Overheard

Aulora: blah blah blah....[random weirdness] blah blah blah

John David: Aulora, stop that! Don't be weird! 

Aulora: [weirdness continues]

Julia: Ugh. Aulora, don't be surprised when you're 27 years old and still not married. Just don't be surprised....

John David: Yeah Aulora. Your husband isn't going to like all this weird stuff you're doing when you get married. 

Julia: IF. If she gets married. I'm telling you Aulora, don't be surprised. 

Zebus

Do you know what a zebus is? I didn't either until teaching my son his 5th grade math lesson the other day. A herd of zebu were mentioned in a word problem and after looking it up on the computer we both learned that a zebus is a type of domesticated ox.

I, uh, my kids are learning so much through this thing called homeschooling and, although it has taken over my life, I love it.

I can not believe what kind of house I keep these days and the things that I let slide by because there's just not enough time in the day. (Well, technically I guess there's time to do it but I don't want to do housecleaning at 10:00 pm!) I told John that the saving grace of all of this is that we live so far away from everyone that no one ever comes to our house so it doesn't really matter. And then he told me his parents were coming in a couple of weeks. [Panic!!] And of course I will be thrilled to see them when they come but it does beg the question - when will this house be taken care of and when will yard work be done?

My porch that is usually decorated for fall in early September hasn't seen a single change. Not even one lonely mum. I had flower boxes built and installed for our upstairs windows and I've yet to plant in them all year long. The garage is a mess, the outgrown clothes (the kids not mine!) are sitting in piles in the basement waiting to be dealt with, the wood floors need a good scrubbing, and my van hasn't been washed in......a really long time.

I could go on and on about the undone things around here, but that's not the point of this post. The point is zebu! Well, not really zebu but what the zebus represents. All the learning we're doing together! (And fortunately most of it is much more useful than knowing about a domesticated ox.)

I also love that my kids are friends. They play together so much and there is a lot of laughing (and whining and squealing too if we're being honest!). We are not perfect (by far!), but getting to spend our days together while we are loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, MIND, and strength is so precious.

A few nights ago they decided to play war and they pretended they were on an ice planet. They got out most ALL of the winter scarves, gloves, and hats. (It was a mess!) The next night they had another war but, this time it took place in the desert. That's why there are some shirtless kids in these pictures. Joshua was confused though and still thought they were on the ice planet.

I'm sure this game will be a favorite when we are cooped up for the winter!

edited to add: Since the writing of this post my porch has been decorated for fall, my flower boxes have been filled, the yard work is done (for now), and a few things were cleaned. My parents were here for Columbus day and while I did school with the older two my mom was making beds and cleaning the kitchen. How nice!

Kids' Museum

My parents and I took the kids to a local museum a couple of weeks ago. It's the perfect size place for some indoor fun (that was free with our library passes!). We'll definitely be going back soon!

Trip to the Chocolate Cafe

A couple of weekends ago we went downtown to the Chocolate Cafe.

The kids had never had fondue before ("fundue" as they called it) so it was a special treat.

Little hands were anxious to dig in!

It was also a belated birthday celebration with Joshua from Grandmamma and Dodie since they weren't in town for his actual birthday.

All the food was gone but there was still chocolate left. We couldn't waste it so we put our straws in it and started pretend drinking.

John David didn't understand the pretend part - hence his face in this photo. =)

Thistleberry Farm Trip

On October 30th, my parents and I drove about 5 miles to a local farm to have some fun with the kids. It turned out to be the neatest place!

Warning: This is a picture heavy post!

My dad took about 5 different shots, but Aulora was doing something weird in every single one.

We were trying to leave, but the girls just kept wanting me to take pictures of them.

The big guys did a Disney movie trivia corn maze.

Joshua and the girls did a storybook maze. After this small sampling of a corn maze, I'm pretty sure I will never want to do a normal one. I'm afraid I would get lost and never find my way out. The kids enjoyed themselves though.

Patiently hunting down the bunnies.

Still hunting....

The concession stand was a very important part of the day.

Julia befriended a very sweet kitty.

Being 10 is very tough.

Joshua's very first maze.

I think we may have found a new yearly tradition! (As long as we live around here, anyway.) If you're a local and haven't gone, you should!