Everyday stuff

As usual, I loaded pictures from my camera and now I have a bunch of posts to catch up on.  Here are a series of days hanging out at home.

Luke working on numbers- he was so proud of himself!

I'm looking around for fun games for Sean on the computer.  There's so much available, but we still haven't found a favorite.

I loved finding Luke cozy with a book.

These boys of mine love tea time.  And they go all out with buddies and extra cups & saucers.  Before Sean got Polar, this was his bear of choice.

I don't even know when I took this, but he was still so I got him!

Luke loves having "work" to do while Bubba does his.  This calendar notebook has been great for him.  

I usually feel like I don't take many pictures, then go on a spree and take pictures of everything!  I am thankful to have them, though (especially when I catch up on the blog).  One of these days I'll actually print them.

Birthday Adventure

Continuing the birthday celebration, we headed out to Pigeon Forge first thing Monday morning (after loading the car and last minute clean-up!).  We went over the beautiful mountains into Tennessee.  We had fun looking at the frozen waterfalls along the road, the breath-taking views and going through tunnels.  The boys' favorite part was the "biggest nets we've ever seen" (in little boy excited voice!) attached to the sides of the mountain.

We stopped at a place (can't even remember the name) that was known for throwing rolls.  Well, the boys loved the idea.  And that was really the only good thing about it. :)  At least we got what we went for!

Sean is some kind of dinosaur attacking it's prey (his hands are claws).

We got to the resort too early to check in, but since they gave us a free ceramic turtle to paint (as a gift for the birthday boy!) we went to the little pottery shop and let Sean and Luke paint.  That was fun (I've always wanted to do that with them!).  We left the pieces to be fired.  Then we just decided to change into pool clothes and head to the water park.  I did not even bring my camera because I didn't know where to keep it while chasing little people around.

After a few shenanigans getting checked in, we made it to our room.  It was a little crazy getting unloaded and then a nice man trying to sell time shares came up and was talking to us (all the while kids are crawling about and Jeff & I are trying to get food and bags put away!).  We got a free blanket, though!  We got some dinner and Jeff took the boys back to the park while I got Eli down.  And that was day #1.

The next day we got up, ate breakfast and headed to the Titanic.  No cameras were allowed so I got squat from the visit recorded.  We had a lot of fun, though.  At the entrance we were greeted by a "maid."  Sean said "I'm a big fan of the Titanic, you know."  Inside, Sean kept going ahead and yelling "Holy Moly, you gotta see this!"  Good thing we were the only ones there for a while.  They liked touching the cold water and standing on (and sliding down!) the slanted deck displays.  And at the gift store Sean was finally able to purchase his long-awaited Polar, the Titanic Bear (with money from Grandaddy & Shirsh).  It came with the book and some bracelets.  He got the smaller bear, opposed to the bigger, plush one.  He said it was not as expensive, plus it was closer in size to the real Polar (love that boy).  Luke got a puppy and Eli a little polar bear.

We went to a brick oven pizza place (Big Daddy's).   They brought the kids dough balls to play with then took them to bake for dessert.  Sean made a Titanic and Luke ended up with a puppy head. 

We went to some shops after lunch.  Of course, all family trips include a real, paid-for ride on one of those contraptions that kids love.  

Sean kept his Polar with him the whole time :)

We picked up their works of art when we got back.  Sean has 8 black dots on the shell for his birthday.  Luke did such a good job on his heart (my crafty boy).

Jeff took the boys to the park in the afternoon while I was with the napping Eli.  I did some Shaklee work and enjoyed the quiet.  And maybe a little something Jeff got me, too...

After nap and play, we went into Gatlinburg and Jeff pulled up to the Melting Pot for dinner!  Eli was super fussy and I ended up taking him out to the car while Jeff and the boys finished up.  It was a fun experience, though.

We got back and spent some time at the water park.  I brought Eli back early and put him to bed.  I tried to get some pictures of this wild child.

The boys came back and watched t.v. on their sofa bed (Eli was in the other bedroom).  

The next morning we enjoyed breakfast (Pate McMuffins!) and packed up.

My little monkey boys.

We are so thankful to God to be able to make memories like these.  

Our 8 Year Old Wonder

Our precious firstborn turned 8 in February.  We haven't done a traditional birthday party in a few years.  When given the choice between one or a family adventure, he chose the adventure.  That may likely change in years to come, but for now we enjoy our own little traditions.
This year we decided to go to Pigeon Forge and visit the Titanic Museum (with a huge bonus of 2 nights at a water park resort thanks to generous neighbors!).  His birthday was on a Saturday and we didn't go until Monday. So, we got to celebrate his special day at home first.  Jeff had an early morning Deacon's meeting so we did breakfast, but waited on presents.

Cinnamon rolls are a birthday treat!

When daddy got home, we did a scavenger hunt for his 2 gifts.  One was from Nana and Papa Du (LEGO set) and the other was a remote control car from us (he's been wanting it soooo much!).

The pictures are so blurry because he was moving fast!  Look at that face!

We went out for lunch and had a laid back afternoon.  Some good friends got married that day, so we went to their wedding.  Sean wanted to know why they were getting married on his birthday. :)  I stayed in the nursery with the boys while Jeff did the music (not taking any chances with them at a wedding!).  We went to the reception, but my active children could only last so long, so we bid farewell and headed to a pizza place for a last minute birthday treat.

Sean, 

You always amaze me with your capacity to love a subject and immerse yourself in it.  You have loved John Deere, weather/tornadoes and snakes- to name a few.  This year was all about the crocodiles, the Titanic, dinosaurs and now, monster trucks.  You are such a good, protective big brother.  When you are not zoned out (what goes through your mind sometimes??) :) you are our best little helper.  You still love to cuddle and have your back and head scratched.  Playing outside with your friends is one of your favorite things to do.  You are becoming such a good reader... I love your little notes.  You like to eat out at Kobe (fried rice with shrimp sauce and California rolls) and Sazon (cheese dip & salsa and rice).   You talk about the One True God and how you want to follow Him all of your days.  We pray for you to know God and are inspired by your child-like faith! You are still my dream come true and I thank God for the gift of you.  We love you, Pooh Bear.

Officially a "bag" lady :)

I am hosting a Thirty One catalog party for my sweet M-I-L.  So I thought it would be fun to snap some pictures of the different bags I have.

Probably one of my most favorite ways of using the bags is to organize my purse.  I swap between the diaper bag and my Metro Retro (I love this bag and forgot a picture!!) all the time.  Just tossing the little bags into whatever purse/tote I need to use is so easy.

My second favorite tote is the Keep-It Caddy (I actually have the All-inOne tote, but the newer version has extra pen pockets).  I have used it to hold my Bible and devotional/ reading material, pens & pencils and notebooks.  Right now I have my planner and mobile office tucked in.

This Hang Up Home Organizer holds scrapbooking stuff because I WILL get Luke's 1st year baby book done!

This cosmetic bag is not available anymore, but it shows how you can use the bags for other creative purposes.  And, of course, other variations of how I've stored office stuff.  My desk is in the basement so I need something to keep things handy and organized upstairs.

I have another whole post on Homeschool organization using some other bags HERE.

I have several other larger bags that I use for storage- winter & summer gear, wrapping paper... one is even holding a sleeping bag.  

I know I am super spoiled with all these goodies.  I pretty much cleaned out any other bags I had so I could make sure to put the Thirty One bags (mostly gifts!) to good use.  

Here is the catalog party link.  Check out the monthly special!

 We'll close it out on March 10.

Thanks!

Yay for snow!

We finally got some snow!  I didn't even know we were supposed to be expecting it (not that I guess I would have believed it!)  It started the day before and we woke up to this!

Jeff was out of town the day it started so the boys just went out and played for a while.  We waited for Daddy to be home the next day to get everyone bundled and go outside.

I took a ridiculous amount of pictures of Eli.  This was his first official time playing in the snow!

Jeff and me with our little guys.

Sean and Luke were mostly cooperative with me taking pictures.  Sean told me to stop taking pictures and play... so I tackled him.

Can't forget the snow dog.  He was so funny.  We have not seen him run around so fast in a long time!

 We had hot chocolate and Eli took a marathon morning nap (which, of course, means he didn't take an afternoon nap!).

Soggy mittens drying by the fire.

That afternoon Jeff kept an eye on the boys while I cleaned, cleaned, cleaned!  I took pictures and I'm sure I will do a post on it. :)

No Snow and Random Stuff

We had a big snow storm... go all around us.  The boys were looking forward to trying out their new sleds, but we're still holding out hope for at least one good snow this winter (which will be just fine with me).  Nothing a warm fire and hot chocolate can't fix, though. 

I caught this little guy being super cute.

Here is he having a blast with his train.  Every time he put a piece on he would clap for himself.

Sean working- we've been doing pretty well keeping up.  

Lunch time.  

After the rain finally cleared out we have had several beautiful {{{cold!}}} days.  The boys have loved playing outside and riding their bikes.

Luke and his stylish ways. :)

I am thankful for warm fires, cuddly boys, a beautiful view, good books, God's Word and so many other things that God uses to reveal his love for us.

Egypt and Crafty Fail

We are picking back up in Story of the World and (still) in Egypt.  I set up our history books and library books as a little display (I channeled my inner librarian).  We read our chapter and looked at all the books (hieroglyphics and writing).  We attempted make a cartouche with some air-dry clay.  Sean was pretty into it and he worked hard translating his name into the Egyptian symbols.  Luke wanted to do it, too.

The fail comes from Eli taking a bite of Luke's drying masterpiece (and subsequently eating the chunk) and then Sean breaking his in half while checking to see if it was dry.  It was not.  

Here's the little mischief-maker.  I am constantly finding him at the table.  Here he is contributing to Sean's language arts book.

Maybe he'll be an early reader.