Belated Thankful Thursday

I am beyond thankful for these two sweet beings that I get to mother! I'm also thankful for the opportunity to stay home with them. I am thankful for my dear husband who allows me to stay at home to raise our family. I am thankful for the opportunity to homeschool Cayson and take fun field trip days!

These two picked up a "fun" thing from their daddy... pick the statue's nose while taking a picture. Stinkers!

Taryn aimed her camera at me and Cayson had his telescope.

Cayson with a bob white who sat patiently for a picture

Self-timer shot!

We were excited to see the aardvark this visit. It's usually up when we are there... talk about a very interesting looking animal!

It was "Way Back Wednesday" at the zoo which meant a lot of dollar prices on things including the sea lion show and carousel. The kids enjoyed the sea lion show and I loved how educational it was. Taryn kept scooting closer and closer to the action.

 

 

I am so thankful for these opportunities that I have to make memories with my kiddos! God is good!

I am linking up to Ashley's post for Thankful Thursday!

Tuesday 10 - weekly catch up

1. I have been trying to get a few projects completed for my booth. We finished this frame/photo holder last week. It's a gorgeous shade of green with a white wash over it. Lots of detail in the frame to accentuate!

2. I picked up these adorable owl bookends at the local thrift store last week... I got them for a killer price but cannot decide if I should hit them with some glossy white and keep them or stick them in my booth. They might go to the booth for now and if they do not sell, keepers for me!

3. Last weekend was the annual Hydro Free Fair. We love the fair! This year was no disappointment filled with friends, rides, cotton candy and prizes.

Ferris Wheel fun - the kids' favorite ride

The cotton candy is only $1

Taryn and Gracie

More cotton candy

And even more cotton candy!

4. I am am a die-hard couponer as many probably know. I usually stock up when items are at rock bottom prices utilizing sales and coupons. I normally have a closet stocked full of hair products, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, deodorant, shave gel, etc. 

 

Apparently, I've been failing at my job as I've been forced to brush my teeth with princess bubble gum toothpaste, shave with men's shave gel and use Dusty's deodorant. So, I smell like a mountain breeze... nice.

5. Kindergarten is going good so far... though we are on day 3. Cayson is an eager pupil... almost too eager. I can't keep him busy enough for his taste! Tomorrow is a field trip day to the zoo and I hate to admit that it's my first solo trip to the zoo with the kids. My friend, Kendra, is a pro - taking all four of her kiddos by herself!

6. I sewed some beanbags up over the weekend to use in some of our schooling.... they turned out cute with this striped IKEA fabric.

I wrote out the alphabet in chalk on the driveway and then would say a word. The goal was for Cayson to identify what letter it started with and throw the beanbag onto the right letter. It seemed successful as he loved the game and it brought the classroom outside.

7. Today, we finished of our school day by making homemade lemonade. Both kids enjoyed juicing lemons. They really enjoyed the finished product!

8. I know all my FB friends already know this news but I figured I'd announce it here too... I mean it is good news! My dad won a brand stinkin' new Toyota Tundra while attending a convention. His name was drawn on the very last drawing of the convention... and they drew his name twice! So, technically, he won twice though the rules stated he could only win once. He is waiting impatiently for his truck to be delivered to Oklahoma.

9. Dusty started his new job last week and it seems to be going well. He is learning the ropes of a completely new career. We appreciate having him home in the evenings for dinner and bedtime!

10. When He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold. - Job 23.10

First Day of School Fun

I "had" to post a few more pictures from our first day of school! Dusty took a pic with the kids before he headed off to work. Our firstborn starting kindergarten... whew! It still seems so crazy!

We had a little fun doing chalk art for our special first day pictures. That is one good thing about homeschooling - we weren't on a time crunch to make it to school. And, we did get dressed - no pajamas around this place!

Taryn insisted on chalk art for her too so I drew her some balloons to "hold."

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! Ours has been nice... now that Dusty is off on the weekends, they now have a whole new feeling! I did lunch with a sweet friend who was in town yesterday, we did some running around, and today had church. So nice and relaxing!

Kindergarten is happening

This happened today... how did this happen? How is my precious firstborn in Kindergarten? I cannot believe it!

Guess who his teacher is...... it's me! We chose to home school Cayson this year! It seemed like a good fit for our family, our schedule, our lifestyle and more!

We are expecting an awesome school year filled with lots of learning and loads of fun!

Cayson requested a field trip for his first day of school. Sorry, buddy. Those will come later in the year! He was proud of his accomplishments today in school and I am happy that we survived our first day with many more to come.