We’ve spent time with some of our favorite people this week 🙂 

 

A lifelong friend dropped by for a surprise visit with her family!

 

We’ve been friends since eighth grade.  There weren’t as many kids then.

 

She’s also my daughter’s Godmother. 

 

Partly, because she’s open and accepting and willing to make crazy poses 🙂  Also, because I love her and she’s one of the kindness people I know.

 

We also went on The Three Rivers Rambler Train Ride to benefit the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

This was the first train ride for all three kids!

The only place in front of the train looked directly into the sun, of course…..LOL

 

I did at least score this picture with my cutie pies!

 

They also got their first ever balloon animals.  Ladybug had a purple panda bear and Owl requested a blue motorcycle (OK, not an animal). 🙂  

 

Our Daily Must Do’s

There are three main things we ALWAYS accomplish every day even when things are busy or off kilter.

• Read
• Get Outside
• Play

We also pray, eat, and take care of our bodies, our house, and our pets.

Anything else is purely extra 🙂 

 

Read

We finished The Mouse and the Motorcycle, by Beverly Clearly and have moved onto our next family read aloud, Charlotte’s Web. So far it’s a huge hit! 

---

We recently picked up a copy of Woody, Hazel, and Little Pip and have fallen in love! The story is magical and fun and in good spirits. This was one of the recommended books on the October list for the Read Aloud Revival. I’m going to have to collect the other seasonal favorites from this author. Have you read any new fun seasonal books recently? 

 

Get Outside

This is my favorite outdoor picture of the kids this week. They were spending some quality time “sky gazing.”

 

We lit the pumpkins we carved last week! Ladybug’s didn’t quite get enough oxygen for the candle to stay lit, but she loved it anyway. I need to find a LED candle for it, because otherwise it makes a pretty cool luminary. 

 

This is the best picture I have of the kids in front of the jack ‘o lanterns. They were in constant motion that night.

 

Ladybug climbed all the way on top of the Volkswagen and we were super responsible parents and got her down immediately. Right, after we took this picture which happens to be Daddy’s favorite of the week 🙂 

 

We have an infestation of Box Elder bugs in the backyard. We are all fascinated by them.

 

Play

These blocks were incredibly popular this week. Here Ladybug is building a castle and Owl is building a ramp for his cars.

 

Extras 

Mother Goose Time – Down On the Farm

I handed Ladybug a bunch of feathers and glue as part of our Mother Goose Time invitation to create!

 

Owl also got to play!

 

As is common with process art, Owl did not have a “finished product,” but Ladybug’s masterpiece is on the right and mine is on the left. Yes, Mommy plays too! 

 

We also made and played with Mud Dough and spent some time doing some Experience God activities focused on Unconditional Love!

 

Mama Moments 

The older brother helping the younger brother figure out his first puzzle. Sniff.

 

My daughter in dance outfit and graduation cap. Just the sight of that graduation cap reminds me to cherish the moments. Time, slow down! 

 

Having Mom here is always a blessing, but it’s an extra special one when she plays piano and sings with the kids!

 

Mama Gratitude

This week, in addition to all the big things I have to be thankful for, I am also grateful for

• The weather is perfect in East TN!
• I spent some time with one of my favorite people and her amazing family.
• My husband didn’t have to work Saturday and was able to help me pack the kitchen for the remodel. 

Our Family’s Week in Books

 Our Current Family Read Aloud

On Dad’s Shelf

On Mom’s Shelf

On the Kid’s Shelf

I try really hard to include links to all the goodies we are playing with at our house! If there is ever anything you want to know about please ask in the comments. Or feel free to recommend something.  I love trading fabulous finds and good ideas!

You can also check out our big box curriculum picks and some of our favorite home school resources on the blog! 

In honor of my brother’s upcoming wedding, “And Now You Know the Rest of the Story” will be on hiatus for the next two weeks!

All prayers and well wishes accepted as we gain a much loved new family member! 

What has your family been doing and reading this week?