Sage advise.....

"Life is uncertain.  Eat dessert first."  Hot chocolate chip cookies with ice cream was the "main dish."  :)

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What does school at home look like?

This morning, Ruthie wanted to "write a story about Bambi for me to read the next time you go on a trip, Mommy." 

Ahhh.....I love being a mom!

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Christmas decorating has begun!

The kids each made a Christmas countdown garland today.....each of them has different activities/fun Christmas facts/songs on each day's ring.

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Thanksgiving Break!

Ruthie "reading" to Nat next to a cozy fire.....love this sibling time!

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Another one bites the dust!

Lost yesterday in a rough-housing incident.....  Thankfully, it was a baby tooth.

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A cold afternoon at the zoo......

Means lots of time in the warm (& stinky) hippo house!  The kids loved seeing them take their vitamins-disguised in a pb& j sandwich. 

(our zoo actually has three hippos-one is in quarantine for possible exposure to rabies.) 

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Fashion Conscious Nat

He has taken to wearing these gloves everywhere......  Too funny!
(He also informed me later that he wanted to wear all red to school-to match his gloves.  I drew the line there, since he has no long-sleaved red shirts that fit & it's 40 degrees this morning!)

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My morning view......

Love the peaceful, quiet time in front of my fire each morning.

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Sick Mom.....

But super thankful for a hubby who stayed home from work for two days to take care of me-& his kiddos! 

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"Cooking School"

One morning a week, it is just Ruthie & I at home.  We have started using that time to cook together. 

Learning measurement?  Sounds like math to me!  Homeschooling for the morning!

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A Saturday Away.... .

Last Saturday, the kids & I took a road trip to view the changing aspen.....an autumn tradition around here.

We ended our day in Fairplay, CO, at a little tourist trap called "South Park City."  Much to the kids' delight, it included an old engine & caboose.

Making memories.....one moment at a time!

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Science Experiment......

Or at least, we are watching & waiting for our bean seeds to grow!

(every kid needs to do this at least once in
their lives!)

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School Days!

School outside on this fine day!

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School Days

School outside today!

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Vacation......(in two parts...the last part being first)

Yes, I am "photo upload challenged"  None of these pics are in the right order at all! 

 Taking in Ruby Falls.....AMAZING!  Never ceases to impress me when going into a cave, that God created such beauty even in the "lower parts of the earth," that few people will ever see.

 We did "See Rock City," as so many billboards out east encourage you to do!!!

 Don't ask.....I have no idea what makes them tick!  :)  We just love them anyway!!

 Two cooks in the kitchen.....scary stuff! 

 Special times w/ Aunt Betty!

A requisite stop in Metropolis......

Thanks for meeting us, Uncle Wilson & Aunt Betty.  We had SUCH a good time together.....& many fond memories were made!  Love you both!!!



Taking Time.......

My sweet sister & her family are moving back to Minnesota next month.  Kinda changed our priorities for summer. Spending time together has become the "most important" thing.  This hike will be a precious memory in a few months, I am sure.

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Empty Beds.......

For the first time in over 11 years, I woke up to an empty house.  No other life forms around.

Dave took the kids to Denver to spend the night, & today, they are going to our local Six Flags!! 

Now.....what to do today?!? 

(Naw....I really have my day totally filled! & I wish it included this, but alas, that is a day far, far in my future, Ha!  Ha! )

Good News.....

The most destructive fire in Colorado history is finally 100% contained.

From the Incident Command website:

"Waldo Canyon Fire 100% Contained

Incident: Waldo Canyon Fire Wildfire
Released: 33 min. ago


The Waldo Canyon Fire will be called 100% contained today Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. Incident Commander Troy Nelsen flew the fire around 6:00 p.m. and could not find any smokes in the Blodgett Peak area. Residents near the Waldo Canyon fire may continue to see smokes over the next few days but those all in the interior of the fire. Blodgett Peak area was the only area of concern and with no smokes showing in that area for 36 hours the team declared the fire 100% contained."

Dog Days of Summer.....

So much to get done-don't feel like doing anything but hangin' by the pool!

Ah, well-supper's in the crock-pot, we're headed to soak up some rays, & I feel fine w/ what was accomplished today!

Relief......

I wish you could hear the calmness of this flow like I did on my walk this morning.  For a drought & fire-sticken city like ours, there is nothing that brings relief quite like this.....

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Well, what a crazy two weeks!!!

& now, our fair city is contending w/ flash flooding-not only in the burn area-but all over town.


&, in other news, my sister, husband & their three boys are moving back to Minnesota.  We are very sad about that, so we are packing our days full of cousin activities! 

Last week, we spent a day at Water World in Denver (the world's biggest water park-yes!!!).

Fire!!!!

We live in Colorado Springs, & currently, there is a MAJOR fire less than a mile away from some of the houses on the west side of town,  Fortunately, that is about 20 miles away from our house.  This picture was taken sometime today....you can see how close the fire is to thesed houses on the mountainside just west of Garden of the Gods.

Humidity was less than 10 % most of today & wind gusts were well over 30 MPH.  No chance of rain for several days & record high temps are predicted.

Please pray for Colorado Springs. 

Get it Done!

~Laundry (one load washed, three dried & put away)
~Help Nat clean his room
~Reciepts

Get it Done

~Laundry
~Clean kitchen
~Zoo?
~Swim?

Get it Done!

~Take Nat's registration to the district office
~Clean kitchen
~Laundry
~Start thinking about Ana's trip to camp

Wow! Sorry I've been gone so long!

The end of the school year must have thrown me for a loop! 

We have had VBS, & a week's vacation for Dave & I already. (plus various & sundry other activites for all the kids). 


Get It Done:

1.  Laundry (Kids washed & dried, our clean put away)
2.  Unpack from trip, put suitcases away
3.  Finish registering Nat for school.
4.  Withdraw Ruthie. (Tried-but after an hour online, searching for any info on how to do it, I can't find ANYTHING.)
5.  Register the girls for dance next year.

OPTIONAL:
1.  Grade Ana's math up to now.
2.  Clean kitchen. 
3.  Go through one shelf of games.

Dave & I at Historic Jamestown.  Looking out over the James River, which feeds into the Chesapeake Bay.  You can see a ferry boat behind us. 

Catch Up!

Sorry it's been a while since I posted......but life has been INSANELY busy.  End of the year school b-day party, dance class party, last soccer game, & lots & lots of yard work.....

Here are a few pics of our activities the last week or so:

 Ruthie, w/ her WONDERFUL kindergarten teacher-she had her "birthday treat time" at school last week, since she has a summer b-day.

Ana's dance class met at the park for a pizza party yesterday.

Nat w/ his soccer coach....after his last game.

My most favorite yard project from the last few days.

One of my friends that lives out in the country gave me several pieces of old wood to use as garden decor.....

& this one had a hole just begging for some ground-cover!