Big Bowl

No pictures, but let me say...the Chicken Pad Thai takes the cake every time!

(Not to mention Chicken Pot Stickers)

(Oh Yeah - and the Teriyaki Chicken Fried Rice)

(Oops - don't forget the leftover white rice from #2's bowl....I don't think I need to eat for a few weeks.....)

(And I better not forget to tell you about the Strawberry Ice Cream Pie my very talented sister-in-law served up after dinner...yeah, I had a piece...)

John's parents just celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary yesterday! So they took us out! Hey, I'm game...

They are special people and it's always wonderful to spend time sharing our little family with them...our girls are sooooo blessed to have such wonderful Grandparents!

In other news, #3 really likes her doggie cousins (sorry, again, no pictures) but not as much when they're at eye level. She'd rather be eye level with a camera....

Good Night and Good 'Luck'

Aubrey

Rain and Messy Basements

Today it rained....all day long.

Today my 3 girls and I cleaned the play area of the basement.

Today I couldn't stop thinking about homeschooling and the small details left to tie into a pretty bow.

See?? Teething, rubbing, pressing on her gums...whimpering, "Hodejoo." (Hold You)

Some days it just has to rain and kids just need to be held.

Love,

Aubrey

Brett Favre????

That's right folks...nothing to do with homeschooling (again)...but seriously.

This can only end one of two ways - let's just leave it at that.

In other news, I have become organized!
Here is 'My Binder' (sung to the tune of 'My Buddy')
It is pretty and happy and holds 13 wks worth of scheduling.
I've decided that 13 weeks is about all I can handle in one place.

Ta-Da!

'My Planner' (second verse same as the first)

August has been much busier than this, but 'my planner' isn't really for those things, right?

September is starting to get a little bulky...

Woah! Aaaand BEGIN!

Even the dividers are pretty! And in numeric order too!

(Proof that the buck stops at 13)

One last thing:

This stack of books is my praise report for today!

Because of the Christian Homeschooling Support Group my family and I have become members of and their wonderful (free) library, and because of a special woman's time and effort, my 'readers needed' list went from this:

To This:

All in just 15 minutes!

Hallelujah I'm almost there!

PS #3 is teething and has been teething her eye teeth for, oh, about 3 years (even though she's just 21.5 months old - small detail.) Someone help her!

The End

By Request: My Garden

Ahhh Gerbera daisies...

Take your pick!

I can't remember the name of this one:

morning glory:

And again...

A pot full of chamomile and a basket of morning glory!

It's about to get really green around here.....

Tabouleh anyone?
I'll bring the parsley!

When you let cilantro go to seed, you get coriander!




I must confess that I'm getting impatient for a whole bushel of these puppies:

(come on you guys - soak up the sun!)

The Roma Tomatoes could use a little red as well...




I never knew that basil blooms:





One green bean...


Some green beans:





Last but NEVER least....the Pink Brandywine Heirloom tomatoes......

oooo yeah

I know that none of this really has much to do with homeschooling, but we will be planting more seeds in the early spring (radishes, corn, beans) so we'll consider this a very successful dry run!

See you round,

Aubrey

In Which I Convince Myself I Can Do It

(It = Homeschooling)

"It's O.K. to Be Smart!" (Does anyone else think that that statement is as funny as I do?)

I happen to think #1 is bright...and bold...and beautiful - as any parent should, right?
(Has anyone ever seen Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken? Right????)


This used to be my coat closet.....(I'm sorry, truly I am... Books are probably the least exciting thing to look at when you happen upon a blog... but this is the ugly truth...)




This pile of books rest on top of our family roll-top desk. One is a catelog. One is a binder for MACHE - Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators. (They keep on top of the MN Homeschool laws and information and then make it available to us in laymans terms. I've been to one of their conferences and the amount of info and support is beyond incredible. I'm excited to do the full conference this year with John!) The colorful binder is #1's 'back to school' gear that she helped pick out. (It helped her to feel more in control of her future. No, Really - it did)Spelling Power is a spelling curriculum from 8yrs to adult. The list goes on...and on...

I am excited! I have peace in my heart and am resolved in my mind. I'm nervous and thrilled and putting together a schedule that seems packed yet possible. But until September 14th, I'm going to do as much of this as I can:

#3

#2 - with 'muscles'

#1, #3, #2

Blessings,

Aubrey

I'm still here!

Now that August is here, preparations are in full swing for a homeschool adventure!

I'll put up a picture simply because posts are semi-boring without one....