August Fields

October 2015.

I love October.  I really do.  This picture of Jerry (yes, that’s his nickname…) was snapped on the way to church this past Sunday.  Total sleepiness, morning sun, long sleeves and cozy.  Michigan lends itself to foggy mornings, beautiful fall colors on the trees, crisp cool air and I’m just gonna say it.  Donuts and Cider.

We made our way to our local pumpkin patch this year and our rule is:  if you can lift the pumpkin up and get it in the wagon, we can get it.  Our kids are older and stronger and I must say our pumpkin collection by the front door dons a couple very large pumpkins! And a few tiny ones.

I have to add this picture of Jerry Bear.  He’s been sucking his bottom lip and jamming his fists into his mouth (a-la teething).  He often waits right here in the middle of our bed, happy as a clam.  I mean look at his hair?  How could he not feel awesome?

We are enjoying a fall break right now from Classical Conversations and have a couple of fun activities planned.  I so love the freedom homeschooling has given us as a family!  Happy October!

Summer and our 11th year of Homeschooling!

This summer has simply gone too quickly.  There was swimming, play dates, book clubs and babysitting, movies, golf and piano.  We don’t typically go anywhere on vacation during the summer months, opting rather to stay around town and swim, golf and visit with family and friends.

Can you believe my little man is nearing 4 months!?!  His hair is coming in blonde, he laughs a LOT, and loves to be held.

ChiChi turned 3!  This nickname has stuck pretty heartily, although its often shortened to Cheech or even Sneech.  He love to ride the tractor with daddy, and “mower the lawn”.

His favorite shows are Paw Patrol and Bubble Guppies.  He says “I love you mom” unprompted. Its so precious to hear his voice forming all sorts of sentences and thoughts, ideas and even an occasional movie line!

We are embarking on our 3rd year of Classical Conversations!  Our oldest daughter will be in Challenge 1, our second daughter in Challenge A, then the boys are in a mix of Foundations and Foundations and Essentials.

The girls started early as the CC Challenge program is 30 weeks where the Foundations and Essentials is only 24.  So they had their own “First Day” photos.  You can see our other First Day Photos —> 2011  2012 

Deanie is in High School!  and Dancy is in 7th grade.  

catching up.

I’d say I have quite a bit of catching up to do!  We have had baby!, a wonderful school year, birthdays, yard projects, home projects, holidays, and of course everyday life going on.

First and foremost, we are so so happy to announce the birth of our seventh child, our fifth boy!  He came into this world with a ton of dark hair, blue eyes and at home.  That’s right.  We experienced our first home birth!  It was planned and went so well.

Here is our little man who is now nearing 2 months.

He is nursing like a champ.  But I would like to be honest and say that nursing is an endeavor.  Especially in the beginning.  My milk always comes in around day 3.  And with a vengeance.  There are ice packs involved.  Then for the next 2 weeks latching on hurts!  All I can say is ‘stick with it’ and ‘use lanolin from day 1’.  I am now experiencing the acheter cialis joy of breastfeeding and all the bonding/money saving/wonderful things you read about in books.

One of my recent purchases has been THIS nursing cover.  It actually COVERS my sides and my back!  It is perfectly stretchy and lightweight and doubles as a carseat cover.  Hands down one of those items that I wish I had 7 babies ago.

              

So much to catch up on!  We continue to take it one day at a time around here and enjoy our moments and memories. 🙂

                            

Favorite Toys 2014

i always find it so very helpful when others share their favorite tried and true toys and gift ideas.  i have done gift lists in the past on my blog so i thought i’d share some more in hopes that it will be helpful to someone else.

these are all toys that have been tried and true in our household!  real favorites 🙂

don’t forget extra darts!

make sure to add a wiffle bat.

this is the exact hoop we have and keep it indoors.  the kids love to play year round.
you can see some of our own keva creations here. make sure you get a lot so the kids can share… this equals hours of fun!

lord of the rings.  also, the chronicles of narnia.  (these are excellent read alouds for older children as well!)

*these are affiliate links through amazon.  but you all know i only recommend my favorites!
happy shopping.

i’d love to hear your favorites in the comments!

Strawberry picking.

Can you believe I have never been strawberry picking? Yet another joy of michigan living is the abundant strawberry season… Yum!

This will definitely be a new tradition.

I see pies, jam, and dried strawberries in my near future!! Do you have a favorite strawberry recipe?