Allie's Braces Are On!

This photo was taken against her will.

The BIG Cook!

It's like freezer cooking....only better!  And, it's easier too :O) 

If you ever cook for large groups, this book comes in very handy.  Check out the website for recipe. samples.   It is also available at Amazon.

And that's the way the money goes.......

New truck for Allan.........check!

Braces for Allie..........in process!

Milk cow for me........picking her up tomorrow!

(will post her actual picture soon)

One AWESOME Week!

Last week was VBS at our church and I am part of the coordination team. After several months of planning and painting, it was time to open our doors to the the 11 and under crowd. What an awesome and crazy week! We had about 100 kids having fun learning about Jesus everyday. Here are a few pictures. Sorry family, there are none of Caleb.....they all turned out blurry.....he just never stops moving :O)

The Glider Project

Today I got to sew for my son, but this was not your ordinary sewing project.  No clothing or quilts were made.  No, we made a replica of Orville and Wilbur Wright's 1900 Glider. 

Caleb has been fascinated with planes ever since he read Russell Freedman's book about the Wright Brothers, so today he asked if we could try making a model.  We brain stormed about ways to make it work and we finally settled on muslin and toothpicks.  I sewed small channels for the toothpicks to give the top and bottom wings body, then we used hot glue to hold it all together.  It may be too heavy to fly, but it was so fun making something with my son.

Happy Birthday Dear Caleb

It is hard to believe that my little boy is 9 today. Time has gone so quickly. He is such a sweet spirit, loves the Lord, and is always looking out for his sisters.

For his birthday breakfast.....doughnuts. What better way to celebrate life than with food that will kill ya! LOL :O)

Later today we will have pizza, chocolate cake, and more pizza. Good thing birthdays only come once a year!

How Sweet!

Shannon at Homeschooling Their Hearts just gave me a Sunshine Blog Award. The Sunshine Award is gifted from one blogger to another that she feels "inspires others and shows positivity and creativity." Isn't that sweet?!

Now, one of the guidelines for the award states I must pass the award on to 10 fellow bloggers.  So, here are 10 of my FAVORITES!

~Dove's Rest
~Feminine Farmgirl
~Haigh Happenings
~Joyful in Hope
~Regan Family Farm
~Gracefilled Oaks
~Generation Cedar
~Joyfully at Home
~I am but a vessel
~Home Living

Here are the rules to the award:

1. Put the Sunshine Award logo on your blog and/or in a new post;
2. Pass the award onto 10 fellow bloggers;
3. Link the nominees within your post;
4. Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blogs;
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

Field Trip!

Today we spent a beautiful day with a few other homeschooling families at Deanna Rose Farmstead.  We enjoyed looking at flowers, walking on nature trails, feeding animals, and fishin' for perch. 

Get ready to laugh...

Yesterday Allan and I purchased a new lawnmower at our local Sears store.  When we got it home, I was reading through the manual outloud and noted to Allan that we would need to change the oil after every 25 hours.  At this time Allie got a very strange look on her face and said, "Wow!  Do you really think it is necessary to change the oil everyday?".  After we stopped rolling on the floor with laughter, we kindly explained that it meant after 25 mowing hours.  I'm not much for "blonde jokes", but this could be a classic.  YEP, we're homeschooled :O)

Thrifty Tip

One thing that I have longed to be more intentional about is sending cards to the special people in my life. Not just for birthdays, but for encouragement, getting well, and just because. I truly struggle with this. I never seem to be thinking about greeting cards when I am at the store and when I do think about them, the cost is a BIG deterrent. Well, I think I found the solution to my problem. I'll admit I am a late bloomer to the idea of thriftiness, but WOW!!! boxed cards are a lifesaver! Now I have cards on hand for all kinds of occasions and they are way more economical than buying one at a time. To make it even better, I ordered mine from CBD at a huge discount. I ordered eight boxes of cards with twelve cards in each box for only $30.96 INCLUDING SHIPPING! That makes each card only $.31. Now I have no excuses.....better check my calendar :O)

Washin' Day

Allie has been enjoying a few Tasha Tudor books.

However, I think she may be taking the ideas she is gleaning a little too far.  :O)
Hand washing her skirts in a washtub outside is not required by me.....but it's cute anyway.

Easter Eggs

Today was the big day. The kids really look forward to dying Easter eggs. This year we made our own dye with food coloring instead of buying "the kit". It worked pretty well, except for the purple, which turned out more of a muddy brown.

The pictures look so peaceful...like everyone was getting along in a cooperative fashion. Yep, pictures are nice like that :O)

Defending His Sister's Honor

As Ashlyn fled up the castle steps, Caleb prepared his crossbow for battle.







Just an average lunch break on the farm :O)

Furry decorations are my favorite

One of my favorite things is.....

...homemade soap from my dear friend Sandra.
It smells fantastic!

As the New Year approaches.......

Our cat Milo reminds us that we are called to be different.



Yes, that is a bone. Milo has taken every opportunity to steal our dog Bailey's Christmas gift for himself. I guess we can forget the catnip next year.

A snowy end to 2009

We have only been stuck in our driveway a couple of times ;O)

Joining the 21st Century

Today I am finally among the technologically savvy. I got a cell phone and a laptop over the weekend and signed up for high speed internet (which comes through the cell phone). We are actually going to drop our land line and be all wireless. I had survived with dial-up, but it was getting really hard. Uploading pictures was a BEAR and I couldn't even take advantage of great sites like Librivox from home. This is going to change everything!
I am loving the speed. No more folding laundry between uploads for me :O)

Writing her name

Ashlyn has been working so hard on writing her name "perfectly". I thought it would be fun to practice a bit with sidewalk chalk. While I was embellishing my version (just a bit), she seemed inspired.

our "work"

Fair Results

Drumroll please.......

Allie:
Visual Arts - Tissue Paper Flowers - Blue Ribbon
Cooking - Blonde Brownie - Blue Ribbon
Cooking - Chocolate Brownie - Purple Ribbon (Eligable for The State Fair)
Photography - Apple Blossom - Purple Ribbon (Eligable for The State Fair)
Photography - Flowers on Piano - Purple Ribbon (Eligable for The State Fair)

Caleb:
Visual Arts - Torn Paper Ocean Scene - Grand Champion Purple Ribbon
Cooking - Snickerdoodle Cookies - Blue Ribbon