school pictures once more...

Piper is in 1st grade this fall and really, sass-wise, she should be in say, 6th. She is such a little priss, very funny, observant, and we love having her in our family.

Nora is in K3 this year...whatta big girl. One question I have though, where did this girl get such brownish eyes? there's no denying her paternity...and I was there when she came out soooooo, I'm confused. quite honestly, it's just NOT fair! David actually has a brown-eyed mother...why couldn't one of my kids have gotten them? I'm going to go pout. We love this pint-sized sassafrass lass too...she has been a nice addition to the clan and I love the dynamics between her and Molly. BFF's, baby!

I don't feel I can blog unless I have a picture to put with it.

This week has been just plain weird.

Monday: Got up at 6 and walked with my neighbor chick. Biology for Will. My mom flew to California. No more soccer. School. Karate. Began a Ladies' Bible Study with Tambo, Linda and Dawn. that was the best part of that day! It was so unseasonably warm and I'm just ready for a little more chill. (50's - 60's is good)

Tuesday: Got up at 6 again to walk with Tashena. It was so eerie and windy outside. Sent D and the boys up to storage. Big storm blew in. lost our power. took forever to be restored or so it seemed. Mel and Levi got attacked by other neighbor's pit bull for the LAST TIME. Called Sheriff. Not sure what he did but he went over there, hopefully telling them to PUT THE DOG DOWN. So sleepy and weird all day. Tim W. came to give estimate on finishing up siding on house front etc. (can I get a whoooooop whooooop?) Piano. School. home for more mope. Watched Angela's Ashes to depress myself further. Went to sleep after watching a wrestling session between all 5 kids (Molly's a better fighter than Levi so we had instruction on how to punch like a man for him. marked improvement). baaaaa.

Wednesday: well, we're off to a decent start. One cup of joe down....bills being paid, now to get going on the Harvest Party details. Levi went with his Dad today...so that is cool. Male bonding...hope your Wednesday is a bright, cheery sorta day.

good idea, Tory...

My beloved cousin, Tory, thought it would be a good idea to see the actual art that the kids did with their colored pencils in their mouths. (see the post from two days ago)

so without making you wait a moment longer....here they are. :D

It's that time of year....

School picture time....

Will Franklin, who will be 16 in 15 days.

Umm, when did this kid grow from that little round faced cherub to this mini-man? seriously.

Ethan James, 14...and the above comment applies to this young dude too.

Melanie Kate, 12

Beautiful, inside and out, mos def

Levi Taylor, who will be 8 in 30 days. hard to believe he's not that little pursed-lip scaredy baby anymore....I blinked and he's 8.

Molly Christine, 3 years.

Our source of constant delight and entertainment...

poooooo-ser.

back in 2005, I took pix of their profiles. I need to dig them out but until then, here are their updated profiles.

or mugshots if ya wanna get technical.

I'm kidding.

she doesn't look thrilled.

he's up to something.

hee hee.

Mel picked one of my geraniums {gasp!} and stuck it in her hair....

sweet kids.

Hi.

How are ya today?

We were able to enjoy a {most of the} day at home kinda day. Mel reminded me that we hadn't taken our school pics yet. Naturally, I obey my daughter...and these are the results.

Hope this finds you gearing up for a fun-filled weekend...I think we get to be around home again and for that we say YIPEE!!

The Bean begins her school career...

I can't believe this chick is starting school...she even seems older already! Go Nora...

Thanks Beck, for sharing these adorable pics...

little glimpses

Yes, I let Levi paint. He loves it.

I've been trying to keep the TV off during the day but Levi loves PBS Kids, so I will let him watch it while the older kids do their work...I can't stand the sound of the TV on during the day (or at night really), and on top of that, it's a magnet (duh). If it's on, the older kids manage to find a way into the living room...even if it's only Barney singing his trademark ditty. Here we caught Molly doing her little dance to the song Barney and crew were singing here.

binocular eyes

" Will, why aren't you doing your work?"

"I'd rather lay in this pile of matchbox cars, if that's ok"

Ethan "grasps" more information if he is able to work in a way that is comfortable to him.

Melanie, looking up the definitions of some election words. yikes. bipartisan? caucus? quorum? propaganda? (which we couldn't even find in one of our newer dictionaries. interessssting)

"Do you like my pritty dress??" (what movie is that from, anyone?)

I'm not pregnant. But it sure seems like it the way I've been nesting lately. I'm not. I'm really not. (Becky, Mom, I'm not, promise) so someone please explain to me why I don't want to go anywhere? at all. (though I am quite excited to meet for coffee tonight, B)

could it be that gas is expensive, groceries are going up, people's attitudes are getting stinkier?

I dunno. I just wanna stay home. with my pumpkin spice candles, ironing board, and piles of clean clothes.

These shots are from the past couple days...I love the flexibility that homeschooling allows. You can allow each kid to do their schoolwork in positions and places that will cause them to actually do said schoolwork. Will and Mel thrive in a structured place...say, the island, with all of their paraphernalia nice 'n' neat next to them. E., on the other hand, likes to sprawl out somewhere, maybe the couch today, his bed the next. I've got to watch that one though. He will "accidentally" misplace his work...

Levi is doing quite well with his desire to learn and actually putting out some decent Kindy work. He is grasping the concept that the letters in his name must be in a certain order. He loves, loves, loves cutting and is doing quite well recognizing his letters. All in all, we are on track.

Now if I could find a good writing program.

Piper Heads Back 2 Class

Pretty K4 Girl!!

such a beauty...holding her little pb & j sammich for dear life.

1 entrance into the building down, 179 to go...ahhh. um kid? your backpack is almost as big as you! looks like all she's wearing IS that back pack..

Piper with her new teacher, Mrs. P., who is actually the sister to Piper's K3 teacher, Mrs. H.

Big girl! Can't believe you are four, girl! You are such a dollie!

Just wanted to share these pix that my sister just sent to me...Miss P headed back to her preschool classroom today! Where did the summer go?

Piper girl is growing up so fast and is becoming such a little lady! Love you, girl! We are blessed to have you in our family! Levi would be lost without you, though he'd disagree, just because he can.

Not much else going on...downloading some pix that my kid bro sent tonight also, of his three kids...so when this dial up dinosaur finishes up on THURSDAY, I will put 'em on this here bloggypoo.

Until then, nighty night!

Flat Stanley and the crazy days

Stan meeting Nora and Pipes...


Gettin' some lovin' from Beck and I...

Hangin' @ Molly's "crib"...

Can you imagine these two entertaining Stan for a week?

Stan's visit to the mall...

My nephew, Duncan, is doing a project with his first grade class in California. He sent this nearly life-sized (to a 5-year old) little guy to my parents. We are supposed to take him places, do things with him and document it all in photos...Mom passed the buck to me, knowing my somewhat obsessive nature and insane creativity (chuckle, laff). I got some pix of Stan with us at the mall, with my parents, in all of Molly's seats and such, etc. Now, we write a letter detailing Stanley's visit with us and what his manners were like and how he behaved.


We send Stan back to Cali, where Dunc's teacher will put up our pictures and post cards we sent...and they will report back to us how that went! ( I think )


But for now, we are out the door....2-3 crazy, crazy days ahead! visit with friends, Good Friday service, Boys' activity with the youth group tonight, spending the night with my maw and paw since I have to be back at the church at 7:45 a.m. (who gets up that early. ever???) to pick them up and they live less than 10 min. from said church, Mel's birthday visit with her friend, Maddie, cleaning for Easter here Sunday, Patria, etc etc...ahhhhh. I need a break! whew! I am choosing joy and feel privileged to be able to do all of these things, (warning: a little shout out: hear that David?? putting a smile on my old face and thank you for working so hard for us so we are able to do these things. And thanks also, while I'm at it, to the Lord, who provides for us in so many ways and for the blessings He gives)...Peace out and Happy Good Friday!