Winter Wonderland

Snow tunnels. . .
Sledding and Sliding on drifts. . .


And a sled ride to Grampas waiting car, when we weren't plowed out yet. . .

Homeschooling

What is best for our family? That is a question Ryan and I often ask ourselves. Sometimes the answer has been easy. Sometimes it has not. As for homeschooling, it has not been an easy decision. It is something we have been praying about, thinking about and researching for quite some time. I have to say, I have had COUNTLESS conversations that have gone like this over the last year and a half:

Me: "So where do your children go to school?"

Them (people at Ryan's work Christmas party, moms at the park, college friends, neighbors, family friends, church friends, etc): "Oh, we homeschool."

Me: "Not you too! Is God trying to tell me something?"

I know that homeschooling is not right for every family, just like public school or private school is not right for every family. Honestly, I still don't know for certain that it is right for us. But, we are at the point that we need to try it and find out. Do I have questions? Yes. Does Ryan support me? Yes. Are we trying to follow God's lead? Yes. Are we taking one semester at a time? Most definitely!

And so, for this next semester, we will set off on our homeschooling journey. I will be doing 1st grade math, phonics, spelling, etc with Ainsley and pre-k math, phonics, etc with Porter (using Math U See and VoWac). We will work in science experiments, cursive handwriting, geography, history, art, music, and health. Of course, there will be much story reading, playtime, rest time, field trips and Bible Stories. And, you know, computer games and movies when mom needs a break :)

Thanks for praying for us and please continue to do so! Stop by anytime. . .I will want adult conversation!!!

White Christmas

It has been a White Christmas indeed. And now, for some hot cocoa. . .

Snowed In

And so they stayed in their snuggly Christmas jammies all Christmas Day

You know you're the mother of a boy. . .

when your little knight uses a plastic lid as a shield.

Enough said.

Baking and Singing. . .

two things I love about the Christmas season!

BAKING~

And SINGING~

And of course, there's PHOTOS BY THE CHRISTMAS TREE! Ainsley had her church Christmas program tonight and Porter wanted to wear a tie. . .NO, make that TWO TIES! Nice look Porter. . .and little bro Trey. . .

Picture of mom and dad with Porter's hand in front of it. . .

Gotta love BAKING, SINGING, and NOT SO GOOD PHOTOS BY THE CHRISTMAS TREE this time of year :)

(Ainsley did great in the program. . .she danced her way through the first song, and was yawning by the last few :) )

"The Best Day Ever!"

We surprised the kids with a little wknd getaway to Disney's "Nemo on Ice," and a night at a motel. They thought it was "The Best Day Ever!" After stopping at McDonalds for breakfast, GooF took the older two on a date to the show, while Trey and I spent the entire time at the GAP Outlet. . .ahhhhh. Then it was to the motel, swimming, out for ice-cream, ordering pizza, jumping on beds, etc. The biggest ordeal was shortly after Porter was eating his breakstick, when he noticed his tooth was missing (yes, it was wiggly for a few days. . . no, I didn't know my 4 1/2 yr old would have a loose tooth before my 6 yr old). So, we thought he must have swallowed it. Not long after the tooth fairy had come the next morning, Ainsley found his tooth on the floor of the motel room!!! Show me your new silly smile Porter. . .

There was lots of fun in the hot tub , and Ainsley taught herself how to swim across the pool on her back! I felt like, "such a mom" on the trip. . .

Trey woke up at 5:45am so he and I went down to the lobby and had continental breakfast with some "Snowbirds" travelling cross country who thought there was no way I was old enough to have 3 children. . .I felt like such a mom.

I drank coffee at a motel. . . I felt like such a mom.

Once, when the kids went swimming, I sat in one of those chairs by the pool, not in my swimsuit. . .I felt like such a mom.

I started cleaning up our hotel room. . .I felt like such a mom.

I was exhausted before we even left, after packing for myself and our children. . . .I felt like such a mom.

Well, you get the point. Am glad the kids had "the best day ever," and I really did enjoy family time. . .minus losing Trey for a bit in the hotel and having very sad kids when it was time to go. . . .but, overall enjoyable family time :)

"Snowy Blowy Day,"

as Trey would say. . .

and that it was! Porter, I love your zest! I have to put you in boots when we go out, because if there's snow, you will RUN RIGHT THROUGH IT! You were very excited about the blizzard!

"Twinkle Twinkle" Christmas Star

Ainsley was in her first Christmas Sing-Along tonight! She performed "Twinkle Twinkle" on the piano and did an excellent job!!
They performed at a beautiful retirement community. . . Thanks Grammy for teaching piano to Ainsley! And, I might add, I am glad I learned piano, but was thankful it wasn't me performing tonight. . .that always made me so nervous! I did get a little nervous tonight, waiting for her turn to play. Her piano teacher said she played perfectly with great rhythm :) But even if she had ran from the piano in tears like someone I know personally once did :), I would love her just the same! They got to sing some Christmas songs. . here's Ainsley carefully reading the words. . she said she only got lost a few times :) . . .

"Cinderella"

Ainsley, tonight we went on a date to "Cinderella" at one of the high schools in town. You sat on my lap, we watched, we laughed, we got a snack at intermission, we enjoyed, we played "rock, paper, scissors," you brought two baby dolls along, and you said "everything" was your favorite part. Afterwards you got to meet Cinderella and she was so sweet to you. I so enjoyed my girl time with you tonight. . we had a "ball!" I reminded you that you're a princess because your Heavenly Father is a King. You told me you're a princess too, because your daddy's name (Ryan) means "King." Just so we remember. Love, mommy

Cousins

For my mom's birthday, she wanted pics of the grandkids. . .
Ainsley (6), Taetum (5), Porter (4), Bridger (3), and Trey (2)Thanks to my good friend Kristi
http://kristishanksphotography.blogspot.com/
She is wonderful with active children :)

In front of Grammy and Grampas house. . .

On their porch swing. . .

At a park. . .

And by some railroad tracks. . .

It is great to have my sister close by (and her family) to go through this mothering journey with!