Sneak Peak

Every year, at about this time, we make a family portrait. Usually we use it on our Christmas cards. This is part of what I'm working on for this year...

Braging

Baby Monkey fell asleep in her highchair. She woke up before I could get her picture, though. Check out her lunch- avocado, carrots, potato and apple chunks. (all cooked very, very soft. Except for the avocado!) She loves feeding herself! Also, she turned 8 months old last week. 8 Months!!


My children were in a box this morning. I put them there for safekeeping. That way I always know where they are!

(just kidding. They went in willingly. The Boy has a thing about playing in boxes. In fact, "Not a Box" is one of his favorite books, and not just because he can read every word.)

The Boy is prepared. Just in case there is a coloring emergency.

Heavens to Betsy

I have so many pictures to share! I think I'll just work my way backwards. So... That means starting with seeing The Pioneer Woman! She was at the Wal-Marts signing her cookbook! The cookbook that my Mom got me for my birthday!

We were Excited!

Mara was not.

We met up with my cousin, Jill, and my friend, Rachel. It was really fun to stand in line together! First, we met Marlboro Man. He was very nice, and signed our books and took pictures. There was much discussion about which picture we should have him sign, because the end of the book has a picture of his... ahem... heiney. We all had him sign a picture of his face, though. Because we are nothing if not decorous. He said Mara was cute! Also, he called GG (she wasn't able to get off of work) and left her a message on her phone! He said it was a first. I guess not many people ask total strangers to call their sisters. Huh.

Mara was not happy about the wait. Mom walked around with her.

And here she is! Signing our books! And also having a phone conversation with GG.

I restrained myself from blurting out, "Will you be my best friend? I have a cute baby! I'll share her with you!"

Right after this, Mara grabbed the back of her hair. Sorry about that PW! Her hands weren't grubby, I promise!

And that is how I spent 2.5 hours of my Monday night! I heard later that some people waited 4 hours!

Pumpkin Pach

Baby's First Haircut

Bugtoberfest

We went, on what seems to be the last nice-weather Saturday of the year, to Bugtoberfest.  We picked up my sister on the way and she spent the day outside with us.  RJ entered his car, and won in his class!  Nevermind that he was the only entry in his class.  It was a good day.

Rainy Days

Delicious pictures

The Baby.  Crawling.  Her newest trick?  Pulling up.  And eating.  (I don't know why this picture uploaded sideways!)

There was a thunderstorm the other night.  This is what happened.

And so it begins...

Remember that baby that I had 20 weeks and five days ago?

Remember this?


And this?


Well, this is her now...

And that baby is crawling. Yes, crawling. I'm girding my loins and preparing for months of redirection and babyproofing.

Messy Before, Messy Middle, Messy After

Before


During


After

The Newest News...

We're taking an official break from school untill we start First Grade on September 1. We've taken things kind of easy since the Baby was born, but haven't taken a deliberate break.

We've decided on our cirriculum for 1st grade. It's not much of a change, but we're adding things in. Christian Light's Learning to Read (we're about 1/2 way through already) and Language Arts. Saxon 1 math, which we've already started. Rosetta Stone for language. Haven't decided which one, yet. The Story of the World for some history. And I'm going to poke around in Barnes and Noble's workbooks section for some fun sciency things to do.

Homeschooling paperwork is due by Friday. I've got it all filled out, just have to get it over to the office!

And, the Biggest News... The Child is going to be a Cub Scout this year! Very Exciting! He's most excited about going swimming and camping.

As for the Baby... She's super chubby and rolling/scooting all over the place.

Bathroom Makeover

The bathroom is the first room in the house we re-did.
Here's the old wall paper. I think it's the same paper from when the house was built. There was nothing under it but drywall.


It peeled right off- so satisfying!

The Monkey helped.


Big hole in the wall where the tile toilet paper holder was. The Monkey complained about the lack of mirror. He said, "I need to see my face while I wash my hands!"


Our friend Dave did a lot of work in here for us. He was great!


After! We painted it a light turquoise color. It feels very clean and bright after that brownish wallpaper.



I don't have pictures of the rest- we put in a new light, new TP holder, new hooks for towels and knobs on drawers and cabinets. Now all I need is to decide what to put on the walls. I'm thinking something black and white.

Next project- painting the front room! We're planning on moving our couches and TV in there, too, and making the back room our play room.