Our week :)

This has been a fairly busy week, hence the lack of a blog post, but it was a good week.  I implemented some changes to our homeschooling schedule which includes much more family reading time and that has made a huge difference in our schooling.  I feel like it's brought us together and given us a fun time to look forward to!

The start of our week began with friends nominating the boys for the ice bucket challenge.  I literally hadn't even heard of the ice bucket challenge until about a week after all my friends.  Since I'm not on facebook I have to depend on friends for the latest "news".  The boys were thrilled to be nominated and had a lot of fun completing the challenge.  (I can't get the video to upload correctly, but you can get the idea.) :)

 

Early in our homeschool week Davis completed one of his school books.  Anytime one of the kids completes a book we have a very short recognition time for them.  Everyone stops working and I call that child forward and present them with a special sticker with their name written on it.  We all clap and make a big deal about it.  They may then use that sticker later to redeem a reward.  It's usually their choice of 30 minutes on something like my phone, a computer game, or Wii.  I told Davis to go put a shirt on if he wanted to put his sticker on, then the next thing I knew I saw that he had stuck his sticker directly on his chest.  Oh well.  He loved it!

 

 

On Wednesday we headed to the Post Office to mail Knox's letter of intent to make him an official homeschooler.  You could tell it made him feel very important and special.  It's interesting what moments tend to stand out for your children.  You just never know, and I feel so blessed to get to witness them day in and day out.

 

 

Thursday morning we met friends out at our property to picnic and play.  It was so funny to watch as our friends brought out their "traveling" legos and we ended up with three separate groups spread out playing with Legos.  They really are the best toy ever invented (in my opinion).  :)

Andy was out of town for a few nights this week, so one night we went to church and one night we met friends at a weekly outdoor food truck gathering.  It was so much fun!  We purchased our food, found an area on the grass to spread out a blanket and the kids ran around while musicians were playing.  It was our first time trying it and we will definitely go back again.

 

 

 

Andy got back into town yesterday afternoon and we were all so excited to see him.  We never like to see him go, but it does make it a fun event when he arrives back home.  It really is true for us that absence makes the heart grow fonder.  Every day at least one of the kids prays for "daddy to get home safely".  He is always on their minds. 

 

I have decided that while he is gone I will try to make it a special time, and not just a time where we count down the minutes until he comes home.  The other night Drew, Knox, and I looked on amazon and ordered several old Disney classics that we can watch on nights when Andy isn't here.  I figure if we watch a little bit together each night it will be something fun to look forward to.  We won't have time to do that every night, but on some of our more normal schedule days it will be something special that we can do together.

 

Today Knox and I went on a shopping date together.  He is in need of some new clothes and since he now needs to try things on before buying them he came with me.  Boy do I miss the days of 2T, 3T, etc.  Although I still get to do that with Davis and Ellis.  :) 

 

 

Today did give us some special one on one time together which was very nice.  Knox made mention that he thinks he remembers one time we went somewhere alone.  That really struck me.  It got me thinking about whether or not we ever are one on one.  I have done things several times with Drew and Knox, but it seems like we are often lumping the "bog boys" together and the "littles" together.  Since he made that comment as we left the house today I really tried to treasure our time together and take notice when he shared things or wanted to show me something.  His most exciting purchase of today was this hat.

 

It is hard to find a bigger Gator fan than this kid.  He sure does love his team!  He literally pointed out everyone he saw that was wearing a "red" shirt.  He's going to have to get used to that living in this garnet and gold town.  :)

 

Knox also helped me pick out an outfit for Ellis.  In October we always meet friends at a pumpkin patch for pictures and then we attend a local fall festival held by one of the churches.  I won't give away the entire outfit, but here's a sneak peek.

 

 

Tonight is the first Gator football game and I'm hoping the boys will get to see the start since there is a rain delay.  They sure are excited!

 

 

GO GATORS!