Nine Years Old

Random Roundup

He acquired an Aeronca Chief. And has been trying to get it up and running.

 I picked so many of these ruby red gems.

 We got our first egg! Always exciting!

 Making Banana Muffins for the Lemonade Stand.

 Pretty cute, right?

 And then this happened! Burst pipes meant a flood in our kitchen and holes to patch.

 At least I was prompted to pull out our range. I guess I should do this more often?

 We especially love our blue eggs!

 These boards may not look like much but I have big plans for them. Just wait!

 He lost his first front tooth. Twice as cute and twice as mischievous!

 We went to Jamestown!

 I love the ropes!

 My sweetie reused an old copper pipe to make this little trellis for my climbing rose.

 I love this, dirty feet and all.

We had about a week of all the cousins on my side of the family together, so fun!

 Scored this at a little shop in Eastern Virginia. It will go above the tub in our Master Bathroom, just a smaller version of the one in our Room.

Free sunflowers in a patch in front of a farm. I love that someone wanted to share.

We have zinnias!

Several of these pies have been made and consumed here. All the fresh berries and peaches have made it easy.

School is starting in a little over a week from now, it's the end of a great summer! But I hate change… it will be nice to settle back in to a routine and welcome fall.

Thankful and blessed,

Melissa

READ

This is fitting for my girl. And I had fun making the book letters, another great idea from Anthropologie.

Don't cry over spilled milk...

…make that hot chocolate.

Steaming hot chocolate is made, I made it with milk on the stove, put a large marshmallow on top just how they like it. They rush out to the kitchen, so excited and she knocks hers over. Hot chocolate is running across and down the island, all over the floor. We wipe it up, I go to get a mop, then he spills his on the other side of the island. I over-react this time, "Why did you do that?!!!" I use all three of his given names. I realize as soon as I say it but it's too late, as he goes for a towel, he has that crumpled look on his face, trying not to cry. "I'm sorry Mom!"

 I'm the one who is in need of forgiveness. I tell them I'm so sorry for speaking loudly and then she's crying too, "I'm so sorry I spilled it, Mom." 

Later after they finished the next batch we talked about forgivness, about mercy and how God forgives us over and over. 

I want my children to see that I mess up, that I need God in my life. As a young parent, I didn't think I should ask for forgivness from my children when I was in the wrong, I thought it would weaken my authority. I was so so wrong. These children are little people who need our respect, and they need an example of how to forgive and ask for forgivness. They need to see God's grace shining through us. Holding them to a standard of perfection is just so unfair. I know I will mess up again, lose my temper, but I want to be quick to see it and not to leave a hurt in their little hearts.

"Grace

is when you get the good things you don't deserve.

Mercy

is when you're spared from the bad things you do deserve.

God

is generous with both."

We went on a trip...

…we had a great time, I will post more pictures later, but for now, this pretty much sums it up.

" I went to Lego-Land. I petted a Cow-Nosed Ray. I went on a roller coaster. I built a sandcastle at the beach. I went on a kayak ride. I got sick one day. The next day I was better. I flew home on an airplane. That's all! "

~by Carter

Hallie added in parentheses (He wants to write) meaning we did more on our trip but that's all he put down. This was a homework requirement for school. So funny :) 

Around our home...

Hello! Iv'e been enjoying fall lately. The weather is perfect - crisp mostly sunny days and cool nights.

We've been consuming a lot of pumpkin, and decorating with pumpkins also,

My daughter and I made over this little coffee table and I found that chalk paint is perfect for kids to experiment with. If it goes on too heavy, and causes drips and runs, you just sand it off.

I painted my master bath but didn't take any pictures because it looks the same - minus the mildew in the corners. I really hope this does the trick! Oh, here's an old picture,

And, I've been attempting to copy some of this cool chalkboard art that is all over Pinterest. I have really bad handwriting and must copy letter for letter sitting in front of my computer. But I love the finished product!

So, that's some of our highlights the last few weeks, thanks for reading!