taking it easy

These days have been so absolutely gorgeous

around here.

South Florida is so hot and humid and heavy 99% of the time

that when it cools off and starts feeling like

a Midwestern spring

it's glorious.

We open up our windows and spend most of our

days outdoors.

This huge spider scares me, but Henry

insisted I take a picture of it.

"Don't get me, Daddy!"

Playing chapel and reading her Bible.

"Can I have some pretzels, please? Mama?"

Dirty twin feet.

Rrrrribit!

This leaf had shed it's interior leafage and was nothing

more than veins.

i'm so random

Marcail is practicing her handwriting.

I noticed in the beginning of this school year that each of the kid's handwriting

was very sloppy.

So, we've been really focusing on improving their penmanship this semester.

One lazy Saturday morning, without kids, pouring rain out.

James and Toby in the phone entrancement.

Naomi was "helping" me make supper one evening by

licking the bowl clean.

Toby is getting so good at sitting up!

We is so happy just sitting and watching

his siblings play around him.

tree park

These pictures were all taken at a little walking park about 2 blocks from our house.

This little park, the "tree park" as we call it, is perfect for exploring.

We will walk down to the tree park and I'll let the kids

climb trees and play their games (they have fantastic imaginations!)

and I will walk around the path.

I can see them as they play and run around and 

Toby and I walk briskly around the path.

The tree park has a certain calm solitude about it

and it always helps me get in a better mood

if the day has been rough.

I spend my time praying, humming quietly to myself

or, if no one else is at the park, I'll talk to Toby.

While I was pregnant with Toby we came here almost

every day for at least an hour so that I could walk briskly for

my maternal exercise.

It was great for me and I feel kind of sentimental about this park.

Anyway, here's some pictures I've taken whilst walking the trail.

   I think the trees and lighting give the pictures a sort of

magical feel.

pumpkin patch

Our homeschool get-together this month was at the pumpkin patch.

It was a warm day!

One mom joked that up North the children's faces would be flushed

from the cold;

here the kid's faces are flushed from the heat.

Henry loved the patch so much!

He found some fantastic pumpkins but was only able to choose one.

Marcail and Toby with our friends.

I'm thinking hard about this pumpkin.  I didn't even know anyone was taking my picture.

Esther, Toby, Marc and Abby

Our whole group!

After we were all finished at the patch we drove to a nearby park

for a picnic and play time.

I always enjoy the fellowship with these mom's as much as the kids love the playtime

with their friends.

apple day 2012

Our homeschool group tries to get together once a month for some type of activity.

Last month we gathered for apple day.

We had so much fun!

We had a story time, led by the hostess' eldest daughter.

After storytime, all the families dispersed to go participate in the various centers that

us mom's had organized and put together for the kids to do.

We had an apple magnet craft.

Apple science.

Apple painting.

(Put together by yours truly.)

We made an apple empanada out of

apple butter made fresh from the apples we all brought and taste-tested

and rolled up in a croissant.

They were a delicious snack!

Here my friend took this picture of me acting like I'm mad.

I was being a dork.

(Aren't I always?)

I totally knew I was photo bombing this group picture.

 Pots on their heads in honor of Johnny Appleseed!