Happy Halloween!

These are my new favorite dessert! I will never buy pre-made caramel apples again! We melted caramels and rolled apples in it. Then we rolled the apples in mini Reese's Pieces, Mini M&M's, and tiny Andes mints. You must run out and make some tonight!!

We had a Halloween party, just the 4 of us, last Saturday night. I had planned a bigger party that included friends, but in an effort to slow things down, we had a change of plans. We had a fun, relaxing evening painting pumpkins and making caramel apples. The girls declared it was "the best party ever!" which made me realize we had made the right decision. :-) Mandy and Katie had such fun decorating their pumpkins!

Last Sights of Summer

I took these pictures in our backyard yesterday as I knew that the warm weather was coming to an end. I LOVE fall and all the beautiful changes it brings, but it is a little hard to say goodbye to the butterflies and moonflowers. There is a busy little bee in one of the pictures and I was so happy to see her! She is one of two that I have seen this year. It makes you wonder where the rest are...

My Little Pony Live

I took Ktie to go see My Little Pony Live- The World's biggest Tea Party- earlier this month. Mandy and Daddy decided that they would rather go geocaching, so everyone was happy. The show was absolutely precious and Katie and I had so much fun! Lovely music, colorful backdrops, and, of course, the pretty ponies! They danced around and sang and I wished that I could keep Katie little forever...

Science Experiment

We did an experiment studying bacteria and fungus. Mandy's face says it all!

A New Leaf

I have to slow down. Filling each day to the maximum is taking a toll on me. Between home schooling the girls, being the family chauffeur, planning home school field trips, and basically running around like a crazy woman something has got to change. I am taking baby steps toward this and it is definitely making a difference for which I am thankful. I am starting to make "me" a priority and it feels good. Plus, my family will reap the benefits.:-) Today the girls and I will make pumpkin apple butter, look for colorful fall leaves and just enjoy being together. Mandy has offered to brush my hair, give me massages and do yoga with me.:-) She knows I have not been feeling well. Bless her heart, she is an absolute angel and I love her so.

NIghttime Whispers

"Katie, You look older. You look like a Mom."
"Thank you."
"Mandy, you look like you're 10 or 11. You look like you have a boyfriend already."
"Thank you."

Sisters

I love this picture. My girls, for the most part, get along really well. They play Barbies together, pretend they are Laura and Mary from Little House on the Prairie in the back yard, and even do yoga together. It's so wonderful seeing them give eachother joy! Katie idolizes Mandy and Mandy is Katie's protector. I wonder what they will remember fom their childhood? I recall "adventures of the Greber sisters" from my younger years with my sister. I was not the best big sister as I often thought my little sister was a pest. Now, as I see my girls together, I feel really badly about that. I can see both sides of the story. Being younger is not always the easiest. Amy was my life preserver when we were in a new situation. She kept me afloat! Who could forget roller skating in Canada or the anniversary party at the Paxton's? We relied on eachother often. She was also the one who killed spiders for me- my hero! The Greber Sisters have graduated to "Toot and Puddle" but that is another story.:-)

My girls do not always get along but here are some times I will never forget. My grandmother gave my girls each a water globe one Christmas. You know, those fun items that snow when you shake them up? I believe there was a snowman inside. Mandy accidentally dropped hers and was extremely upset. You could just see it on her face! Katie didn't miss a beat and said, "Mandy, you can have mine." At the tender age of 3, Katie knew that Mandy was hurting and wanted to make her feel better. They agreed to share the remaining snow globe and both were happy.
Mandy is never afraid to speak up for Katie. On more than one occasion, another child has said or done something cruel to Katie and Mandy has stepped right in and told them that was not allowed! She says it in a very grown up way- no yelling, just matter of fact. I am so proud of her! She is the protector!

2:27 AM

It's 2:27 in the morning. This is my time. I know there are other night owls out there that share this quiet, delicious time with me. It's kind of like a secret club.:-) I am typing quietly, trying not to disturb my husband who is not a night owl. Perhaps it's because he has to get up in 4 hours?? This is one of the many perks of home schooling. We do our lessons when we want and where we want- yippeee! Today is going to be a fun day- lessons first and then craft fair shopping with friends followed by a trip to Cold Stone Creamery. Then it's off to ballet for Katie and then an evening with my husband to celebrate our anniversary. Maybe sleep would be a good idea. Good Night.

The Big Visit

Celebrating my Dad's birthday! He is such a kid!

Look at this fun group of people! My parents and sister came for a visit and we had a blast! We decorated T-shirts, went on a scavenger hunt (If we had only thought of the zamboni first!), went to the movies, scoped out garage sales, had brunch at Ella's (fabulous!), and basically enjoyed every minute. If only they could have stayed longer... I kept the schedule guys, and we will paint pottery, take the cave tour, etc. next time.:-)

George Washington Carver Memorial

George Washington Carver was an absolutely amazing human being. He was an artist, botanist, musician (sang and played the violin, piano, accordian), teacher, and more! Our home school co-op took a trip to Missouri this month to visit his museum/memorial for Pioneer Days. The children did old time tub washing (George Washington Carver had a clothes washing business to help pay for school), made candles, visited the museum with a trip to a one room school house, learned about wood carving and had a picnic. It was a gorgeous fall day and we all learned so much. Mandy read G.W. Carver's biography in the car on the way up there (it is an hour drive) and we fell in love with this wonderful, caring, gentle man that did so much to help the world. He also had an unfailing love for the Lord. Even though he never knew his father and his mother was stolen by slave robbers when he was an infant (they stole him too- but left him later as he was terribly ill with whooping cough) he went on to become a shining example to all of us. If I could choose anyone in history to dine with, he would be high on my list.

Princess Night

Our local Chik Fil A hosted a Princess Night and I immediately thought of Katie! She is the ultimate "girly girl!" I e-mailed some friends and we decided to meet there for a Girl's Night Out! The girls were treated to a complimentary kids meal (they must be in princess attire!), a ride in a limousine, princess crafts, pictures, and even had their fingernails painted! I have never seen so many little "princesses" in one place. It was packed, but so much fun!

Little Yellow House

This is the darling little house that Jeff made for his girls! It is absolutely precious with a tiny porch, a ceiling fan and electricity! Every girls dream! I planted the flowers this summer and was so pleased with how they thrived- even in the hot sun. One side has lavender, moonflowers, morning glories and ivy and the other side has zinnia, marigolds, periwinkle, and more. The girls and I were so excited when the moonflowers finally bloomed! They are heavenly- and as big as your hand! The picture on the right shows a moonflower. Each flower lasts only night and then it is gone..

16 years

This Friday, the 19th will be our 16th anniversary! Where has the time gone?? Jeff and I were married at the Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis and it was the perfect October day. I was almost late for the ceremony though, as it was the weekend of the big annual Boat Show! I arrived at the last possible moment, but after that everything was wonderful. Violins played, we saw all our friends and forgot to eat in the middle of all the excitement.:-) The first thing we did after the reception was go through the drive-through at McDonald's!

Jeff is an amazing husband that puts up with my ebay addiction, crazy moods and hypochondriac tendencies (too much internet medical knowledge is not a good thing). We are very different, yet we have such fun together. He is worried about turning 40, but he looks great and is only getting better with each passing year! Plus, he is the best Dad! He built the most beautiful yellow playhouse for the girls, takes them geo-caching (Braum's ice cream afterward!) and shopping, and comes to their classes whenever he can. I love you, Honey. Thanks for loving me. Happy Anniversary!

Felicity, an American Girl

This is my Felicity class. What a great bunch of girls! They are such proper ladies, but like Felicity, they have a lot of "spunk!" This semester we have decorated straw hats, learned the minuet, had a tea party, and in this picture they are working on embroidery. Our next class will be about herbs and how they were commonly used during the Revolutionary War. We will be planting peppermint and making a pomander. It makes me so happy to see the girls having fun together- what a great way to learn! Mandy likes it so much that she is dressing as Felicity for Halloween.

Little Mermaid class

The Treehouse is a wonderful home school co-op that the girls and I attend once a week. They offer a variety of classes including cooking, guitar, fencing, acting, Spanish, etc. I also get a chance to teach some classes which is fun! This session Mandy is taking cooking, acting and Felicity, an American Girl. Katie is taking cooking, P.E. and Little Mermaids. I teach the Felicity class and the Little Mermaid Class. This picture shows some of my little "mermaids" with cute turtle purses we made. Every mermaid needs one! I got the idea from Family Fun magazine- they have the cutest ideas!

Mandy's First Tang Su Do Tournament

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Mandy just participated in her first Tang Su Do tournament this month. She has been taking karate for 2 months now. She entered in the "Forms" and "Sparring" categories. Wow! She was amazing! She placed 4th in Forms and 2nd in Sparring! We were amazed and so proud of her! She definitely does not get it from me... Where did this Kim Possible-like child come from?? This is the same little girl that likes reading and yoga. (Although, when she was 4 she did want to be "Simba" from the Lion King.) She hates it when I bring that up! This picture shows her with her 2 trophies. She could not stop smiling.:-)

These are my two sweeties, Mandy and Katie, for those of you who don't know already.:-) I am excited that we have the picture on the blog! We have not figured out how to put a picture on my "dashboard" yet, but that will be later (hopefully). Mandy is 9 and loves reading, swimming, karate, and singing. Katie is 4 and loves ballet, gymnastics, singing and anything that is fluffy, sparkly and/or pink. They are different in so many ways but an absolute joy to me. I can't imagine my life without them- how boring. Tons of free time to do as I please, but so empty. God has certainly blessed us.

It's that time of year again. Both of my girls will be celebrating their birthdays - two weeks apart. I look forward to this all year. What kind of party will they choose? Bowling, tea party, Build a Bear, slumber party?? (Mandy is leaning toward bowling and Katie is wishing for a My Littlest Pet Shop theme at home this year.) Which friends will be invited? Should we make our own invitations or buy them? But something happens as we get closer to the big days.. I panic. I want to make everything is perfect and make every wish come true. Why did Jeff and I not plan better on birthdays?? Spring and summer birthdays would be so much easier as Christmas would not be just around the corner, and Jeff's birthday, then my birthday. It's exhausting! Oh well, it always ends up being a very fun time even though Mommy needs a vacation (or a padded room) when it is all over. :-)

This is so exciting!

I have been wanting to start a blog for some time now. It will be a fun way to keep family and friends up to date on our family's wonderful and busy life. Now if I could just figure out how to post pictures... :-)