Happy Birthday Papa!

Jordan's dad, aka, Papa, turned a big # today. 

We celebrated him by taking balloons and cupcakes down the school...

And by embarrassing him with the bank sign! 

HaPpY BiRtHdAy, PaPa!!!!

Day 2!

I've been getting some hate email about the lack of pictures from yesterday. Well I'll tell you, this homeschooling deal is a full time job! I didn't even take any pictures yesterday.

But we had a really great day. Everyone had wonderful attitudes and for the most part they sat and listened. I think we have a pretty good schedule worked out based around when the kids are going to school for music, PE, etc and Tori's nap. Im finding some things are taking longer than I thought and some are taking longer...but we will figure all that out. 

I did already have to call Grace with some questions and I'm sure that will be far from my last call! I'm also anxious and excited to meet with my supervising teacher in a couple of weeks and make sure I'm not leaving out something important.

Yesterday's highlights included getting to know our books, talking about some of the fun projects we will be doing, using colored pens (kids love the little things!), recess at the library and math time for Sullivan. 

My highlight is the reading curriculum Im using for Lauren and Avery. We are starting with biographies and we did a biography hunt about members of our family and then they did an object lesson for me about themselves. It is so awesome how watching the kids help each other with what we were learning, and seeing their faces as they learn and concentrate. I feel privileged and honored.

Yes, I know there are going to be frustrating days but we are off to a great start. 

I also know full well that there were some veteran homeschoolers out there laughing at my schedule I posted on the white board and probably at my structure....but we are a structured family and my kids love a good schedule as much as their mother. If I didnt have that up they would be constantly asking what was coming next before we finished the first task.

Now for pictures!

These are from today...

We did a really fun activity with about how globes become maps and why maps are distorted versions of the actual size and scale of our world. The kids loved this project. 

We had Art today...making John 3:16 posters and coloring people from different cultures around the world....because God loves the whole world...not just those living around us. 

The kids loved this project and were so detailed in their drawings. 

We decided to write our spelling words in sidewalk chalk today. 

Tess and Tori thought this was a great idea! 

Twas' the Night Before School Started...

And this 1st year teacher is READY!!!

Terrible Twos

I cant tell you just how wonderful it is that my almost two year old has decided to hit the terrible two's the week that we are starting homeschooling. 

Just wonderful. 

I know you wouldn't believe it by these pictures...

but trust me...its TRUE!

And did I mention none of her 4 siblings ever had terrible twos? 

Little Stink. 

Oh how I love you. 

Love

I haven't always done everything right...but one thing I've done really well is choosing my friends. 

After an awesome night with some of the best of friends I came home to find this on my kitchen table from 2 more friends....

I. Am. Loved. 

And in cupcakes no less! 

Can you say spoiled?

Blessed?

Yum? 

Thank you sweet friends for making me feel so very very special and cared for. 

Zoo Day

I decided to take the kids and Parker to the zoo yesterday.

(Loving one of the perks of homeschooling - FREEDOM!)

It was a beautiful day.

And with two 10 year olds as part of our group - I hardly had to do any work!

Although the woman at the gate still told me I was nuts for bringing 6 kids all by myself!

They were pretty good about all my picture taking. 

Torrance would have stayed with the goats the entire day. 

Really I think all the kids would have. 

 But yeah, her especially! 

SO cute. 

Feeding the giraffe was another highlight. 

What is it about giraffes? Are they not just precious? 

Look at that tongue!

SO excited! 

Tori was a little scared on the train...I caught this picture of her hand on Sully's leg for comfort. 

CUTENESS!

And then they were holding hands. 

We got to see a diver cleaning the tanks. 

Thank you for a fun day Blank Park Zoo! 

Parker Time!

Jordan's Aunt Pam and Uncle Tom are here and brought their grand-daughter Parker for the week. 

The girls have not seen her in a few years but you wouldn't know it!

They have had SO much fun together. 

Last night we had a slumber party. 

Fun girl time!

an explanation is needed...

Contessa...what exactly are you plotting? 

I keep finding this poor Cabbage Patch in dangerous situations...

'A nice little Saturday'...

Our plans for today were a little shopping and a whole lot of bike riding at George Wyth Park.

Tori's fever turned our plans into - a whole of waiting at Urgent Care, very little shopping and finally some bike riding. 

Everyone had a blast bike riding...even Tori who ended up with an ear infection and very red sore throat. She lasted really well until we got home. 

Then kind of broke down and it was obvious we were going to pay for a busy day with a sick baby. 

She hasn't eaten or drank much all day. So tonight she got one of my coveted Schwan's Push-ups!

I do not share these easily - but I'll do anything for cuddle time and to get her to stop crying!

Praying she gets some sleep tonight and wakes up feeling better after a couple doses of the antibiotic today.

 Jordan and Sullivan were thrilled that the Bears were playing when we finished supper.
They had some cuddle time too...what's it called if they cuddle during football? A huddle?

I'm so glad Jordan has a boy! 

Girls Night In!

We had big plans to attend the first Spartan football game tonight...

but then Tori woke up from a FIVE HOUR afternoon nap with a temp of 103.5.

So the little girls and I stayed home while the big kids went to the game with dad. 

I dont mind...I know before too long they will all be running off to these games with friends...

And I'll miss nights like this so much it will hurt. 

Yeah, I'll take some snuggle time and a princess movie for my Friday night. 

You bet I will. 

Yakin'

We have not had our kayaks out since we got home from Michigan. 

It has been such a DRY summer and the rivers are SO low. 

One night last week we decided to head to Pine Lake and give the kayaks some attention. 

Tori loves the boats...just not sitting in them..she wants to stand and get out and cause trouble. 

She is so cute in her life jacket though!

Avery is getting so confident out there on her own!

Lauren's is always our helper. 

And Sullivan, always the mischief maker...wait, who bought those water guns? 

Oh yes, the original mischief maker...Daddy! 

I'm baaaaack!

Hi, have you missed me? 

I know I've been MIA this summer. 

I will be the first to tell you that I am not sad to see the Summer of 2012 end. 

It kind of kicked my butt. 

But then it also encouraged my heart by getting me closer to my savior, reminding me how awesome my kids, husband, family and friends are...so it wasn't all bad....just full of learning!

But I'm back now and you get to see adorable pictures of Miss Contessa! 

Public school started yesterday and I was nervous. 

How would my kids react to the change? 

How would I react? 

To my surprise but praise to God...we all rocked it! 

No tears. Just excitement. 

Lauren is going to school for PE, Vocal and Band. 

Avery and Sullivan for Music. 

After that we went and bought our school supplies and then stopped for 

a cupcake at the Rogue and set up all our supplies. 

It was a totally fun day!

Yeah! 

We are officially starting school on the 27th. 

The room is ready and I'm slowly getting more comfortable with the curriculum. 

Tess is excited to be learning right along with us. 

Tori...well she may need to be kenneled or something during school hours! 

We are joining the Homeschool Co-op nearby and are very excited to meet some more homeschool families. Its going to be a very exciting year for us! 

Its always exciting and heart pumping to jump into something God has asked you to do! 

Side note - this is so Tess...she had to wear a pair of Sully's old flip flops cause she can NEVER find hers....and they are on the wrong feet - AWALYS...and of course...she's tattooed. 

Also very Tess...my little tease. 

And clown. 

Happy Start of the School Year!!! 

I'm baaaaaaack!

Time with Robert

I love it when my brothers, both near and far, come for visits...

but I'm not a real big fan of them leaving. 

We've had Robert in town for almost two weeks. 

We packed in a lot of fun. 

He watched my kids a lot, changed some diapers. 

I'm not sure I can express how lucky my kids are to have all these fun uncles. 

Robert plays with them...like real play. 

He's one of the kids. 

And they LOVE him. 

Love. 

He never outgrew that love for fun and wildness...I hope he never does. 

He played many many games..duck duck goose for one.

Contessa basically considers Robert to be her's. 

He's also very patient...teaching them complicated card games

and even doing school lessons with them. 

Tori was really leary of him when he first arrived. 

But as he always does, he won her over...

With things like jumping high in the air...

And gigantic spoonfuls of pudding.

She cried bloody murder when he left that night to go back to my mom's. 

Fun with Daddy's pudding parfaits on our last night of fun. 

Because they love him so much I was not surprised when there were some tears as we dropped him off today...and I'll admit I had to shove my sunglasses a little further onto my face to hide my own tears. 

I may have quietly sobbed. 

He shouldn't live so far away...he just shouldn't. 

We did actually end up running into him again this afternoon...but that is a hitch hiking story for another time! Right Robert?! 

Thanks for loaning him to us for a couple of weeks Jen...we missed you.