Happy Birthday Cole

Today Cole turns 10....double digits. It hurts my heart a little to say that number. It seems like yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital.

He brings so much joy to our family.

He loves his Daddy and wants to be just like him.

He takes care of his baby sister in such a sweet, gentle way.

He is a Momma's boy.

He has such a big heart for those less fortunate than him.

He loves music.

He dreams of being President one day.

Words can not begin to express the love I have for that little big boy!

Happy Birthday Cole!

Brownies

This year Adrienne has moved up to Brownies. She is enjoying all the fun things they have done so far this year like a trip to Stagville, Halloween Party, and all the fun meetings. They had a ceremony a couple of weeks ago and Adrienne read in front of everyone. If you know Adrienne you know this is her worst nightmare. She did great and I am so proud of her for facing her fears.

One of the best things about Brownies is having a sweet friend to enjoy it all with!!

Pumpkin Time

The day before Halloween we carved the pumpkin. Every year we get them each a pumpkin to paint and one pumpkin for us to carve together. Next year we are going to have to get two pumpkins because they are both getting interested in making their own face for the pumpkin. We had to compromise this year so Adrienne did eyes and nose and Cole did the mouth.

Cole working hard on his pumpkin mouth.

They always have their "you didn't tell me you were going to kill it" moment

Adrienne loves every second of "cleaning out the guts" but Cole is more than grossed out!

Happy Halloween

Homeschool Helps

I am five years into this homeschool journey and still learning my way.

Here are a few of my new favorites that we are enjoying!

Charlotte Mason - Outdoor Secrets
 We are enjoying reading these short stories together. The stories we are doing now all have to do with apples. Some of the activities we have done are visit the farmers market, find the star in the apple, tasting different kinds of apples, and we visited the apple orchard in August.

Picture Study in a Jar
This is a great sitting around eating breakfast/lunch activity. We have small prints of famous paintings and questions in a jar. The kids loved the Art Museum so we are running with that and trying to get them looking at famous artwork and paying attention to the details.

30 minutes of quiet time after lunch!
My kids are long removed from the napping stage but I have found we all need a little quiet time in the afternoon. They are allowed to read or draw during this time. Of course everyone goes to a different room to make it work.

NC State Fair

Thursday morning I loaded up the kids and headed to the fair. It was perfect fair weather 65 degrees and breezy. We had a fun morning of games and rides. My kids take after their mommy so they stick to the kiddy rides. Poor Adrienne looked like she wanted to hurl on the swings but when she got off she said she loved it.

Cole took this picture to show Daddy that you can get deep friend ANYTHING!! The whole deep fried thing was gross to my picky eater.

On our way out of the fair the kids got caramel apples which is the only "fair food" they want.

Of course I did not get a picture of the most memorable thing at the fair for them this year......a girl catching cow poop in a bucket! They were amazed that anyone would stand behind a cow and do that. I would have to agree with them on that one.

Fall Festival

Sunday was the perfect ending to our busy weekend. We left the mountains around 8:30 Saturday night so we could be back for Homecoming and Fall Festival at church on Sunday. The service was wonderful with all three services together for one service and the weather was perfect for the Fall Festival.

The kids were exhausted from traveling so late Saturday night but that did not stop them from having a great time with their friends. Adrienne kept it pretty low key this year with face painting, a caricature, and a pony ride. Cole of course was going 100mph and did every activity out there at least twice.  It was such a fun day for all of us.....now if we could just find time for a nap!!