I'm still around for those still visiting my neglected blog. We're wrapping up our elecitons unit this week. Its been fun learning about some of the presidents and the election process.  However, I am eager to move on to something else.

We havent been doing many nature learning lately, well nothing that was planned out. The kids have been finding catepillars, beetles, spiders, and lots of grasshoppers. The bring them into the house for a day in their bug catchers or ask to use some of my plastics ~ then I find the lids with holes in them!

I'd like to find some fall nature activities to get started on.....

Kids have been on here making their own blogs and one of them posted on mine -- so thats why there's been an empty space here.

Thanks for keeping up with me while I've been away. Hubby was on vacation and we were enjoying spending time with him.

We are finally starting our Elections Unit this week...a little later than I planned, but at least we're getting to it.

I'll be around to catch up with you all soon -- hopefully today or tomorrow. Hope all is well!

It's been a nice break from the computer for the past few weeks. I have thought about many of my blogging friends, wondering what's new with you all. Now I get to go back and catch up. I have enjoyed this time of refreshment and all the extra time with my kids.

We've been busy enjoying the summer. Swimming, planting, playing in our homemade bike wash, enjoying friends, participating in Madagascar Cockroach races, making slime, finding toads in our yard ( the kids have found so many! ) and a host of other fun things. This week the kids are at VBS, maybe next week as well. It's been an enjoyable summer.

But it's time to get back to a little more structured routine and begin reading more regularly and doing a little more hands on learning. The kids and I are eager to begin.........I've been planning some things and hope to begin soon.

In the meantime, here are some pictures from our trip to a local Butterfly place -- the Butterfly Pavilions. We love it there. It's one of my favorite places b/c of the open area that is swarming with one of Gods Beautiful creatures....the Butterfly. They actually release new butterflies daily, twice, in fact.

Here's a short video of several butterflies, including the Owl Butterfly, on a rotten banana

We went opening weekend, which was this past weekend, to see Horton Hears a Who! What a fabulous movie! Great messages throughout and even a reference to 'pouch-schooling' ( homeschooling ).

The only thumbs  down we found was they refer to someone as a 'boob' -- ( calling someone a nerd or dippy, but they chose boob ) but we found it very tasteful and all 7 of us enjoyed it!

Nice to have a clean family film to enjoy.

My clan gives it 5 , out of 5!

This past week we've notice that my husband's flower garden has sprung to life!

The first signs of spring....crocuses.

We also have daffodils springing to life as well! Yippeeee!

I know, I know! That's what you're all wondering, huh?! Ok, well not all of you. HA!  

 I was away for the first week b/c of having extra things going on. My husband was home several of the days, ( I enjoy coming here but I ADORE my husband's company ) kids & I were enjoying the warm spring-like weather and by the time I realized it, the week was gone. So I decided to stay away from the computer another week -- all except checking emails and a little checking on a Christian Mom's Website I'm involved with.  It was refreshing! I spent more time with the kids, more time outdoors and more time doing constructive things.

I'm catching up with you all on your own blogs. Lots of awesome posts!

  I'm still here, but it’s been a crazy week. Lots going on and I havent had much time to come here.  I hope all my Blogging Friends are well!  I'll make my rounds and see what’s going on in your neck of the woods.

We're busy working on different things around here. Dad & the kids learned how crystals are formed and made a few. The kids and I have finished several Andersen stories during our afternoon tea times. We've also started our unit study on seals, very excited about this one! I've cut our school week ( book work that is )  down to 3 or 4 days a week b/c number 1, we're almost done with our year, and number 2, life is busy and well mom needs a day or two of rest to get other things done and just relax or do more 'fun' learning.

And most importantly, the kids and I have been really enjoying discussing Gods Unconditional Love for them and for me!  We've had wonderful morning talks that have gone along with our quiet times. We're also on to our next chapter memorization ~ I haven’t posted much about that, but we have been memorizing & dissecting different chapters in Psalms for a while now. This week it’s Psalm 30. We try and shoot for a chapter a week, but sometimes we need 2 weeks. And yes, mom memorizes too! One of the things that crack me up about this is when Dad comes home; they're all trying to compete to share with Dad the next part they've learned. 'No, let me say it, no me!' At the dinner table we all say the verses we've gotten to up ‘til that point.  And I must say I've become a better mother these past weeks b/c of my obedience -- Gods really challenging me and I've listened and stepped out of my comfort zone. YAY God!

Anyway....that’s what's happening here. I'll share some more about the other learning parts later --- math, reading, etc.....

Glad I was missed. We had a super blessed time!!! 16 days of R & R......I'll have to check everyone's blogs to see what you all have been up to.

Before folks start leaving, 'Where are you?' comments, I thought I'd post and let ya know. Didnt get time to before we left. But we're in Oregon for a couple weeks. I'll check in from time to time if I can, but wont be posting regularly 'til I return.

Blessings......... \o/ \o/ \o/

Where do all the socks go?! That's a question I think most mothers want to know. Surely I can't be the only family who thinks there's a Sock Monster in the washer or dryer that makes our socks their meals. Or am I?!  I spent about $35-40 dollars yesterday on socks, granted we are a family or 7, but come on!

As I was driving home from sock shopping I got to thinking, there has got to be a way to keep socks together. Keeping them as a set from the moment we take them off our feet, through the washer & dryer, and then back into our dressers. Perhaps it's already out there, but an idea came to me.....the Sock Catcher!

Something like a mesh bag that can be washed & dried. I'm still thinking on the closure for it. Once you've worn a pair of socks, they go immediately into the bag, continuing to fill it until wash day. It would be washed, dried and then once the laundry cycles have ended, you take them out of the mesh bag, mate them again and put them back into the proper dresser. Viola! The Sock Monster can't get to them any longer and when we need socks, they're actually in the dressers!

All the money I've spent on socks, I think my husband and I could have flown to Hawaii!!!