Ten kids and a Dog

Happy 12th Birthday, Mark!!

2012-01-20T19:18:00.004-05:00

Mark's first birthday!!!
Mark's 12th birthday.
(I have to admit, you have gotten a lot neater as the years have past)

On Martin Luther King Jr Day

2012-01-16T19:50:00.003-05:00

I want to apologize for neglecting this little space in the world wide web. But sometimes life gets in the way, and the fun things, the happy blog worthy happenings, seem to get pushed to the side. But I received a comment today on this old post....and I realized that we haven't been doing any on the "fun" things that used to fill our days....so I am going to try and remedy this, and fill our days with more intentional, enjoyable activities.

So being Martin Luther King Jr. Day I found a couple fun crafts to make with the kids. I found this handprint/poem craft here.
And who can resist paint....not my littles!!

These pictures were just the thing to get back a little of the joy of homeschooling.

I found the idea over at Handprint and Footprint Art.

We finally have some snow on the hill

2011-12-29T14:03:00.004-05:00

Last year by this time we had received 78 inches of snow, just in the month of December. This year nothing...until yesterday....a whopping 5 inches.
At least it was enough to get out the sleds for the first time of the season.

Climbing the "hill"

Ready, set, go!

Kimmy-5

I believe this technique makes the whole sledding experience more exciting!

The amazing speed!! She is just a blur.

Here's to many more sledding days this winter!!

Christmas Eve-2011

2011-12-24T18:51:00.012-05:00

We are awaiting the birth of Jesus!!

Our manger is empty, but tomorrow morning baby Jesus will be here!!

Amy made these beautiful paper ornaments.

I think next year we will decorate the whole tree with gorgeous homemade decorations.
Pat and Grace
On Thanksgiving Day, it is our tradition to have the 10 kids exchange names for our annual Christmas Eve secret Santa gift exchange.
It is a wonderful time to be together as a family, especially now since everyone isn't living at home.
Laura and Dan
It is fun to see what the kids get each other.

Becky and Amy
I was still baking for tomorrow, but I would like in years to come, to have nice treats that we can all enjoy. It is tough, though, to get everyones work schedules lined up to allow for several hours of fun. For instance, today, Matt and Pat had to run off to work after only being with us about an hour.

Grace, Luke, Becky and Amy

Grace, Daddy, Matt and Luke

Matthew

Laura

The little kids were so excited....they had been staring at the gifts for hours.

Luke and Dan

Big boys know how to make little boys very happy.

(We ended up with an abundance of weapons)

Kimbery-5

Kimberly-5

Mark-11

Kimmy-5

Laura---(a perfect winter hat from Becky)

Grace-10

Grace-10 and Kimmy-5

Dan with a giant whoopie cushion (perfect, Becky!)

Although Daddy didn't get a Nerf gun...he enjoyed the battle!

Pat---Looks good!

Matt---another Neft warrior

Becky

Laura

Becky and her secret Santa Mark

Becky and Grace

Daniel

Merry Christmas, from Ten Kids and a Dog!!

Ten Kids and a Dog---Christmas Eve-2011

2011-12-24T15:11:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas---from our house to yours!!

"All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth"

2011-12-23T13:12:00.003-05:00

Luke-age 6

"Lights on the Lake"

2011-12-22T20:37:00.003-05:00

We made our first ever trip to see the "Lights on the Lake" in Syracuse.

We all enjoyed it. The kids especially loved seeing Santa at the beginning of the drive.

It will definitely become a yearly tradition, especially since we now know the best time to visit.

Last week we tried to see the lights on Saturday night....we were in a stand still traffic jam for about an hour and then were able to escape the gridlock and head for home.

Tonight, Thursday, right as the park opened, provided us with no lines and no waiting.

We were also very happy to see the whole Nativity scene in lights.

Merry Christmas, everyone!!

2011-12-14T22:57:00.000-05:00

Three of my beautiful girls....inside and out!!

Macor Monday--the lighting of the candles

2011-12-11T21:24:00.001-05:00

They almost lit the house on fire

2011-12-10T20:00:00.002-05:00

lighting my birthday candles.

A Visit with Santa Claus

2011-12-10T17:09:00.005-05:00

Today was Daddy's annual family Christmas party.

The kids look forward to the wagon ride and of course, enjoying their yearly visit with Santa.
Luke with
glittery face paint.Gracie with Rudolph

Kimberly

Kimberly-5

After some crafts, music and food, it was time to visit with Santa.

Luke-6

For a short time, thanks to Daddy, Luke was placed on the naughty list....which just about gave Luke a nervous breakdown...but it was all resolved in the end, with Luke back on the good list.

Grace-10

Mark-11

It took a lot of encouragement to get Mark to visit with Santa. I'm afraid this is the last year Mark will get anywhere near the big guy.

Santa gave everyone a wonderful early Christmas gift.

Before we headed home we went outside to wait for a wagon ride.

Last year we had about a foot of snow on the ground. This year these is no snow, but the wind chill was about 20 degrees. (I am still thawing out!)

Right before this photo, Luke broke Rudolph's antler off.....but luckily, Daddy was able to fix it.

The sleigh bells were ringing as we took our very cold ride.

Saint Nicholas Day

2011-12-05T20:42:00.003-05:00

We have been preparing for Saint Nicholas' arrival tomorrow morning.

The best place to find activities related to Saint Nicholas is to visit the St. Nicholas Center website.

The pattern for the bead magnet can be found here.

Saint Nicholas is now also with the animals at the manger awaiting the arrival of the Baby Jesus.
One of our favorite St. Nicholas' books is The Legend of Saint Nicholas.

We also enjoyed The Miracle of Saint Nicholas and The Legend of St. Nicholas.

You can check out Saint Nicholas' Day past in the old blog posts.

Our Celtic Advent Wreath

2011-11-27T22:42:00.001-05:00

Thank you, Danny...for this wonderful gift!

Advent Paper Chain

2011-11-26T19:13:00.003-05:00

Head on over to The Catholic Toolbox to print out wonderful activities to do each day as you follow your Advent chain to Christmas Day.

Painting Thanksgiving Cookies

2011-11-23T21:54:00.003-05:00

We started with simple sugar cookie cutout leaves. (I cheated this year and used it premade)
I mix food coloring with egg yolk.

Then the kids get busy.

After painting the cookies, we sprinkle them with a little sugar.

Ready for the oven.

After ten minutes of baking.

I love the cracked look of the final product.

This taste yummy, too. The egg yolk cannot be tasted at all.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy 16th Birthday, Laura!!

2011-11-14T18:18:00.003-05:00

We are so proud of the beautiful young woman you have become!!

A Letter to My Mother

2011-11-10T00:53:00.000-05:00

Dear Mom,

Unearthly trembles fill the even sky,
And crashing thunders fill my heart with dread.
The flash of lightning tears my soul apart,
So in my fear I scamper to you bed.
Your gentle kiss relieves my doubtful heart,
And by your warmth my demons turn to fly.

A child, six or seven, closed the door,
But now, though grown, I come to you again.
The storm of yesterday has never gone,
It rages now in bitter, driving pain.
Your gentle words will hail the coming dawn,
A man of age- your child all the more.

Attack the grey until the day is done
And vanquish monsters hiding in the night.
You never stand alone upon the earth,
You have a Lion by your side to fight-
A beast of fearsome loyalty from birth.

Adieu for now, but know my love.
Your Son.

Don't worry!!!

2011-11-09T16:48:00.003-05:00

We are still here!!

And here...(notice window sill medicine supply)

Here---with remote
Here-in bed

We are here....

and here on the floor....

here in the basement.

And, yes, don't worry...the dog is still here, admidst the toys.

We have been bitten by the coupon bug

2011-11-03T10:31:00.002-04:00

Year ago, when I only had 4 of 5 kids, I shopped all the area sales and used coupons every once in a while. But as the family grew and we got busier and busier, it became easier to make one big trip to the big "box" store right down the street. (and spended tons of money to feed our large family)

Well, times have changed and I find myself counting every penny to make ends meet (which they don't usually do), so I thought I would give this coupon thing a chance.

I read the blogs and found the websites and then sat down and started making my "binder." (an organized filing system for the many coupons I came across)

Amy made a cute cover for the binder and I started out on the mission of filling it up.

Of course, there are the usual Sunday morning paper coupons, but I was amazed at the amount of coupons that you can find to print out right at home.

My favorite resource for finding internet coupons is The Krazy Coupon Lady website.
There are also coupon forums, coupon blogs, facebook coupons and many other "surprise" coupon finds. In fact, my hubby and grown children have joined the bandwagon and are bringing me home coupons from newspapers at work.

In fact, I have found so many coupons, (for things we use everyday) my original 1 inch binder has been replaced with a 2 inch binder in only 3 weeks of couponing.

I have consistantly been saving between 40 and 60 percent on every grocery and drugstore trip I have made in the last three weeks.

This is a tremendous savings for our family, but it does take some work.

The most important point I have to make is to make sure to match up the store sales with the coupons you have on hand. I am also getting a good idea of where the best prices are for the things we use everyday which rarely go on sale, because,

EVERY PENNY COUNTS!!

Gracie is 10!!

2011-10-29T21:03:00.004-04:00

Our beautiful little miracle turned 10 years old today!!!

Where did the time go?

It seems like yesterday.

In true Gracie style, she conducts while we sing "Happy Birthday"!
Yes, I still as using last years Christmas wrapping paper in October.

HORSES!!

Grace and Grandpa H

A bunch of cousin fun.

We love you, Grace!

I pray you have a wonderful year!

Our Blessed Mother

2011-10-21T15:59:00.002-04:00

Our Blessed Mother is visiting our house tonight, on her way around to many parishoners of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.

It will be a blessing to pray the Rosary with her as we beg for her intersession in our family.

"Happy Fall Y'all"

2011-10-19T10:50:00.003-04:00

This is today's craft....from my favorite craft supply company, Oriental Trading Company.

One child is ready for the snow!

2011-10-17T19:32:00.001-04:00

Monster Theme Unit.....in time for Halloween

2011-10-17T07:56:00.004-04:00

My two little learners are having a great time with this new, free Monster Theme Unit from 2 Teaching Mommies.
It is perfect timing, with Halloween approaching.
It has many more parts than I have pictured here.

Here, they are rolling the "monster dice" and graphing the results.

Reading practice by gluing the body part words to the monster.

Learning about fractions

fractions

One of the two puzzles to put together...(in proper number order)

Money sorting
Thanks so much, 2 Teaching Mommies, for this great Monster Unit!!

Marco Monday---apples

2011-10-09T21:22:00.003-04:00

Skipping stones

2011-10-08T15:35:00.004-04:00

Fall fun

2011-10-07T17:01:00.009-04:00

Today Daddy had the day off of work, so I decided to give the kids a day off of school and go on a field trip.

We headed off the pick apples and have some fall fun at Critz Farms.

We were greeted by this enormous "slide mountain". The kids jumped out of the car and ran immediately to the slides.

Any boy, does it pay to homeschool children....we practically had the whole place to ourselves.

After a quick slide or two, we headed into the apple orchard.
Right now, my favorite variety of apple is the Honeycrisp...and these were absolutely delicious.

Luke, hard at work.

Are you supposed to eat in the orchard, Mark?

Mark and Grace had a plan to reach the tops of the trees.

Ready!

Reach!

Success!! But they could only stay this way long enough to pick one apple.

Daddy and Kimberly

That's quite an apple, Luke.

My scarecrows.

I doubt the crows will be scared.

Luke loved this train.

It was a school day, so we had the place almost to ourselves.

There were also a lot of animals to visit on the farm.

This minature donkey was my favorite.

The rooster kept crowing and crowning...the kids loved it.

Kimmy was a little nervous around the goats, especially after seeing our they behaved when you brought in a handful of food. But after checking Kimberly for goat treats, this one was content with being petted.

I love the whiskers on this goat. Maybe he is the old timer around the farm.

Heading to the pumpkin patch.

Heading home with our pumpkins.

Which way did they go????

I bought everyone a bottle of fresh cider to drink on the way home, and the perfect spot to stop for our drink was at Chittenango Falls.

What a little monkey!

I could only manage to make it a short way down the trail to bottom of the falls, but Daddy and the kids made it the whole way....it's quite a hike!!

They did bring me back this beautiful photo!

It's fire safety month

2011-10-03T16:40:00.004-04:00

Macro Monday-The "catch" of the day

2011-09-25T21:34:00.002-04:00

Mark caught us a baby garter snake at Grandpa's house today.
The little fellow was happy to pose for some macro photos

Macro Monday--Autumn in the backyard

2011-09-18T19:55:00.002-04:00

{this moment}

2011-09-16T09:38:00.002-04:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments over at SouleMama, for all to find and see.

The First Autumn Campfire

2011-09-11T20:38:00.010-04:00

It was the perfect afternoon for the first autumn campfire with Grandma and Grandpa. In fact, by the time we headed indoors, there was a chill in the air.
Mark is our official fire started these days, and boy, does it make him happy!

We have flames.

The "putting on" of the bug spray

Getting the marshmallow sticks ready

Kimmy is a "tree man"

Some folks continue with their schoolwork

Becky, with the handy dandy hot dog cooker

pure joy

Grace, Mark and Laura waiting for a hotdog.

Kimmy, Grace and Laura

The perfect picnic spot

Hotdogs are ready

Luke, Grandpa and Kimmy

s'more time!

The look of a deep thinking marshmallow roaster.

Someone got Grandpa's s'more a little too gooey.

Flip flop weather is just about over for the year.

Roasting with style

Happy campfire season, everyone!

Macro Monday--Campfire

2011-09-11T20:05:00.000-04:00

Johnny Appleseed Day

2011-09-01T17:24:00.004-04:00

Gracie as Johnny Appleseed

We made a very cute Johnny Appleseed craft from a kit from Oriental Trading Company.

We also enjoyed apples for a snack, and many books and a movie....a movie that one of my grown up children remarked was one of their favorites from years past.

"One little seed

will sprout a tree

filled with apples

for you and me"

One of the "apples" of my eye!!

A Buggy Kind of Day

2011-08-31T16:50:00.006-04:00

This morning began as a regular homeschool day, we got busy at the kitchen table, and then someone noticed this fellow on the window. Of course, being the mom that I am, I went out and caught it.
A Fork Tailed Bush Katydid

Putting the books aside, I decided to let the kids make a cricket habitat....we have done this in years past with the older (now grown) kids, but it was a first for the littles.

But, instead of a cricket, the first creature was this Forest Wolf Spider. Mark was able to capture this guy.

We got our cricket habitat ready. An old fish tank with sand in the bottom, some sticks and rocks, and pieces of apple for food. (Crickets also seem to love Cheerios.)

The current count is 12 females and 13 male crickets.

Luke then brought me a grasshopper.

He was very proud.

I love this grasshoppers personality. Luke named him, Super Super Jumper.

Adding more crickets to their new home.

Kimmy with her captures.
Daddy had to work today, so he didn't know it was bug day. But he called and told us that he had caught us a Praying Mantis. (His co-workers were a little surprised to hear that his wife would love a Praying Mantis)

We looked up what to feed our Praying Mantis, and would you believe it....it told us to feed it crickets. This made Gracie cry, but our Mantis is too small for crickets so the kids are finding smaller bugs for it to eat.

Happy bug day, everyone!

Macro Monday

2011-08-28T20:15:00.003-04:00

Melanie the Monarch has hatched

2011-08-27T14:36:00.005-04:00

Yesterday morning I was awakened by excited children telling me that they could see the butterfly through the chrysilis. I wish I could have gotten a photo without such flash glare.
About an hour after getting up in the morning, we got to watch Melanie the Monarch emerge.
You can see a video from 2008 that we filmed of a hatching.....keep on your voloume because the kids voices are so little and cute!

After a few hours of letting Melanies wings dry, we headed outdoors to let her go free.

You can tell Melanie is a girl because she has no hind wing spot.

I showed the difference between the two genders in this past post.

I didn't even have a moment to take a picture before Melanie headed to the tops of the trees!

Daddy's taking us to the zoo today, zoo today, zoo today....

2011-08-25T16:33:00.007-04:00

As soon as we walked into the zoo, they announced that the elephant demonstration was about to begin, so to the elephants we went.
Becky, Kimmy and Daddy petting the elephant.
Luke was there too, but you can't see him. I am very disappointed not to have a picture of him touching the elephant because it took all of his bravery to reach up to the fence and put his hand through.

I think this lioness had her eyes on Daddy!

This monkey had a new little baby two days ago.....you can just see the head of the baby in this very poor photo. (It was dark and behind glass)

Can you believe that this is the first time this little homeschooled girl drank out of a milk carton.

You always have to milk the wooden cow at the zoo.

Luke and the penguins

Luke and Kim

Kimmy was happy to be taller than an Emperor Penguin

Look carefully---I am in this picture!

My little penguin

I can't resist penguin photos.

Another zoo tradition. As you can see, we were lacking many children. They were on a trip with the church.

Kimmy "planking" on a tiger.

A "behind the scenes" look at Kimmy planking.

a spectacled bear showing off

It was a wonderful day...thanks Daddy!!

Anticipation....

2011-08-22T19:45:00.002-04:00

August 5th
August 16th

August 21st

Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth

2011-08-22T19:24:00.003-04:00

We made a beautiful crown to help us celebrate the Queenship of Our Blessed Mother.
And thanks to Charlotte, we were able to color these beautiful pictures.

L.E.N.S. Photo Challenge: Summer {end}

2011-08-21T20:31:00.003-04:00

"Summer's End"

Macro Monday---I've got my eye on you!

2011-08-21T20:01:00.003-04:00

We had a Katydid visit the other day.....and we enjoyed it alot, and it must have liked us also, because it stayed around for about 30 minutes.

A Reunion at the old homestead

2011-08-20T20:54:00.002-04:00

We got to have a family reunion today down on "the old homestead".

This was my Dad's farm when he was a boy, and the house and bard still stand strong.

Whenever we are there, I love to get a photo of the kids looking out the back window.....(although not really a window)

I can picture my Dad as a boy, standing and looking out the big window overlooking the farm.

{this moment}--It's that time of year

2011-08-19T14:15:00.002-04:00

this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
Visit SouleMama to share this week's moment

Today's visitor

2011-08-19T11:58:00.004-04:00

Of course, when I saw this katydid on the back window, this mother did what she does best, I went out and caught it to bring inside and observe....(aka: science class)
The sweet little katydid then did us the favor of remaining on the picnic table for a good fifteen minutes or longer, so long in fact, I had to tell the science students we had to return to the house and finish our other schoolwork of the day.

God's creatures are truly amazing!

It was a very successful science class.....thanks to our friendly katydid.

A gift

2011-08-17T19:49:00.003-04:00

#1 daughter, Becky, displaying the gift she brought home to me.

I hope

2011-08-15T21:04:00.000-04:00

I hope this lasts until autumn......but I really doubt it!

L.E.N.S. Photo Challenge: Summer Delight

2011-08-14T15:31:00.002-04:00

Summer delight, while blueberry picking!!

A Walk out Back

2011-08-10T14:38:00.007-04:00

An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly sipping from a brown knapweed.
"out back"

I call this "lady bug on queen-anne's lace"

Great Southern White butterfly on brown knapweed

A bee and a lady bug in a white morning glory

An amazing view of a field thistle....a photo looking down into the top of the flower

a macro view of the top view of a field thistle

I never really notice how intricate the flowers of a common pink wild clover are.

Jewelweed......it's amazing to call this a weed!

purple flowering raspberry

the fruit of the purple flowering raspberry....very yummy but very seedy

One of the very abundant wild blackberries growing along the edge of the woods.

One of the most beautiful sights of our walk.

First Monarch caterpillar of the season

2011-08-05T19:30:00.001-04:00

Measuring a big 1/8 of an inch!!
August 5----1/8 of an inch

Checking in

2011-08-04T08:54:00.002-04:00

I case anyone out there is wondering if we are O.K., we are. It just has been a week full of doctor appointments, lesson planning and life. I haven't even taken a single picture this week.

Thank you for you concern.
Feel free to leave comments!

Macro Monday

2011-07-31T23:17:00.001-04:00

On the occasion of my Dad's 83rd birthday

2011-07-31T22:31:00.012-04:00

A glorious, fun filled photo essay!!
Kimmy

Dad and Theresa's puppies

bubble fun

Margie Sue

best buddy cousins

pure joy

some of the crowd

just a swingin'

a little help from a friend

beautiful granddaughters visiting from Florida

Sean and Nathan

a little basketball

We were happy to have Grandma George visit

Pammy and Heidi

cousins can be the best of friends

Rick and Sue loading Russel's potato gun

some of the crowd...I see you, Jenny

some more of the crowd

"Jump, Josie, jump!"

Amy made a new little best friend

the cigar smoking section of the party

a bunch of beauties

naughty kids

Just imagine, 15 of the grandkids and great grandkids are missing

Sue, Russel and Rick

skyping with Florida

present time

Aunt Pam is the little girls' favorite....can you guess why?

What a great day!

A blue Macro Monday

2011-07-26T08:39:00.001-04:00

Blueberry picking

2011-07-20T16:48:00.002-04:00

Dream Catchers at the library

2011-07-18T19:14:00.004-04:00

L.E.N.S. Photo Challenge--You Are My Sunshine

2011-07-18T08:08:00.002-04:00

Flower Macro Monday

2011-07-17T20:55:00.002-04:00

brown knapweed
queen anne's lace

A trip up Mount Hope

2011-07-16T10:29:00.008-04:00

There were no blueberries at the blueberry patch this morning and we were all very disappointed. We had gotten up at 6:30 to get 7 of us ready to get to the berry patch my 8am.

We were greeted by a big sign saying "CLOSED...REOPENING ON TUESDAY".

We were NOT happy! So instead we headed up Mount Hope to see what we could see.

Reflections

rock skipping boys
brown knapweed

Last years thistle

We did manage to eat a lot of wild blackcaps on our walk...and a few delicious wild red raspberries.

white spotted damselfly

male widow skimmer dragonfly

Mark-11

Luke-6

Craft Time Concentration

2011-07-12T21:25:00.000-04:00

We had more fun at the library

2011-07-12T20:59:00.004-04:00

tonight.....watching the great magical performance of Leon Etienne of CNY Magic Shows.
He was wonderfully entertaining to both the kids and the adults.

He had a lot of big and little helpers throughout his show.

Luke was very excited to get chosen to help with a trick.

I still don't know how he did his amazing magic tricks.

Kimberly is getting ready to learn how to perform one of the tricks.

After discovering how the trick was performed, we all had to take a pledge not to share the "secret" with anyone.

As his grand finale, Leon Entienne escaped from a straight jacket.

It was a great show...I recommend Leon to anyone for a show or birthday party. Both adults and kids have a great time and you come away happily from an evening of fun, amazement and laughter!!

Of course, we wouldn't have seen this great show if it wasn't for our little Canastota Public Library, which brings all these wonderful events to our children for free!

Small town libraries are the BEST!!!

2011-07-07T21:34:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, our little library had the pet lady visit. Last week it was a puppet show, next week a magician. Every week offers storytime and an afternoon of crafts....plus, of course, we couldn't homeschool if it wasn't for the books our interloan library system offers.
On this afternoon, we got to pet many pets from all over the world.
Here is Kimmy checking out the tortoise.

A very cute marsupial.

You don't get to pet a soft chinchilla.

There is nothing as cute as a little hedgehog.

Then came out the boa constrictor.

I couldn't believe these kids were so brave...and then they were tricky and lined back up and held the snake AGAIN!!

Big kids and little....we all love the library!!

Something is missing!!

2011-07-04T20:34:00.001-04:00

Surgery anyone??

2011-07-02T23:29:00.002-04:00

Grandma, the kids are ready to take care of you!
Maybe we will let Luke try first.

Heading out to the fireworks. You never know when someone may need emergency surgery!

Still waiting for the fireworks.

I wonder what the other firework watchers thought of Kimberly??

A Sunset Walk at the lake

2011-06-30T22:01:00.007-04:00

Homemade Bubble Wand

2011-06-29T17:34:00.005-04:00

I saw this cute, easy idea over here.
Homemade bubble wands. And it is perfect timing too, because there has been more kids around here than store bought wands...and that is not a good thing.

All you need are beads, pliers and wire. I found my wire in the hardward department of Walmart.

Twist the wire into circle as shown above. Then simply

sting the beads onto both wires at the same time.

After the beading is complete, spiral the ends of the wires, to keep the beads in place and to prevent the wire from poking the kids.

Then send the whole bunch of kids outdoors to enjoy their creations.

You can even invite the neighbors over, since the mess is now outside!

HAPPY SUMMER!!

2011 4th of July T-Shirts

2011-06-28T21:36:00.014-04:00

Our 2011 4th of July homemade t-shirts are complete!!
I found the instructions for these shirts over at The Butterfly Garden.

You can check out our 2010 shirts here, and 2008 shirts here, and 2007 shirts here.

Macro Monday--Inchworm, Inchworm....

2011-06-26T18:55:00.001-04:00

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T21:47:00.004-04:00

Happy Father's Day to two of the best Dads I know.....my hubby and

my Dad!!!

We LOVE you both!!!!

Macro Monday

2011-06-19T21:39:00.002-04:00

2011 Oneida Little League Champions!!!!

2011-06-17T21:32:00.001-04:00

Whoo hoo!!!! (Mark is "labeled" on the left of the photo)
Here is one proud boy!!!

{this moment}

2011-06-17T09:21:00.001-04:00

this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
Visit SouleMama to share this week's moment

Photo of the day....

2011-06-15T17:23:00.001-04:00

Strawberry shortcake for dinner tonight!!

...and we're heading to the championship!!

2011-06-13T19:33:00.002-04:00

Mark, taking off from second....boy is this boy skinny!!
On third base. Yes, I embarrass him!

Crossing homeplate!! Way to go, Mark!!

{this moment}

2011-06-10T09:18:00.002-04:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Visit SouleMama to share this week's moment.

The "catch" of the day

2011-06-06T17:37:00.001-04:00

A White Admiral butterfly

Macro Monday-Daisies

2011-06-05T20:26:00.002-04:00

This pattern is AMAZING!!

Science Sunday--Our Butterflies

2011-06-05T13:23:00.005-04:00

Once again this year, I ordered painted lady butterfly caterpillars from Insect Lore. And once again, we weren't disappointed.
Our caterpillars arrived about 2 weeks ago, and within 4 days all the caterpillars had become a chrysalis.
This morning the hatching began.

I love how these butterflies like to stay around for a little while after being released from their "house". They seem to enjoy being held for a while before flying up into the trees.

Trying not to blow away at the lake

2011-06-03T17:12:00.004-04:00

We spent the beginning of this week completing our year end testing. The kids did an excellent job on thier tests, so we took it easy with schoolwork for the rest of the week. Today was a gorgeous day so we headed to Oneida Lake and Verona Beach state park.

It was soooo windy, I thought we may blow away, but we managed to enjoy ourselves.

Verona Beach is about 5 minutes from our driveway, so I plan to spend many summer afternoons enjoying the water.
Today the temperatures were hanging out in the low 60's, so we definetely needed our sweatshirts.

The kids love the playground.

I purchased our yearly State Park Pass.

and plan on using it to access all the wonderful state parks in our neck of the woods.

Of course, our schoolwork continues throughout the summer months, but I try to leave our afternoons free for basking in the sun.

Go Mark, give Kimmy a ride!

Happy summer, everyone!!

{this moment}

2011-06-03T09:15:00.003-04:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

A glimpse at the Holy Cross spring concert

2011-06-01T22:31:00.001-04:00

Amy begins this song....everyone did a wonderful job

The Catch of the Day

2011-06-01T11:26:00.000-04:00

The Green Clearwing Dragonfly

Play Ball!!! (Or, the cutest little t-ball pictures ever)

2011-05-31T19:57:00.004-04:00

My babies began their seasons of competitive sports....they played their first t-ball game tonight. It was very bittersweet. It is wonderful I have these two little ones just beginning to go out into the world, but it is also sad, because, well, my two babies headed out into the world today.

Luke and Kim have very different t-ball styles.....Luke is a slugger,

Kimmy plays more lady like!
First game of the season and the temperature hit 90 degrees. Unbelievable temps for May in central New York.

Luke has been waiting for this day for months, and a little heat wasn't going to slow him down.

He looks so grown-up....sniff, sniff.....

Run, Kimmy, run....

Run, Kimmy, run!!

Down and ready!! (hopefully Kim's shirt will shrink in the wash before the next game)

Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue

2011-05-30T20:16:00.004-04:00

Happy Memorial Day!!
Waiting for the parade to start. "You're looking the wrong way, Luke!"

Here they come!! Hooray!!

Poor Luke, this is how he watches parades. He is terribly afraid the firetrucks with hit their sirens. (and of course, one did, right in front of us)

Aaron, tossing candy

Following the parade we had a great picnic with Grandma and Grandpa.

It was perfect summer weather.

A wonderful day for blowing bubbles.

Homemade Memorial Day door wreath

2011-05-28T08:38:00.004-04:00

2011 Memorial Day wreath
The only things needed for this easy wreath are:
patriotic fabric
a wire clothes hanger
scissors
First, bend the hanger into a circle, leaving the "hanger" for, well, hanging.
Cut the material into strips about one inch thick. Hubby picked my material. It was a wonderful choice. They look great together.

I cut the strips into approximately 6 inch lengths. I wasn't very precise in my measuring. I used this old piece of cardboard as "ruler".

Fold the strip in half and place under the wire.

Loop the ends of the strip through the loop, forming a knot.

Pull tight. Slide the fabic on the wire tightly together.

Alternate colors until you have squeezed as many fabric loops as you can onto the wire.

TaDa!!! A beautiful wreath for the front door.

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!!

{this moment}

2011-05-27T08:57:00.002-04:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

I caught these cardinals

2011-05-25T11:54:00.001-04:00

feeding each other this morning.

What a great "catch"!!

My pretty

2011-05-25T10:42:00.000-04:00

little catcher.

My favorite photo of the day

2011-05-23T19:52:00.001-04:00

Trampoline a la TuTu

2011-05-23T15:08:00.002-04:00

The Chicken Dance

2011-05-21T19:12:00.001-04:00

It also counts as physical education for this week!!

A bubble kind of day

2011-05-21T18:47:00.006-04:00

Happy Birthday

2011-05-17T20:23:00.002-04:00

to two of my favorite men.

Hubby turned 47 and our first born turned 24....one the same day

Macro Monday

2011-05-16T09:46:00.001-04:00

Making her theater debut....

2011-05-14T10:23:00.005-04:00

Gracie!!
Victoria Buda's Academy of Theatrical Arts presented BIG--the musical, last night, and Gracie was in her element.

We are sooo proud of her. She stayed in character ALL the time and didn't miss a beat!

a baby doll

playing the giant floor piano

a kid at the party

Her "BIG" surprise that she kept from her parents

a girl in "the gang"

Gracie's tough face

"coffee black"

Opening night flowers, presented by her Daddy.

Congratulations, Grace, on a job well done!!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-10T12:43:00.002-04:00

Watching the ballgame

2011-05-09T20:26:00.000-04:00

Macro Monday-- a spingtime tulip

2011-05-08T20:10:00.003-04:00

My Queen

2011-05-08T00:18:00.003-04:00

I have hacked my mothers blog so I can tell you all exactly what I think about the woman who manages this website.

My Queen
By: Daniel Collins

The Angels look upon a soul,
From o'er the clouds and past the sky.
The Angels look upon a soul
With grace so fair it makes them cry.

I cannot look through Heaven's gate,
To see this queen arrayed in gold.
I cannot look through Heaven's gate,
But better yet, her hand I hold.

Arrayed in Blue when e'er I gaze.
I thought it cloth, but I mistook.
Arrayed in Blue when e'er I gaze,
It is her self, her truth, her look.

Mirror of the Virgin Mary,
Your praise I sing from dawn to night.
Mirror of the Virgin Mary,
Guide my way; your soul is light

I leap for joy when I can hear
The chord of your sweet melody.
I leap for joy when I can hear
Your foot falls (voices harmony.)

The Queen on High sets little queens
To be her maids and love her Son.
The Queen on high sets little queens
And my poor heart this queen has won.

Fairer than angels, saints, or men:
Joann my Mom, Joann my friend.
Fairer than angels, saints, or men:
Joann my Queen, Joann my friend.

Happy Mother's Day Mom

DGC

A Problem Doing Schoolwork

2011-05-06T22:03:00.006-04:00

We spent the day sitting at Grandma and Grandpa's kitchen table, with the good intentions of getting some schoolwork done, but alas.....the birds grabbed our attention instead of the schoolbooks.

These are some of the birds we caught with the camera....

male Baltimore oriole

female Baltimore oriole

a tiny chipping sparrow

robin

male goldfinch

mourning dove

male downy woodpecker

chickadee

a hiding male cardinal

tufted titmouse

female purple finch

purple finch

common flicker

blue jay

and last but now least, a rose breasted grosbeak.

All in all, it was a successful schoolday---I call is science!!