Falling for fall!

I have decided that I need to move to a state that has "Florida Fall" weather all of the time. As a native Floridian spending all thirty something years of my life here I dislike being cold immensely! That means anything under 70 degrees for a girl like me. But bring on the temps in the mid 70's and I am in heaven! Everything is back in full swing. Morning walks - that do not leave you drenched in sweat, windows open, breezes blowing. Everything is better in fall mentally, physically, and spiritually. 


I get inspired to do things like bake bread

and meringues............ guilty pleasures 

And play hookie so we can do day trips to Sea World.  Do you think I can tie this in with the water unit we are working on  in school? hhhmmm... 

Enjoying the day.......

Admiring a few animals........

Catching a show .....

or two..........







Speak of school, the last two weeks we have been working on the Armor of God in Bible class.
Here are a few pics.

Breastplates of Righteousness......

Shoes of Peace



Some of the "extra's"for our water unit in Science included this cute book from "Clever Calvin"

And a craft where we colored sea salt with food coloring and applied it to the oceans on our maps 

And a craft that broke down the waters of the earth. 1% fresh, 2% Ice, and 97% salt. Dried black beans did the trick and it helps the kids understand just what those numbers really mean.  

Placemat of the water cycle. I found these online and printed them for free. They were a little small so I cut them out, attached them to colored paper and laminated them . If   you are interested: http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycleplacemat.html

A rainbow of frozen water. Discussing states of matter: Solid, liquid, and gas. 

We used these to illustrate thermal energy and the concept of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

Of course I think the kids preferred the part when they used them as bombs on the cement, hurling them down,  and watching them explode. Sigh.........


We also used "The Magic School Bus Gets Wet All Over" 

If you head over to the site " Enchanted Learning" than you can also print out a skit  from "Readers Theater Script" for the kids to act out on the water cycle.  

Our school has another student one day a week. A picture of her being so responsible... Look mom! My baby sister. 

Another responsible student, just one with a stuffed monkey sitting on his head because that's how to make math fun. He may kill me when he is older for this picture. 



Fall brings many things; Cooler weather, changing colors, familiar comfort foods, garden harvest , and one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving. And although Thanksgiving is officially in November my heart began giving thanks for the many blessings in my life long before .      




Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:13



  
                                                              

A decade passed

One Decade Passed...........



On October 3rd 2002 at 2:42 a.m.  I gave birth to my first child. A baby girl.........
I had no idea how she was going to change my life forever!

As sweet as she appears in this photo at 2 and a half months old, I promise you she was the grouchiest little girl EVER!  But my love for her was already fierce!

By 1 year old her true personality began to shine.... and out emerged the funniest little monkey EVER!
I love this picture because this is STILL who she is today!

At 2 years of age she was still just as spunky but a sweetness began to emerge ....

At 3 years old a rare shot....My girl as a princess and with a baby doll. 

4 years old and already the best big sister....... twice over

At 5 years old she was such a beautiful princess... and although that was the last year of dressing up and being that little girl, she still remains a princess in character and heart. 

No longer so little... At 6 years old she truly became a "Papa's girl"

I love this picture of her at 7 years old, I smile just looking at it. She is so full of life and joy.  

A picture she took of herself at the ripe old age of 8  

9 years old a "rocker" .... I see trouble to come 

10 years old......  Where did the time go? 

Over the last ten years my husband and  I have been privileged to raise this sweet girl. She is funny and spunky. Reserved and thoughtful. Artsy with a brain for science and math. She is kind and loving and loves the Lord  with all of her heart. She is crazy and wonderful and everything beautiful that I could ever want in a daughter. The first 10 years of her life I feel were spent showing her our world. I have this feeling that the next decade will be about teaching her to fly and see the world for herself..........

Behold,  children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward Psalm 127:3