Simple Embellishments

Check one more thing off my to-do list! I had bought this plain white pillow case for Emma a couple of weeks ago. Finally today I sat down and embroidered her name on it and sewed a little rick-rack around the edge. I love how something so fast and easy (not to mention inexpensive!)can totally change the look of a project. Now, what's next on my list...

Park Day

The Making of FriendsLife is sweet
just because of the friends we have made
And the things which incommon we share
We want to live on,not just for ourselves
But because of the people who care
It's giving and doing for somebody else
On that all life's splendor depends
And the joy of this world,when you've summed it all up,
Is found in the making of friends.
by Edgar A. Guest

The weather has been so gorgeous lately that we couldn't resist a park day with some of our buddies.

Sunshine, flowers and friends-we can't wait for another day like this!

Cell Models

Last week's science class was all about making cell models (animal and plant) from CANDY!!! What a clever teacher! After making the models the girls gave an oral presentation explaining what each piece was and what it's job is. Once again, science class was a hit!

A Day Outside

"For we are an overwrought generation, running to nerves as a cabbage runs to seed; and every hour spent in the open is a clear gain, tending to the increase of brain power and bodily vigour, and to the lengthening of life itself. They who know what it is to have fevered skin and throbbing brain deliciously soothed by the cool touch of the air are inclined to make a new rule of life, 'Never be within doors when you can rightly be without.'"~Charlotte Mason


We had another gorgeous day today in the south! It was about 70F, sunny with a little breeze. The girls and I stayed outside all day! We went down to the boat house to read "Beautiful Girlhood". We're really enjoying this book-enough to read it on a Saturday! While we were there we were entertained by some friends.Five pelicans were fishing in the creek. A lone blue heron flew by a couple of times too. These are such beautiful birds. I've seen them hundreds of times but still am amazed at them.

While walking around for a bit just observing all the wonderful things God has placed around us, the girls spotted the perfect tree for a fort.

The big girls started the construction work on the fort leaving me and Emma to do a "natural" craft. We decided to pick up some shells to paint from our oyster shell drive. She and I both had fun painting pictures on the shells. Grace even joined in. A few days earlier we had painted on leaves.

The sun's going down and we're all tired, but very content. We can only hope that tomorrow will be as lovely.

(our big kitty-Lizzie Beth)

A Stitch in Time

Today for free reading Grace read from one of her American Girl books-Samantha. This story is set in 1904. In this particular story Samantha was sewing a sampler. After reading about this, Grace wanted to try her hand at this too. We found some fabric, thread and a hoop and she got started. She was enjoying it so much, that Mary decided to join in too. What a nice way to spend a Friday afternoon.

(Grace's)

(Mary's)

Pretty in Pink

My friend Lisa gave me a wonderful idea for the girl's bathroom. She's going to do this in her children's bathroom too. I took down the 2 old towel bars. I replaced those with 3 rings-one for each girl. I gave them all bath and hand towels for Christmas that I had monogrammed their names on. The bath towels now hang on the rings. Above this are 3 silver frames with their pictures in them. A friend gave me these for Christmas-each one has their name engraved on it.

I already love their little bathroom-it's bright, pink and just girly. Now it's even cuter with this little change.

Happy Valentine's Day!

(little brownies for our friends)

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil by rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres."

~1Corinthians 13:4-7

I love Valentine's day! It's just another opportunity to show those closest to me how much I love them. Today was science class for the big girls, so our day got started early. Last night I set the table with the pink camelias, red candles and pretty embroidered vintage napkins. I got each of my girls a long stem red rose, small bags of chocolates and a card. In the center was gifts wrapped with heart printed paper containing American girl puzzles. First thing this morning I got up before the girls and fixed bacon, heart shaped pancakes and bowls of strawberries. The girls were all so surprised when I woke them up and called them to breakfast.

For science class the girls wanted to take the heart shaped brownie that I had made them to share. After class we went out for a "fancy" lunch with our buddies. Thanks Morgan for choosing the resturant! This afternoon was spent visiting with both sets of grandparents and exchanging valentines.

(brownie to share)

Unfortunately, my big sweetheart is out of town. The girls and I hid his valentine in his luggage before he left. We were very surprised when a Mrs. Field's heart shaped cookie and a large bouquet of balloons arrived! The only thing that would have made today more perfect is to have him home with us.

(cookie from Dad)

(balloons from Dad)