Novembers Hymn

Give Thanks
With a Grateful Heart
Give thanks
To the Holy One
Give thanks
For he's Given
Jesus Christ, His son.


And now let the Weak Say
I am Strong
Let The Poor Say
I am Rich
Because Of What
The Lord Has Done
For us
Give Thanks

give thanks

a visit to Mt.Vernon

We visited the home of our first president during a recent homeschooling day. It was a pretty fall day perfect for a field trip.

the house, the kitchen building and the beginning of the tour line. it moved pretty quickly today, and the docents where very informative and we where able to learn lots of interesting tidbits about our first president and his family.







the view of the Potomac River from the back porch I can imagine George and Martha spent many hours here having coffee and entertaining guests.




the back of the home. we where not able to take photos inside the house so just believe me it was just lovely. walking onto stairs that the founding fathers did was just an honor.




The upper gardens and some of the livestock on the farm- this is a working farm btw-.








The wharf, from here Washington's men would catch herring and other fish to feed the family. A home of a slave family, this one housed a slave named Priscilla and her six children.When Washington and Mrs. Washington died their slaves where freed.

Fall Fun at Webers

One of our favorite fall destinations is Weber's a local farm and fun place to visit. They have a great play area for kids of all ages, with mazes, and boo-barn.

We began with a hayride and stopped for a fun photo opp.





Whats a day at Weber's without a trip or two down the hill side slide:-)





Adam loves these peddle tractors, , Shawn in the hay tunnels:-)





See you on the farm next year:-) This is such a fun annual event, can;t imagine fall without it:-)

Church Harvest Party

We attended our churches harvest party and had an amazing time.

The kids dressed in fun costumes=Shawn was a firemen but all he would wear was the hat and not too long either.








we made some fun crafts, masks, goodie bags, and pumpkin lanterns. had some yummy popcorn and warm cider.







one of the cars that was decorated for trunks or treats.




the night ended with roasting marshmallows .



a fun time with friends always a great way to spend the night.

Rollerskating with the boys

the girls are away this week so the boys and I attended our monthly home school rollerskating. It was a lot of fun seeing old friends and meeting some new ones, and getting some exercise in .






Adam taking a break, he fell alot, but he was determined to get it and did not want me to help.

Shawn discovered the video games ad liked them alot. Especially the pinball.





The skating and game playing really wore them out this was the view in my rear view mirror:-)




looking forward to next months home school skate so the girls can join in. Lots of fun today.

Meet Rusty

We recently added a new family member, Rusty:-) She is a lovely little lady. She was dumped down the street from us at the beginning of summer and the kids have been petting on her all summer trying to lure her to the yard and trying to convince me to keep her.

Long story short they talked daddy into bringing her inside, and here she has been ever since. She shows no interest in ever going back outside and likes her pillows and bowls of milk , and curling up by the fireplace.

Sandro Boticcelli Relief painting

WE are beginning our year using Short Lessons in Art History, for our art studies and a bit of history mixed in. The lessons begin with the artist of the Italian Renaissance. This past week we did Sandro Botticelli- he painted the birth of Venus, Primevera and other wonderful paintings-. We poured over art books to see copies of these works.





We then made relief paintings with crayon and watercolor. the effect was wonderful the kids where surprised at how the watercolor wash really made the crayon pop off the page.

Next weeks artist is Leonardo Di Vinci we may actually spend a bit more time on his works, I have a great add on book Leonardo for Kids which I am planning to use a bit as well.

Adam's soccer team picture

Go Cheetahs:-)

homegrown summer

With summer upon us and the time for fun in the sun here. We have been doing things simply. With finances just straining and side jobs waning, we are are having a homegrown summer.
Which means time here at our pool, or bouncing in the trampoline, spend lazy days drifting on the river on our big raft. Walking the dog, making homemade fudge, playing freeze tag, and playing games. It means making what we have as wonderful as it is. Realizing the hype to go go go is just that hype, and being home and doing things together is wonderful.
And the kids do not miss all the running around, and are enjoying the time to hang out with friends, at our pool, I am keeping snacks on hand and the cooler full of sodas, and of course Popsicle's in the fridge. We do have a nice garden plot and enjoy weeding and watering it , And finding frogs, and lizards hanging around it.
This low key summer is proving to be very recharging to my soul as well. I have felt overwhelmed this year with school and events and am enjoying the break summer gives. It gives us permission to do nothing, except sip sweet tea, and read a good book.