Happy Birthday, Ashton!

Happy 15th Birthday, Ashton!

Wow! I can't believe she's 15 already! What a lovely young lady!

Today, Ashton is 15 years old and we had a very busy day! We woke up early and one of her friends, Dallas, came over about 8am. She was here when Ashton woke up, so that was a big surprise! Then, we had ice cream cake for breakfast. Yes, it's true. (Bad Mom Award?? lol) Actually, a few days ago we were trying to figure out when we would be able to do her cake since she had plans for all day today. Her answer was for us to have it for breakfast! I laughed and told her no way, but after thinking about it, I thought, "Why not?" So, we did and that was a big and pleasant surprise for all the kids!

After breakfast, we all went to see the play "Alice in Wonderland" with our homeschool group. Yes, Ashton did have school that day, but since she's only missed one day this year (for illness) I decided to let her skip. (Bad Mom Award?? Hmmm...) Anyway, it was a lovely play and all the kids really liked it. After that, we went out to lunch and then I got rid of most of the children! lol Just kidding. But, 3 of them did have places to go. Indy and Savannah went to friends' houses and then I took Ashton and Dallas to Dallas' house, where they spent the rest of the day. Later that evening, Dallas' mom took them up to church, where the other children and I met up with Ashton. She had a wonderful and exciting day! I'm so glad! I love to make each one's birthday special. It's just a way to remind them how special they all are.

Below, you can see some pictures of Ashton. The first 4 are from years past, and the ones after that are all from this year. Enjoy!

Ashton at 3 weeks old.

Ashton at 4 years old.

Digging for dinosaur "bones" at the zoo's dino exhibit.

Ashton at 8 years old.

This year Ashton acted a part in our church's VBS, Jerusalem Marketplace.

Ashton at our church's annual picnic at the beach.

Ashton showing off her Bangladesh exhibit for our homeschool group's annual International Day.


For some reason, Ashton (and Savannah for that matter) just loves taking pictures of herself. It's so funny when I find misc. photos of her on my camera. They both have such a great time snapping away! lol She took this one with her camera in the overhead mirror in the car while I was in the grocery store.

Relaxing with friends.

Happy Birthday, Ashton! We love you very much!! Have a wonderful 15th year!

Recently Overheard...

This conversation is disturbing on many levels...though it is funny.

Indy: I can't believe Levi licked my dirty toe.

Me: What?? That's gross! Why did he do that?

Indy: I don't know. He wanted to.

Me: And you let him??

Indy: Yes. He wanted to.

Me: So if he wanted to jump off a bridge you'd let him? And, not tell him "No"?

Indy: Well, how high is the bridge?

**Apparently, the previous night, Indy had his feet hanging over the end of the top bunk, over Levi's head on the lower bunk. So, Levi told Indy he was going to lick Indy's feet. Indy did say no, but then Levi licked Indy's toe. Ewwww.... Actually, thank goodness, they'd had baths so it wasn't as bad as it could have been. But, I must say, as much as Levi puts things in his mouth...yes, still (!!)...at least he's got a good, built-up immune system!! lol

What I Did

Last week one day, I was starting to make a list of things to do today, but decided that I get too frustrated when I seem to work all day long and at the end of the day, the house looks like I haven't done a darn thing. So, instead of making a list of things to do, I decided to make a list of things I've done. So, here's the list. And, I know there are a few things I didn't add, either because they were too little, like picking up misc. toys or pieces of paper or because I forgot them once I went to write down. But, here's the things I did get written down....

Did 5 loads of laundry
Changed the a/c filter
Made laundry soap
Changed kitchen lightbulb
Washed my hair
Worked on my virtual farm
Checked & answered emails
Downloaded songs to itunes from cds
Killed bugs
Took out recyclables
Emptied boys' clothes bag from St. Augustine trip and put away
Picked up cups from around house
Worked on bills
Called Dr., insurance company, a couple bill companies
Worked on school with Savannah
Picked up living room
Took Savannah & Ashton to school, at separate times
Took Levi to golf
Did school with Indy and put Levi on cpu for letter practice
Worked in garden with boys
Cooked breakfast, lunch, and dinner for family members
Picked up bathroom...again
Meeting in evening

I know there was more, but I couldn't remember a couple things. Oh well. At least you get an idea of what kinds of things I do in a day. I think that's why the stuff on my list doesn't always get done. There was a lot of things on this list that I wouldn't have on my "to do" list, like change the kitchen lightbulb. So, are you the same way? Do you find yourself not getting your "to do" list done? If so, make a list like I did, of things you actually did. You'll be very surprised! :-)

The Turtle Boy

Yesterday, when we went to our environmental class at a local park, we talked about sea turtles. Since we had recently been to that sea turtle field trip, Indy knew a lot of the answers. A cool thing was that they had a big shell from a sea turtle for the kids to see and feel. Before they walked it around, the teacher called up Levi. We didn't know what for, until she lifted him onto a table and had him lay down. He then became our sample turtle. It was soo funny and cute! And, he was a great turtle! He laid so still, which enabled the teacher to tell the class all about the turtles and how their shells are "streamlined" and that there's not enough room for them to pull in their head, arms, and legs. That's bad because that's how they can get attacked and killed. Anyway, he was a great example for us....and so cute! :-)

Fits him perfect, huh?? lol

We won!

On this past Saturday, Indy's baseball team finally won a game!! They have a very young team, filled with a bunch of guys who have either come straight up from tee ball or who have never played before, so they have been getting beat at each and every game. I've felt so bad for them. And, it's been very hard on Indy, as the last time he played, his team won the championship. So, to go from that to this, has been very hard. But, it's good for character development, right?? lol

Anyway, this past Saturday, they FINALLY won!! The final score was 27-12, so we really beat the pants off them! The boys were sooo excited! To top that, two boys were having their birthdays so two sets of parents brought cupcakes for after the game! Man, were they sugared up!! lol And, even more exciting than that, Indy got the game ball! He was thrilled! So, it was a very eventful game that day! Yippee! We won!! :-)

Levi's 1st Golf Tournament

Last Saturday, October 3, Levi participated in his very first golf tournament. And, he had a blast! He came in 7th out of 8 in his 6 and under division and was ever so proud. His coach was very happy, too, that he did so well within a group of some very experienced kids. Of course, we were very proud of Levi, too! :-) Here are some pictures of the day. First, let me just say, this tournament was held at a course an hour and a half from our home. So, we drove for 3 hours to play golf for 3 hours. It was a very long day for me. Ugh. And, boy, was it hot! And, I learned a few things; like next time I'll get a golf cart. That way, we'll have some shade, a place to carry a small ice chest with cold water, and a way to get to the next hole a little faster so our playing partners won't have to wait on us. You live and learn, right?

Overall, it was a very successful day, especially since it went great for Levi. After doing the whole 9 holes with 2 playing partners, he wanted to start all over. Of course, I was carrying everything (the clubs, my purse, the camera, our water bottle) and nearly crawling to the clubhouse by the end. Believe me when I say that I was praying that I would actually make it and not pass out from the heat or lack of water. Thankfully, we made it and it ended up being a good experience. I think we're going to try for one or two more tournaments during this fall season.

When we first got there, Levi practiced on the putting green, along with bunches of other little boys. I think he was really fascinated with so many little boys playing golf all at the same time. In his classes, there's usually only 1-4 more kids than him, but there were a lot here. Here he is practicing on the putting green.

This is sometime during the day. I'm not sure which hole this is, but I think it was number 2....I still had enough energy to actually take some pictures! lol (You know, his tee time was at 12:30!!! Ugh!)

Once we finished the 9th hole, we happened to be near the entrance to the club where the sign is, so we walked over there to get a picture.

Once everyone from a division returned to the clubhouse, they scored them and handed out the awards. First and second places got trophies. Third through fifth places got metals that said their place and had different color ribbons. Everyone after 5th place got a "Never Give Up" medal with a green ribbon. That's what Levi got and he was sooo proud! :-) Here's the score sheet that was posted. See? He did pretty good and kept right up with the "big boys". I think he was the youngest. I know he was in our group. The other two boys were both 6. One had been playing golf for 2 years already and one had been playing about a year. Levi's only been taking lessons since January and he didn't go to golf camp over the summer and since Nicky and I don't play, he only gets to really play when Mamo's around. (Thanks, Mamo!) So, knowing all that and that some of those kids' (at least the two in our group) dads are golfers, too, I think he did pretty darn good!

The 4th place Noah was in our group, as well as Davis, with 56. So, Levi kept up pretty well.


Here's Levi showing off his medal.

Finally, after that, we headed home. We were only in the car 10 minutes when.........

Zzzzzzzzzz........... Man, I wish that could've been me!! lol Can't wait til the next tournament! :-)

Menu Plan Monday

Hello Everyone! Here's my menu plan for this week. Hope you all enjoy it!


Sunday- Tacos

Monday- Stuffed Green Peppers

Tuesday- Swiss Steak

Wednesday- Chicken Tetrazzini

Thursday- Manicotti

Friday- Spaghetti

Saturday- Leftovers/Potato Soup



Chicken Tetrazzini

1-cream of mushroom soup

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

4 cups cooked spaghetti noodles

1-10 oz. can chicken, undrained

1/4 cup sweet red pepper or pimento (optional)

2 Tbsp. parsley

In 2 qt. saucepan, combine soup, water, & cheese. Over low heat, heat til cheese is melted, stirring occasionally. Add spaghetti, chicken, pepper, & parsley. Heat through, stirring occasionally.

St. Augustine, Part 3

After we left the Old Jail, we drove over to the Fort in St. Augustine. There are more pictures, but the other family's kids are in them, too, and I don't really like to put pictures of other people's kids on here unless I have spoken to them, so you won't see those pictures unless you come to my house! (Come and visit sometime!!)

Anyway, when we went inside the fort, there were 4 guys dressed up as soldiers and they put on a display of their black powder guns.

While we were waiting for them to shoot, we looked over into the bay and saw a pod of dolphins swimming by! It was so neat! I got a couple pictures of them. I don't think I've ever seen a whole pod in the wild before. Pretty cool! I've seen one here and there, but never in a pod like that.

Here's the kids by one of the cannons.

Levi and Indy were running around from cannon to cannon pretending to shoot pirates. It was so cute!

Here's Indy on the top of the fort looking over into the courtyard area.

The boys really liked the fort.... I knew they would. I think they would have been perfectly happy to stay there and check it all out, except that it was so stinkin' hot!! Ugh. Plus, we were with the other family and the mom was ready to go because the little guy had had it. He was pooped and cranky. So, we left. I wish we could have stayed a little longer so the boys could really have looked all through the rooms and played more, but that's ok. They got the jist of it.

I think the main reason I even wanted to do such a quick trip to a place more than 6 hours away was that Indy has been learning about the start of America in school. We've talked about the Vikings, Christopher Columbus, the pilgrims, and even St. Augustine. So, I thought this was a great time to visit and make it more real to him. He was very impressed and I read the self-tour guide to them for some of the info. Overall, it was a fun trip and I am really glad we went. Ahhh, the joys of homeschooling.

(In case you're curious, Ashton did not go with us. Since she's in school now, she had to be in school that day, so she stayed home with Nicky and we did miss her. I wished more than once that she had been there. Oh well. Maybe next time.)

St. Augustine, Part 2

These were a couple pictures I forgot yesterday: It's Levi playing with the little chalkboard. See the wooden things with strings attached? These were pretty neat. There were letters printed right next to each hold and the kids could practice their spelling with these. They were given a word and then they spelled it by "sewing" the string through the correct letters. Kinda like a sewing card for preschoolers. Besides learning their letters and spelling words, they got to practice their small motor skills. I thought that was a really neat thing.

Here's Indy and Savannah writing with the ink and feathers.

Ok, onto the next couple hours.... we went next to the Old Florida Jail and took the tour. It was really interesting. We put Levi in the stocks.....well, actually, he put himself. lol

Here's Levi as the sheriff and Savannah as the crook! lol

This is the old jailhouse. It was really interesting because the sheriff had his house built right onto the jail, in which he lived with his wife and 2 small children. Notice how the left side of the building looks like a house and the right side looks like a jail. It was very interesting.

This was a statue of the famous sheriff, Joe Perry (I think), which the kids had to climb all over.

It was a fun tour and our guide was very animated and did a great job. If you go to St. Augustine, you should check it out. :-)