Pumpkin Carving

Before



Jake scrapes his out.




Gotta see what's in there!



Alex was  working so intently he looks stunned at the camera flash.

As always, Saraha poses for her shot

After

Anyone for a S'more?

I was sorting through some yarn recently and found this pattern I had printed awhile back.  I got him done in one evening and I think he looks pretty cute next to my Campfire Marshmallow jar.

One Small Step for Jake, One Big Leap for Mom, (or is it the other way around?)

This week Jake read his first words and small sentences in Phonics.  WOW, I am so proud of him.  And truth be told, proud of me too.  Teaching Kindergarten is challenging to say the least.  I have discovered so many things that we take for granted that we know.  Writing, sounds letters make, using scissors, etc.  Somewhere along the way we have all learned these things and more, but I have never really thought about having to teach them to a wiggling, giggling, smiley 5 year old!  Let's face it, sitting in a chair & listening to Mom ramble on about the number 3 is not exactly the high point of Jake's life.  He'd much rather be watching Cars the Movie, playing the Wii or playing his Leapster.

Sarah is doing well.  I was concerned at first about her Pre-Algebra course but she seems to be doing OK for now.  Things will only get harder so we have arranged, through our school, to have a tutor come to the house to help out.  Math was never my strong subject so I knew I would need some help.

Alex trudges along.  He spends more time counting how many more questions, subjects and lessons are left in the day than he does on actual school work.  He has become alot more self motivated this year and it helps to free me up for the one-on-one that is required for Jake.

Nothing Like It................

Ok, first of all, anyone who knows me can agree that baking bread has never been one of my strengths.  I have made more hockey puck than rolls with my mother-in-laws yummy recipe.  I recently got a new mixer as a gift from my aunt and decided to try a recipe that was in the recipe book that came with it.  I had recently gotten a jar of home gathered honey from a friend so Honey Oatmeal Bread it is!  It was so good warm from the oven and the house just smelled great.  Finally, a bread success.

Well, it is officially the school year already.  We had a great summer but now it is time to get back in the swing of learning.  It is now 3:30 and I think we are almost done for the day.  WHEW, adding Jake into the day sure changes the dynamic of the day.  I dont know how families of more than 3 kids do it.  Here are the kids "First Day of School" pictures.  I cant wait to see how they will change by the "Last Day of School" picture.





Sarah is ready to tackle math!





Alex jumps right into math as well.





Jake just wants to do something, anything!



Quote of the day.......

Recently while at the local YMCA I saw this quote....

"God gave us two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we talk."

Good advice for all of us to remember.

Jake Goes Fishing

Earlier this summer Jake stayed overnight at Aunt Kerry's camper.  They had Cars the Movie gummies for breakfast and then went fishing.  Jake caught this fish though when he told the story it was much larger.  As wide as his hands could stretch actually.