Back to School

Maybe I'm ahead, or maybe I'm behind.  Depends on how you look at it I guess.  We started back to school with our core subjects of math, reading, spelling and language arts the first week of August.  In years past, our Summer break has been 1 month max, and this year we took a lot more considering our school year ended in May. However, the obligatory "first day" pictures didn't get taken till mid August and then with our co-op beginning this week, it seemed like a good time for more pictures and a post. 

This year we've got a 3rd grader...

And a 1st grader...

And of course our 3 year old and 1 year old along for the ride.  

I've also got another year of tutoring in our co-op ahead of me.  After a year break to sit in the back of the class and snuggle my baby, it's going to be weird to be back in front of the kids again.  This year I'll be tutoring in Leeland's class, which will also be totally different from the 4-5 year olds that I tutored previously.  

Ready and excited for our first day of Classical Conversations.

So our curriculum line-up for the year is....

-Classical Conversations

-Saxon math 

-First Language Lessons

-Writing with Ease

-All About Spelling

-And cursive writing for the biggest

I have lofty dreams of taking Fridays off again this school year, and hoping to get more fun accomplished on those days.  (Last year, I was mostly stuck under a baby exhausted.)  

Thankful for this privilege to educate our kiddos at home.  Praying for our school year, praying over what lies ahead, and that I might keep my priorities in focus.  Finding balance has always been the hardest part, but there is where I find beauty.  Thankful for God's grace and the lessons he has taught us over the last 3 years of schooling, and blessed to be on this journey.  

Happy 3rd Birthday Joel!

I don't know where to begin talking about this boy.  

He's wild and unruly.  He's spunky and silly.  But he's oh so cute, snuggly and sweet.  He's like a mix between a wild bull and a golden retriever at the same time. HAHA!  ... In all seriousness our Joel can't be put in a box.  He's a one and only kind of guy and we love him SO much! 

We celebrated him this weekend with family at a local splash park.  The splash park wasn't our original intention, but alas when the amusement rides at the city park we planned on being at broke down, the parks and rec department went above and beyond to accommodate our family.  And honestly, it was perfect weather and the kiddos still seemed to have a blast.  

Toy Story was the theme choice of the 3 year old.

Birthday invitation from Malaria Prints on Etsy.  We also purchased a pizza planet shirt in blue from Tees 4 Parties that I of course don't have any pictures of him wearing.  Whoops!

We kept the menu simple with it being an evening of playing in the water.  Pizza seemed like the obvious choice (hello, pizza planet) and salad and chocolate cupcakes. 

Honestly it was a really simple party.  I think with age and more kids, I've begun to remove some of that 'perfect party' pressure and just enjoy my family.  We were surrounded by family who loves our kiddos so well and we were so thankful for the quality time with each of them. 

In true fashion of my family, many of Joel's gifts were full of snacks.  You might remember Evelyn's party recently and the image of her surrounded by baby food pouches.  Everyone knows that Joel loves food.... so much so that I'm not sure he even chews when he shoves his cheeks full like a squirrel.

He got goldfish,

oreos,

cheese puffs,

chocolate,

3 bags of chocolate covered pretzels,

and even a pineapple.

Of course, there were more "normal" gifts as well of toys and clothes and bubbles too.  But his excitement as he shouted "MORE SNACKS, WOO HOO!" each time he pulled out a gift bag was pretty hilarious.

It was so exciting to celebrate our big boy and embrace this age of fun.  

Happy birthday Joel! Welcome to 3!

We love you SOOOO much!! 

Happy Birthday Evelyn!

Happy birthday to our littlest one!  One year old today.  It feels like just a blink ago that I was anxiously awaiting post due date for her to just enter the world.  What a difference a year makes!

Sweet girl had a "one in a melon" themed birthday this past Saturday over brunch with close family.  We are so incredibly thankful for so many in our life who love our little people so well. 

Our brunch menu included "Jo Jo's biscuits" (Magnolia cookbook) with jam, cheese, fried bacon, sausage, watermelon (of course), and deviled eggs (also from the Magnolia cookbook.) All followed up with some delicious chocolate cupcakes with buttercream and chocolate chips.  

Evelyn's birthday dress was made by me using the "Isobel" dress pattern by Violette Field Threads, along with the "Ruby" diaper cover pattern.  

Her invitations came from "Funny Bunny Creative" on Etsy.  

Baby girl was spoiled rotten by all of her family.  She got some adorable new clothes and toys, and the funniest were the amount of baby food pouches and baby snacks she received.  She sucks these pouches down in literally like 30 seconds, and our family has clearly taken note at how much she likes them.  

She also really enjoyed her cake!  She wasn't quite sure what to do with it, but once we cut into it so she could see what was inside she began to eat it up..... It's either that, or she's just a spoiled princess and wanted someone to cut her food for her.  Honestly, I'm fine with either of those scenarios! 

At one year old our little lady, has 2 teeth, weighs 18 pounds, 2 ounces.  She's 28.5 (ish) inches long and she's holding strong in size 12 month clothes still along with size 3 diapers for now.  She still hasn't taken independent steps, but furniture walks well, and wonders the house with a walker on occasion.  

She can wave "bye bye." and blow kisses.  And she's built a lengthy vocabulary of baby babble and gibberish.  But she also says "Momma", "Da Da" and "uh-oh." Oh, and did I mention that she's too busy for pictures?

She is such a joy!  We feel so incredibly thankful that we get to call her our daughter.  She truly is "one in a melon."