It's been a looooong September :)

September 2014

Well, well. Here we are in September. We are starting to see a lot of school buses out and about. Exciting stuff :). Look at us, playing restaurant! (Yes that's a tool bench. Ya make do)

WE matchy matchy!

 These three pics are from a quick trip to Charlotte to visit family, have some 'mom & dad' time (meaning we ate breakfast... see above). Oh and there was an awesome PANTHER GAME! Beat those lions 24-7!

               

Alex is never tired :)

I could watch river otters all day.
so playful and cute!

 These two pics are from a homeschooling class offered through Montford Nature Center in Richmond. It was on water and how we live effects the water (drinking, streams, rivers...) around us. Its a beautiful place: historic mansion, well kept grounds, lovely gardens, petting zoo and of course the nature center. Here is a pic of the river otters.. adorable!  

getting ready for Pirate Day at Krispy Kreme!
(thanks for the frrrrrree doughnuts!) 

picking up magnolia leaves :)

Highlight magazine's
'Which Way USA,' we give it a two thumbs up!
If i can keep track of everything... it's going to be perfect in three years. 
Tons of awesome info. 
We enjoy the pictures and learning how to use a map for now.
Also a shout out to Chick-fil-A for the awesome compasses.
 (mmm.. spicy chicken)

Taking a break to eat some coooooookies!:)
I'm so thankful when they play so nice together! 

Oh hello there, Captain Distraction... a homeschooling mom's comic relief!
(its a good thing you're so adorable! 'cause you're a mess, mess, mess!)

I work out now.
(cause i like to EAT and i like my skinny jeans)

two ears make a heart :) 

found these cool 'flowers buds' on a tree out front.
they were fun to collect and count. 

'ello there green man!

Exploring our own yard. :)

Alex got to buy a new dress for her doll.. with her 'own' money :).
So exciting!

'Dad. how do you spell robin?' She sounded it out herself!!

Summertime...

August 2014
Summertime and the livin' is easy...

the pantless wonder.
The two's are in full force... mamma's learning to choose her battles

watermelon Sunday!

potty training... maybe?  just kidding...

LOE: cursive.  We shall see.
I love all of the extra drawings: the hearts and faces in the circles. 

pattern blocks make me happy too

Everyone's favorite game, hibernation!
Abby doesn't get it. :)

Alex can count to 100 (and then some!)
She really likes coins and dollers
Someday she'll learn the actual value, right?

Sweet frog for lunch! Its the summer, so it's okay. 

Gotta stop and point out the bugs
I love little kid shoes. Melts my heart. 

Happy Birthday to me!
Can i add 'parasailer' to my resume now?
(along with wedding dancer and PB&J maker, of course!)

There is still debate in this house... Lane promises me Alex did this all on her own.
Amazing either way. She calls her tall buildings like this her castles. 

Expanding the kingdom.
The entire den is now a kingdom.
I don't mind at all.

July (Alex's birthday month)

July 2014

I'm just going to stop saying how busy life is. From here forward we will all just know... I would rather be outside, enjoying life, taking photos of the kids. So at moments like these (or in the middle of January when it's actually frigid), i don't forget how precious these times are... were.

sweet friends at a church wedding

We started Logic of English (phonics & handwriting HS curriculum)

We got to cheer on the Netherlands in the World Cup!
(boooo, Argentina... i mean, congrats, Argentina!)

crinkle, crinkle
You may be born in the 80's when...
(you sleep in braids and wake up to the crinkle)

At a REAL beach :)
Alex learned how to boogie board too

We had cousin B come and stay for a week! 

At the National ZOO! 

fun with brains 

Can you believe they didn't want ice cream?
Seriously... they would have rather had stuffed animals... kids these days!

So thankful for this day

Our girl eventually learned how to jump off without a floaty... i'm so proud! 

happy half birthday, B! :)
thats right we celebrate when we can. 

Thanks Anna
(moral support and general cheer-iness is help too!)

GRAMS and POPs are 
AMAZING... see?!?!?

A 102 fever. :(
she's still smiling.. i don't get it.. but i love it! 

matchy, matchy
(its okay when you're cousins)
(and under the age of 15)

This makes everyday of my life so.much.better.
Thank you Grams and Pops and the many people who were able to help. 

Oh my! Happy princess birthday, little lady!
We are so thankful for our friends.
(more than thankful)

Alex asked for a sleep over this year. None of us were really ready for it. Everyone stayed for 'sleepover' -ish activities (which at any age of a lady, includes sugar, giggles, and all-around silliness). We were glad to be able to invite all the little princesses back over in the morning for pancakes (because we seriously didn't have enough carbs and sugar (and silliness) the night before). 

It was a happy birthday season for this little lady. Its not that i 'can't believe she's 5.' Its that everyday her thinking and conversation skills (absolutely, positively) floor me. I as a parent, want to simultaneously give her the world and protect her from it at the same time. Lane and I are more than thankful for our precious children.