Our June Birthday Babies...

Norah Claire is ONE!

Norah's first year has been so FAST, but such a blessing! She (for the most part) has been an easy baby.

~A few things about Miss Norah~

A total Mama's girl (she's quite clingy)

She's not walking, but can stand for a few seconds by herself. She has taken a few steps by herself, but nothing permanent yet.:)

Loves to do what big brother and sister are doing, even if it's not age appropriate (eating popcorn, climbing a tree, etc).

The latest is that she loves to act as though she's reading a book like big sister. She'll open the pages and talk to herself as though she's reading the book. The two of them in the car are quite the sight. I'll look back in my rear view mirror and see them reading. It's adorable.

She's a thumb sucker and loves her elephant blankie.

Loves to eat. Will eat just about anything. Still nurses 4-5 times a day, but we've begun weaning and will do so gradually, taking away a nursing time every few weeks or so.

Still needs a morning nap, but this is getting pushed back more and more to where she can go without one if we need to be out and about in the a.m.

Loves: the water, her dog, watching other children and animals in action, when Daddy walks in the door from work, mangos, rolling around while I'm trying to change her diaper, riding with Mommy in the ERGO.

Not crazy about: sitting in her carseat, being left alone in a room, being held by a stranger, being wrestled by Lincoln.

Some of her favorite foods are: mango, dried papaya, olives, tomatoes, chick peas, bread, sweet potato

Can say: "Hi", "Mama", "Dada", "Bye"

Lincoln Cole is 3!

~A few things about our budding son~

Lincoln is full of energy. He loves playing outdoors, swimming, playing with sticks and the swings. Usually only Mommy can push him though. Consider yourself extremely special if he lets you push him. :)

He's potty trained during the day, but naps and during the night at still being worked on.

Lincoln loves: climbing anything, books about...trucks, planes, boats, tools, trains and anything that goes; the park, helping Daddy with a project that involves tools, figuring things out that no one else has a clue how to figure out, taking baths, helping Mommy cook/bake, CARS/TRUCKS, Legos, his play tools, wrestling with Daddy, the color blue.

Not crazy about: sleeping with a shirt on, desserts or sweets (I think I've mentioned before that my son has chosen broccoli over a cookie...no joke), doing schoolwork that requires him to sit longer than 5 minutes (I've got my work cut out for me!).

Favorite foods: mango, bananas, banana bread, blueberries, crackers, juice popsicles

Some of Lincoln's favorite sayings: "stinky ______" (apparently anything with the word 'stinky' is halarious to a three-year-old!), "Daddy's home!", "I can do dat?", "What choo say?". My recent favorite is from the other day when he said, "Mommy, God made me special."

(...and my heart melts)

We had a party for our two June babies this past month and thanks to family and friends who were there to share. It was small, but special. All of our children are SO blessed to have such wonderful family and friends (aka: extended family) that love them so much. The Lord has brought some incredible people to our family and we couldn't be more thankful.

Happy Birthday Lincoln and Norah!

We love you.

Seaworld

(again) ...smile

Have I mentioned how much I love my ERGO babycarrier?!!! Norah mostly rides on the back now since she's going to be (tear, sob) ONE next week! She will ride in the front if I have something interesting to eat that she wants to share with me. :)

in the aquarium...literally

"We be jammin'"

Getting ready to watch the Shamu show. The trainers still don't get into the water with the whales since that trajic accident a few months ago.

Me and my girl

Have I mentioned that Grandma (Rob's mom) is here from China for the summer? Well, she is and she joined us on our Sea World Adventure this past weekend.

We had some good times. It was HOT, but the water area took care of that real quick. Everytime we visit Sea World, I know I'm amazed at God's precious creation. He knew just what animals needed what to function in this world He created. There were no mistakes.

His creation is perfect. Beautiful.

Happy Birthday Lincoln! #3

This would be my last-minute Lightning McQueen cake that I pulled off. Not bad. I've experimented with fondant before and was somewhat successful with Avonlea's Rocket cake when she had her Little Einsteins party, but Mama didn't have time for fondant this night. We shall see about his party cake.

"Happy Birthday To You"

" What'd-cha get Linc?" ~Avy

Yes, this is my boy in his underwear. Lightning McQueen underwear to be exact!

Lincoln had a wonderful third birthday this past Friday. After Daddy got home from work, we all ate dinner, had some Lightning McQueen cake and opened presents. He was super excited that he received a "florkyift" (aka: forklift). :) He wanted a forklift birthday party, but needless-to-say, I couldn't find forklift plates or decorations, so Lightning McQueen it was (and will be for his actual party, complete with a few other family members and friends).

My sweet boy has had one, amazing year. He's such a sweet guy and loves protecting his sisters! Anyone comes near them and he hones in to watch. :) He's pretty much potty-trained with an exception at naps and night time. We've been brave taking him out and about with underwear. It's funny how each child is so different in this particular area.

Anyway, he's in love with tools, trucks or figuring out how to make things "tick". Rob and I think he'll be some sort of architect, engineer or something definately hands-on.

As far as school goes, this will be his first year (starting in the fall) where he'll have formal school time with big sister. He's in the process of recognizing the alphabet and numbers, counting to 20, writing "L"s for Lincoln, recognizing shapes and as he counts, we work on pointing to what he's counting. He already knows his colors though, so we have that one out of the way. He loves to help me in the kitchen, he adores his "chickies" (chickens) and his loyal dog. I have to say that even though he's not a small boy for his age, he still surprises me every once and awhile with a "hold me Mommy". :) I love it!

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

When you haven't heard your two-year-old in awhile and he's been in his room alone, you might want to check on him because he might have just done something like THIS...

UG.

Click below:

Was the Bitter Battle Worth It?

I'm trying to put the healthcare bill and what it stands for behind me and press on with my day, but it's hard. It's EVERYWHERE in the news and every time I see it, I just keep praying. Praying, praying, praying.
Our country and what it was founded on are a passion for our family. We have 12 states that are making plans to sue, so we'll see what comes about in the months ahead.

Okay, so here are some things we've been up to the past few days...

soaking peas before planting...speeds the process up a bit.

Dinnertime...BEFORE

Dinnertime...AFTER



...and this would be our dog, licking up the dropped pieces of spaghetti! Can you see the noodle on her ear?

drying bell pepper seeds

girls snuggling before church on Sunday

making a pinecone birdfeeder {peanut butter - step 1}

{birdseed - step 2}

the finished product

Friday "To Dos"

Today, we're blessed to have Daddy home with us and you'll see why as you scroll down. It's been such a beautiful day with temperatures in the high 60s, few clouds in the sky and bright sun. Our day started with a Bible study, breakfast together (omlets, oranges, toast and juice), some outside work, an Abeka homeschool book show where I ordered the kids' books for fall. It was great to go and see/thumb through the material, as when you order online, you just see select photos. I then picked up the kiddos from Gram and Pa-pa's house (mom was so sweet to watch the kiddos so I could think clearly as I ordered their curriculum). I spent a total of $62 and some change for both children for a whole year. What a blessing that I can be home, teaching my kids and not spending hundreads of dollars on tuition. Not a day goes by that I'm not grateful.

Here are some more photos of our day...

#1...Can you guess what this plant is? Those of you from up north may just know. :)

orange blossoms are smelling better and better everyday

Bible study last night

**Norah girl**

Kid has a great smile :)

As soon as Lincoln heard that Daddy was "fixing something", he grabbed his plastic tools and went to help. I love to see how our children mimic our work habbits. Avonlea loves helping with Norah and watching my "motherly duties" and Lincoln loves fixing things with Daddy. I do want our girls to learn how to fix things and use tools. I also want Lincoln to learn how to properly care for children, as well as cook and clean. These are all valuable things that our traditional schools have slacked on teaching. Let's bring back the Home Economics!!!!!!! :)

Lincoln's tools were plastic, but here are Dad's.

This is what the boys were fixing.

#11...Can you figure out what they're doing yet?

Lincoln's tiger is eating his breakfast.

Can you see the Monarch caterpillar in this photo?

Here's the BIG project for the weekend. It won't get done and Dad will be down in a few weeks to help wrap it up, but let me just say that I am so proud of my man!!! The estimates we got to get the ductwork done in our attic for our a/c were anywhere from $1,700.00 to $2,300.00...just for the ductwork!!! Rob did it for $200.00. :) Way to go sweetie.

Here is the old (yellow) and new (silver) ductwork. There's still lots more to do, but it's a start. Now if we can just figure out how to put in a new a/c unit by ourselves, we'll be set. I think our unit is over 20 years old. It needs some lovin'. :)



So...what are pictures #1 and #11 of?

Rub-A-Dub-Dub, Three Kids in the Tub...

I know that someday, I'm going to miss these times...