Top Garage Sale Finds of the Week

New, in-the-box patio table to replace our table that was shattered last week during harsh winds - $20

New, in-the-box ceiling light for the kitchen -$2

Cinderella dress, angel wings, halo, princess wand, Dora backpack with accessories, big beaded bracelet, three purple necklaces, and a pair of Skechers light up shoes - $4

Abby enjoying her garage sale finds - Priceless!


(Click on picture to enlarge)

I decided to participate in Today's Thrifty Treasures over at Southern Hospitality. This is my first time participating and I'm sorry that I don't have photos of the table and the light. However, it's obvious that the best finds of the week are pictured up above! But, I'll make sure to take pictures of my garage sale/thrift store finds from now on!

And the days go by...

I've been horrible at keeping our little blog current. I'll try to do better with it because I know there are some family members out there who would like their fix of stories and pictures of the kids. Hehe!

The last two months have been rather uneventful...which is a good thing. We've just been busy with day-to-day activities and our homeschooling. We've also been enjoying the little breaks in the frigid weather, which allow us to get out and play a little bit.

As you all know, we're in our birthday 'season' here, so that keeps us busy. It's hard to believe that our baby is now FOUR! I took a little photo walk down memory lane and made a little video to celebrate the past 4 years with Abby...I mean, Sweetheart. Yes, she still insists that we call her Sweetheart. :)

So, here is a quick look back on four years with our little Sweetheart.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A New Name for Abby

Abby has informed us that her name is no longer, Abby. She now wants her father to call her, Sweetheart.

As for the rest of us? We are to address her as, Daddy's Sweetheart.

Theme Thursday - Sunshine

I'm participating in Theme Thursday at The Land of K.A. The theme this week is...sunshine! I've been majorly busy this week, so I haven't even picked up my camera. However, I do have some photos from a few weeks ago, that have plenty of sunshine in them.

I'm often annoyed by bright sunlight when I'm taking pictures, but sometimes it just adds a special touch to photos. None of these are excellent pictures but I do love the effect that the sun had on each of them.

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a different photo from this series of swing photos. I just love the sun in her hair.

My handsome boy with the sun shining on his tousled hair. This photo got really washed out because of the sun, but I think it gives it a neat quality.

The sun was very direct and bright in this photo, but I love her face and hair in this photo.

I'm not crazy about the composition of this photo, but I just love the way the flower looks, as the sun shines through the petals.

Don't laugh!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Summer's End

Then followed that beautiful season called...Summer...

Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape

Lay as if new-created in all the freshness of childhood.

~Henry David Thoreau

I'll miss summer.

Our summer has been a joyous and full season; it leaves us with moments that will live on forever in our memories.

Yet, I'm also content in seeing it come to an end. I'm looking forward to the sights, sounds, and smells of autumn. I'm ready for crisp air and cozy sweaters.

I love autumn.

But, I'll miss summer.

I've linked this to the Theme Thursday post at The Land of K.A. This week's theme: Playtime.

Hey Abby!

Have you seen the marker?

A Field Trip

On Wednesday, we had our bookwork finished by noon, so we met my sister and her kids at the zoo.

Spur of the moment activities are just one more thing that I love about homeschooling! With the last few days of nice weather here, we don't have to spend them cooped up inside; we can go out and enjoy the day, whenever we want. Also, there was hardly anyone at the zoo! With most kids in school, we didn't have to wait in any lines or fight the crowds. Bonus!

Grace and Jacob riding the train.

Abby and Jacob watching an ostrich.

Abby trying to get a better look at the animals.

This giraffe would not leave this gazelle alone! The gazelle didn't seem to mind though.

Watching the elephants.

Over the past couple of years, I've learned some things about taking photos at the zoo: One, it's almost impossible to get a front view of the kids. Most of the pictures are from behind, as they look on at the animals. Two, the animals are just like the kids, you can't get them to stand still long enough to get a decent shot!

Unlike children and zoo animals, flowers stand still! So I started taking pictures of flowers for a bit.

I love how this flower looks with the sun shining from behind it! It almost looks like it was painted there with watercolors. What an awesome Creator we have!

More pictures of the kids'...backs! They love the jellyfish!

More jellyfish watching, but from a SIDE view! Yay!

I always feel like a bad mom when we visit this exhibit. "Hey, kids! Let's put our hands in the shark tank and see if we can pet them!" It just doesn't seem right.

The kids in the dolphin dome. Can you see the dolphin?

A dolphin swimming over our heads!

We had a great time at the zoo!

First Week of School

We started school on Tuesday. The week went rather well, even though Grace woke up on our first day with a pretty nasty cold. However, she was a trooper and plowed through her schoolwork with diligence, all week long. I did condense her studies for the week; we focused on the basics of reading, writing, math, spelling, and grammar. We will add in the rest of her curriculum as she gets to feeling better.



With Grace being sick, I was even more thankful that we homeschool. Had she been going to a public/private school, she would have missed the entire week! Being at home, she was able to set her own speed for doing her schoolwork, taking little breaks when she needed to. So not only did she get the comfort of being home while she was sick, but she's not behind in all of her studies.


Jacob was very excited about starting kindergarten. He loves that he has his own books and papers to do for school. I'm starting out with just the basics for him also, so as not to overwhelm him these first couple of weeks. As we get more settled into a routine, I will introduce other subjects for him to explore.


I was a little nervous about what our days were going to look like, now that I have two full-time students. However, it seems as though we have found a pretty good rotation that allows me to be available to each of them, when needed.


Of course, there is Miss Abby to tend to, also. I've been trying my best to keep her involved in her own learning enrichment activities. However, there is only so much a 3 year-old - or atleast my 3 year-old - can do before she is ready to move on to the next thing. Often times the next thing is her sister's pencils or her brother's math manipulatives, while they are trying to use them. So I need to organize some more learning stations or activities to keep her occupied.



I'm looking forward to this year of learning and spiritual growth, not only for our kids, but also for myself. It never ceases to amaze me how much God teaches me, while I am teaching them.

Pizza Night

Last night the kids and I made homemade pizzas. It was actually the first time that I'd ever made a pizza dough from scratch. The kids were excited all day about making the pizzas, so I was praying that it didn't end up being a total flop. I had my coupons for Papa John's sitting by the phone...just in case!

So, I was extremely thankful when the end result was found by the judges to be, "Absolutely delicious!"

The kids with their culinary creation--after we had done a little taste test! I love how Jacob has flour on his face.

Guess what?

A scene from the dinner table.

Everyone eating and chattering at the table.

Abby: Guess whaaat?

We all turn towards Abby.

Abby: Mommy, guess what?

Me: Hmmm?

Abby: Mommy, de udder night, guess what?

Me: What?

Abby: De udder night at Nanny and Pa's, guess what?

Me: Yeah?

Abby (with a huge smile): De udder night at Nanny and Pa's, I was yaying down in the yiving room...and guess what?

Me (chuckling): Whaaat?

Abby: Mommy, I was yaying down in the yiving room and...Missy...guess what?

Me (trying not to laugh): Hmmm?

Abby (beginning to giggle): Missy...yicked my hair!

Everyone else at the table bursts out laughing and we all say in unison...you guessed it..."Guess what?"

*Missy is Nanny and Pa's dog.