I am Thankful!!

I am thankful for friends and family.

Thanksgiving was spent with some of my family at lunch and with some of Justin's family for dinner.

We spent the day before Thanksgiving with our good friends, the Helms. Here are the little pilgrims and indians just before enjoying their feast. They made their own hats...so cute.
They also made butter (with heavy cream, marbles and mason jars...shake,shake, shake) There's always an opprotunity to learn, which leads me to....

I am thankful to have the opprotunity and priviledge to be at home with my kids and homeschool Anagrace. Truly a blessing!

After the Thanksgiving festivities, my in-laws kept all of the kids to decorate her tree the next morning.

I am so thankful for a restful night's sleep (no Black Friday shopping for me). We didn't get out of the bed until after 10 a.m.! I can't remember the last time that happened!

Then, off for a quick brunch date with my hubby before picking up the kiddos.

I am so thankful for Justin, for the moments we can share just the two of us, for our relationship that continues to deepen and sweeten with time!

Wordless (and Toothless) Wednesday

Cupcakes!!!!

Anagrace and I made some cupcakes a few nights ago. Here is a cute video of all the kids enjoying the yumminess...

Homeschool Journey

It's funny how when mommies start friendships eventually we share our "birth stories" (or at least that's been the case with me). Well I have met a group of some new friends and we not only share the commonality of motherhood, but also the commonality of homeschooling. So, when 3 of us were hanging out a few weeks ago we shared our "homeschool stories" with eachother. I shared our homeschool story here in case you missed it.

So, we're about 3 months into our homeschool journey now. I get the question often "How's homeschooling?". I usually give a pretty short answer, especially if the person asking isn't a homeschooler too. I guess I still fear that I am being judged or possibly that the person asking thinks they are being judged by me. But I know in my heart that we made the best decision for our family, and I know that is all that truly matters. Anagrace is doing great! Most days she really enjoys the schoolwork. Honestly, I think she loves the focused attention on her that schooling requires. After Ashton was born, most of my attention was focused on caring for the 2 boys. I knowingly or unknowingly expected Anagrace, being the oldest, to be as independent as possible. Homeschooling has given me and Anagrace the opportunity to spend some one-on-one time together and it has done wonders for our relationship. I think that is what I am the most excited about with our journey so far.

Overall, homeschooling is going great and I am so grateful for the opportunity. Sometimes I still can't believe that this is the path we've taken. Definitely an unplanned trip. But, usually those are the best ones!

I just had to share this picture...aren't they so cute, so focused doing their "work"?!

Christmas Lists Already?!

I can't believe that Christmas is right around the corner. It is officially this close! It seems that all of the marketing and media people just skip right over Thanksgiving. (What a shame! Thanksgiving is my personal favorite as far as holidays go.) There's even Christmas music on some radio stations already! The excitement has already begun in my daughter. She has asked when we get to make our Christmas lists. Last year we went to Target and created a wishlist using their gift registry system. It was really simple and she loved using the scanner gun. It was great when grandparents asked "What do the kids want?"; I didn't have to rack my brain or worry about returning duplicate gifts. Well, this year there seems to be only one thing Anagrace is hoping for....

Happy Halloween!

3 BUSY bees and 2 beekeepers had a Happy Halloween! We hope you did too!