Monday, September 30, 2013

Pretty girl.


 Grandma Tootsie Anna sent a beautiful dress for Juliana.  We dressed her in it in just the nick of time.  She is growing so fast, I fear she may only wear it once.  But, she looks like a little angel in it,doesn't she?
All ruffles, bows, and lace this one....and I love it!





Happy girl!



Sweet toes!

What's with the tongue?


Sunday, September 29, 2013

Workin' at the Car Wash


 Joey's car needed a car wash, so that's just what we did!
He loved to scrub it clean with the soapy water.  As you can see, he's very detail oriented!
What's better than being outside on a warm, sunny day?  He had a blast!






My sweet Peanut.





Whew! All done, ready for a snack.

Naptime with a good book.


Reading a book with a friend can sometimes make you sleepy.







Thursday, September 26, 2013

Daddy and his little Joe...


When it's time to mow the lawn, Joey loves to ride on the lawnmower with Darryl.  In fact, just mentioning it, Joey will go running to the shed to get his seat!
He also refers to every man on a riding lawn mower as a daddy now.  Apparently, daddies are the only ones that mow laws (:



Sleepy...


A visit to the monastery



 We are very blessed to live only 40 minutes from a beautiful Greek Orthodox Monastery.
Panagia Prousiotissa Greek Orthodox Monastery is such a beautiful place.
We went recently to celebrate their feast day and it was such a wonderful day.
The weather was perfect!  I love to see all the children playing on the beautiful monastery grounds.  They have such lovely gardens and the most tranquil pond to walk around.








This is Father Robert, our priest at St. Luke's.  He was taking part in the celebration as well!
 

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Bathtime for the Littles


 Don't you just love snuggling little ones after their bath time?





Both of the little ones after their night time bath. 
Sleep tight, sweet babies...
 

Monday, September 23, 2013

Tie Dye


An annual tradition in our home is to make tie dye shirts for our summer vacations.  We were a bit late this year, but did get them in right before our beach trip.  It's so much fun to see how they will come out!

Joey loves to play in the water.


Here all the big boys are making their plans.


Joey getting a bit of help from daddy.





Nicholas' finished shirt-It looks great!


Thursday, September 19, 2013

Sleepy Baby

 I never get tired of sleepy baby pictures.
Look how she sticks her bottom lip out!
She is such a blessing to me.

Sleep, sweet baby...





Wednesday, September 18, 2013

School Days


 So far, our school days have been fairly smooth.  The boys have matured so much and are more diligent and serious when they need to be during school hours.  We have to gently remind them at times, but so far, so good.  Joey loves to sit at the table with them and *do school*.  He loves puzzles and is quite good at them for his age.
 We have had some success with curriculum and have had to revise others.  I just purchased a new Word Roots curriculum.  I'm hoping it will be better than the other I originally began to use with the boys.
 We are also studying Ancient Greece.  It's fascinating but the names are quite a challenge!  The boys have to give a presentation each Friday of a Famous Man of Greece.  They love the competition to see whom is the most creative.
 I'm  not sure I'm liking the items from Memoria Press I purchased. It borders on feeling like busy work.  I don't agree at all with having children do busy work and feel it is a waste of time as well as kills any joy in learning.  Will continue with those a bit and I'll reassess during Christmas Break.
 I'm going a little crazy with the art this year.  Oh, how I love art and literature.  I just ordered a couple of books on Waldorf watercolor painting and we'll be starting those as soon as we finish some lovely autumn projects I have lined up. 
We are all LOVING reading The Hobbit and the boys beg for more and more each read aloud time.  It's a favorite time of day.
I've added in copy work this year the co insides with our Gospel reading for church.  I think it's really helping the boys become more connected with the church service and Father's sermons.
 We've also started some really neat projects for Religion studies.  I'll update when we are finished with our latest project.
Overall, a good year so far.  We did take two weeks off recently for vacation.  I don't think we'll do that again.  It's been too hard to get started back up again after only going for 3 weeks. 

Here are the boys working hard.



Joey's working hard too!


Tuesday, September 17, 2013

First Dentist Appointment

 Joey had his first dentist appointment recently and he did great!

Here he is waiting to be seen.  He was enthralled with the fish tank.
 

Dr. Lockney is always so patient and loving with the children.  Here he is checking all of Joey's baby teeth.

All good!  Perfect teeth!
My sweet Peanut is growing up.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Sweet, sweet baby...

 Sweet Juliana loves to distract daddy with her cuteness while he's working.
Can you blame him?  Look at those cheeks!







And thighs!  Those thighs are too much!
 

Juliana in our Sunflower Patch


Thank you Aunt Laura for the Locally Grown shirt!  Perfect for our Locally Grown baby in our Locally Grown (our garden)  Sunflower Patch.


Sunday, September 1, 2013

School Days


 We started school a wee bit early this year.  I should say we transitioned into another grade early this year.  We really school year round with breaks when we need them.  We do take an extended break during the holidays, for vacations, and just when we feel we need a break.  It's so lovely to be able to take days to go to the park on lovely fall and spring days
. Everything has been going well.  The boys have enjoyed some new subjects this year.  We are learning about Ancient Greece and they have begun learning the Greek language as well.  Nicholas especially loves learning it.  We have had some fails already and plans have changed.  Our vocabulary curriculum was not good and I have since ordered a new one that I think will be much better.  Also, I've changed plans on our art curriculum and am soooo excited about it!  Art, literature and history are my absolute favorites to teach.  I can't wait to share some of our exciting projects I have planned.  We are reading The Hobbit as our read aloud and the boys LOVE it!  They keep begging to read more and more.  I have decided to delve a little further in some read alouds this year and purchased a Memoria Press study guide to go with it.  They haven't grumbled too much about it, but I know it does challenge them...which is a good thing! 
Delving back in is always exciting, yet sometimes hard.  We've had our share of really good days and some not so great ones already.  I think the boys are learning to take more accountability for their time management and as such, at times, not done so well with that. .I just have to gently remind them, let it go, and let the natural consequences of procrastination take it's due course.  It certainly takes a learning curve and they'll get it, I'm confident of that..
The boys are growing so much and are so smart.
I think it's going to be a great year!

Here is Nicholas...




Matthew...
 




Joey wanted to join in the fun too!