Co-Op

I have absolutely been amazed at how much I have loved homeschooling the kids. In a classroom setting being able to invest in them daily, teaching them Biblical truths, getting to see them grasp different ideas, being able to take as many field trips as I want to get that hands on experience....oh how the list continues.

Our first year into homeschooling I would say was a success, but doing the school thing at home wasn't the only change we had going on. I found out I was pregnant with our 4th, we were in the process of moving to a totally new side of town to live out the gospel (hopefully I'll get a blog post up about this very soon), Ben was trying to start a business all while we were figuring out how to start a house church (again lots going on, but it's a blog post all on it own). We had our good days and we also had the bad.

As our first year of homeschooling came to an end and our 4th child was due to arrive soon, I fell to my knees and prayed. Asking God to lead us. Do we home school again? Do we send our kids to the public schools (which are NOT great in the area we live & do ministry), do we go the private school route? As we prayed God was placing people in our paths and opening doors that now looking back I can see how it all unfolded. Our God is an Awesome God!

We are homeschooling again, but the boys get the wonderful opportunity to go to a co-op two days a week. So on Tuesdays and Thursdays they head off to school.

Even though I am taking this time with Isabel to focus on her and her 4 yr old school work she is also loving the fact that when I need to tend to Cannon she gets the couch to herself, movie pick of her choice and the WHOLE bag of Veggie Straws!

The Princess & her Knights

The kids got invited to a Knights & Princess birthday party and everyone was asked to dress the part. I knew we would have no issue with finding something for Isabel to wear, her dress up drawer is packed full of tutu's and princess dresses. So on to the boys dress up box. To my surprise there was nothing there for knights. Only cowboys & pirates. That just simply wouldn't work. Since I only had a few days before the party I made a stop by Party City. They had two knight outfits, perfect, we're ready for the party....so I thought. Got them home and the one size fits all - didn't fit so great. Two knights with sleeves that were quarter length and pants that were sportin the "high water" term needed to be returned to the store and quickly!

So what now? I turned to my husband and together we came up with a plan. That plan involved duck tape and lots of it. Quick trip to Target for some gray shirts & tape and we were ready to get crafty.

I give you two boys size knight shirts

He may be small, but you can't forget the young knight.


The swords were purchased at the store, but the shields are the handy work of the hubby. He found some scrap wood in the storage building and whipped out his handy dandy jigsaw. Once they were cut out all we had to do was add a little spray paint and of course more duck tape and wa-la....shields!


I couldn't have asked for a better pose from these kiddos when I said ok knights & princess - quick - action shot!

I think Ben & I had as much fun making the outfits as the kids did slaying the dragon & playing their parts at the party.

Sport of Choice

Ben and I decided that we would let the kids pick one thing each that they wanted to do - thing being a sport or extra activity. Carter decided very quickly what his sport would be. Karate. His timing couldn't have been better because around that same time I found a great karate deal with Living Socials. We get to try out 8 classes and he got the outfit for half the normal cost. We go twice a week and have been going for 3 wks now. I think Carter has found a sport he loves, for now anyway.

2 Months

This precious bundle is now 14.9 lbs and 24 1/2 in. long.



Going from 3 kids to 4 kids has been a challenge for this momma, but not really sure why because seriously Cannon is the best baby ever! He is happy 95 % of the time!

First Day Of School

The day started off with breakfast of choice - pancakes.

Then a posed picture to make mom happy.

The school room is ready and the calendar is up, but first we had to have some fun.

We had a little treasure hunt around the house for new school supplies.

Then I gave them these...

yes, that is 3 toothpicks. They each "picked" one and then had to "pick" something about their siblings that they liked. Makes this momma's heart smile to hear them say such sweet things about each other.

Cooling Off

It has been such a hot summer, there were many days spent here. Grandparents pool!

Izzy decided that she needed some shade, but still wanted to be close to the water.

Caden found a friend....but he tried to jump away ;)


Carter played like he had a pet horse

And Cannon, well he just sat under the umbrella with a fan blowing his way.

Backpack

With my first child I carried around a baby bag that had all the essential items, plus much, much more. Why I thought I needed so much stuff I don't really know. Babies require quite a few items when your out & about, but not as much as I would pack. I wised up and am happy to introduce to you what I carry with baby #4.


This backpack has everything I need, plus it's "manly" enough that Carter likes to help out by carrying it around.