Piper's Birthday Hike

Happy 3rd Birthday Piper!!

Another Angel to Watch Over Us

 

We will love you and miss you sweet Babe

Merry Christmas

My Princess's New Art Studio

the girls want to know why their daddy named the wrench (he's using to assemble something), Allen?

Another Community Choir Christmas Performance

 

Including  "Jingle Bells" and the the theme from "The Grinch," amongst a few other pieces.

Girls' Christmas Choir Concert

 

Feeling Rather SUPPORTED in Some Recent Decisions:)

 

I have made some recent decisions...to join the Savannah Winds, starting in January; and to start on a serious writing project...I have not thought about writing since my early to mid 20s.  I have a long-term collaberative project to be done with my girls, and I even know what the first subject will be---because the signs keep coming to me, in dreams, visual side bars on my internet, emails...incredible!  I'm very excited about this project!  Also, just yesterday, my WI Reiki Master even happened to "mention" something about a publisher!  SO......;)

The Girls Were Invited to a Royal Tea Party

All I Want For Chrithmathh Ithhhh My Two Front Teethhh---it's official!

This is VERY reminiscent of last Christmas:)

Christmas Season is Upon Us

Sledding In Florida (as told by Fairy Girl)

"Sledding In Florida"  

(***All Names have been changed to protect the Innocent, as this short story is loosely based on actual events  (This LINK takes you to the post that proves that yes, we indeed DID sled in central Florida ;)

It was Thanksgiving Day.  We did not have dinner on Thanksgiving, because our daddy had to go to work.  Once he got home, we went to bed, snuggling under the covers.  On Friday we packed, loaded the car, and hit the road.  We drove and arrived to Grandma and Grandpa's.  We removed our bags from the car and took Pancake out of his kennel.  Donald the Goofy went inside and hugged Pancake; he then took Pancake for a walk.  Donald the Goofy (a.k.a. Daddy) and Pancake got lost.  They called Cherry Berry (a.k.a. Mommy) to come rescue them.  (please note: her favorite food is berries; she will eat nothing but berries).  They return to grandma and grandpa's and have Thanksgiving dinner: turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, gravey, cranberries (mommy ONLY ate cranberries), and pumpkin pie.

The next day, mommy and daddy surprised Kay-Lynn and Korea to take them to a Florida Christmas tree lighting festival.  The girls are dressed in shirts, skirts, and flipflops.  And then Mommy (who ate ALL the berries) announced: "We're going sledding!"  (after she tries to get more berries).  Kay-Lynn: "In Florida, that's CRAZY!"  And, the girls really did go sledding in Florida----FOR REAL!  And then, the snow melted all over Donald the Goofy.

We had Snow Much Fun!

The End

Angel's Paintings Have Suddenly Stepped Up to a New Level

All I Want For Chrithmathh Ithhhh My Two Front Teethhh

The Magician and Her Lovely Assistant

So the girls decided to put together a magic show last night.  Angel asked her daddy if he had a top hat (which he did not:).  She looked really disappointed, so I suggested that we have a lot of construction paper, and she could make one; and she got right to work...and did a most excellet job!  Then, the Magician and her Lovely Assistant went right to work, outfitting themselves and putting their show together.  I think they actually accomplished everything in about 20 minutes, once the top hat was made.

And then, it was time for the show...in the audience, mommy and daddy!  (I will admit I wasn't expecting a whole lot, but boy, the joke was on me!!!)

They had a Big Top style Magic show, with animated introductions, vocal circus music, beautiful and graceful moves from the lovely assistant, and entertainment (distractions) between acts.  The first act was the disappearing  Assistant (with the use of blankets and an ottomon and of course,  the magician's cape.

Then, we had the magically-appearing scarves, bunches and bunches, tied together, pullled out of the magician's hat.

Then, the adorable bunny was pulled out of the hat.  But there wasn't just one, the magician surprised the audience with THREE bunnies!!!

And, of course for the grande finale, the magician sawed her lovely assistant in half!  (and then her lovely assistant got better, in case you were concerned:)

I seriously have to tell you, that I was genuinely impressed and entertained!  Further, this is the kind of creativity that comes out of my girls on the days when I'm not "busying" them with school---exactly why homeschooling is so important to us!

p.s.  I should mention, Angel Girl has been intrigued by the idea of magic for at least three years now, and has begged me to teach her magic.  Three years later, I think she finally figured out I am not a magician, and she will need to develop her own talents.  Hmmmmmm, this gives me some ideas for Christmas!

My Girls Have Decked The New Halls

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Friday:)  Yes, Friday.  Backtracking....when our little girls came, I will admit that it was a letdown for me that it was usually very difficult to spend holidays with all of their grandparents, together.  J is from one state, I am from a different state...and both sets of parents ditch those states for the winter anyway!  But the good news is, they ditch it for Florida!  And guess what, we are now only two hours from the border of Florida, so my wishes came true---now we are able to spend every holiday with all the grandparents---my mom hosts Thanksgiving and Christmas, and J's dad and R host Easter (they live two hours from my parents).  Anyway, it's just under a five hour drive from our house to my parents'...so rather than leave on Wednesday night after he gets home from work, we opted to leave Thursday, well, around noon (you know, after sleeping in, packing, loading the car, running a couple of errands, hot breakfast, cleaning up, playing with friends...ok, I think it's really cool (having come from so far north in Wisconsin that we can now say, ok, let's run down to Florida now; and it is no longer a major ordeal!)  

 

 So, we of course had dinner with my parents, J's dad and R, and close family friends who go back and forth between WI and Florida as well.  As a side note, the actual Thanksgiving meal served ON Thanksgiving day was: brats, sauerkraut, veggie pizza and water melon:)  Friday was of course a different story---oh and there was dessert, lots and lots of dessert!

Another favorite pastime in Florida, we picked Meyer Lemons...

And oranges....

LOTS AND LOTS of lemons and oranges; I am unable to distinguish them with absolute certainty:O

And of course we did some sledding, you know, because we were in Florida...and that's what Floridians do, after picking lemons and oranges.

In skorts and flipflops, of course.

 At the town's tree-lighting ceremony we had a blast: carolers, crafts, musicians, dancers, food, rides, ponies, stilt walkers, sledding, etc etc---oh and I was talking to a couple of guys who had been playing Christmas Dixie (joking with them that they were lacking a clarinet, and they said they really were, the guy has never shown...and they offered me a spot:)  anyway---turns out the tuba player's son is an economics professor at Atlantic Armstrong State University in Savannah, home of the Savannah Winds---the only group in the area...I've been going back and forth on joining because they are such a serious group---guess what...that was the straw that broke the camel's back...it's time...so I contacted the conductor and will join the group in January!!  No more whining or bandless dreams:)

 We decided to head out on Saturday so we could go home and deck the halls.  Since it was only a five hour drive and it was only Saturday, we decided to go visit Amelia Island, via a very beautiful scenic route...the infamous Highway A1A...but on the way we decided to take the route to take us on the Ferry across the St. John's River...it took awhile...a long long while (because somehow, north of St. Augustine, we lost Highway A1A, found ourselves somehow no longer on it:O)  and after ALL those hours in the car, we owed the girls a ferry ride...so, we found the ferry, after some backtracking....and enjoyed ourselves a THREE MINUTE FERRY RIDE!  

We never made it to Amelia Island:/

BUT, there were pelians, LOTS AND LOTS of pelicans!!!

(and on the ferry,  we were within two feet of the pelicans...guess what---THEY STINK!)

Photo Card

Tree Of Whimsy Christmas

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Happy Thanksgiving

Featured Pieces from Our Gallery

It's Almost Thanksgiving

Creating Roots--Homeschool Family Trees

Children's Community Choral Rehearsal

Autumn Sunset

The Good Willow Tree is the "Funnest" Tree House in the World!

One day, Evelyn planted a seed.  And Eva helped her.  It took a whole year for the seed to grow.  It grew into a beautiful willow tree.  The girls made a tree house.  They worked together!

Evelyn and Eva had a lot of fun hanging in the tree house.  They pretended it was a robot tree house.  Next, it became a princess castle.  So they (naturally) needed some accessories in the tree house.  The girls headed over to The Great Willow Store.  There they found a sign that says, "Girls Only."  Also, they found a little chocolate-maker.  Since they found their treasures, they picked up lunch and brought it to their tree house.  They dined on peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches and lemonade.  Then they fired up the Little Chocolate Maker.  OH OH!!! chocolate EXPLOSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  chocolate everywhere.  So, they cleaned up (naturally tasting some of the mess along the way:)

The Girls decided to go home because it was getting dark.  After a delicious cup of hot cocoa; followed by brushing teeth and jammies....Eva and Evelyn got under their cozy covers, fell asleep and dreamed of their tree house and more adventrues in it tomorrow.

the end

p.s.  While they were sleeping, their Good Willow Tree and Tree House grew bigger and bigger and bigger...

Begging For Treats....Video of our Favorite Goat:)

scene from Central FLA Zoo

Before and After Shots plus first fire in our new home!

Witch Art

Happy Birthday My Beautiful Buddy Bear

This photo was taken on Buddy's last birthday, with us.  He had just turned eight.  I don't think I'll ever get over losing him so young, but I am grateful, even though it was an extreme shock to me, that his passing was very quick...so quick it shocked the internal specialists how quickly he turned...and I credit the Reiki Healing he had been receiving...for a "comfortable" transition. I love you Buddy, and I'm so grateful for your continued presence in our everyday lives---you definitely make it known to us that you are still VERY much with us!  Hard to believe you'd be 11 now, if you were still with us physically--which would STILL be too young, in my book.  I don't think we're EVER ready.

Also, pictured next to Buddy, is our beautiful Cimba, who was with us for 16 wonderful years and left us a little over a year ago.  We observe her birthday on November 2nd.  Buddy's is November 4th.  I know Cimba, Cookie, and Buddy--the dynamic trio, are having a blast together: stealing chewies from one-another, Cookie walking around with my mom's bra in her mouth:), Buddy and Cookie playing tug-o-war with a throw pillow, Cookie, Cimba and Buddy eating icecream...we love and miss you all of you!

Babe we love you too--happy belated birthday, as we celebrate yours in September...hope Kathy and Rondo spoiled you rotton while your parents ditched you for Jamaica!

Giggles...

Happy Halloween!

"First Halloween": (a short story written and illustrated by Fairy and Angel Girls)

It was the day before Halloween.  The girls were choosing their costumes.  Evelyn wants to be a princess.  Kate really wants to be a mermaid.  And Mary really wants to be a mermaid.  Eva doesn't know yet.

Evelyn: "how about a princess?"
Eva: "wow, that's a great idea!"
Evelyn: "do you like the idea?"
Eva: "yes, we will make it tomorrow.  But first, we will have lunch before we decide how to make the costume."

The girls break for lunch together, and eat peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches, lemonade, and grapes.

After lunch, they start talking about Eva's costume.


Evelyn: "what about your costume Eva?"
Eva: "well, I want it to be sparkly and pretty and shiny---And I'll leave it all up to Evelyn."


The girls start talking about their trick or treat bags.  Evelyn wants a ballerina bag.  Eva wants a ghost bag.  Kate and Mary are babies, too young for candy, so they don't need bags.  They will be home with a babysitter.


The girls are sleeping over at Eva's house.


Eva: "Let's go sleep in the bonus room, so we don't wake the babies."  


After a night of popcorn, pepsi's, and scary movies...before they knew it, it was morning!  They wake up and start work on their costumes.  Eva's mom calls them for breakfast: freaky fried eggs and scary pancakes and ghost bacon.


Back to the costumes.  The girls were able to put together beautiful costumes!

And then it was lunch time (of course): pumpkin fries and pumpkin punch.


Now it's time to make the haunted food for their Halloween party: Haunted gingerbread house; mummy dogs; spider cake; monster cupcakes.


Then, they put their costumes on, to prepare for TRICK OR TREATING!


Eva's mom says: "it's only 6:30, it's not time yet!"  
And the girls scream: "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" (because they can't go yet, and clearly they are excited). 


So, the girls make up a trick or treat song and dance, til it's time to go...
when Evelyn's mom says: "7:00, time to go!"  The girls went to the first house:

TRICK OR TREAT!

The Day Our House Flooded...

 

It was a hectic moment in our lives, as is usually the case when we have visitors.  We love having visitors, but I'm sure anybody with younger children will agree it throws your schedule/routine off a bit.  Well, this time we were not quite with it, as J was not only turning 50 (maybe it's the beginning of "old" age throwing us off, ha ha:)...but, we just weren't thinking clearly, or paying close enough attention to the SLAP US IN THE FACE SIGNS which we were truly gifted!  Anyway, without further adieu:

It was not just another Thursday night...it was the night preceding my wonderful husband's 50th birthday celebration.  The only difference between this Thursday and any other Thursday in our lives was, not only were J's two sisters to arrive later that evening, but J was to LEAVE for work...just for one night, THAT night, he had to go in third shift to assist with some installations or something.  The beauty of it is, he got Thursday and Friday both off, but of course the poor chap was exhausted...and unfortunately so was I...afterall, I'm the very spiritual one who's always on the lookout for Divine Signs and messages; right?!!

  

Well, that night, before J left and before his sis's arrived, I heard the washing machine panel light up and make its sound: "ding ding ding DING!!" as if I had turned it on and it was ready to be programmed for a load.  I ran in there, and not only was nobody in there, but the washer door was open, as I usually leave it open if I've done a load recently, to air it out.  Impossible!  This had NEVER happened before, and has never happened since...except, one hour later...door open, it happened again: "ding ding ding DING!!"  Once again, door wide open, nobody even in there (and you cannot start the washer or program it with the door open!  Kind of a safety feature for a front loader:O)  At that point, I literally looked at J and said: "gosh, it feels like some sort of Divine Message!"

Fast forward to Friday...J goes into work for third shift...J's sis's arrive....J comes home and gets maybe two hours sleep before we start giving his sis's the whirlwind tour of our beautiful neck of the woods; which of course when you visit Hilton Head, you cannot NOT go to the beach....which they did...which leads to wet bathing suits and towels.  When we arrived home that evening, I instructed EVERYBODY to please leave all suits and towels on the laundry room floor so I could wash them.  Which I did.  We had a great day, but J and I were exhausted come the end of the day.

Fast forward to Saturday....next on the agenda, Savannah...but first, one of the persons realized he/she failed to give me a wet beach towel, and asked if I could please wash it.  Having been caught up on all the laundry, and not really wanting to wash one lonely towel, I sent the girls upstairs to scrouge around for anything that could be washed with it...which they did.  But, we were also leaving for Savannah for the day....me, trying to be all organzied, decided to program the washer to go off eight hours later...and when I opened the tray to put the laundry soap in, I noticed a teeny bit of standing water in it....and made the grave error of pointing this out to my EXTREMELY sleep-deprived husband, who happens to be a manufacturing engineer.   Before we could leave for Savannah, he had to check it out, make sure there was nothing blocked in the washing machine...there wasn't!...this involved opening a panel in the bottom of the washing machine...and involved putting the panel door back on...which he did...

Fast Forward 8.5 hours later....we arrive after our day in Savannah...I'm still in the Sienna, gathering stuff...J got the house open, everybody inside, then he opens the garage door, and what do I see...water, lots and lots of water everywhere...I walk in the house, what do I see?  J and my sis's in law with towels, and water, lots and lots of water, all over our beautiful new wood flooring in the family room, which J worked VERY hard on for over a month!  We spent HOURS cleaning up and ruined the motor on our old wet vac, and bought a new wet vac, then I ran to the southside of Savannah, which is a hike, to rent an industrial strength fan....and then, John tested the washer...except when he tested it, he forgot to connect the hose back to the wall!!!  and we had lots of water on the floor, again:/  sigh...:/

oh, btw, the reason for the first flood, the panel needed to be tightened, just one more notch...and something even told J to check that, but we were rushing to get out the door...something even told J to shut down operations for the timer I had set on the washer...oh well:/

Ahhhhh, the signs, we ignored the DA% signs, wouldn't you say?

DO NOT ignore the signs; EVER! 

The end.  (I hope!)