Sunday, October 30, 2016

365Project.2016 | Week 42-43

 The last few weeks have simply been "normal" ... nothing particularly out of the ordinary ... just enjoying the fall colors and the regular routines of work, school, and church. As much as I love the "special" days, I love the fact that my 365Project helps me capture the "ordinary" days of life, too ... the ones that would tend to get missed. 

Day 291. Geography ... at 2. :) 
 And an absolutely gorgeous sunset!!!
 Day 292. I'm kinda a sucker for fall colors, and I missed them dreadfully down in SC! We've had beautiful color this year, and I've been taking all sorts of pictures. :) This particular section of road is just stunning in person ... crimson red and orange!!!
 Day 293. So thankful for this great group of kids who join us each week in Missions for Kids! ♥
Day 294. The best part about missing all four of your front teeth? Being able to stick out your tongue without opening your teeth!!
Day 295. Hannah's been working super hard and earned a special prize for her diligence in practicing flute 20 minutes/day, 5 days/week, for 12 weeks straight! ♥
 Day 296. Abby was SUPER glad to see Hannah when she got back from her Awana party. ♥ The feeling appeared to be quite mutual. ♥
The boys have been thoroughly enjoying the Lego table Chris built for them!! It's been SO nice to not have Legos covering the floor!!!
It's amazing to see this young man's ingenuity with the Legos! He added motors, gears, and sensors to an ordinary kit so that he could drive it via remote control!
 Day 297. The counter ... one of Abby's very favorite spots to hang out. ♥
We love the view from our side door!! The fact that building a garage would block that view gives serious pause to those ideas ...
 Day 298. Boo-Boo Spray ... hands down, it's Matthew's FAVORITE oily remedy. ♥
Day 299. Tuesday morning "groupie" with my homeschool crew. ♥ So thankful for Grandma watching Abby in the mornings. It makes the school day go SO much more smoothly. ♥
 I. Love. The. Country.
 Day 300. Abby-girl ... in her favorite outfit ... the "meow" dress and leggings. ♥
Peter v.e.r.y. carefully made his bed. Yes. This is photo worthy. (I'll let you make your own assumptions based on that ... )

 Day 301. First snow!!!
 I'm ready for it with my awesome new hat made by my friend in Wisconsin! ♥
 The big kids were delighted to make the season's first snowman just before we left for piano lessons.

Day 302. The 9yo is practicing for his CDL ... with the remote control tractor-trailer he designed and built with Legos. :)
Day 303. The big kids thoroughly enjoyed their sleepover with Grandma and Grandpa and decorating pumpkin cookies was definitely a highlight of the visit! ♥
 Day 304. Even with gray skies, the fall colors are still shining. ♥
And such be our days. Thanks for joining us. ♥

Monday, October 17, 2016

365Project.2016 | Week 41


We've enjoyed beautiful weather and the beginning of fall color all this week. It's been just lovely. ♥ 

Day 284. We celebrated Columbus Day at Letchworth State Park and had a wonderful time! We started and ended the day with our cousins, but we decided to explore a new to us State Park while they enjoyed their annual craft fair tradition with Grandma and Grandpa. :)

7 cousins, ages 1 to 11. :)
 Abby was so excited about the playground slide at our lunch spot! ♥
Letchworth State Park has a beautiful series of three waterfalls. I love waterfalls, and waterfalls within very easy hiking distance are even better. ♥
 
 
 
The Caterpillar. Abby's companion for about 45 minutes. I'm glad my hubby had the job of backpacking with toddler + caterpillar. That little furry friend added quite the dimension to our hike. ;)
Matthew SO badly wanted to look through one of these binocular devices, but we had no quarters available. He was thrilled when God answered his prayer by allowing a man to grow disinterested in the view before his time had run out. ♥





 
 
 
 
 
 
 Me and my girl ♥
 
 
 
 
 
Abby-girl was determined to climb those steps! ♥ Bless Daddy for helping her up all 127 of them!!
 
 ♥
 Day 285. Leaf projects and ball fun were the highlights of homeschool group this week. :)
 
Lots. of. Balls. 
 Day 286. Kites at sunset!

Oh the stories this kite can tell ...
 Day 287. When did you last walk on the ceiling??? :)
 This sweetie loves her swing! ♥
 Day 288. We enjoyed a rousing game of Rummikub for Friday game night! :)
And then hubby and I chatted while I finished preparing welcome kits in faith for future essential oil customers! ♥
 They remind me of Easter baskets sitting there on the shelf. ♥
Young Living is offering a 10% discount on their Premium Starter Kits through Wednesday, October 19 ... so if you're interested in learning more about essential oils, please let me know--I'd love to share with you. :) I'm SO thankful for our oils .... whether it's mitigating coughs and colds, improving sleep, or managing stress, they've been such a blessing to us! And with fall upon us and winter coming, now is a great time to jump in! ♥

Day 289. It's official! Matthew is toothless! :)
But it definitely did not interfere with his enjoyment of his Sunday School party! ♥ So thankful for the teachers who invest weekly in these kiddos and then go out of their way to make days like this so special. ♥
Matthew loves flying his kite and was SO excited that kite flying was one of the planned activities for the day. :) His kite was packed and ready to go the night before the party!

However, note to self ... when your research led you to a kite that flies very well ... and a reel that supports that endeavor ... take a few extra minutes to figure out how to attach said reel to your child. Else that kite might decide to take the reel and go for a spin unattended ...

Matthew lost hold of his reel and a brisk breeze sent his kite soaring. The reel got stuck on the edge of the church roof, and the kite just flew up there by itself for about 30 minutes or longer! His teachers said that there were three hawks circling it, trying to figure out what was going on! Praise the Lord, He changed the wind just at the very end of the party and the kite dived down and was able to be rescued! Without going in the road!
 I love living in the country! ♥ Just one of the lovely views on our way home from church. ♥
 Daddy worked on building a special table for the kids to use for building with Legos. ♥
 Day 290. Mommy and Abby were having fun ...
Watching videos of this adorable doggy, Jake!! He belongs to Mommy's friend Kate, and Abby has just fallen in love with his pictures. ♥ Kate was so sweet to share a couple videos of Jake doing tricks, and Abby loves to watch them over and over. ♥

And that was our week!! Sunshine, smiles, and fall colors prevailed! ♥