Sonlight Garden

and then there were four

He climbed up onto the table and JACKPOT! He found the lone gingerbread house sitting on the table. He was so very proud of himself. The poor gingerbread house didn't stand a chance.

 

snow day

We woke up to a beautiful blanket of white. Just beautiful. On Friday my kids were out in shorts and short sleeve shirts playing basketball. Mr. Weatherman says it will be gone by tonight. So for today we will be soaking up the snow. One of the perks of being homeschooled. 

Daisy my Florida born and raised Jersey cow is arriving today. She will have a nice snowy welcome. Friends of ours are going to use her for milk and to keep whatever calves she has until we can have her again someday. I pray. Our home in Florida is still for sale!!! It will be on the market 2 years in May. Do you know of anyone who wants a small cottage farm? Could you please pray for us that it sells soon? 

I will be back here soon to post something!! I have play pictures and birthday pictures. All 4 of my girlies have turned a year older and I haven't documented it. This all happened right after Henry was born and well, I just cannot let another birthday come (which will be Patrick this month) without documenting my daughters birthdays. 

Speaking of birthdays,  sweet, happy Henry will be 5 months tomorrow!! How that is possible I am not quite sure but I am savoring every sweet moment.

Homeschooling Resources

A Homeschooling Meme.

The lovely Tracy at Pinewood Castle tagged me for a meme...

Like Tracy I have not blogged in a while. We have been so crazy busy and I am feeling the (wonderful!!) pressure to get ready for this new baby. I have quite a few blog posts in my head that I am hoping to get out of my head and onto this blog soon!!

So I will start with this...

One homeschooling book you have enjoyed...

There could never be just one!

Mommy, Teach Me: Preparing Your Preschool Child for a Lifetime of Learning by Barbara Curtis -I read this not to long ago and it really made me change the way I look at the little people in my house. I wish I would have had this when my big kids were little. A lot of great ideas

Real Learning: Education in the Heart of the Home by Elizabeth Foss- This book changed my entire way of thinking towards home education. I have a beloved copy all highlighted and worn and marked up. :0)

Educating the WholeHearted Child  by Sally Clarkson. Her book is packed full of good things. Lots of highlighting in this book as well.

Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit by Terri Maxwell- I pick this book up every once in a while to remind me to be gentle. There is some good sound advice in here. 

One resource you wouldn't be without....

The library. I would be broke without it. And the internet. Really, with these two resources and some paper and pencils you don't need anything else.

One resource you wish you'd never bought...

I am right there with Tracy on the Montessori manipulative. I have quite a bit and the use does not justify the price. I keep wanting to use them. Maybe one of these days with one of these kids!

One resource you enjoyed last year...

hmmm. I didn't like a darn thing we did last year. I pulled the children out of school after 4 months, in the middle of winter. I was newly pregnant and very tired. It was a very difficult time. We made our way through the rest of the school year, it just seems like a big blur. On to new beginnings!

One resource you wished existed...

OK, this may sound a little weird, but, I wish Charlotte Mason were still alive and could come and live with me for a month and educate my children so I could really see how it is done.  I know there have been many books written about her method, but I am a total hands on visual person.

One resource you would like to have...

A bright sunny room full of bookshelves with nothing but good books, some couches and a table and chairs.

One homeschool catalog you enjoy reading...

I would have to say the Emmanuel Books Catalog

Tag six other homeschool bloggers! To all my Florida Peeps!!

Julie at Winchester Academy

Tiffany at Hillside Hollow

Amy at One Blessed Mama

Leisa and Debi???

Sussette at SHEAF

A Look Back

 I put together a video which is becoming a tradition every August. 

To my bunch,

A look back as we step forward. What a year we had!! It was hard at times but we made it through and we grew. We grew spiritually. We grew closer. We grew stronger. You bring unspeakable joy to my days! I am so looking forward to this year. I am sure we will have some great adventures and no doubt some struggles. But with Jesus and each other we can do it!! I love you all so much. More than I could ever say in words.

 

Love, Mom

Up Early

So was I the only one up at 5am to watch the Royal Wedding?? It was Beautiful. Kate, now Princess Katherine (I am not sure if she is a Katherine with a C or a K) was absolutely stunning and looked so relaxed. What a handsome couple. Mary Jane woke up early and watched it with me. Julia opted to sleep in. 

I said to Mary Jane, "Just think, she woke up this morning just a normal girl and now she is a princess!" Mary Jane's Eyes lit up, "Really!" she exclaimed, "A real fairytale."

Praying they live happily ever after!!!  :0) 

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

 

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
 
Every Thursday,  at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

 ~pretty~

Dogwood flowers. This is something we didn't have in Florida. Not that I noticed anyway. I must say, Spring in Kentucky is beautiful. There are flowers everywhere. Which makes me happy!

~happy~

Their faces say it all.

~funny~

peanut butter face

~real~   

Real amazing! It is really amazing to see your little boy grow up. Where did my little boy go and who is this man jumping over those hurdles?

Happy St. Valentines Day!

How was your day? Did you get any Valentine goodies? I did. Terry gave me a very pretty floral scarf (I helped pick it out) and some chocolate covered strawberries. I am not sharing those.

Am I wrong?

I just think there are some things I shouldn't have to share with my kids. Chocolate covered strawberries are on that list.

Don't feel bad for them. They each received a goodie bag of Valentine chocolate and candy hearts. Have you read those candy hearts lately? If you don't speak in "text" they are hard to understand. Catherine just brought me a candy heart that said "I love EC". We are stumped.

I also received a box of chocolates from Florida, from my very first Valentine. Thank you Dad!! I Love you!

I also received a handmade rose from my little boy. It is the most beautiful rose I have ever received.You see, when you ask St. Therese the Little Flower to intercede for you on a special intention, and you receive a rose, it is extra special.

:0)

Hoping you all had a wonderful day!!

The Coolest Commercial Ever!!

h/t Rachel of Testosterhome

Winter Village~by Mary Jane

Snow Day Fun

We had a nice size snow storm last weekend. We had soooo much fun. I think Terry had more fun than the kids!! Here are pictures. Lots and lots of pictures.