Almost finished....Can't believe it took me a year to paint...it only took 1/2 a day & 1 can! Still need to make curtains...

My mom teaching Emma to shoot with a Red Rider bb gun...she didn't shoot her eye out. :)

My mom teaching Emma to shoot with a red rider bb gun...she didn't shoot her eye out.

Today...

...we had a lovely morning nature study outside. (After Bible and scripture memory as usual) The first thing we saw (and heard) was a cardinal. We watched it for a little while with binoculars. Emma is getting very good at recognizing the songs of many different birds - especially the cardinal, blue jay, and dove. You should hear her bird call...very amusing! I'm not quite sure how she does it, but it actually sounds very much like a dove!

Next we found a large grasshopper that didn't seem to be the least bit afraid of us, nor did it care one bit when we caught it for observation. We studied it, read about it, and made a nature journal page. Here E and A are with the grasshopper right before we let it go. It really wasn't scared of us at all...it finally did decide to hop away though.

This is the blog we use for nature study...wonderful!

http://www.handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com/

So we did move on to more "schoolish" things after that...math, geography, copy work, hymn study, poetry and reading for today. Afterward Emma spent the afternoon having "school" for Alex...much to his delight. This is one of those things that I just loooove! First she taught him to read; then they went into her room for a well over an hour doing more school. I think she was teaching him math, then I heard Tchaikovsky echoing down the hall...looks like Emma has studied up on Charlotte Mason as well! LOVE it! :)

It's been a wonderful day...something about the clouds, cooler temperature, and a little rain...it's refreshing. It's His joy that comes in the morning. And the rest of the day, as well...

Back from hiatus

Well, maybe, that is...
We all know my track record for blog posting is not the best...BUT...I'm not apologizing, as we have had a lot going on over the past several months. So much, in fact, that I may not even write a summary of everything that has happened...at least not right away. For now, let's just say that God has been faithful. He has changed us, helped us grow, and never has He for one second let us go...through grief and joy, and through the ordinary days that lie in between.
The bottom line is that I've had several sweet, far off friends who've asked for updates, so, here I am, attempting to be a more faithful blogger, once again. :) Let us see how that will go...

August Staycation

So in August we had a family staycation - (that's right people - August - yes, I'm once again posting months behind...it's the best I can do right now :) My parents came down along with my nephew Seth, and stayed for a few days. As always we tried to pack in the biggest possible punch in the short time that we had. We went to the Rain Forest Cafe and Riverwalk, Sea World, and our amazing neighborhood pool...AND we had a family birthday party for our little big Alex's 4th birthday! It was so much fun - busy but fun!
I need to get the pictures of Alex's party from my mom so I can write about that in another entry! Here are a few pics from Sea World...it was the kids first time to go, and they had a blast! They loved Shamu and we got some great pictures! The rides and water park were a big hit, too. Here are a few pictures from the day...

I LOVE that picture - so typical of E and A right now - she leads and teaches and he listens...most of the time. :)

Grandpa E and Seth...where is Grandma? Grandma - I need some pics of you!