Fun of the Week

Ella enjoys singing and dancing to the VBS music.  This is an everyday event around here.

 Seth was finally able to eat at Moe's.  The cool drink machine was a hit.  He volunteered to get everyones refills for the night.

 After stepping out of the car last week at church, I realized Ella and I were matching.  Had to capture that moment.

 Ella began Nutcracker camp this week.  Her ballet teacher does a performance of the Nutcracker

each year.  The girls look forward to the event.  Each year the girls are able to dance a new part of the performance. 

 This is Ella waiting at church for all of her friends to arrive on Wednesday night.

Of course, school began this week for us.  Still capturing those moments of smiles and school.

Next Top Model

A few weeks ago Ella was shopping with meme at Belk's.  As they were shopping, a lady approached meme about Ella modeling for their Back to School Event.  She was unsure at first but then she found out there would be face painting, a new outfit and games.

 Leaving home to go to Belk's

 All dressed in her modeling outfit.

 The next few pictures just make me crack up.

After the show, the fun began.  Crafts, Belkie Bear, and face painting.

Papa and Meme took Ella to the event for me.  Papa joined in on the fun for once last picture.

She already wants to sign up for next year.  This girl loves a stage. 

A New School Year

2012-2013

This school year we have an 8th grader, a 5th grader and a 1st grader.

Life is full of adventure.  This year will be a year full of many adventures.

This is Seth beginning to work on his math.  We do a program where both boys learn and complete their assignment on the computer.  This allows me time to work with the others as one is learning math.  A great help to me.

 Ella got excited when she saw Seth's math.  "Oh I remember that from last year.  Let me help you"  she said.  I just laughed.  Seth was kind enough to allow her to push the answers.  She let her jump right up in his lap.

Seth and Ella are doing a few things the same this year.  

Science is one of those subjects.  Today was take a walk through the book to see what we will be studying.  Lots of laughs come from the brown chair.

 We decided to move Garrett upstairs this year.  This will give him more independence in decision making on his school work.

His own little cubby.  

So here is the run down (this is basically for me to remember what subjects and what curriculum I choose)

Ella

Saxon Math 2

Hooked on Phonics finishing 1st grade

Learning Language through Literature Red Book

Wordly Wise - finishing 1st grade book

Explode the Code - finishing 1st grade book

Zoo 3 - Land Animals

Ancient Civilizations - Diana Wearing

Seth

I always pick books based upon our history to read for literature

Adam and His Kin

The Golden Bull

Tirzah

Adara

God King

Cyrus the Persian

D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths

Beyond the Desert Gate

The Bronze Bow

I have study guides for most but some we are making our own

Teaching Textbooks 6

Zoo 3 - Land Animals

Ancient History

Comprehension Book

IEW writing - ancient History

Garrett

Timna

The Golden Bull

The Golden Goblet

The Hittite Warrior

God King

Victory on the Walls

Archimedes and the Door of Science

The Young Carthanginian

Vinegar Boy

Teaching Textbooks - Algebra

General Science

IEW -  Robotics

Ancient Civilizations

I am so excited about this year.  The Ancient Civilizations History that we are studying is amazing.  The books we are reading so far just point everything back to the history written in the Bible.  I love it.

We are also using the planners this year for assignments.  

Our key verse is
"This is the day the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it"  Ps 118:24

We choose our attitudes each day when we arise.  Let that be reflected in our day and school work.

Happy 6th Birthday Ella Michele

So before she even turned 6, she lost her 5th tooth.  The top front.  My how this one tooth changes her whole look.

 So onto the birthday event.  I say event because this birthday last from Wednesday, when we started celebrating to Sunday for the last cookie cake.

Wednesday, we began the celebration so Meme and Papa could share the exciting news - we bought you plane tickets for your birthday.  The reaction was not what meme or I thought it would be when she found out.  TEARS and hiding her face.  Not excited at all. 

 Ella and I had tickets to Nashville, TN to spend a few days with my childhood friend.  We woke up at 4:45 a.m., left home at 5:00, airport by 5:50, then took off at 7:05 a.m.  She was super excited once we were at the gate and she saw the airplane. 

 Boarded the plane

 Eating breakfast on the plane - she thought this was cool.  We even had drinks on the plane.

 

 In Nashville, we promised Chuck E. Cheese for the actual birthday. 

 

 The official birthday girl on August 3rd.

So we bought another cookie cake to celebrate with in Nashville.  We had the best "Happy Birthday" sung to Ella from my buddy Regina Leigh. 

 Ella and I had many adventures during our time in TN but Sunday came and it was time to fly home.

 She enjoyed the plane ride, the airport, the whole concept of luggage and finding our gate.  She was the tour guide in the airport.  We took off and landed four times.  We had two flights going and coming home. 

I enjoy spending time with this little lady so much.  She is such a blessing to our family.  Every time Jeff and I look at her we realize that God truly is in control and we will serve him all our days.  If you know our family, then you know the story behind this little one God blessed us with 6 years ago.

Her favorite part of the airport was the moving walk ways

Once we landed, the boys picked us up.  Boy was she excited to see her daddy and brothers.  

We came home for a few hours before heading to Noni and Papa for a swim, pizza and her 3rd cookie cake. 

Fun time with family: Mallory, Ella, Seth, Will and Garrett. 

 So to  say that this 6th birthday was an event would be an understatement. 

Ella

You amaze us each and everyday.  You have an incredible heart for helping others, following directions, and not making others angry or upset.  You bring such a new dynamic to our family.  You love to play, watch TV, learn new things, work hard, ballet, performing, and just being with your family.  

We Love you Bunches

Our snuggle bug, Ella Bella, Ella Belle, Monkey Face, Princess

Goodbye Playhouse

My dad built this playhouse when Garrett was 3 years old.  It had stairs in it for an upstairs loft.  Garrett painted the inside walls.  Toys have come into this house to provide many hours of fun.  

Seth began playing in the playhouse.  Up and Down the steps giving us heart attacks.  Be careful came out of our mouths very often.  Hanging over the rails provided fun for little boys. 

 This playhouse has been a fort, a great hiding place, a command center, a pretend house, mission control, a tent with sleeping bags, a back stop for baseballs, a kitchen, and many other adventures.  

We have been using the playhouse for extra storage for many years.  Ella wasn't very fond of the playhouse because it may have a bug or two in it.  (Girls, girls, girls)  So it was time to say goodbye to the playhouse and pass it along to another family with little ones.

We had to take pictures.  We talked a great deal about getting rid of the playhouse.  Ella decided that would be a great idea for another little boy or girl to have it UNTIL the day came for the playhouse to leave.  

TEARS, TEARS, TEARS

I let her take pictures.  This made her happy.  She let me know that this would help her remember the playhouse. 

This makes me realize that we no longer have little ones at our house but moving into the true Big Kid phase.  Let the new adventures begin.

Church Camp for the Boys

After being home one day after vacation, Garrett headed off to Camp Paradise.  Camp Paradise is our church camp for middle and high schoolers.  He was super excited to go. 

He left home early to meet the buses. 

Nine buses were out front ready to take over 400 campers and leaders.

 This is a pictures from the website.  Garrett loved every minute of camp. 

 

 The final day with everyone.  Garrett is over to the right side, white sunglasses.

Garrett came home for one day before Seth and I left for Student Life for Kids Camp.  He was excited to head out as well.  Seth invited a friend to come along with us.  

                                     
           

 Our church having worship time.

 I was assigned third grade girls.  These young ladies were busy all week.

Water Rec was enjoyed by all. 

We had great fun worshipping, playing, eating, swimming and learning new friends.  Summer camp memories will last a lifetime.