plugs, shoes, fellowship and an easel (our weekend in a nutshell)

Graham has finally found a job that he enjoys.  Yardwork!  I wish I had taken a picture of the look of pride on Dan's face while Graham was mowing the front yard.  So cool.  :)  Dan's been working hard on landscape phase 12.  Just kidding.  Kind of.  But we won't go there.  ;)  So Dan here are Dan and Graham, plugging away to fill in the areas where the weeds have died, thank you weed n feed.  Dan has come up with some pretty sweet watering systems in the front and back yard to keep our new plantings alive till the summer rainy season.  

While the boys worked hard, and Millie snoozed away, Reecie and I headed out to Publix for groceries.  Look at Reecie wiht her shopping list notebook.  My girl.  Shopping isn't so much a pleasure this time of year during "season".  Just like the roads this time of year, it was bumper to bumper traffic in just about every aisle.  We survived and made it home to unload the cold stuff, load everyone up, pick up Grandma and Grandpa and head over to pick up Aunt Shirlee and Uncle Greg from the airport.  Looking forward to our little get-together this Friday. 

The Johannsens asked us to come over last night for their small group fellowship and we had a great time.  I love the way the body of Christ works together to support and uphold one another with God's love.  Brought home some of Beth's delicious chocolate covered strawberries.  Hannah Reece was eager to try a bite.   Sweet girl couldn't get much sweeter, and boy does she have a sweet tooth.  Came by it honest, I think.  ;)

I am in desperate need of some basic items to spruce up my wardrobe.  So my shopping buddy came along and we had a big time.  Instead of clothes for momma, we picked up something much more fun.  New slip-ons for Hannah Reece and an easel!  One side is dry-erase and one is chalk + clips for painting paper.  Red tag TEN DOLLARS, so exciting.  Reece is excited about her new shoes.  I love that they fit securely on her feet.  She loves the sparkly gold elastic straps.  I love the neutral color that goes with everything.  She loves that they have a heel.  Win, win.  :)

a typical morning...

...looks something like this:  stuff all over the vanity (and floor), Millie freshly clean because she stripped down (without warning) to get in the shower with daddy.  Reecie decides a shower might be good too (bonus: clothing change), so she goes in after daddy and Camille.  Then we remember that Graham hasn't bathed in almost a week and has visible wax in his ears...so we drag encourage him into the bathroom to take care of personal hygiene.  Then it's my turn.  Super-duper quick shower. When was the last time I shaved above my knees anyway?)  Blow-dry my hair almost dry and fix it in my new favorite way, a little make-up and dig through my closet hoping that I'll find one thing that might match.  YES!  Last one.  Throw in a load of laundry (because I've now exhausted all of my options) and move on to breakfast.  Ezekiel bread toast and yogurt.  Kiss Dan goodbye, say a prayer and take a deep breath.  Our day has begun.

This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!  Psalm 118:24

cousins with a cherry on top

I called Jen tonight to see if they'd meet us at the park for a picnic dinner.  Turns out they'd already done that today, so she invited us over for dinner.  So grateful, the kids were really wanting to play with cousins and it was a treat to enjoy a delicious dinner....we even enjoyed strawberry shortcake for dessert.  And Dan's pulling his 4th late night in a row at church this week.  Thankful that the weekend is just around the corner.

All of the big-girl cousins ( Taylor, Raeghan and Hannah Reece) have glasses now.  Cuties.

Emma doo!

The fellas:  Jacob, Colton (who was very proud tonight that he is *almost* as tall as Aunt Sarah), Graham and Logan.  These boys were rough and tumble tonight...even more than usual!

I baked today...chocolate covered cherry cookies.  Man are these good!  This batch was mostly for Aunt Jen's belated b-day gift and  Grandpa Rog's bday TODAY!   Only 2 left!  :)

Super dooper behind on G's school work, but that's ok.  We've had plenty of "holiday" so I think we'll use the actual school holiday's next Mon. and Tues.  to catch up.  :)  Grace.

LOVE

This year, I tried some new ideas for Valentine's day fun!  Thank you very much, Pinterest.   

Heart-shaped hard-boiled eggs...these were a hit!  Graham said he thinks we should have these EVERY Valentine's day;  :)  I agree!  Super easy and cute.

I wanted to add this to the bottom because they were actually dinner, but I'm having trouble with that.  First,  I poured a little batter into a sauce cup.  Then I  added a couple drops of pink food coloring, drew it up into a medicine dropper,  and made the "heart" in the waffle iron base.  I let it sit for a 10 seconds or so, to firm up and then added the plain batter, as usual.  Voila!  Valentine's waffles!  These were a big hit.  

We emailed dear friends and family members this pic as a valentine this morning.
 

A special valentine for my love...waiting in the sock drawer for his discovery, ha!

Special love notes for the kids when they woke up this morning.

Graham:  You are handsome, You are a great dancer, You ROCK, We love you!!, You rock at angry birds, You are so funny, You are an excellent reader, You have interesting ideas

Hannah Reece:  We love you!!, You are smart, You have a pretty singing voice, You have a beautiful smile, We love to laugh with you, You have a special way with animals, You are a hardworking girl, You are an awesome helper!

Camille:  You are learning to use the potty, You have cute dimples :), Your kisses are so sweet,  You are a fast runner, You make us smile, You are a great sleeper, We love you!!, You are a funny girl

I love how these turned out.  I plan to bring them out every year.  Target dollar section mailboxes, glued to wooden spray-painted candlesticks from Salvation Army.  Total cost:  $5!  The kids have really enjoyed surprising each other with  little Valentine cards over the last two weeks.     

Everybody pitched in on this little project.  Tissue paper hearts:  wrap tissue squares around  the pencil eraser, dip in glue, and press onto heart, repeat...again and again!  

Our photo wall all dolled up for V-day!   Gobstoppers in the mason jars.  Handmade Valentine's for each family member from Hannah Reece.  Millie's is covered in dried oatmeal, she loved it so much!  :)

It was a special day.  Daddy surprised me with 3 red roses at lunch time and he gave the girls the cutest soft, stuffed roses.  One pink and one red.  I'll have some time with my valentine later this week, he's teaching a Bible study tonight, it's season after all.  :)  Busy, busy.

Lately...

So amazed that this baby girl is potty training her big self.  Is there anything cuter than a baby booty in Minnie Mouse undies??  No Millie, those go on your ears sweet girl!  :)

We are homeschooling.  The gang's all right here, at home.  I will elaborate on this decision in another post.

Dan and I had the opportunity to participate in a denominational conference in Orlando and the kiddos went to Camp Nana + Papa/ Camp Grandma + Grandpa for a few days.  While we have thoroughly enjoyed the flexibility that homeschooling affords, catching up is not as much fun! It took us a good 2 weeks to get all caught up.  Each check-box represents a 30 minute to 1.5 hour lesson.  Core includes spelling, grammar, phonics and reading.

Another perk of home school...you can do it anywhere!  We headed over to Mom and Dad's beach house last week for several days.  I love when a cloudy grey sky blends with the ocean.  The water was so calm and peaceful.

Graham, Hannah Reece, Ethan and Kailey

This is random, but i think the tiki hut on the neighbor's porch is so cute.

Camille HATES the sand!   We're working on converting her into a beach baby , though.  Here goes Daddy, removing her shoes.  

not "feelin' it"...

unhappy squeals and shivers...

and the feet pull up, just like landing gear.

I love the way Millie crosses her feet at the ankles (almost always!)  it reminds me of  my Grandma, Velma Louise.

Back in the safety of daddy's lap, away from the sand!

"Hi, Nanny!"

Lately when I ask Millie if she's Momma's baby, she smiles, shakes her head and says..."Da-da's baby"  :)

"Look, Mom!  Ellen Ochoa's flight on Discovery Shuttle was the same year that Star Wars Episode 1 Legos  were created!"  Love it.  

Telling secrets with Nanny.

Chef Boyoedy makes a mean breakfast...even at the beach!

Papa likes it.  :)

I'm trying so hard to be ok with this guys!

I'm really not ok with this.

Can somebody, anybody!?

Come to my rescue?

At last!

school at the dining room table....this is the life!

I love this pic...father and son riding bikes on the beach and Graham and Daddy working through a science lesson together.  

I'm grateful for times of refreshment and rest in this season.  Leaning hard into the Lord for strength and daily graces.  he is faithful!

Letter to Graham

Dearest Graham,

I can't believe that you are EIGHT!  God has used your life to refine my character and draw me to him like nothing else.  You are growing in wisdom and stature and I love hearing your perspectives on life, faith, and everything in between.  You shared with us that you'd like to be an inventor or an engineer, making new creations and designs to help people.  Daddy and I are excited to see all that God has in store for you in your ninth year and beyond, Graham!

You have transitioned from a little boy into a big boy this year.  You have demonstrated a need for more independence this year.  Sometimes this need is expressed verbally, and other times it shows up in your need to debate even the smallest of directives, blatant disobedience or a lack of confidence when trying something new.  I confess that I think I've protected you too much...held back by my own fears that you might get hurt or exposed to danger.  So, this is the year when you learn to exert your independence, and I learn trust God with your life and watch you spread your wings.  :)  I love you so much, son! 

You are quite the comedian!  You have a dry, sometimes snarky sense of humor...and often when you are being funny, you say it in this low deep voice that makes you sound a little like Jerry Seinfeld, ha!  Maybe because daddy has indoctrinated you with Seinfeld humor??  You also LOVE to jump out and surprise/scare your sisters and I...or your Nana, who had the shock of her life  when you jumped out from behind the counter in the kitchen!  

You love to read.  Some of your favorites are Calvin and Hobbes, The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, the Narnia Series (CS Lewis), Missile Mouse, and Fantastic Four.   It is not uncommon for you to read a chapter book in one day.  You are content to snuggle up in bed after the girls are asleep and read quietly.  You still enjoy perusing a new Lego magazine.  Right now,  your favorite Lego series is Ninjago. 

You are very interested in American and World history.  In addition to a few fun gifts, I'm pretty sure your favorite gifts were the loaves of  banana bread from the Bunts (that no one else was allowed to touch!) and your new history primers from Nana and Papa.   

This year, we decided not to renew our Disney World passes.  You were not too disappointed about this.  In fact, we were watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with the girls one afternoon and you told me (very politely) that maybe we shouldn't go to Disney for a while, it was not to exciting anymore.  My heart ached a little, observations like these make me realize how much you are growing up!

You still enjoy any type of Wii game or computer game and would be content in front of electronic devices of any kind.  We really work to set parameters on your "screen" time and remind you that the use of these devices are a privilege, not a given to be abused.   With cellphones, facebook, texting and constant access to technology, I think it is safe to say that we are working setting limits on these devices as a family!  :)

You continue to shine academically!  We began Lee Virtual School this month, and I think you really enjoy that time with Daddy and I (Daddy teaches science and social studies and I cover core and math.)  You also love to learn about God's word and can memorize scripture so quickly! 

You are a great brother, Graham.  You and Hannah Reece are fiercely devoted to each other, and you are very gentle and protective with Camille.  Your sisters think you are so special, and when you encourage them and speak kindly, they follow wherever you lead.  :)  It's so precious to watch.  I pray that you would grow in kindness and that God would continue to keep your heart soft and teachable.  

This year you have learned:

how to ride a bike

how to tie your shoes (double knot and all)

to follow the directions to complete a complicated Lego set all by yourself

how to swim

Some of your favorites:

fried chicken

tracing paper and drawing books

the library

math

Ninjago spinners

Wii (pretty much any game!)

hanging our with your "home brother" Johnathon

playing a computer game

lemonade and Sprite (as a special treat!)  :)

fresh fruit

camp outs in the living room

morning snuggles

your "guys" (stuffed animals)

super heroes

nerf gun wars

being home

Yogurt Mountain (build your own sundae)

Chick fil A

bike riding to McD's with daddy for breakfast

comic books

telling jokes

Here's to another year of you, D.G.!  We love you and thank God for the gift of your life!

Love,

Momma

Camille's First Silly Face