Grillmaster in His Glory

The Hunny has been dubbed The Grillmaster around here.  He would grill out every single day of the week if we could and if weather permitted :)  Here we have some BBQ chicken breasts going and some corn on the cob.  As you can see, it's not always smooth sailing, but he nearly always nails it right on!  He's very good at it!

Our Homeschool Method

has no name.  We are very eclectic, to say the least.  We have some Classical indicators, lean heavily toward the Charlotte Mason side, and do lots of Unit Studies.  There is nothing to call it, other than eclectic.  Things we have used and may still use, depending on the day and how I feel:
Abeka Math, Phonics, Readers, a few Science texts
Christian Liberty readers, nature readers, some History texts
History Pockets from Evan Moor, along with the plan at Guest Hollow
Spelling Power (my combined method is explained here)
Easy Grammar
Five in a Row
Writing Strands (read my review here)

There's more.  Lots more....there's Homeschool Share, using other random ideas of others' along the way, some days there's more student-led activities, many field trips and hands-on learning experiences ( we went geocaching this week and loved it).  Lots of life skills, too.  Whatever it is, I don't know what you would label it...but I know it is what we do.  It will certainly not work for everyone but it's for us. 

All that to say, our children are  normal and scored very well on their standardized tests this year.  We don't have a ton of keepsakes to prove what we do, other than completed papers.  I'm not an original, crafty person and haven't done a ton of cool projects with my kids like some moms do...I'm just me and we are doing what we do and it is working--at least the county/state is happy.

Kids Got My Camera: Good Ones and Goofy Ones

My children looove to get a hold of the camera.  I usually have surprises when I download.  This time is no exception.  There are a few goofy ones and a few good ones.  Here goes:

Disclaimer:  There are ALWAYS pictures of feet/toes on my camera.  I have no idea what on earth is sooooo funny about these pics, but my children always take pictures of their feet.  Here's the latest one:

Chives from the garden

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Little Girls' Dress-Up Skirt

Little Girls Dress-up skirt. Drawstring ribbon
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

A Look Back: Last April

Keeping my memory sharp, this post is!  I had to think on this one a bit. 

The older two children had gone to stay with my s-i-l for a week and the two littles and I were spending this beautiful day at a local park.

Spring Picnic

We are just loving the weather this time of year.  Yes, there are some cool mornings and a few cool days, but we just love it.  The best part is that there is no humidity.  I know my family is sooo jealous, but they really oughtta come and visit.  It's a whole new world!  We had a picnic outside the other day under our Cherry Blossom tree.  It was just beautiful!

My new tulips were in bloom that day

Tulips are my absolute favorite!!!!  I have red, yellow, purple, multi and a pink one.  They are the first ones that we've put down at this house and we've been here for three years already.

Okay, well, on to the picnic on that beautiful day last week...... doesn't this just look like bliss?

Little Jenna even insisted on reading a few of her own stories to us.  We did love her version of Dr. Seuss, I might add!!

 Dylan especially loves reading to Jenna.  He gets her undivided attention for a few brief moments and that's all it takes for him to feel like the hero to her!  He loves her soo much, but he definitely has to work for her affections :) 

I am just so thankful for the beautiful weather we have been having.  I was feeling like the winter was exceedingly harsh for this southern girl and am soo glad to get some relief!  I also know that the heat of summer is around the corner and we are trying to enjoy everything we can about the outdoors while it's enjoy-able.