A few happenings around here.

Finishing up Homeschool for the Summer!

But reading is always encouraged and required, even in the Summer .

But it looks different to each child.

Here's Silas walking the backyard while reading!

                  

Levi and Ila May took dance lessons and learned to swing, walk, and some other dance techniques . 

The finale was the Candy Cane Ball .

They were asked to dress up in colors that reflected candy.

 

(FYI:Working on more blogposts )

Productive Backyard

Our backyard has been good to us this year.

Last year I planted 7 zucchini plants and was overwhelmed with so many!

This year I planted just ONE plant and it's perfect.

I planted twice as many Greens Bean this year, though. 

My favorite vegetable, fresh out to the garden they are! 

But the most fun about our backyard are our two

chickens, Henrettia and Dixi Chick.

We have been waiting for about

 two months for them to produce.

And LOOK....

This is our very first egg!!

Henrettia was so happy and squaked to annnounce her achievement.

Our grand daughter, Ila May wanted to celebrate

by making her version of Fried Rice, 

We even had Double Yokes!

We are blessed!

In many ways!

"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."

John 15:8

 

Home School Time

Kimmy, our daughter, is a Home School mom of 6 kids, 

(15,13,11,9,6,4 yrs).

She also has a Home School class that she teaches once a month,

 for younger children.

Friends, neighbors and church familes, have signed up their

younger children to learn about God's creation.

What a special time for the youngsters to learn 

how to sit, create, play, listen, share and 

have fun while doing all of this. 

The moms enjoy time with the little ones plus visiting with other moms.

It's always held outside,

 in their beautiful backyard, year round!

This year Ila May has graduated out of the class but wanted to still be apart of the fun.

Kimmy recruited her, as her assistant, 

along with a special girlfriend.

We thought it would be fun to identify the assisstants, by wearing an apron.

Kimmy, "Mom can you make aprons for Ila May and her friend?"

Me, "Sure!"

So off to the store to find the perfect material.

We looked at several colors and different prints.

This is the one we came up with!

Back and front

Ila had a specific style she wanted.

No patterned needed for this adorable apron.

(Pockets will be added on soon.)

What would we do without YouTube?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqF8mb5eSFc

Kimmy's assistnants, 

ready for students.

I added an extra long ties to make 

BIG bows.

The girls are ready to help, if needed.

Kimmy with her assistiants.

Grammy-Goo with the girls.

I found a gift bag that almost is the same print!

I ended up making a total of four aprons.

You never know if there will be more assistants in the future.

We are ready, just in case.

~~~~****~~~~

As each has recieved a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.

1 Peter 4:10

 

Ila’s Birthday Tea Party

"Mom, can I have a Tea Party for my Birthday?"

 

Ila May was turning 11 and 

Kimmy wanted to make it fun and special.

Kimmy then called her mother in-law, who is a Picker.

Mema collected everything for this Tea Party.

 

When each girl arrived, she recieved gloves, pearls to wear, plus, and a tea cup to use and take home.

The food table was full of goodies.

Kimmy and Ila May.

Each place setting was colorfully coordinated and

perfectly set.

The inside of the tent was fitted with a chandelier and 

lace curtians that flowed in the wind.

All the girls were thrilled to be at a real Tea Party.

 Mema, IlaMay and me.

My absolute, favorite picture of Ila May,

waiting for her friends to arrive

before her Tea Party.

"For I know the plans I have for you,"  delclares the Lord, "plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plan to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

 

Number 2 - Cashes In

Redeeming her Christmas gift certificate is, 

9 year old, 

Ila May

She brought along her doll,

also named Ila May.

We picked her up early Friday morning.

But first things first...Breakfast.

Her request was waffles!

Not just any old waffles.

They had to be store bought and ROUND.

Waffles it was, with peanut butter and syrup.

Blueberries too!

We have a very busy day and she ate it all.

I think word got out, that when Silas was here, 

he played board games with Papa.

One round of Candy Land,

then it was off  shopping!

Ila had her pick of where to shop.

She chose Hobby Lobby.

Good choice.

She didn't leave empty handed!

When lunch time came around,

she wanted a Freddy's burger.

She decided to eat at home.

This new park is getting a work out!

Last week Silas and his brother were there.

This week, Ila invited her brothers to join her.

What a busy but fun day!

Time to sit back and read a new book with Papa.

The certificate said, choice of dinner.

Ila May informed us that she wanted homemade soup.

She loves any soup, except Pea Soup. 🙄

After dinner, we watched several movies before heading to bed.

Next morning it was rather quiet.

Breakfast and some quiet actives 

These are the new shoes that Ila May picked out to buy.

Aren't they cute?

This precious girl, knows how to draw and is always drawing something and then giving it to me!

Such a big heart!

Helpful and very intuitive.

What a great time we had.

Another mission accomplished!

Love you Ila May!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

~~~~~*****~~~~~

"Let all that you do be done in love."

1 Corinthians 16:14

 

New Traditions

                                        

 One year older!

One more year of joy,

 One more year of love,

 One more celebration.

I had one of my best celebrations, yet!

Dinner, presents with CAKE AND PIE!

Both were lemon!!!

Oh, Kimmy knows me so well.

After dinner, we jumped into the the van and headed to our neighboring town,

to walk around and enjoy all the 

Christmas Lights.

We bundled up and were so excited to be out and about with so many others, enjoying the excitement of Christmas.

And this was on a Tuesday night!

 

 It was like one big party

I think we have started a new tradition!

*-------*-------*

 Well, I got "It "!  

I was down for about a week.

 I wasn't going to put up our Christmas Tree, but then reinforcements came!

Our grand daughters were so much help.

Not only did they put up the tree but decorated the house.

They did such a wonderful job. We all had fun! 

Banjo is happy!

His first Christmas with us.

New tradition has been started.

*-----*-----*

How blessed am I?

Ila May came over to help make Christmas cookies

 for our Christmas Eve Service, at church.

I love all this help. 

I have always said, it about making memories!

Another new tradition!

~****~

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

James 1:2-4