October 16ish, 2012

 

We did not know that tangelos can grow in South Carolina.The kids were given one for shelling beans at Clemson Extension's Farm Day.

Learning about bee-keeping

Steam powered tractor

The last baseball game of the fall ball season.

 

These recyclables became log cabins, props for colonial math lessons for L's extra credit, and an assortment of saber-like weapons.

Learning words one pop at a time

Happy 13th Anniversary to Us...even with you there and us here

 

St. Augustine, Confessions 10.27

 

LATE HAVE I LOVE YOU, O beauty so ancient and so new....

You called,

you cried,

you shattered my deafness.

You sparkled,

you blazed,

you drove away my blindness.

You shed your fragrance, and I drew in my breath, and I

pant for you. I tasted and now I hunger and thirst. You

touched me, and now I burn with longing for your peace.

 

St. Augustine

Confessions 10.27

 

Birthday Girl

We loved being able to celebrate Natalia's birthday together for the first time.

Gift inside a balloon

Couture

Gateau

Attempting to build Eiffel towers out of pink sugar wafers

More pop-star than princess

Salon de fete

Pique-nique

Until Trader Joe's arrives, I recycled my glass bottles and filled them full of raspberry ginger ale. Voila!

 

French twist, French nails....coiffure, manicure

You know you're a slightly nerdy family when your birthday parties often include a science experiment....exploding Ivory soap in the microwave.

 

October Goodness

In a season of fatigue, it is helpful to stop and focus on our blessings, great and small things alike.

I will not forget your goodness.

I love apple season.

First caramel apple.

Chicka chicka boom boom afterschool snack. This idea is on Pinterest, but our kiwis were past prime, so we substituted green apple slices.

Our Latvians are very excited about their first Halloween!

 

 

When A returned home, running around town after hours looking for birthday items that Target was out of. I have been spoiled in my formerly free-er stay-at-home life. It is quite difficult to arrange surprises when you are never alone!

How strong are eggs? Walking through the scientific method.

 

We were surprised to find that we could stack 30 schoolbooks on top of our eggs.

 

 

 

37.2 pounds of pressure...more than we thought they could take....

Measuring volume. Ice cube gum is approximately 1 cubic centimeter if you are all out of math manipulatives.

The donkey in the middle of the road

When the strength of the laborers is giving out.....

Don't panic. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

Like Balaam, I am beating a stubborn donkey, and it's only response is to crush my foot against the wall and lay down in the middle of the road.

(Numbers 22:25-27)

May I have eyes to see God's hand of protection over me and our family. May I trust God's heart when I receive news that I do not wish to hear.

May I not bow my back and assert what I will not do, what I have had enough of...may I walk in humility and say, "I will not fight you on this."

 

Weekend...do what you wanna do

Grandmama gave Laurel bread-making lessons. We had tea and toast for our after school snack today. Mmmm. Can I have a lesson too? Then again, that might be dangerous.

Celebrating my sweet friend's engagement and birthday while the kids celebrated another friend's birthday and A celebrated his Gamecocks

Unearth outdoor arts festival at Saluda Shoals. My man escaped this one as he had to catch a flight. The kids groaned, but later admitted that we actually had a really neat Sabbath afternoon.

Down by the river

Hiking along The Fairy Trail

Various artisans were set up along the way doing art in natural settings.

Interacting with clay...You are the potter, shaping us as seems best to You.

All those Percy Jackson books must have inspired this hydra at the pottery station....

We listened to a symphony and watched aerialists and other circus performers...this was a great venue for families as we could munch on snacks and not disrupt.

My mom was gracious to have us over for dinner and haircuts. We tumbled into bed, pooped, but satisfied from the fun day.