Ordinary Days

Our days this past week were all about getting ready for fall. We spent the last week of our summer relaxing and preparing for a new season and a new school year. : )

Fall clothes came for my girl...

and we went out for our annual Back To School Meal. : )

Flynn and Peyton enjoyed the biggest piece of chocolate cake ever. : )

And the manager was super kind...he spent some time showing Flynn...from a distance...one of the cute lobsters.

Fall goodies have arrived...and we are happy!

We also spent some time visiting Steve's beautiful mother, who is actually now a resident of the same lovely nursing home that my father called home the last years of his life. She is one of the most amazing women I know...having raised seven wonderful children, buried two husbands, and survived breast cancer. She is also one of the most devout women I know. : )

And lastly...as I type these words, my firstborn is saying goodbye to her Nicolas and his wonderful family in beautiful Denmark and beginning her long trip home. Please keep her in your prayers...for a safe flight and for her aching heart as well.

Enjoy your ordinary days, my friends.

A Peek Inside...Our Schoolroom 2015

Few things in life make me as happy as a new school year. I get so excited to roll up my sleeves, scrub the schoolroom and begin putting it together all fresh and new for a brand new start. Here is a peek inside our little homeschool room this year for my Sophomore Peyton, Eighth Grader Rhett, and Kindergarten student Flynn. : )

This is the view from the foyer...

 

 

Her books, my manuals and lesson plan book, and a few small motor skill activities are here...

 

 

with baskets full of manipulatives and accessories below.

I found all the furniture at Pottery Barn, and it has held up beautifully.

 

 

And of course...an official name tag this year. : )

 

 

The sweet little spot where we will spend our days...

 

 

Peyton and Rhett moved their desks this year...

 

 

and are all set to go with computers and books ready. : )

 

 

We couldn't leave out our Madison. Although she graduated in June, we are hoping she spends some time with us here visiting...so we left her desk for her. Although she did get moved from the prime window location. ; )

 

 

And that's that!

A little tour of our little space where we learn and laugh together.

School starts for us Monday...

Prayers for all for a happy, healthy, successful new school year. : )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These Are A Few Of My Favorite...Apps.

I love my phone. There. I admit it. I always have it with me. And use it a lot. Here are a few of my favorite apps. Available at an app store near you. : )

Snapchat!

This is a fun one. I use it to send quick pictures without having to text. And to pass time on long car trips...

because I'm mature like that.

IMDb

I am obsessed with this one. I look up every movie we watch beforehand to check on reviews and cast and length...I also use it to keep track of movies we want to see. It is quite addicting. : )

StarMap 3D+

This is a new one for me. But is already a favorite. My bestie Marian shared it with me when we were watching fireworks and thought we saw some planets...You simply hold it up to the night sky...

and it tells you what you are seeing!!! Amazing!!!

And Waterlogue.

I love this one! You choose a picture from your camera roll and it will paint it for you...

Just like this. : )

So...these are a few of my go to apps. I'd love to hear about yours!!!

Ordinary Days

...are the best days. Don't you agree? Here are a few pictures of the past week in our country home. And...a couple of ordinary days in Denmark too. : )

Quiet, lazy mornings...

with coffee and old game shows courtesy of Game Show Network...

prep for our upcoming school year...

which includes ironing these cute Etsy finds. Because when we dress for school, we feel better.

Although...we do many, many days in our jammies. Just a little disclaimer there. To keep it real, you know. : )

Beautiful afternoon walks...in jammies and rainboots and unbrushed hair...

yummy afternoon snacks...

and beautiful evenings on the porch...

before we head in for cozy nights on the couch with our Pirates.

Meanwhile...in Denmark...my girl is having the time of her life!

Her Nicolas is taking her to zoos and parks and on picnics...

in front of castles, no less! They are having a wonderful time and I am so happy for her. She loves his family, and they are taking such good care of her. I even got a text from my girl that they went to church. With pictures to prove it!!!! : ) She returns next week...full of memories and excitement I'm sure.

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends. And enjoy however it is that you spend your own Ordinary Days.

One Word Wednesday

AUGUST



A Day At The Park

Steve is the fun parent. Have I told you all that? He is the one who takes the kids to the baseball games and the concerts and the amusement parks. I have relished my job of staying behind with the baby or toddler who was not quite old enough to go along. This summer I found myself in a little bit of a situation...no more baby. No more toddler. I hadn't really though about that when Steve mentioned taking the kids to a park last week. I guess I just assumed I would stay home. And then...the kids asked me if I would come along. After all, Flynn is more than old enough to enjoy an amusement park. And the weather was going to be perfect...low 70's and no rain. And so...I did it. I left my comfort zone and rode along the few hours drive to Kennywood Park. And I am so very glad I did. We had a wonderful day together...Steve and I and the kids...minus our Madison...plus another Madison...a very sweet and lovely friend of Rhett's. Here are a few pictures of our fun summer day...

My sweet hubby...who rides all the rides...and my baby all set to get started!

Rhett, Peyton, and our friend Madison all set to ride the roller coasters. : )

My idea of fun at an amusement park...

When I'm not the designated prize, phone, and purse holder!

And ending our day with one of our favorites...

Lesson learned, my friends.

Take that leap.

Leave your comfort zone behind.

It is worth it.

And you may get funnel cake and fresh squeezed lemonade, too. : )

Ordinary Days

Ordinary days are my favorite. And because I have my phone permanently attached to my hand, I have several pictures of some simple moments of our ordinary days. Here are a few from the past couple of weeks in our summer home...

I cook a lot of meals for dinner at our house. And sometimes...I don't. : )

It is always a happy day when Grandma comes to spend the night. : )

I bought myself a cute new top...

when I picked out these adorable ones for Flynn.

I find that we do better in school if we get dressed for the day first.

That's not to say that we don't have our fair share of pajama days in school here too. : )

P.S. I found these on an adorable Etsy Shop called josiekatstrunk.

Steve brought me peaches...

so Peyton and I made him a pie.

And  it was good.

And I won a giveaway! My very dear friend Gina who blogs here gave away this beautiful necklace...

and guess who one?!

Thank You Gina!

I love it!

Enjoy your ordinary days, my friends!