practicing

This is what Eliana does for many hours each day - hones her newfound skill of walking. I had forgotten how all-absorbing the task is to a newly mobile baby. She staggers through her laps downstairs, a goofy grin on her face, stopping only to lean against my leg, suck her thumb, and recharge for the next round.

Swords and Bunnies

Josiah is a precious mixture of baby and big boy right now. I found his favorite weapon, the long sword with the blue handle, on his bed next to his favorite "mimi rabbits." I have seen him wielding his water gun with one hand and sucking his thumb on the other. (It is advantageous to be a lefty and a right-thumb sucker.) His favorite stories right now are great battles in the Bible and his handbook on how to be a knight.

Top Ten Reasons to Homeschool Your Children

In keeping with my last post, here is another list! It is not my own, but I wholeheartedly agree with the philosophy and am motivated by the same desires for our family.

The Top Ten Reasons to Homeschool Your Children

1. To instill your values and beliefs in your children.
2.To encourage academic excellence in your children.
3.To meet your child's unique, individual needs.
4. To help your children through the difficult times in their lives.
5.To help your children understand the hard questions we face in life.
6.To build intimate and meaningful relationships with your children in order to show them how much you love them.
7.To share with your children the common, everyday joys of life and be there when they need you most.
8. To be your children's mentor, spiritual leader, role model, friend and teacher.
9.To protect your children from the negative influence they may encounter outside the home.
10.To instill in your children a lifelong love of learning and to show them that learning is not boring, but exciting.

Top Ten Reasons Uncle Drew is Cool

10. He has dreamy blue eyes.

9. He always wears a hat.

8. He likes girls.

7. He is a basketball player.

6. He is the new basketball coach for South Aiken!

5. He can run a long time.

4. He knows how to make people laugh.

3. He's very tall and handsome.

2. He is always a friend.

1. He is big, but acts like a kid!

Grease Monkeys

I came home from a walk with the girls to find the men of the family doing manly things!

I know that Chris will teach Josiah to do all sorts of handy jobs, which is wonderful in itself, but what that little boy really soaks up is time with his Dad.

Fruits of our Labor

We picked ten pounds of strawberries on Thursday! Josiah probably ate at least a pound during the harvest. After dropping a few into his bucket, he would announce, "Mama! I need a little snack!" At first I thought he wanted me to go back to the car and bring him some crackers, so I put him off. When I noticed that he never seemed bothered by the lack of snack, I looked over at him to see him cheerfully popping a big, ripe strawberry into his mouth. Eliana hung out with a cute baby boy while we worked. Of course, we all enjoyed strawberries and ice cream when we got home, and we have lots of whole berries and jam in the freezer now.

Memo to Moses

To: Moses

Subject: Saveing israelites

I am amazed how you hit the rock with the stick and made water come out. I am Celeste, and I am cristshin, and I learned about you.

Love,

Celeste