Day 2 - Snow

Ella came to our bed around 6:30am and asked if she could go play in the snow.  She had already peeped out the window to see if the snow was still there.  Church was cancelled so we had our own worship time together.  We ate cinnamon rolls and fruit.  I tried to fill everyone up before we went outside to play.  It was great sledding this morning.  The snow had gotten really hard on top. 

Seth was like a bullet.  He was using our neighbor's sled.  It is fun going down the hill but . . .  

. . .  up the hill is no fun.

We decided to paint the snow with colored water bottles.  Ella had purple, green and yellow.  Seth wanted blue and red.  The next picture is just random painting of the snow. 

This is our neighbor, Michael.  Seth had sprayed the snowball blue.

Snow fort time.  This is so you can have a snowball fight.

Garrett's fort.  He was desperate for snow.  He had to lay down flat in order not to get hit.  (Sheila, we needed some of your 9 inches you got in Asheville)  The snow fort would have been alittle taller. 

Seth and Michael vs. Garrett.  They have been outside all day. 

The disadvantage to homeschooling in my boys eyes - no 2 hour delay or school cancelled due to snow.  HAHA!  The show must go on. 

Snow! Well Maybe

We woke up to snow/ice this morning.  My children LOVE snow.  A mom's job is to round up all the "snow equipment" for everyone to go outside.  It is so hard to be sure everyone has gloves, snow jacket, boots, and caps.  The boys ended outside before they even ate breakfast.

The first thing they want to do is throw snowballs.  See Seth's hand.  Garrett has his hockey pad blocker.  One hand to throw, the other to block.

Everyone made it outside.  Happy and excited.  I did find "snow clothes" for everyone.

Ella kept wanting us to build a "pile" so that she could slide into the snow.

Snow Angels

Sledding

Napping

Seth has been a little under the weather.  He went out to play but came in after a couple of hours and took a nap.  He is on one end of the couch.  Guess who is on the other?

HAHA!  She thinks she is human sometimes. 

Today was a great day.  It was so much fun since it happened on a Saturday.  Daddy is home on Saturdays and gets to play outside with us.  The four-wheeler was out, sleds were out, and The Weddine's were outside.  Ready for another day tomorrow.  Don't think the snow is going anywhere.  It is COLD!

The Greatest Show on Earth

Last night, we went to see the circus.  What fun.  Mom, Ella, Seth and I went together.  Seth has been before but wanted to go again.  We rode the Lynx.  It is a train in Charlotte called the Light Rail.  It is fairly new.  I had never riden before.   I know this picture is blurry but it gives you an idea of what the Lynx looks like.  As I was taking the picture, the train was beeping because it was getting ready to leave the station.

Mom and Ella on the train.  It was about a 20 minute ride.

Here is another one of those pictures that makes my heart smile.  I went to take the picture and she put her hand around his neck.  They look just alike.  We call her little Seth.

Ella's favorite part was the tigers.

After we got on the train, she said, "I want to be a ballerina girl and join the circus."  She was very serious about that.  When we told her daddy this morning, she changed her mind.   She said, "She wanted to be a ballerina but do the show at home."  Seth was amazed.  He sat with his mouth half opened for most of the circus.  He didn't say a word or move a muscle.  I have the most fun watching the circus through their eyes.

Build -A- Bear and Seasons

I have been waiting to take Ella to Build -A-Bear.  The boys loved making their own bears.  We first went there for Garrett to build a bear to take to his new brother Seth when he was born.  That was our first experience.  Needless to say, 6 or 7 Bears later, we have enjoyed Build-A-Bear.  Well now it was Ella's turn.  She was not sure what to think at first.  She loved stepping on the pedal to do the foam. 

I know this picture is not clear but I love it because this is what she does when she is whispering to tell you something.  She puts her hand over her mouth. 

Next was bath time.

Isabella is official.  (We like Phineas and Ferb)

Can you tell what her favorite color is? Not pink

Okay,  What season is it?  We bought Ella this hairbow back in November to wear for Christmas.  I tried to put it on her several times.  The answer was NO, I don't like it.  So okay, I'll save it until next year.  Well today, she gets dressed to go outside and play.  She asked for me to put the hairbow in.

How cute it is but it never got worn at Christmas time? 

Another thing she did today was pull out her garden tools and gloves.

She was outside working in her garden with Seth.

It is not the season to be wear a reindeer hairbow!!  It is not the season to be working in your garden!!

To her it doesn't matter. 

When Jeff asked me the other day, who is the funniest person in your family?  I said, "Ella". 

So who is the funniest person in your family?  I would love to know.

Sweetness

I know you have heard me say it before but I love when my children play together, do things together, help each other without being asked.  Sweet is the word that comes to mind.  It makes my heart smile.

It happened yesterday.  I found some goodies that were in my old teaching stuff.  Alphabet Bingo is perfect for Ella right now.  Garrett saw it sitting in the school room so he asked it he could play it with Ella.  She was super duper excited.

This is Garrett and Ella playing Alphabet Bingo.  Ella won.  ( It is hard for me not to think that Garrett is trying to get out of doing HIS school work)  I am just going to think SWEETNESS.  He cares so much for his sister.  Thank goodness for the opportunity to homeschool.  By taking a leap of faith and trusting and obeying God, he has truly blessed us.  Not with academics but with family time that we cannot go back and get once it is passed.  My children have gotten so close and love to play with each other. 

 Random thoughts that are going around in my head:

1.  I am reading the book "Crazy Love".  My question is, Do I have a Crazy Love for God?  Slow down and realize that God is showing off for me each and every day.  Do I notice and pay attention?  Do I grumble and complain because things are not going my way? Do I look for and take opportunities to share Jesus?  Am I brave enough?

2.  Lamentations 3:22-26 - Second Chance - Do I live everyday as a second chance from God?  Through his mercy and grace, I have a second chance each day.  If God didn't see me through the blood stain of Jesus, what would he see?

3.  Is Igorance Bliss?  My answer to this question is yes and no.  I am debating this with Garrett and when to tell all the things that he needs to know very soon about alot of grown up stuff.  I think is better for him not to know alot of things (igorance) but on the other hand I would him rather tell him and give him scripture, God's take on the subject and have a discussion (informed, responsible and make a decision on how to act in the situation)

4.  Garrett just asked me yesterday why I want let him listen to all the 80's rock music that he likes.  He said I know all the words and not to say them.    I reminded him that Mrs. Carmen has told us many times, you are influenced by what you eat, listen to, and hang out with in your life.  My devotion today was to surround yourself with Godly friends who can ensure we have the accountability and tools to grow in faith.  Thank goodness for Godly friends who challenge me, but do I challenge them in the same way?

Weekend

Our weekend started on Friday after we finished school.  Friday was our 100th day.  They worked very hard to finish school and even helped me clean the house.  We went to see "The Tooth Fairy". 

How funny.  The boys saw the previews during Chipmunks so they have been counting down the days.  It has hockey in it so we had to go see it.  Great movie.  I laughed and laughed.  Of course, the boys have been quoting saying from the movie all weekend.

Friday ended with a hockey game for Seth and Saturday began the day with a hockey game.

 

Garrett is # 34 blue

After hockey, Seth was invited to a friend's birthday skating party.  The best thing was the whole family was invited to skate.  So everyone went. 

Ella decided to skate.  By the end of the time, she was doing it all by herself.  She was walking and moving.  Her favorite part was to pull herself on the bar next to the wall.

I can't believe she is doing this.  We just asked her today if she would let us make her a baby again.  Her answer was, "NO!  I am a big gurr."  (I wish you could hear her say it.)

By the way, she had tatoos this week. 

She called them tutus.  It was the funniest thing.  The boys would never let us do tatoos but watch out.  I think we may have started something. 

Today mom informed us that we have something to look forward too.

+

=

 a DISNEY CRUISE.

Still Beautiful Outside

We are having amazing weather right now.  Chilly in the morning but by afternoon the sun is out, warmth is around and we are outside.  It is amazing what a little warm fresh air can do for you.  The boys went up the road to play baseball, tennis and basketball with the neighborhood kids.  They are bringing all the goodies back home.

The bad part is the 4 wheeler battery died and Garrett has to push.  Luckily, we live at the bottom of the hill in our neighboorhood.  HAHA!

This is what she looked like going outside to play.  She had her Dora pocketbook and her star sunglasses she is holding in her hand.  She and I were playing a throw and catch game when Daddy came home.

She loves this game.  She is a wild thrower.  You never know where the ball is going. 

This is how she throws.  Can you see the ball (pink and green) right at her leg,  the her hands goes up in the air?  She throws underhanded.  You better be ready.  It may roll, zoom in the air or just straight at you.

Another action shot. 

Seth had Boy Scout last night.  This is the hut where they meet.  His Den Leader is in the brown shirt, Mr. Gary.  Seth has about 18 or so scouts in her Den.  Last night, there were only 8 or so there.  What a relief.  They made puddle jumpers out of cans.

Here is Seth getting ready to go again. 

What a Beautiful Day

Even though today was a holiday, we still had school.  My children didn't even know that traditional school was out until they went out to play right before lunch.  What a mistake.  All the neighborhood kids were outside playing so they didn't want to come inside.  The 10 minute ride your bike before lunch turned into a

1 1/2 hour play time.  We decided to have a picnic outside. 

It was so nice to be outside and enjoying the sunshine.  Short sleeves.  Sandwiches and chips.  What a picnic. 

Even Gabby was able to go outside with us and run around.  She has the best time running, eating sticks, chasing the kids and just being noisey. 

I even ran in shorts today.  Sunshine does a body and mind good.  Hope this continues.

She did it

Ella finally got to skate.  What an event.  She finally did it.  We went to the ice rink Friday before Seth's game for her to skate.  She fell asleep in the car on the way there.  I was able to get her out of the car, walked inside the ice rink, and sat down.  She slept 1 hour longer.  When she woke up, she was ready to skate.  We rented her skates, put them on, and got her ready to go.  Do you know she wouldn't go.  I guess because she just woke up. 

As soon as Seth's game was over, it was time to try again. She was so excited.

She is showing me her skates.  Notice all the pads.  She thinks she needs these because she knows all the hockey pads her brothers wear.  Which I am okay with it since she will fall and it won't hurt as bad.

Do you see her face?  Seth is reassuring her that she is okay.  All of Seth's teammates are round her.  They are checking her out. 

.

Garrett showed up to help.  He was playing goalie for his coach's other team.  They had a game but the goalie didn't show up.  How sweet is this.  I am so super glad that my boys know how to skate and skate well.  That means I didn't have to go.  Yeah!  Do you see Seth's hand on her back?

At this moment, I am so proud of my children.  They all are doing the same thing and having a blast. Even though they are 11, 8 and 3.  What joy.  I am beaming.

She is so happy.  She kept wanting to go around and around.  The boys were very good.  They went around about 8 times.  Of course, this wasn't enough for Ella but we did end up leaving with everyone happy.

Here she comes.  Way to go big brother.  Taking care of your sister.

Here is Garrett playing goalie from earlier.

He was so excited to be asked.  He borrowed some hockey pants from lost and found, the goalie pads are another skaters, the jersey is from another player, and well he did have his skates.  He played in his blue jeans and t-shirt underneath.  He was thrilled to help out.  His team did win.