We're Movin' On Up

Coco has had fun being mobile with her unique crawl that is all her own....using one knee and one foot, but, now, she has decided to move on to taller mountains......

that of mastering her vertical crawl.

Sometimes I think she is extra courageous as I think she knows she has a safety net....

One, quick "look at me" smile before the final conquest...

then on to a whole new "level" of fun!

Happy Monday

Happy Monday everyone!

Mondays = daddy back at work, early rising for school, a piano lesson, football practice.....

But, for our "lil comic relief boy" it's Garbage truck day!!



All excitement brought courtesy to us from a delightful 3-year old boy.

He is so good at finding joy in the simple things in life......


Here's hoping we all will find joys in the simple things today!

Have a wonderful day!

Sara

Baking Duo

Moe and Buttercup wanted something yummy for an afternoon snack this week, so together they decided on pumpkin bread......half with chocolate chips....half without......it seemed appropriate as there was just a hint of fall in the air that day.

Dumping and mixing are the best part.

A little powdered sugar for presentation.

If it looks good, we would have loved to have you come over for some coffee and a piece of pumpkin bread, but, sorry, it was gone that night.

Have a great Saturday!
We are off to Rocky's 1st football game.

Sara

The Case of the Failed Anchor Bolts

Remember this project? I had promised a picture of it in it's completed stage...ooohhh....about a month ago?

Well......

THE CASE OF THE FAILED ANCHOR BOLTS

The case of the failed anchor bolts was heard today by Judge Sara. The Contractor (a.k.a. Dad) and the Engineer (a.k.a. Dad) are being sued by the basketball players of the house for liquidated damages due to non compliance of the completion date. Approximately 10 days of basketball skill attainment were lost due to the delay in the project completion date.

The following transcript of the trial:

Judge Sara : Who is to blame for this mess?

Contractor: I simply built it according to the plans and specifications as provided by the engineer.

Engineer: The contractor is supposed to be experienced in pouring concrete and should have realized something wasn't right with the concrete. In short, he should have known better. He could have corrected the problem before the concrete hardened.

Contractor: If your so smart, why didn't you say something?

Engineer: I can't control the contractors means and methods. My job is to make sure the contractor follows the intent of the plans and specs.

Judge Sara: Do you know how ridiculous you look arguing with yourself? This is the easiest case I've ever heard......You are both guilty!

Contractor: Yes, dear.

Engineer: Yes, dear.

(written by the engineer/contractor)

Final Product

Learning a Little Each Day

Monday was the official start of our homeschool year.

We started out bright and early......

to begin our day at daily Mass, asking God's blessing on our school year and seeking His guidance to help us grow in love for Him and one another as we seek to follow His will in all that we do.

Then, heading to the town square to enjoy a treat at the local Starbucks. Apple fritters and muffins to sweeten the day......

and then opening the 1st Day of School fun gifts before finally cracking open the shiny books.....thumbing through the clean white pages, fresh and new.....knowing that learning will take place as each page is read and studied.....tests will be taken, math problems will be solved and reports will be written. Buttercup was excited to have her 1st day of 1st grade.......

and then on the 3rd day, our learning took on a whole new shape and form.....we did our book lessons in the morning and then the afternoon found us learning....

that there is a whole, big world out there waiting if we dare to climb off the picnic blanket.....

that when an August day decides to shed its sticky heat in replacement for a nice breezy, sunny afternoon, that playing at a park is a must.....

and an empty ball diamond in the middle of the day is attractive to families that have a built-in pitcher, hitter and....

outfielder.

We learned that reading outside is just as fun as reading inside......

and that ants really do like picnic crumbs.

Sometimes we have to kick off our shoes.....

and just experience the joys around us....

to dig into the moment.....

and head out from behind the desks to see what each day brings....

and know homeschooling is a perfect fit for our family as we recognize that each day is a gift...

a gift to unfold and explore....to seek out the knowledge and beauty that is all around us.

A Day With Thomas

Nacho loves to play with Thomas the Train.

So, I couldn't turn down the opportunity for him to have a close up encounter with his favorite toy.

Just the three little ones, the August heat, the high humidity, about 6,000 other Thomas fans and me.

We rode a passenger car that was built in 1923, bounced in a bouncy house after a long wait in line, drank lots and lots of lemonade, watched a marionette puppet show, shopped for just the perfect Thomas souvenir, and.....

saw Thomas!!!

Trains and 3 year old boys go hand and hand.

After sharing the day with my young ones and watching Nacho's excitement, I don't know if the day was more of a treat for them...........or for me!

Sara

The School Books Are Here!

They came in the mail yesterday!!

Look's like school will be starting on Monday!

Looking Great at 68

Happy Birthday Dad...

You are a wonderful role model....always showing patience and love in your vocation as a

father...

husband....

grandpa.

You are positive, glass-half-full kinda guy.....

a class act......

you get the best tickets for the best shows in town.....

you welcome every grandchild with warm embrace...

you work hard but play hard......

you smile in adversity....

A MINNESOTA BOY AT HEART

a book reader with a voice that make stories come alive....

an avid sports fan..........

and a fan of all your family....

HAVE A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY AND A GREAT TIME GOING TO THE PHEASANTS GAME TONIGHT!

We helped you celebrate your 64th......

We helped you celebrate your 65th......

We helped you celebrate your 66th.....

We helped you celebrate your 67th......
And OHHHHHH, how we wish we could be there to help you celebrate your 68th and have some red, white and blue cake.

We didn't send you a card, we'll just send the money that we would have spent on a card instead!

We love you so much!

Mark, Sara, Ky, Rocky, Moe, Buttercup, Nacho, and Coco

Moe's 9th Birthday

Moe turned 9 on Aug. 14, 2010.

The day started out hot, sticky and getting up early.....

to have batting practice with a fellow Cub's fan......

and then having birthday cake at our favorite lake....

A big THANK YOU to our friends Rory and Lisa O. for bringing out their boat and jet ski so that Moe could do one of his favorite things.....WATER SKI!

Moe is basking in a day that was tailor-made just for him!

He topped the day off with a wedding dance....
where he danced with brothers...

cousins.....

and little sisters, too.

Hope your day was as wonderful as you are! We love you!