Up a Tree

Gabe has always loved climbing trees. We have plenty of trees in our yard, nice maples that have many branches for foot and hand holds. Recently he has become bolder and more adventurous with his climbing.

Here he is working his way up the tree.

He decided this was high enough. I am a pretty relaxed momma and don't get too nervous over the exploits of the children. I also trust Gabe's abilities and his common sense to know what he can and can't do. He did have a bit of trouble working his way back down, but he managed without any help.

I enjoy each new accomplishment the children make. Way to go, Gabe.

Bessie's Braces

We finally got Bessie in to see the orthodontist and start her treatment to straighten out a few teeth and correct her under bite.

The orthodontist was a very good sport and allowed me to take lots of pictures. And of course Bess is very used to me taking photos of everything in life. I did promise not to post all of the open mouth pictures.

So, here she is with her lovely orange glasses right before they got started.


And here she is with her top braces. She will go back in a few weeks to have the bottom set put on.

It has been interesting for her to adjust her eating habits to accommodate the braces. The main item she has had to give up is chewing gum.

Snowflake Bentley

This spring, we completed a study and lapbook on Wilson Bentley, the man who developed the technique for photographing snowflakes. The children found it very interesting "Snowflake" Bentley was homeschooled and that his parents sacrificed a great deal to help him achieve his dreams.

Our lapbook cover

Symbols of Vermont

Our lapbook

The three middle children worked together on this project, sharing in the duties of cutting, writing, and gluing the different mini-books.

After we finished the lapbook, each child took a tray outside and brought in a mound of snow to play with. They especially enjoyed this part of the project.

Weekly Daybook

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For Today...April 6, 2009

Outside My Window...it is getting dark. The sky is very gray and heavy with clouds. It rained on and off today and is quite cold.

I am thinking...how to manage one particularly difficult child. I know there is an answer to make a breakthrough in behavior...probably for him and for me.
I am thankful for...our warm comforting woodstove. I had thought we would be done burning wood by now, but the days are cold, damp and windy and the stove is so nice.
From the learning rooms...continuing to work on the basics...slow and steady and then there is physics, Spanish and the Peloponnesian War with our highschooler. What a jump in topics.
From the kitchen...pretty quiet today.
I am wearing...a white shirt with black knit vest and black wind pants.
I am creating...starting a new cross-stitch block and continuing with my spring wall hanging.
I am going...to start a new audio book tonight as I work on my stitching.
I am reading...more quilt books.
I am hoping...for warmer days and some sunshine soon.
I am hearing...quiet talking as the Littles go to bed, Brian on the other computer and Bessie setting up the tea things for our weekly teatime..
Around the house...fabric ready for projects, art folders from co-op, laundry needing to be folded and a cozy spot by the fire set up for Bess and me.
One of my favorite things....an unexpected kindness from a friend.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...a good school week, time to work on my projects and hopefully enough good weather to work in the gardens.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... Not all the sky was gray and dark....a few patches of blue and pink shine through as the sun sets.

Weekly Daybook

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For Today...March 30, 2009

Outside My Window...it is a very gray, rainy, windy, cold spring day.

I am thinking...how reassuring and comforting it is to know that spring will indeed come. The dependability of the seasons helps me get through our long winters. We heard the first spring peepers this weekend. The sound is a joyous balm to me, it makes me smile.
I am thankful for...simple things. The children are playing a hiding game with a sponge. I love days when they find enjoyment in simple things and leave the electronics for a bit.
From the learning rooms...lots of basics this week. The girls are making good progress, so we are focusing much of our energy on reinforcing the building blocks.
From the kitchen...Bess made scones today for our Monday night tea time.
I am wearing...my favorite shirt and gray sweatpants...comfort clothes on a dreary day.
I am creating...finishing my latest cross-stitch block and starting a new quilt...lots of spring colors.
I am going...to enjoy tea time with Bessie tonight. It has become a wonderful weekly time to spend together.
I am reading...a new quilting book and a cozy mystery.
I am hoping...that the progress the girls are making continues. We have worked so hard and it would be such a blessing to make a breakthrough soon.
I am hearing...Bessie preparing our teatime and the younger children playing their hide and seek game.
Around the house...quite a mess I'm afraid....toys, books, clothes. We are putting away winter things and taking out spring/summer things. I need to take some time and do a major run through.
One of my favorite things....precious phone calls when Brian is away. It is like our daily date. We have the greatest conversations as we each give the other our undivided attention.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...one child has a visit to the oral surgeon. Our last regular co-op meeting.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

The first spring blooms in my garden.

WHFC Winter Party

A couple times during the year, our adoption agency holds regional gatherings hosted by our social worker. These events are fun and I love seeing all the new children and their families. I think it is also great for our international children to see so many other children from their countries of birth.

We get to eat lots of great food, talk with many other adoptive parents, ooh and aah over the gorgeous babies and see the children who have grown so much in the last year.

It took Gabe a bit longer than the other children to venture away from us and chat, but once he saw some boys with Pokemon cards, he made quick friends.

Hannah and Dan always love the play room. They joined right in with several other children and had a ball.

Rachel found the craft table. They had flags from different countries and interesting designs to color. She loves anything to do with art.

Here we are with Lori, the social worker who did Gabe's and the Little's adoptions. She is amazing and we are all so fond of her.

Hannah's 8th Birthday

Hannah had her 8th birthday earlier in the month. She was so excited this year. Each milestone builds memories for the Littles and they are beginning to look forward to things like birthdays, vacations and holidays.

Her birthday fell on a Sunday this year, so we had to wait until after church for the festivities to begin.

She got some fun things this year, including some PetShoppe, a new umbrella and a pretty purple and pink pillow that Bessie made for her.


She had seen a cake in a magazine at a friends house. We did the best we could although I'm sure it wasn't exactly like the fancy one. Four layers of chocolate cake with pink frosting and sprinkles. It sure was yummy!

Mom and Dad came over later in the day for dinner and cake and ice cream. I just love the "flower" headband we found for her. It is so Hannah!

Happy birthday, Hannah. We love you, sweetie!

Weekly Daybook

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For Today...March 9, 2009

Outside My Window...it is snowing quite heavy. We have had warmer weather the last few days and it rained overnight, but things turned over this morning and the snow is coming down. It is a steady snow that is quickly coating everything in white frosting.

I am thinking...about making good choices for our children's healthcare. We have a couple issues that will need to be decided on. We will need to go over all the information and then prayerfully decide on the timing and the best course of treatment. Sometimes things aren't so black and white.
I am thankful for...remembering. Memories are such a precious gift. Being able to look back on past events and give a sigh of contentment at the really good experiences in life. It helps to make the less pleasant days seem sweeter.
From the learning rooms...we are doing a unit/lapbook on Maple Sugaring.
From the kitchen...all is quiet today. We have a busy day that is not allowing us to work on anything special in the kitchen.
I am wearing...a white shirt with a small blue and tan design with blue wind pants.
I am creating...a new cross-stitch block, two block of the month embroidery projects and a dress for Hannah.
I am going...to work on Hannah's dress.
I am reading...descriptions and reviews of various curriculum. We have choices to make for next year.
I am hoping...to get some work done. I have been out of the house all morning.
I am hearing...Dan singing, Bessie preparing lunch and Gabe giggling over something. He has one of those laughs that make you want to smile.
Around the house...beads for lacing on the kitchen table, new projects on my sewing table and dress up clothes strewn about.
One of my favorite things....catalogs. I love catalogs for supplies and curriculum for our homeschool and catalogs for plants, seeds and gardening and catalogs for sewing and crafts. They are full of ideas and inspiration. The possibilities seem endless with a good pile of catalogs and it helps while away the long evening hours in the winter.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...a couple of Dr. appointments and the usual speech and piano. We are hoping to visit a sugar house as part of our unit study, but that might have to wait until next week.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... Bessie and I have been having a weekly "tea time". Bess and I both have nice collections of tea cups. It is fun to pick a new one each week. This time together is a wonderful time of fellowship for the two of us. It is one of the highlights of my week.

Christmas Block of the Month - "Love"

My latest hand project is a block of the month from Gail Pan Designs. Gail is offering this series free at her website.

I had not done much embroidery in years and this was a challenge for me. I love it! It was so relaxing and satisfying for me to stitch away and watch the block unfold.

I am behind as it is already March and I haven't finished February yet, but that is okay. I am allowing myself some freedom with this and not holding to a fast schedule. I can't wait to see how the finished project will look.

Quiet Day at Home

Our family loves to do things and go places, but we also enjoy our days at home. These days can often be quite productive as we pick projects to work on, but sometimes these days are just wonderful days of spending time together or pursuing activities of interest to each of us. These types of days don't happen too often as life seems so busy and there is also so much to do, but the last weeks have afforded us a few days when we felt we could relax and enjoy some down time.

Rachel's favorite free activity is drawing. Bessie gave her a nice set of colored pencils and an art pad for Christmas and she has been working hard on her drawing. Whenever she has a free moment, you will often find her working on something new.

Dan and Hannah often play together doing many different things. I had recently purchased a bag of all sorts of beads and a sorting box. How much fun they had sorting beads of many different colors and shapes.

Brian and Gabe...two peas in a pod. They just love the Wii. Brian picked up this World War II flying ace game on a discount shelf. It has been a major hit with these two. You will often find them shooting down enemy aircraft over Germany.

And Bessie...one of her favorite leisure activities is her computer. She has many friends on Facebook that she enjoys following. She also has several Nancy Drew games that she enjoys.

Me, I stalk my family taking pictures. Actually, most recently, on our stay at home days, you will find me sewing or stitching. I am finding a lot of enjoyment working with fabric and thread.

So, what do you enjoy doing on those rare lazy free days at home?