"A Pocketful of Cricket"

I'm afraid linking up on Thursdays is going to get tricky because we have Classical Conversations on Thursdays!  I'm gonna try, though!

A Pocketful of Cricket is one of my favorites!  Especially for little boys and girls who love to pick up rocks, stop to look at spider webs and butterflies, and keep treasures in their pockets.  It's such a fun story of a country boy's adventures in nature just before his first day of school.  I think it's a great fit for  doing any sort of nature study at home.
This one probably requires a decent attention span to get through but there's plenty to engage in as you read.  

Enjoy!

Linking Up to Read Aloud Thursdays           

Wednesday Afternoon

The house is messier than usual.
The laundry is piling up.
The counter is covered in dishes.
My kids are crazier than usual today.
Clearly we are back to school and the days are filling up.  It's good, right?  I just need to adjust chores and schedules and figure out how to get on top of all this.
We'll be back to Classical Conversations tomorrow so I am spending the next couple of hours planning,  making sure backpacks are ready, etc...
But first, here's a quick update on life the past few days.

We took a trip to our "new" and "old" libraries this week.  I tell you, my heart beats a little faster when I start pulling good books off the shelves.   Per suggestions from a reading list I found, we are trying The Borrowers, The Happy Hollisters and the Castle Rock Mystery, several books on Ancient Egypt, and more.  Jack found some more books about Eleanor Estes's "Moffats."  Kayla found more Nancy Drew to listen to while she does puzzles.  I also found some picture books by Beverly Cleary for Sam and Lucy.  I didn't know she had picture books out.  Cute stories.

This has been a familiar scene after breakfast this week:  Kayla listening and doing a puzzle, Lucy sitting on the table with her playing with "shapes."  I don't know why I love this so much but I do.

This week's presentation topic at CC is to tell about something that's special to you.  The older kids are starting off easy!  At first Jack had a hard time coming up with an idea and then it came to him:  Lucy.  Here he is making a few notes about her.  It was fun to hear him laugh as he told stories about her.  So glad he loves his baby sister.

A Look Back at Summer

I don't know that I'm quite ready to say good-bye to summer.
I'm glad the days are just a little shorter and cooler but there's a lot to remember from summer 2012:
*the big wind-storm: people around here will be talking about it for years
*Jack helps mow the yard now and does a pretty good job of it
*the London Olympics: Kayla's into gymnastics now and Sammy is standing on his head every time I turn around
*Lucy's hair grew longer and blonder-I do love those shiny yellow locks
*she moved into a big girl bed
*Jack's good friend moved into the neighborhood so now he rides his bike back and forth
*Kayla and Jack got their names in the paper for reading 50 hours in less than a month for the library's summer reading program
*can't forget how Sammy and Lucy race down the driveway on big wheels
*Lucy and Kayla were flower girls in one of my favorite weddings ever
*one of Sammy's most common questions for me:  "Am I making you nervous Mommy?"  while he climbs on anything and everything and flips around.  All boy.
*we drank a lot of sun tea
*I discovered mint water
*the kids have mostly lived on lunches of fruit and yogurt smoothies
*that little thing called a church plant
*fireworks in Williamsburg
*a graduation in Ohio
*a new nephew in May
*all our cousins came to visit
*visits with friends on the back deck
*the kids and Brian's parents spent a night in a hotel with a pool so that...
*we could go to Brian's 20th reunion

What else?  I'm sure I'm forgetting something.  Many things.
Mr. Tovey at church is in his 80s and always tells me what a nice family we have.
Last Sunday, he asked me, "Do you know what a wonderful family you have?"
Of course I said yes, and I am thankful for another summer with them.

Pirates and Harmonicas (Read Alouds!)

I have always enjoyed our local library, especially the libriarians that work there.  Sometimes, though, the book selection has been disappointing.  Last week we joined another library, in the next town.  So far, we have been able to find lots of things that weren't available to us before.  Surely two libraries will be better than one!

I am not usually a fan of ABC books but I have to say, this one is a keeper.  It actually tells a story in rhyme as the "mateys" search for letters.  My young ones have asked for this one several times.  Sam says he loves this book!

"In the sand sat a cannonball carved with a C!

They dug for doubloons and scooped up a D!"

We read Lentil back when we lived in Charlotte but couldn't find it here.  It was a treat to finally find it last week at our "new" library.  In classic Robert McCloskey style, the big black and white pictures and simple story quickly draw you in.  It's fun to see how Lentil's love of playing the harmonica serves his whole Ohio town in the end.  We've read this one many times, too!

Happy Reading!

Linking Up to Read Aloud Thursdays          

Cinnamon Rolls and Lucy Stories

Kayla has been wanting to make these homemade cinnamon roles for a couple of weeks.
This morning we finally got around to it.  The recipe was pretty simple.
I wish I could bottle up the smell of those things baking.
Delicious!

I have a few stories about this little one.
They'll probably lose some of their humor since you couldn't hear her but just imagine a cute, confident little two-year old who was not being a bit quiet about any of what she had to say.
Last night the girls and I were out.
"Mom, what store is that?"
"Michaels."
"What???  Michael Phelps??"

Later we were leaving the bookstore and she made a look pretty much just like the one in this picture and hollered to the guy working, "Goodbye!  I am leaving you now!"
He laughed.  And laughed.

A Little from Today's School Morning

It was around 8:00 this morning when I pulled up the shades and opened the windows.  The bushes were covered in sparkling spider webs.
What else would I do but send everyone outside (with jackets!) and get to our first Nature Study Lesson?
It's times like this that I LOVE homeschooling.  (It's also times like this that I need to remind myself of when I don't love it so much.)  The world was our classroom this morning and all of us, from the youngest to the oldest, learned something new.

I grabbed our new copy of Handbook of Nature Study and turned to the section on spider webs.  It has quick facts about everything and so many good questions to ask that help guide the kids' observations.  It's fun to hear things like "Hey!  Look at this!" and "Mom, I read something about this once.  I'm going to get some paper."  I think I am really going to like using this book.

Something else I'm excited about is our new "Drill Kit for Multiplication Memorization" by Leigh Bortins.  (sounds like a lot of fun, right??)  It will  help with the squares, cubes, and the rest of the tables.  Kayla helped me put it together and wanted to get started on it.
Who am I to say no to practicing math facts??

And: a few books the kids are flying through this week:
Jack- Amos Fortune and The Bronze Bow
Kayla- Understood Betsy
Samuel- Lentil by Robert McCloskey  He really likes this one!

Day Out

We took some time on Friday and went out (and out and out) to a place called Dismal Falls- which was not dismal at all.
A short walk down from the road and we found rocks, waterfalls, and a little swimming hole.

I think they found some pretty big craw-dads.

Wading in the cool water.

Ready to get wet.

Enjoying the sun.

I'm glad these two enjoy each other most of the time.

Lucy, Jack's shoe, and the water.  

You do the math.

Sammy's Making Me Laugh

I think I needed this.

 "I'm trying to make myself look like TinTin."

Love it.

Who remembers "Dancing On the Ceiling?"

Thornton Burgess Books

Jimmy Skunk.

Reddy Fox.

Prickly Porky.

Old Man Coyote.

Granny Fox.

Buster Bear.

Billy Possum.

And so you have a few of Thornton Burgess's endearing storybook characters.  My oldest has always loved animals and read through all of these chapter books a few years ago.  I loved watching him smile as he read and sometimes laugh out loud.  They are easy enough for a child who is getting into chapter books, and the stories are timeless and fun to read.  

This week we are reading one written in 1916,  The Adventures of Prickly Porky. I will say my eight year old was skeptical (maybe because of the ease of these books) but she has been won over, and the younger kids are enjoying all the animals' adventures.  

Once when we were checking one or two of these out, our librarian commented that she was glad to see some of Burgess's books in our pile because they are on the "watch list"- meaning if they don't get checked out more they will be pulled from the shelves.  !!!  That would be a sad thing.  These books may not have all the bells and whistles some people think kids need these days but they are good, simple tales that kids enjoy when you put one in their hands.  

Linking Up to Read Aloud Thursdays      

Other Things

Well, there are other things going on that don't involve the church plant.  

Like getting ready for school.  

Our big school shelf has been a dumping ground for papers, books, and millions of little things that have no home and it drives me cRaZY!  

I rearranged this whole back room on Friday (which I love to do) and I think it's going to work.  I got tired of sorting through all that junk that came off the shelf and shoved it in a big box.  Don't look forward to going through it all.  I bought this new "cube shelf" with birthday money.  

I really like it- we'll see how long it actually stays neat.

This little guy started kindergarten today.  He was so very excited.

"Mom!  Don't forget today is the first day of kindergarten!  It's going to be awesome!"

I hope he still thinks so in a few months!

 Cousins!
My brother and his family came up for Sunday along with my parents.
The cousins all had a great time together.

My brother Jeff and I.
I don't remember people saying that we look a lot alike but this time around, several people mentioned it.
So glad to have them all here!

First PPC Service

Whew!
We had the first worship service for Providence PCA yesterday.  It was kind of hard to believe when we were setting up on Saturday night that it was really happening.  Neither of us (and a few other people I know of) slept much that night.  (I got up and watched the meteor shower- which was very, very cool.  I saw 10!)
There were around 120 adults and children at Sunday morning worship.  Who would have thought?
Friends-old and new.
Family.
Family friends.
New visitors.
It really was a great morning and a true privilege to see so many months of planning, talking, and praying come to fruition.  God has given this church gifted, willing servants.
We are truly blessed, humbled and thankful.
But... it's only the beginning- so keep on praying!

First week's bulletin- I stole this picture from you, Erica!

Someone was very clever- do you see the "church plant" tag?

Sunday school

Today is the Day!

Today's the day!

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a  people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

1 Peter 2:9

Chocolate Caramel Cake

As my kids say, "Oh yeah baby!"
It's my birthday today and that means it's time for the once-a-year-only Chocolate Caramel Cake.
My favorite.
My mom made this for me a few years ago because she knows how much I like caramel and chocolate.  I've made it every year since.

Chocolate Caramel Cake

50 caramels

3/4 cup butter

 1/2 cup evaporated milk

Melt together and set aside.

Chocolate cake mix

1 cup chocolate chips

Pecans (I don't include these.)

Mix a chocolate cake mix according to directions.  Preheat oven according to cake mix.

Pour half of cake mix in bottom of a greased 9x13 inch pan.  Bake 15 minutes and take out.

Smooth caramel mixture evenly over top.  Sprinkle with pecans (if you'd like).  Pour remainder of cake mix on and sprinkle 1 cup chocolate chips over entire cake.  

Bake another 15-25 minutes more.

A Few Things About Lucy

This morning, I've been doing things like cleaning out the refrigerator, organizing cabinets, and spraying down the trash can.  Little things that don't take long at all but tend to overwhelm me when I think of them all together.  Feels good to have a few chores checked off.  We got a good bunch of green beans and some tomatoes from the garden this morning, too.  The tommy-toes are good but so small this year.

There are a few things I need to "jot" down about Lucy.  That girl is something else.  She's spent a good bit of time on the couch looking at books and listening to some music.

She has heard her siblings spell out their requests enough that now she's got her own system.

She'll whisper in my ear, "Mom, abcdefg?"

Love that one.

Lucy has this thing about deodorant lately.  I found her rubbing Chapstick under her arm.

Won't be using that one again!

She has quite the temper but is such a delight when she's happy.  

We all love Lucy's hugs and kisses- even her oldest brother who doesn't like either from anyone else.

Brian's Reunion

Here we are at Brian's 20th high school reunion.
Let me just say, it was a lot of fun, and it was very interesting.
They had a candy table full of the flavors of the day, which would have been 1992:  Spree, Nerds, Pop Rocks, Atomic Fire Balls, candy cigarettes, Blow Pops, etc...
That alone brought back memories.
There were copies of senior portraits on all the tables.  Amazing how all those girls looked just like the girls in my high school yearbook.  Our hair!  What were we thinking???
Of course it was fun to meet some of Brian's friends and hear a few stories.  I also noticed the first time you reconnected with someone or saw them across the room, you refer to them by their first and last name.  Always.
It was amusing to watch people's expressions when Brian told them he's a pastor and when he said we have four kids.
The best part for me, however, was the array of hits from the late 80s and early 90s.  Particularly when a certain song was played (I can't remember what it's called right now) and my husband heads to the empty dance floor with purpose.  Purpose, I tell you.  Most everyone noticed and cheered him on.  I had no idea what he was getting ready to do.  Apparently it stemmed from a high school tradition so when he pointed at a pretty big guy across the room and that guy ran to the dance floor and body slammed Brian, no one was surprised and everyone LOVED it.
Awesome.
Can't wait for the next one.

One Hurdle

taken at the June wedding

What can I say?
My eyes are puffy and I have a headache.
Lots of tears this morning.
Lots.
It was our last Sunday at Grace Covenant.
But, I am grateful that there is a reason to be sad, that there is something to be missed, that there is a church we love so much.
And now we look forward to next Sunday.

"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you no perceive it?  I will make a way in the wilderness and rives in the desert."  Isaiah 43:19

Saturday Morning

I'm trying to think of a clever way to describe the busyness but it's not coming to me!
My head is swimming with all the things I could/should be doing.
I have lots of sticky notes laying around that I may or may not find when I need them
.
*There's getting ready for school in a few weeks.  We got our box of curriculum "stuff" yesterday.  Sammy was especially excited since this year, there are things for him.  Kindergarten.  He hugged his math and phonics books and said, "Mom!  This is so awesome!"  We went shopping and got some binders, notebooks, etc...  I think everyone's going to be ready to get started again.

*There's also Classical Conversations to prepare for.  I  had hoped to have my first six weeks planned out by now.  I've got one.

*And then there's church plant.  I'd like to have a bird's eye view of all the people involved and what they're doing every day.  I'm heading out shopping this morning to try and gather the last (haha) bit of supplies we need for children's ministry and a few other things.  We'll see.

*Today, there's some house cleaning to do, shopping, picking up chickens, going to a wedding (!), and then to more of Brian's 20 year high school reunion.  Should be a fun day.  The kids spent last night with Brian's mom and dad and will be with them again this evening.  We are surely thankful for that!

Here are some pictures from the week.  Too many fun ones not to post.

Ice cream with good friends

and plenty of toppings.

Gymnastics continues.

A hard, fast rain left water standing in the yard.  

Boys + Mud= Fun

More puzzles and listening.

One of her many faces.

Another crazy face on a dirty, sweaty boy.

Flowers from my one flower garden.

Anne of Green Gables

"I never heard of company going home without tea!"

from Anne of Green Gables

One of the best things about being mom to kids who love books is discovering new stories with them- stories I haven't read.

I am excited about this one.

I had never even heard of Anne of Green Gables until college.

We listened to the BBC production of this treasure yesterday afternoon.

Two and a half hours of listening, dishes, and puzzles later, we were both hooked.

Last night, we bought our own hardback copy and will get started on it together today.

Kayla's response when I asked her what she thought about Anne:

"She is very talkative!"

Looking forward to enjoying this read aloud with Kayla and anyone else who wants to listen.

Linking Up to Read Aloud Thursdays      

Future Olympians?

I've never been much of an athlete but when I was little, in my imagination, I was as good as any Olympian.
I remember doing turns and flips (pitiful as they were) and somehow thinking they were impressive. Of course there was an invisible audience who cheered my every move.
These days, the older kids are having a great time watching the Olympics.
My Kayla is very into the gymnastics.
She knows the names of all the girls on the team.
She wears her hair the way at least one of the gymnasts does, in a pony tail with these particular bows holding back the loose pieces.
She reads books on gymnastics and tries to copy the moves.
All the kids spend a good bit of time flipping on couch cushions they've laid out on the floor.  Or, they hang upside down on the playground and wow their own audience.
I love watching them.  (Well, until they get mad because someone crashed into them or took too long on their turn.)
Such fun.
I foresee some gymnastics classes in our future.