I keep getting a certain request from some little people I know (not mine) that I need to post more frequently so I will give it my best. I feel like we have gotten into a bit of a routine, not as much new going on so I just have normal life stuff to share, projects and such so I hope that will be sufficient!

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This morning we were running late to ballet and I forgot to brush my teeth.  I know, nastiness.  So I RAN into the house, brushed at warp speed and RAN back to the car. This is the song that was playing on the radio as we raced to ballet, singing along:


November was a busy month full of birthdays and gratitude...

Our first fire of the season.

1. Pumpkin patch   2. Autumn nature walk treasures  3. Tiny pumpkin

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I can't believe Caeden is 10.  He can't believe he scored on so many lego sets this year.  It keeps his hands busy, for that I am grateful.

Maleiah LOVES to help cook.  We made applesauce and apple pie filling with some apples from the co-op.  

Turning Pages

I tried adding links to the books but blogger isn't working, sorry!


We haven't had a consistent read aloud time as a family for a long time and with the new school year starting and it has been so nice to enjoy a few good books together again.  Caeden's eyes have been wide as he asks, "Just one more chapter!  Please?"

We started the school year with a Little Pilgrim's Progress.  It was an amazing allegory of our Christian journey through life written at a child's level of understanding.  We all loved it!  

For our history we read The Sign of the Beaver, another great book that we were sad to see end.  It is set on the northeast coast and at the same time we were reading this we  were reading another book about the same time about Northwest Coast Native Americans.  It was a good opportunity to compare the different ways of life between the two coasts and the people that live there.

We are still trying to finish Milly-Molly-Mandy with Maleiah but she is enjoying our family read-alouds too.

Today we read a picture book called Roxaboxen that is now on my favorites list.  It reminded me of my childhood and my best friend in those days named Stacie.  We had wild imaginations and we probably had a town similar to Roxaboxen going at one time or another.  It made me want to build one in our backyard...and we might.  :)

Caeden is participating in the Boys Book Club through the local homeschool group.  The first book that they are reading is called The Wheel on the School and he really likes it.  The group meets twice a month and they discuss the book and then do a corresponding activity together.  If there is a movie that goes along with the book then they usually watch that to compare and contrast the two.  

We are going to be starting a few unit studies as we learn about the colonization of America.  I am so excited about entering this time in our history studies!  

Get used to the beach posts because we are going to be there, a lot...

We went back to Surfside this past weekend.  We explored a little bit more than last time, eating at a local restaurant.

There really isn't very much there other than the cool houses on stilts and fun people watching.  

Maleiah had her first surf lesson...she rode the waves and even practiced balancing on her knees atop the boogie board.  We found lots of shells, dig deep under the water and it's all you find, shell after shell.

Until next time...

Some of the photos are fuzzy due to the salt on my lens....

Agriculture Day at the Capital

Saw a silkie.
Saw some goats.
Saw a guy named Arnold.  The Terminator Arnold.  Well the back of his head anyway.
Met a funny honey bee guy who invited us homeschooler's out to his farm for a picnic lunch to learn about bees and goats.  And we are going!

Farm Tour

We belong to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) located in Capay Valley, California.  Farm Fresh To You delivers a box of fresh from the farm organic fruits and vegetables right to our front door.  We pick the size and how often we want it delivered.  So every Wednesday we get a box of "Mostly Fruit" and it has replaced goldfish crackers, pretzels and crackers of various sorts.  I. Love. It.

Periodically during the year they have farm tours and this year (we just started ordering in November) it was in December.  We loaded up and headed to the farm, in the rain, a lot of rain.  It was about an hour and a half drive and so worth it.  It is a second generation farm...young men, brothers, are running the farm their parents began.  It was humbling walking on the land that supports these men and their families, learning about the planning that goes into getting us this food that we eat and the fact that the rain we had just driven through was the very water that would be stored in the reservoir and water this land.  We picked oranges and stomped in mud puddles, drank hot cider, made caramel apples and grapevine wreaths.

In every box that we get each week there is a newsletter that tells us what is happening that week at the farm.  What's growing, what's not, how things are going.  We read it every Wednesday.  I hope it gives Caeden (later Maleiah) and idea of where our food comes from, what it takes to get it to our mouths and that people are involved in that process, including us.

Apple Hill 2009

Another year, another trip to Apple Hill. 

Caramel Apples, Apple Fritters, Apple Pie...

Pumpkins and rolling down hills. 

See you next year...

Family Art Night-Drawing

This week we did some drawing for Family Art Night! I requested every 1-2-3 Draw book and Ed Emberley book from the library {there are still some waiting on the hold shelf!} and we laid them on the table. Caeden did a great job and could draw so quickly! A year ago he would get so frustrated, it was neat to see him enjoy it and add details to his pictures. Justin drew our bathroom...he has a one track mind.



Books we used:

Family Art Night~Clay Insects

I am trying to come up with projects to do on Family Art Night....Caeden loves clay so I thought we would go that route and see what happens!

We chose an insect theme and it took off from there. Justin is a great artist and spent the most time on his {unfortunately} wingless dragonfly. The kids and I made caterpillars, ladybugs, a termite {a good one!} and roly poly's ("Pollo!" says Maleiah. She has no idea she is saying chicken in Spanish).

Of course we listened to our new favorite CD, appropriately called Family Time!

Family Time~Ziggy Marley

Music that makes a difference which I love. Learn the ABC song but don't associate the good old song with apples, balls, and cats. Now it's Africa, Brother and Caring. Words that actually mean something, globally. My favorite is "Ziggy Says" which is a {"Simon Says"} song with some silliness, hugging, smiling and peace sign throwing. Maleiah loves this CD and asks for "Ziggy Marley!" by name. Gotta love that; a two year old that can pick out Marley music on a play list. :)

Family Art Night~What Do You See?

Tonight we did our 2nd Family Art Night! The weather has been so perfect the last few nights so we ventured out to the backyard, pulled up some chairs and drew what we saw. We had a visitor; the 8 legged-fluffy kind, of which Maleiah was terrified. Of course it all ended with some tree swinging which is the kids favorite pastime right now. :)

Independence Day 2009

We went "BIG" this year for the 4th and had a BBQ with family and a few friends. It was great fun for all! We had games, great food and the coolest fireworks (from a stand) I have ever seen {Thanks, Brandon and Kara!)

By the way...I have been Picniking where all things for photos are made way cooler, for free!

Family Art Time

Yep.

I've been reading The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections by Amanda Blake Soule.

I love it!

We are trying to reduce the amount of time spent in front of the TV, bringing the family together more. Beyond meals, school and discipline, ya know....FUN STUFF! The day to day stuff gets so routine and this book is inspiring me to bring out the crafts and let the kids go nuts, go for more walks, and just enjoy each other. We had so much fun sitting around the table and painting. Justin is a great artist and so I am looking forward to seeing more of what he can do. :)