Feeding the Ducks

The kids love to go to our local park and feed the ducks, geese and the other day we saw a baby raccoon. We have seen baby ducks grow and Katherine just can't understand where the baby ducks have gone. Evan also likes to eat the stale bread so we have to keep a close eye on him to make sure he is actually feeding the ducks.

Aunt Dawn's visit

Mom packed a picnic for us all. i love the angle Larry got of the picnic blanket.

Katherine really enjoyed playing in the mud puddles. It had rained off and on earlier in the day and she was covered in dirt. I thought by putting her in jeans and tennis shoes that would help but no, she took the shoes off immediately and dug her fingers right in. She loves to dress up but she likes to get dirty too. Evan kept trying to play ball with all of the other kids around our blanket.
Katherine invited her friend Mikayla to go with us. They both got glow necklaces.

4th of July

We had a great day on the 4th. We took Larry's mom out to lunch, went to church, ate the best ribs ever, and saw fireworks with my family. What a wonderful day to celebrate the freedom the Lord has continued to allow us to experience here in America.

Bounce-a-Rama

Katherine and Evan's friend Hannah spent the day with us!!



I met a new friend at Chick-fil-a her name is Amy. She has two children and we decided to meet up one Friday to let the kids play together. This is an indoor jumping place and the kids LOVED it. They have six blow up jumping castles slides and obstacle courses. We will go back again especially in the winter or on rainy days.

Strawberry pickin'

Katherine's best friend Mikayla

Handy Man

Larry worked on our Dishwasher and Katherine wanted to help. At first Larry was hesitant but after some encouragement he let her get right down there with him. We have great video and pics of the event. It was hilarious seeing both of them on the floor and hearing all of the questions she had. She was a big helper when Daddy needed more light and she got her flashlight to help.

THE CALL NASHVILLE

School at Home???

Before school she insisted that she put on her gloves-this is the closest thing she could find-a ladybug puppet.

Larry and I have been considering Homeschooling Katherine for her primary school years. I am very hesitant, I was home schooled from 4th grade until I graduated and it definitely had its ups and downs. I will say that it perfectly prepared me to be a wife and mom. I love being with my kids and I know that is because I was with my mom and family so much. We have a wonderful intimacy in our family because of all of the time and life we spent together growing up. We had our wonderful Family meetings that got us through when there were disagreements and the Lord helped most of all.

Ok, that being said I have been doing schoolwork with Katherine over the last couple of weeks. We take time during Evan's nap to practice letters, sounds, number and we read books. This particular morning she was a hoot and I am still laughing at her. All ready to play and do her thing, throughout the day, she arrives at school(living room) with shoes on the wrong feet, a princess dress, tiara and a Minnie mouse backpack. Oh, and don't forget her predetermined curriculum "Go, Dog, Go!" We started to write and read and this is the dialogue that followed-

Me- Katherine Mommy is going to be teaching you your numbers and letters so that you can read your own books one day

KV-But your not my teacher

Me- Yes baby Mommy has taught you almost everything you know right here at home

KV-No mommy I am going to go to school

Me-Well, you might go to school one day but I am going to be your teacher today

KV-Mommy, this is not our school, this is our home!(in a matter a fact voice that said I had it all wrong)

We will see what the future brings.

Refresh and Relax

Kids asleep-Sun on my face-refreshing water -could it get any better??

Larry's Dad- kids call him Poppy
Larry's brother- He and Evan are buds

My Sister-in -law with the kids




What a wonderful time we had with our family at the Lake. Larry's Brother and Sister-in-law have a lake house and we were finally able to make it up for the day. The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed just playing games, relaxing in the water and of course grilling out! This was Evan's first time in a life jacket and he was NOT thrilled. He wanted to get out of that thing so bad. Katherine was very cautious in the water but by the end she was letting go and trying to kick by herself with a noodle. I despised the gunk that I felt creeping and smooshing in between my toes. Larry was in heaven and would have stayed out there for hours. The water is extremely low so we were disappointed that we couldn't get on the boat. Katherine's cousins saved their money and bought the raft that Katherine is sitting in. We were so proud of them. They get in together and row out of the cove, turn around and come back. Great exercise. Did I mention that they are 7 and 10. Great girls! They love our kids so much and help out tremendously.

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful sister-in-law. We get along great and we always have encouraging conversations about life, our husbands, God the list goes on. On top of all that I told her I wanted to get some exercise, she grabbed her stuff and came right out with me. It is always easier to workout with a partner. Larry and his brother both took pics while we were sweating and I think this one we can share without it looking like we are in labor.

Hope everyone is enjoying their freedom here in the USA and be sure to thank an officer, a fireman or a soldier if you see them in the next couple of days. They have lost a lot of friends in this war and I am sure they need the encouragement.