Our Hundredth Day

 Today was a big day in our first grade year.

It was our 100th day of school.  I don't remember this ceremonial event when I was in school, but I think in these younger grades it's a way to reinforce place value and counting.  This year we had been adding numbered 'gumballs' to our 'machine' on the wall.  Now we will start counting down until the end of the year, and we have a real gumball machine with 80 gumballs so we can watch the days whittle away one ball at a time.  

I am so incredibly proud of this child.  I admire him.  Having these years with him has been incredible, and even during the tougher moments I am so glad we decided to make the decision to homeschool.

We went out to lunch at his favorite place.  

He deserved it. 

The Past Few Weeks

Dave gets to keep the fantasy football trophy for the year

 It's been awhile since I have blogged.  No idea why, but it seems like the last time I did was just a minute ago.  Time is just slipping by too quickly.

some times you just want to sleep in and eat pancakes on a Thursday 

 We've come down from the holiday hustle and bustle with a wonderful new comfortable pace.   School is going well and the house feels clean and calm.  We've had great weather the past week or so.  Jacket weather!  I washed my car and the snow is nearly melted.  I love this winter break we are having.  

 While the weather has given us a break from 'winter' we are getting ready for our actual winter break.  I love the flexibility of homeschooling.  I am able to move things around good travel prices.  So next weekend we are flying to Florida to get away from winter, and enjoy some Florida sunshine. (now it'll probably rain while we are there)  We are getting very excited about our upcoming trip!

Everything is good right now.  

What I Got Done in 2014

I was thinking today about the massive number of quilts I was able to finish this year.... then I started considering my reading goal that I met, even though I set my goal higher this year..... and I did homeschool Nate , and I gardened... and my flowers were so pretty this year... and I really got a lot done!  So I made photographic proof that I was busy!

In the new year I'm hoping for a more successful garden.... Far fewer quilts to be made.... And I'll try for the same number of books.  I've also decided to journal next year in an attempt to keep the everyday memories safe from the stress and countdowns of the deployment we will get through in '15.   

The Torture Ends

Today was cold and snowy.... yesterday was cold and snowy.... tomorrow is supposed to be cold.  In other news we fly to Florida in 33 days!

We opened presents from our parents today.... Nate was really excited because G & G McMath's box arrived on Saturday, but we made him wait until G & G Brinker's boxes arrived today.   We were spoiled.... Nate got lots of cool toys, Dave got cool tools, and I love the sheets and picture I got.  Nate got a set of sheets too, and he was almost excited, but then when I opened a set of sheets, he looked at me like what is happening?!  It was funny.  He looked worried that Christmas might end up totally practical.  Then he opened legos, transformers and an rc helicopter and was reassured that Christmas still brings new toys.  

I took a video of Nate opening his gift from Grandma because she was so looking forward to watching him open El Toro Loco........ 

He is really excited!  

Thanks to everyone for making our Christmas special!  

This Year

This year has passed in a whirlwind for me.   My year felt sad and stressful, but I love that looking back Nate had a great year!  I'm so happy about that.

January-our 100th day of kindergarten

February- a science experiment he loved.

March- losing his first tooth

April- this was a craft at church.... he was so cute I could hardly wait to get to the car to snap a photo.

May- a practice camp out in the backyard.  We tested our homemade fire-starters and realized this tent was too small for Dave.

June-Pond watching, part of our summer school pond study.(we never went back, a couple days later they found a dead body in this particular pond)

July- hiking a trail in Yellowstone. 

August- Start of 1st grade!

September- This was taken in Dayton, Ohio at the Wright Brother's Museum.

October- Dave made his Raphael costume this year.  It was a huge success.

November- a day or two before snow and freezing temps hit I rushed Nate outside before school to take his 'school' photo for the year.  If you get our Christmas card you probably got a copy.

 December- Nate was a great help with cookies this year, he took it very seriously because apparently he thinks he was 'kicked out of the kitchen' last year. 

I'm glad our happy boy is such a kind, thoughtful kid with a great faith in God and hilarious sense of humor.  He makes things easier to deal with....

 ....like when he decides to teach his little cousin a lesson by singing her  "You can't always get what you waaaannnnt" by the Rolling Stones......

.....or when I have to go tell him that another loved one has passed away and his reply, "Did he/she know God?" I answer yes. He nods his head and says, "okay we will see them in heaven someday."

Next year will surely be full of bumps and tough moments as our family will be apart for half of the year.  I am praying that this sweet boy is able to keep smiling during those months, and that Dave will be safe, and that I won't be stricken with anxiety this time, and our family will come back together unscathed. 

Merry Christmas

 

From our family...

 

 

to yours...

 

 

We wish you a very Merry Christmas.

 

 

Then Our Snow Melted

Inside our house is very Christmas-y.

Thankfully outside the snow is mostly gone and the temps are mild.  

I think this is a great situation.  I was worried there, in the beginning of November, when we were shut in.... it felt very end of January-ish.