Sunday, September 27, 2015

Homeschooling Update

While still being relatively new to this homeschooling thing, one thing is crystal clear...
School does not happen between the hours of 8 and 3 only, and it doesn't look the same every day.
It doesn't always happen on weekdays, and it doesn't always happen at a desk.  

Sometimes we do school in our pajamas, and sometimes in the car.
Sometimes we do school sitting at a desk, but when the littles are cranky, we sit on the rug so they can sit with Mommy.

Sometimes we do two days worth in one day, and sometimes we do half a day just because.
Being flexible is the name of the game.
It works as long as we make it work (which is easier somedays than others, but we do our best.)

Most importantly, I am thankful for the opportunity to learn as we live...  
Combining subjects, learning creatively, having fun, field trips with others, and being together.  
(Art and Bible)

(Music)

(Social Skills)

(Math and Science)

(Letters and art)

(P.E.)

Learning as we go over here.
Thankful for God's grace daily and the opportunities that he provides us to learn and grow. .

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
~Deuteronomy 6:5-9 

Soccer Man

He's usually more interested in his friends than the game...

He only gets a kick or two each game...
'

He loves getting on all his gear and heading to the field...

His sister cheers him on...

And his brother wishes he could join...

We think he's the coolest Green Gator around...

Love you, Soccer Man.  

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Butterfly Farm Field Trip

This field trip to the Butterfly farm was such a pleasant surprise. 
We knew it was small and simple but we enjoyed it from start to finish.

A friend suggested this ADORABLE book to us...

We love it and took it along with us to identify butterflies and the plants that they are drawn to.

He loved it.

And I knew she would.

He didn't step on, or smash any butterflies so we'll call it a good day for T.

Auntie's hat was a winner.  The butterflies must be patriotic ;-)

And Ava was thrilled that they liked her socks too.  

Beautiful Butterflies, thank you for spending the afternoon with us!  






Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Family Pictures 2015

Each of our children turn a year older by summers end. 
Change happens so fast.
Here are our last family photos with a 3 year old, 1 year old, and 9 year old.  
This year I really just wanted playful photos. 
So happy with them...

Family: 



Children: 





Mommy and Daddy:



Friday, August 28, 2015

Little Fingers


" He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power.
His understanding has no limit."
-Psalm 147:4-5

We are studying astronomy this year in science and it's fascinating!  

Today we all dove into a project...
Ordering the planets.
The kids did it using their finger prints.  
(never mind the proportions of our planets :-/)

What tiny, little fingers they have. 
It was a neat reminder or how small we are and how great God is. 
And still he chooses to use us as his instrument.  
AMAZING!  



The Heavens declare the Glory God.
-Psalm 19:1

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Faithfulness before Frutifulness

Pictures can be deceiving.
I love how they capture the beautiful moments in life...and there are so many beautiful moments every day.
But in between there is plenty of "hard" 
We pour all we have into our children and when we see yucky things in their hearts, it's discouraging. 
Raising and discipling kids is HARD.  
But we don't give up because these beautiful souls are worth it!  
THEY ARE!  
Faithfulness before fruitfulness, a wise friend once told me. 
We pray that God will grow their hearts in love for Him through our faithfulness.






"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary."
~Galatians 6:9

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

New School Year

After a beautiful summer break, we are ready for the school year to begin. 
And this year will be twice the fun as we have a new student...

(Oh the sweetness of this precious boy. I know it's not Kindergarten but preschool feels pretty big to Mommy right now.)

We are excited for ALL the growing that will take place this school year. 
(We love you Ava!  Yay big fourth grader!)

We adore this sweet tag along.  Learning as he watches.

Goodbye summer...
It's been a blast!