Guess what I got in the mail on Friday, just in time for the weekend?!!!!!!

This:




Who doesn't like something new to play with!? I have wanted to get one for a little while now, and wow! All I can say did I ever get it FAST, and it is soooooooo much fun to play with! Even though I got it on Friday, I was a good and restrained myself. So with school done, and a clean house........I played tonight with my two favorite sidekicks. They had so much fun with it too. DS just loved turning the crank, and DD's creative ideas were swimming in her head. DS wanted to make me a Birthday card (who cares if it was late, it was pure delight for me to watch him put it together!!) That was almost better than the card itself. Here's what he made tonight...



And the master genius who created it,LOL! Here he is all happy....



And DD played tonight too.


And since I spent a lot of time helping them...I'm off to play now that they are in bed.
Hope your night has the creative juices flowing!

Sincerely,
Sonja

This is probably more for me, than you....

but today was another beautiful September day. Yesterday I was out walking the dog, all the while wishing I had the camera. So today after we got out to the front of the house I remembered and sent one of the boys back in for it. I am so glad I did. Today was not as sunny as yesterday, however, some of us were still out in shorts and t-shirts. For our neck of the woods, it is delightful. Even though I know the good Lord created the snow for its purpose, I am not eagerly awaiting its arrival. So I snapped a few shots today, and I have a few favorites.
This is the bridge that the kids won't go over, but have so much fun going through the trenches. Thankfully there's no water and mud down there.


Following the "trench"...




"Over the river and through the wood....."






Then I told them to run up to the red bush. I was just in awe of the colors, and I managed to get this beauty......





I don't remember ever having such beautiful fall colors before! Aren't they gorgeous?






Just a few more of my favorties.






That was the end of our beautiful September afternoon walk.

Sincerely,
Sonja

September is so busy, and it's only half over,LOL!

September has been a full month around here with getting school started. This year I'm in grade 4,3,and 1 all at once,LOL! Seriously though it's been probably our best year so far of getting off to a good start with Homeshooling.
With trying to get school going, and the new dog (that I am so happy to have), it's been busy, busy, busy. I am so surprised that I am so happy to have the dog, or that I could BE this happy to have the dog, is probably more like it. I love walking him, and the kids love running with him. I finally have a match for my daughters energy,LOL!
And with the dog comes responsibility right? I couldn't resist taking this shot of the boys. One with the shovel and the other with the bag.




And here's a PLUS side to homeschooling:


That's my DD reading while petting Caper. This picture means alot to me. She has her hearts desire granted by having a dog, and I delight so much in seeing her become such an avid reader. She puts me to shame.

This month I also celebrated a birthday, the age not being important. It was a really lovely day. It started out with my kids being really quiet downstairs while I got breakfast ready. Turns out my daughter was making me this:



Didn't she do a great job? Did I mention she did this all by herself (proud mom of course!) All my boys signed it, and I think it is one of my best Birthday gifts!
And so, now September it seems is half over and I still have so much to do. I guess I should go scratch another thing off my list of "to Do".
I'll leave you with the layout of Caper that I managed to squeak in this month.



I really hope to get some more "play Time" soon. "Til then.....

Sincerely,
Sonja

Please welcome the newest member of our Family

I really don't know where to start this story of ours, and I certainly don't mean to make this too long of a post. However we are so pleased to have a new member in our home. Please welcome Caper.



Our children has reached over the fence and have enjoyed petting him for the last year or so. He is such a good dog, and we are so delighted to have him in our home. Probably one of the happiest is my Daughter. She has such a love for him and dogs in general. I am so pleased that the Lord provided this for her. We kinda thought this would be something that needed to wait for awhile. I am so glad the Lord thought otherwise. So she really thought she would have to wait a long time. So when this opportunity came up, she was thrilled and patient at the same time. She really amazed me. And you know, I didn't get the family shot I thought I would, but boy is this a beauty:



As for me, not growing up with dogs, and a few bad experiences has attatched a little fear in me that really shouldn't be there. But God is good, and I am so thankful that I followed the facts, and not my emotions. He has been trained well and I am so glad to have him. I get to miss all the house training stages, and I have four eager helpers.


And maybe you will relate to this, but there has to always be someone not looking at the camera. Here's that family shot that didn't exactly turn out like I wanted because Caper's not looking. But Oh well. Since we have him for awhile, chances are that we will have plenty of opportunities.


And as we speak, dog is laying on the couch next to DH, who by the way is pretty happy too.
As it turns out, it is his actual Birthday this week too. It's his 5th Birthday.
I only hope he is just as happy to be here as we are to have him.

Sincerely,
Sonja