Saturday, December 25, 2010

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Homeschooling

A great article on homeschooling and why we should do it!

Seven Undeniable Truths of Homeschooling

Monday, December 6, 2010

I know I'm a little behind, but when aren't I lately?!

Allyn turned 7 on November 13th. She wanted a Princess Strawberry Shortcake birthday party. She had a strawberry cake with strawberry frosting and we made homemade strawberry ice-cream! She had a great time with her grandparents and cousins being here and is very excited about being 7!

She wanted me to make her dress this year (usually she wants me to buy her one). Her requirements were that it was a bright pink. Our material choices were somewhat limited, but she liked the combination that I suggested and loves the finished dress.

Daughters are Treasures

A daughter is a gift of love.
-- Author Unknown

A daughter is a little girl who grows up to be a friend.
-- Author Unknown

A daughter is a miracle that never ceases to be miraculous...full of beauty and forever beautiful...loving and caring and truly amazing.
-- Deanna Beisser

A daughter is one of the most beautiful gifts this world has to give.
-- Laurel Atherton

A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future.
-- Author Unknown

A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart.
-- Author Unknown

A mother's treasure is her daughter.
-- Catherine Pulsifer

Our daughters are the most precious of our treasures, the dearest possessions of our homes and the objects of our most watchful love.
-- Margaret E. Sangster

Monday, November 1, 2010

"Do Large Families Burden the Older Children?"

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Gifts & Treasures

Have you ever been given a gift-
something you wanted, to be sure-
and when you opened the package,
were amazed it really was yours?

Imagine you looked in your pocket
for some money you’d tucked in somewhere
and gasped in surprise, ‘cause instead of a five
you found hundreds hidden in there?

We have been given a treasure
and we couldn’t help but share
the riches added to our lives,
the joy that’s been multiplied there.

We’ve been given a gift we so wanted:
another precious child.
We’re thrilled with our family expansion;
we can’t seem to suppress our smiles.

We are so excited,
and we know you will be too,
for this gift of one more person to love
is a blessing also to you.

We’ve used this little poem
to share with you our good news.
We know you might find it surprising
and you may be a little confused.

So when you’ve had time to think
and are happy for us, too ~
when you have joyful words about what you’ve heard,
we look forward to hearing from you!

Some things need emphasizing: It's very important, you see,
that we see only reactions of happiness, smiles and glee!

So once you've had time to digest it, and been able to ponder it all,
when you have a nice word about all that you've heard,
feel free to give us a call!

Cora is 4!

I've been really busy and because of slow internet, reluctant to take the time to post pictures from Cora's birthday. I figured it was about time! Her birthday was September 15th.

Cora wanted a Dora birthday party and she wanted purple cupcakes. I used blueberry juice to color the frosting and put blueberries in the cupcake batter. She also requested a purple dress.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Dara's Birthday--Turning 10!

I know I'm a little slow on putting up pictures of Dara's birthday parties, but here they are. I can't believe I now have a 10 year old. Am I old enough to have a 10 year old?!

My beautiful daughter!

She wanted a Prince Caspian birthday party. This is my try at making Aslan's How with Prince Caspian and one of his "men" ready for battle. It was very hot and humid that day so neither the cake nor the frosting was "cooperating".

Daddy giving Dara her 10 birthday spankings on Saturday morning.

Dara wanted a sleep over so five other girls came over and Eva and Allyn were allowed to stay up. They slept in the living room so they could watch Prince Caspian.

They made masks to make them look like characters from Prince Caspian. We had a couple of Aslans, Lucys, Susan, and a special creation.

Here is the cake I made on Sunday when the grandparents came to celebrate.

Dara in her birthday dress with her cake.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Eva's Birthday & Baptism and Mother's Day Gifts

My beautiful birthday girl!

Eva wanted to do her own decorations for her party so she drew flowers and laid them out on the tables. She did an excellent job!

We gave our mother's they Mother's Day presents early so they wouldn't buy one of their own! We gave them copies of our church's new cookbook. They both loved them.

Eva received a customized lock box from Grandpa Jerry and Grandma Sherry! She wanted a place to put things that could be locked (to keep her sisters out!) and they made her one from an old wine box. It's great and she loves it!

Eva wanted to make her own cupcakes for her birthday party. She wanted a flower theme so she decorated the tops to look like flowers and used her favorite colors--green and blue.

Getting ready to blow out her candle!

New shoes from Papa and Nana Smith.

New color pencils (because she loves to draw!) and a new flower notepad with pen from her sisters.

Papa and Nana Carmichael gave her a stationary set. She loves it and has already used the stationary for her thank you notes!

She got this great shirt from Papa and Nana Carmichael as well!

Uncle Jim, Aunt Amy, and Madalynn gave her $10!

The Inglerights gave her a bag filled with all sorts of goodies!

It was great that Chad was able to baptize Eva! She wanted to be baptized the day after her birthday because she wanted her spiritual birthday and her birthday to be close together. Her best friend was also baptized the same day. They are growing up so much!

Uncle Doug and Aunt Charity gave Eva a new Bible for her baptism and Papa and Nana Smith gave her a book of Bible word games (which she absolutely loves doing!).