week with a trip, hotel stay and birthday party:) A great week!!

We took the week OFF.. sort of:) But we did soo little work, I have to blog our week by DAY:)

Monday
We took off and did some triple couponing shopping in the morning. We left our house before 9am and were back to eat lunch;) We went to two grocery stores and the toy store to check out a new carseat for Nate and a birthday gift for my birthday girl:)

The kids napped and then we played outside together before dinner;)For dinner the kids wanted to roast hot dogs on the fire pit;) A very fun idea... so Brian and I prepared dinner and got everything set-up.



But then a storm came through, so we moved everything inside!!

Tuesday
We met up with some friends at a local park. These are kids that we don't often get to play with and so I was soo pleased with how well they all played together;) And thankful for the sweet fellowship of these other moms!


After lunch with our friends, we finished our grocery shopping for the week.The kids tolerated 3 different stores with me;) Nate falling asleep in the BECO in the middle of of Walmart stop:)

And you've got to LOVE subtraction flashcards in the car during the traveling;)

Wednesday
We had a quiet morning at home, so I pulled out some of the library books and printables I had ready for the kids for Memorial Day. We read, talked about Memorial Day terms and colored the American Flag. We also listened to different renditions of the Star Spangled Banner:)

From some blogs and things I had been personally thinking through, I decided to read the Scripture passage of when Samuel anoints David to be king. And especially the words/concept that God looks at our hearts and not our outer looks. LOVED that Anna later quoted it to me when I was trying to pick an outfit later in the week;)

I read with Chris. Anna did her own reading and worked on her 1st summer journal entry, Lydia worked on PBSkids;) And then we headed outside;)

We had our own picnic, played in Nate's kiddie pool, ate popsicles and then took baths;)

Then read before naps!! After naps we ate and went to our church's prayer meeting.

Thursday
I called Thursday our "preparation day". We did chores, and cleaned, and more cleaning. Then we read some library books and packed our bags for the weekend;) Chris also decided to try to "copy" a book and Anna worked on another journal entry about her upcoming birthday Friday.

The kids went outside mid-morning and played their little hearts out until lunch. After lunch we played in the pool again and yes, more popsicles;)

Friday and Saturday
We went to the beach.

Since my family is from around there, we were able to see everyone and celebrate Anna and Hannah Grace's Birthdays together;)



199. simple summer days
200. baby sound asleep in BECO
201. a stranger's help
202. kids excited about toys
203. snacking on groceries
204. tears of thankfulness
205. cousins sharing a birthday
206. ocean breezes
207. foamy water
208. squeals of delight

209. soft bed for a quick nap

210. indoor swimming
211. baby splashes
212. warm shower
213. cookie cake that worked
214. inviting home
215. Pey wanting to hold Nate

216. another day to spend time with those we love

and since it's Memorial Day... we're remembering to be thankful for...

217. men and women who have and continue to serve in the military
218. their families who sacrifice to keep them serving
219. our nation of freedom
220. our Heavenly Father who provides, gives and blesses

Linking up to Kris @ Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers and Holy Experience: Multitudes on Monday.

What to Dwell On Instead of Worrying

I looking through Scripture in order to attempt to encourage a friend, this translation of one of my favorite passages really spoke to my heart. Funny how that happens!!

^4-5Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

^6-7Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

^8-9Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. (Philippians 4:4-9, TheMessage)

He looked sooo big...

sitting at the table with his siblings
having lunch with them

his own little cup ... without a stopper;)

his own plate of food

and his 1st popsicle after the meal

Sweet sibling, growing up moments!

Anna is 7!!!

She's been soo excited:) We have some plans this weekend to celebrate that we're all very excited to do... which is very fun!!

Anna has continued to grow and mature this year!! On one hand I see her face and think,"She's 7 already??" and then I have a conversation with her and think,"She's only 7???" She's just always just seemed more mature (although she knows how to be silly too!!).

She is also an amazing help to me. Like helping to get Chris and Lydia to church:) She enjoys having simple responsibilities and helping her younger siblings. Just this week at the park I went to get our lunch... I had our two bags with our lunch and Nate in my arms. She saw that I was going to the picnic shelter and thought she'd help out by bringing the stroller that was next to the playground!! Without me asking... just soo helpful and thoughtful.

We am soo thankful and blessed to have such a sweet, helpful and kind daughter. I also love her compassionate little heart. This year as we've watched the Little House on the Prairie series together, I have loved that when I have tears in my eyes she does, too;)

So what is Anna like as a 7 year old???

Anna is 49.5 inches tall and weighs 53 lbs

Her favorites:

• Color : Red & Yellow
  
• Food : Pork BBQ
  
• Treat: SweetTarts & Chocolate Chip Cookies
  
• Subject : History
  
• Animal: Zebra (at the zoo)
• Do inside: Play with Legos
  
• Toys: Dinah (her doll)
  
• Song to Sing: "songs I make up"
  
• Restaurant: Sonic (for slushies)
• Book: Precious Girls Club
  
• Movie: Spirit, Little House in the Prairie series
  
• PBSkids Show: Curious George, Wild Kratts, Martha Speaks, Saddle Club, The Cat and the Hat
  

Goals for her 7th year: Ride a horse!

When you ask her what she wants to be when she "grows up" she'll respond "a babysitter"!

And what is the coolest thing about being 7?? She responded, "That I get to go visiting with Daddy!" She goes while the others nap in the afternoons:)

Happy Birthday, Anna,
my Awesome 7 yr old!!

a link to her pic last year... for comparison sake;)
a link to her 5th birthday montage with baby pics
and a link to her birth story

Overexposed Giggles

Loved this overexposed pic....
(again wishing I was better with my camera!!)

the mixture of colors
the movement
the older kids pushing the younger kids
the smiles than can be seen
and
the giggles that can almost be heard:)

Our 1st official summer park day.... and already wishing for some more;) Looking forward to many more park days with lotsa of friends this summer;)

More Wordless Wednesday at

5 Minutes for Mom,
Go Graham Go,
To Be Thode,
Serendipity is Sweet,
Mama to 4 Blessings,
and any other linkys I find !!!

Tiny Talk Tuesday: 2nd Mom, Barbarian Girls and Water??

Anna is the Momma on Sunday mornings!! When I'm getting my final touches (AKA... getting clean, non-housewife,church clothes on & possibly doing my hair) she takes the initiative to get her, Chris and Lydia to Sunday School on time. This is what I heard Sunday morning.

Anna: "We have to leave in 15 minutes! But I'm going to call you down [from the playroom] in 10 minutes to get your shoes on, ok?"

She's such a good 2nd mom:) And she gets them there on-time much better than I do.

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As the girls were leaving the house, I called to them to shut the kitchen door, "Make sure you shut the door, Hon!"

And Chris comes up to me acting confused, "Mom, did you just call them barbarians??"

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And Nate versus the "swipped" water cup:

Hey!! Where did the water go??

Weekly Wrap-Up: Last Official Week & Not-so-good experiements

With Anna's core work finished, last week I really tried to keep it simple and them still actively learning. We had our homeschooling group's field day and End of Year party last Friday night, so we are officially FINISHED...

we'll school through the summer though.

Here's what we did our last "official" week:)

Bible
We continued to count our blessings and be thankful using the stars:) WE practiced Pslams 19 at least 2 times:) And the kids have been praying soo diligently for friends and neighbors who are sick, but most consistently for Pey... very sweet to hear:)

On Monday we attended a graveside service for one of our older neighbors and church members. So we also had a lot of conversations about death, dying and heaven.

On Friday morning and Saturday we attempted to participate in our church's Operation IN As Much. The kids helped clean and fill canisters with candy that could be passed out during visitations on Saturday. On Saturday they helped bring a snack to the workers and kept each other busy while I took some pictures;) We had other plans to help out, but they didn't pan out.... so we have a small service "to our church" project planned for this week;)

Language Arts
Since Anna is finished with her core, we supplemented with some grammar worksheets from here and then her and I read in the afternoons!! She also did some writing on her own:)

Chris worked on Ordinary Parent Guide to teaching Reading (OPG). He wasn't as motivated this week, even though I tried letting him choose his reward. He did read each day though and he's really wanting to read library books... so the desire to read is starting to happen... which definitely helps in working to teach them to read!!

Lydia worked on Bob books this week. She asked for OPG, but it was always when I already had Chris and Anna to help or right before lunch when everyone is hungry and needing a BREAK. She works soo well independently (for being 4!!) but learning to read needs someone else to help (at least the way we do it). Really looking forward to our summer schedule so this little girl can read soon:) BTW, she ROCKED the Bob books she worked on, even wrote the words for us to practice!

Math
Anna worked on Subtraction facts this week. Doing some timed tests, Wrap-ups, writing out fact families AND flash cards!! On Thursday we went through the WHOLE subtraction stack of flash cards and sorting the ones she knew and the ones she had to figure out. SO now we can just work on those.

Chris did Saxon lessons each day:) He loves doing math!

Lydia worked on reviewing the number 2,3,4 & 5 number families with us. She also kept busy doing puzzles, Math Mastermind and ixl.com.

Science
We continued our Space unit by watching the Shuttle lift-off LIVE on Monday morning!!

Then Tuesday we talked about the International Space Station. Read some sections of our books, watched some YouTube and colored a pic! We also attempted to launch a rocket I had purchased...




too bad this was the only action we saw :( Hoping Daddy can help us out soon... surely with his "fix it" man skills and degree in high school Chemistry he can make it go;)
On Thursday, we finished our Science week by talking about careers at NASA, besides being astronauts! It was fun to see all the different types of jobs needed to make the space program work... I now have a kid who was to be an astronaut and a paleontologist:)

HistoryThis week we worked on a chapter about Spain/Ferdinand & Isabella and Portugal/Henry the Navigator. For each section we read, narrated, colored pictures and read library books;)

For Ferdinand & Isabella, Anna colored paper dolls to play with.

For Henry the Navigator, we talked a little bit about how they had to use simple tools, not like we use our GPS:) And we tried to make a compass...
Henry the Navigator wanted the Portuguese to sail to trade with West Africa and India. Our history book explained one of the reasons they wanted to trade was for the spices. So I pulled out the spices and let them smell some that were mentioned pepper, cumin and nutmeg.



OtherWe enjoyed our homeschool group's Field Day and End of Year Party!!

Pic of the WeekLydia working on her math.... baby wearing:)


I'm linking up to Weekly Wrap-Up :)

Finished the Race

I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7

And it feels...

AWESOME!!

These were taken at our Field Day and End-of-the-Year Party with our homeschooling group!! I have to admit that I have often questioned whether it was beneficial for us to be a part of a group that is so FAR from us???

Since January, I have tried to be more active, attending more field trips, group outings, meet-ups at parks, with this group! And I am soo happy to see that friendships have begun to blossom :) Such a sweet sight especially for my oldest!!

Field day was a great opportunity for my kids to mingle and work with other kids that they didn't previously know. And to listen and follow directions from other adults!! It was a great time.... soo much so that we all came home exhausted;)

And I hope to share soon what our summer "school" schedule/goals looks like;)



** I realize I have taken the verse "out of context". But I feel like homeschooling is part of us living out our calling and to be finished with another year is awesome!! We have persevered to the end and been faithful in our studies through another year! Just another of God's sweet blessings:)