Adventures at Home

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T10:56:00.000-08:00

Look who's crawling! Josie turned 8 months on Christmas Eve and started crawling on New Year's Eve! Time to baby proof the house even more. One thing I refuse to do is crisis management all day, every day. Something that has saved my sanity (and I use that phrase very loosly) is doing a thorough job on baby-proofing. This entails the use of lots of baby gates, cabinet locks, outlet covers, etc... You can tell by the pics of my little cutie pie that she's quite proud of her new found skill!

Daddy Time

2011-12-31T20:32:00.000-08:00

What could be better than some reading time with Daddy?! The funny endings to the Uncle Wiggily stories are loved by all (especially Daddy). Sometimes we make up our own silly endings!

Finding Time for Sewing

2011-09-05T18:12:00.000-07:00

Anna, 2yrs old and so cute!

I started this little lavendar dress for Anna quite a while ago and have been having trouble "finding time" to finish it. When I revamped our schedule using Managers of Their Homes and Schedule Breeze by Teri Maxwell, I knew needed to carve out some time to sew! I had to cut back on the "extras" like mindlessly surfing the internet and chatting with friends on facebook but now Anna has a cute little dress to show for it! Next up, finishing the Amish wallhanging that's been hanging out in the closet rather than on the wall since I need to finish hand quilting it. And, making a pinafore to go with Anna's dress!

Little Miss Josie

2011-08-09T07:21:00.000-07:00

At 3mo., Josie grows sweeter each day! She just started rolling from her tummy to her back and is trying to roll from her back to tummy. She is growing up way too fast! I'm enjoying her more than I could've imagined. Honestly, I was a bit freaked about the logistics of juggling another baby, not to mention 3 in diapers- but God is good and has blessed me abundantly with the grace I need to get through each day. It sure helps that little miss Josie sleeps 9hrs at night already, Praise the Lord!!!

Future Award Winning Author/Illustrator

2011-08-02T17:38:00.000-07:00

Colton's dream is to become an award winning author and illustrator. He makes these "books" ALL....DAY! When we're not doing school or cooking or chores, he's writing books made with a construction paper cover and plain paper on the inside. Usually they have some sort of award or medal on them- Newberry, Coretta Scott King, Caldecott, you name it! This book, "Lucy", is about a girl named Jane, her horse Lucy, and her father who is a pastor (and pictured on the top of the cover- giving a sermon). In the book, Jane and Lucy must save Jane's family. We do get outside to play basketball and go for walks as well- but I'm sure he'd prefer to sit at the table and write :-) How fascinating it must be to live inside Colton's mind!

In The Kitchen

2011-07-20T22:04:00.000-07:00

We needed something yummy for snacks so Colton and I got to work in the kitchen. Our yellow squash is finally producing so we made use of that. I found a great recipe for Zucchini muffins on allrecipes.com. It was supposed to have chocolate chips in it but we had just baked chocolate chip cookies for Daddy yesterday so we skipped that ingredient. They turned out delicious anyway! I figure if I put the time into teaching Colton how to cook and bake now, he'll be whipping up dinners for the family in no time (and I can have the night off of cooking once in a while)!

Getting Down To Business

2011-07-16T09:09:00.000-07:00

Colton, working on his handwriting. This year he is using A Reason For Handwriting, book T. I think we may skip the first section and go straight for cursive. Colton is NOT the typical six year old boy when it comes to handwriting. He adores handwriting and has been begging to learn cursive! Sometimes he can struggle with wanting everything to be just right on the first try. I'm trying to encourage him not to worry if it's not perfect, reminding him that everyone needs to practice before "getting it right".

Matty really enjoys working on puzzles. I try to offer him ones that are of varying degrees of difficulty- some I know he'll get all the pieces in right away and some that are a little challenging. He needs the confidence booster of feeling like "yeah, I can do this, no problem!" If something is too difficult, he just won't even try. I've heard that this is a typical trait in children with Down syndrome, though I don't like generalizing in that way.

And then there's sweet (and sassy) Anna! I love the puzzle she is working on for preschoolers just starting out with puzzles. All the pieces are interchangable so they can put the puzzle together even if they don't get the pieces matched up quite right.

School in a Box

2011-07-13T11:52:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not referring to our curriculum but rather the method of our read-alouds for today! Colton colored a box that the FedEx guy left us today and decided to read some books to Matty and Anna. Matty had to make use of an empty laundry basket since there wasn't enough room in the *school bus*. Okay, so "How Do Dinasours Say Goodnight" is not part of the P3/4 program but it IS a family favorite. Colton also read "Tikki Tikki Tembo" to the littles while I made lunch for everyone. I LOVE having a helpful six year old around!

Menu Plans

2011-07-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

We (okay, I) usually plan meals weekly and sometimes bi-weekly to make the best use of what we have on hand as well as whatever is on sale. There are a couple of meals we tend to eat every week such as burritos (or tacos or haystacks), pasta in various forms, and pizza. We like to BBQ a lot during the summer because we don't have central A/C and it's just too hot in the kitchen to cook. Plus, it's just yummy! Here's our menu plan for the week:

Sunday- Tortellini, Garlic Bread, Salad
Monday- Hamburgers, French Fries, and Carrot Sticks
Tuesday- Homemade Macaroni and Cheese and Salad
Wednesday- BBQ Beef Ribs, Corn on the Cob, & Fruit Salad
Thursday- Homemade "Snack Wraps" (Tortillas, Chicken Nuggets, Lettuce, Cheese, Dressing)
Friday- Tuna Sandwiches, Chips, and Fruit Salad
Saturday- Homemade Pizzas

I love reading other peoples blogs that share menu plans for new ideas!

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T20:50:00.001-07:00

Anna, Colton, & Papa Mike.

Colton and Nana Joan.

Matty and Nana Joan.

We had a pretty laid back holiday- daddy had to work. Yesterday we bbq'd and had Nana and Papa over to visit in celebration of our country's (and spiritual) freedom. We are so grateful to all the service men and women who risk their lives to continue to provide us with the blessing of freedom! Today, Colton learned how to make fruit salad with mommy. He loves being in the kitchen and getting his hands "dirty".

Box Day!

2011-06-20T21:22:00.000-07:00

All of our books from Sonlight Core B and Science B. Colton is already asking "are we going to get to do school today?"

Colton, checking out "The Wheel on the School."

Our box day was so much fun! We were hoping the FedEx guy would come before we had to leave for church. Sure enough he did! He effortlessly ran down our driveway carrying the 50lb box of books. Patrick graciously lugged the heavy box into the house and we began unpacking. It's like Christmas!

Nap Time

2011-05-14T13:42:00.000-07:00

Matty fell asleep in the stroller while we were on our afternoon walk. Daddy laid him on the guest bed in the living room to finish his nap. Of course, Anna had to join her brother for a little rest time. They are so cute together!

Mother's Day 2011

2011-05-08T16:49:00.001-07:00

Our blessed day was spent relaxing at the park and enjoying the beautiful breezy weather. After the park, we went to our favorite frozen yogurt shop! Yum!!! This was Josie's first little outing (other than going to the doctor's office).

Watch Out!

2011-05-07T20:50:00.000-07:00

Matty has been going through his "terrible twos" lately. Granted, he will be turning five in July but we're working on a different timeline. One of the wonderful things about raising a child with special needs is that you finding yourself celebrating the milestones that might not seem as worthy of celebration for a typically developing child.....such as the terrible twos. We are thankful that Matty is continuing to grow and develop his independence even if it means we have to put up with a little attitude!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

2011-05-06T11:09:00.000-07:00

This year Patrick got something very special for his birthday! I guess this gets me off the hook of shopping for the hardest person on earth to buy for ;-) Have a wonderful day, my love!

Welcome Baby Josie

2011-05-05T19:49:00.001-07:00

Our new sweet little precious addition, Josie Faith. She was born on Easter Sunday, 4/24/11 at 9:33pm, weighing 7lbs8oz. Josie is such a delight! She is growing like a weed and has already gained half a pound. She is a very content baby and a bit serious like her Momma. We are all in love with her!!!

Waiting on Josie

2011-04-08T13:49:00.000-07:00

Little Josie Faith is scheduled to make her appearance any day now. She's actually due May 1st but we just found out that she'll most likely come earlier! We've got our hospital bag packed and all her clothes and cloth diapers washed. Now, if I could only get some rest!

Our Little "Mr. Conductor"

2011-04-08T06:39:00.000-07:00

Matty is pretty much obsessed with Thomas right now- has been for a while. We got our box of wooden trains out a couple of weeks ago and he has been carrying them around the house ever since! I think it's time for a fieldtrip to Train Town in Sonoma.

Fun Times

2011-04-07T21:26:00.001-07:00

One of Anna's favorite things to do is go for a little ride after the laundry is folded. Daddy loves to be the driver, of course!

Grass Valley Vacation

2010-11-20T20:52:00.000-08:00

We went for a short visit to Grandma Sue and Grandpa Kerry's house in Grass Valley at the end of October. On the second day, the weather was beautiful so we went for a walk to the little pond down the lane from their home. It is always so refreshing being out in the pine trees and breathing in that fresh mountain air! It's quite a task traveling with these three little guys (Mikey had to stay home to be in a play at school and Abbey was with her dad) but well worth the work once we're there.

Monkey See Monkey Do

2010-10-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

Just one of the many benefits of having older siblings! I love that Anna's book is upside down :-P

The Buddy Walk

2010-10-11T17:31:00.000-07:00

This is the sixth year in a row that the Sonoma County Down Syndrome Support Group has hosted a Buddy Walk at a local park. It is a one mile walk to raise funds for Down syndrome awareness and programs to help those blessed with an extra 21st chromosome. It is a wonderful event that features the one mile walk, a tasty lunch, information booths, games, a talent show by guys/gals with Down syndrome, and plenty of friendly faces! We feel so honored to be part of our local Down syndrome community. It is full of such wonderful people!!!

Colton is all decked out in his Buddy Walk gear and ready to go! This year's theme was "Hawaiian".

We made "Team Matty" shirts for the Buddy Walk this year. We are so proud of how well our little guy is doing! The back of Matty's shirt said Team Leader and the back of Colton's shirt said Co-Leader. Colton didn't want to be left out of the whole "leader" business. :-)

Daddy and Matty before the Buddy Walk started. This was the third year that we participated. Last year we stayed home because of the H1N1 outbreak. We didn't want to take our chances getting sick. Matty was a little afraid of the loud music this year, which hasn't bothered him in the past. I guess he is getting more award of his surroundings and is quite good at expressing his "opinions".

The Simple Things

2010-09-30T08:26:00.000-07:00

I love how little boys can take something like an empty paper towel roll and turn it into something fun to play with! Matty and Colton were yelling through the roll on each other's tummies. I guess it tickled because they were giggling and playing with it for a long time. Ah, the simple things!

Zucchini Bread

2010-09-20T11:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we baked zucchini bread with the zucchini we picked from our garden. This particular zucchini was ENORMOUS- so big, in fact, that we nicknamed it "Big Frank". Here's my recipe:

3 eggs

1 c. oil

2 c. sugar

2 c. peeled and grated zucchini

3 tsp. vanilla extract

3 c. flour, sifted

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

3 tsp. cinnamon

pinch of all spice

Mix first 5 ingredients then add the dry ingredients. Bake at 350 for 45-60min or until fork comes out clean. Makes 2 loaves or 1 loaf and 12 muffins. Delicious!

Up And At 'Em

2010-09-19T11:32:00.000-07:00

Anna has finally started learning how to walk using her new walker! She didn't seem motivated to learn on her own so we thought this would be good for her. She's nearing 15mo. at is not even close to taking her first steps without the walker. She is however starting to let go of the walker for a couple seconds while standing to stand on her own. That's progress! With a face that cute- who needs to walk, right? Everyone would be happy to snuggle her and carry her around all the time. Little stinker!!!

Silly Colton!

2010-08-12T17:18:00.000-07:00

Colton said, while making an apple pie out of sand in the backyard, "This apple pie is so good you can taste its history!" I don't know where he comes up with this stuff but he says the funniest things all the time! We have been learning about the meaning of history and the story of creation in homeschool, so maybe that explains it.

Raising Readers

2010-07-27T08:51:00.000-07:00

I think the most important part of raising readers is reading yourself.....a lot.....and in front of your kids. When they see how much you love to read, they think it's something they want to do too. I've always got my nose tucked into a book in between daily tasks and playing with the kids. I think that being a reader myself makes all the difference in the world for my kids!

Quinoa Salad

2010-07-26T21:28:00.000-07:00

Recipe:
1c. quinoa (cooked w/1 1/2c. chicken stock)
15oz. chickpeas
1 large zucchini (chopped & sauteed)
1/2 red onion (chopped & sauteed)
cooked diced chicken
no-salt seasoning (I use the Kirkland Organic 21 Spice seasoning)
pepper
citrus vinaigrette dressing to taste

Our Hawk

2010-07-26T21:22:00.000-07:00

We had a hawk perched up in the tree in our backyard today. It just sat up there and watched us go crazy over it- pretty funny! We've seen quite a few hawks in our neighborhood lately. I think they may be nesting in the wooded area across from our house.

Our Family

2010-07-07T12:08:00.000-07:00

Well, it was about time for a new family picture. Now that the "big kids" are never in the same place at the same time, picture taking is a pretty difficult venture. Thankfully we were able to snap this one before Mikey and Abbey headed off for a camping adventure at Grandma Sue and Grandpa Kerry's house.

Happy Birthday Matty!!!

2010-07-06T20:47:00.000-07:00

Our little 5lb 11oz angel turned 4 years old today! What a marvelous blessing the Lord has entrusted to us!

We love you Matty!!!

Ride 'em Cowgirl!

2010-07-05T12:28:00.000-07:00

Anna had fun playing with the cowboy hat that Colton got from Vacation Bible School!

Four Generations

2010-06-30T09:51:00.001-07:00

My grandma Hope, my mom, me, and baby Anna Hope. Four generations of women!

Fun At The Beach

2010-06-27T08:06:00.000-07:00

We went to Doran Beach with friends from our church to share a potluck lunch and play in the sand and waves. Colton just couldn't get enough of the water! The sounds of the waves relaxed our fussy little Anna (poor thing missed her nap). Matty was intrigued by the water but thankfully seemed a little hesitant to get in it~ so we only ended up with one soaking wet child by the end of the day.

Happy Birthday Anna!

2010-06-26T20:47:00.001-07:00

A year ago today, we were blessed with an amazing miracle- our sweet baby Anna. We love you so much MuMu!!!

Sabbath Sweeties

2010-06-26T20:39:00.001-07:00

After a wonderful Sabbath day out at the beach with our church family- the kiddies are all bathed and ready for bedtime!!!

Our Littles

2010-05-13T19:24:00.001-07:00

Patrick and me with our Littles at Colton's 5th birthday party. Lots of fun playing at the park on a beautiful spring day!

Matty

2010-04-22T20:35:00.000-07:00

Matty does lots of cute things that are.....well....unique. One of which is cuddling with his feet. Only Matty is flexible enough to pull this off! What a cutie!

Sweet Treats!

2010-04-22T19:52:00.000-07:00

We named this treat "Hoggle Cake". It is ice cream sandwiches layered with whipped cream, chocolate and carmel syrup, and chopped Butterfingers. Yum!

My very first Lemon Meringue Pie. It actually turned out good except for the crust. I won't be attempting a butter crust any time soon again.

Ladybug Land

2010-02-06T18:19:00.001-08:00

Our ladybird beetles (aka ladybugs) arrived today. They are in their lavae state and are....umm...not so cute right now. They look like little alligator beetles or something. We will be giving them a few drops of water every other day and within a week or two they should change into beautiful ladybird beetles. We shall see!

Winter Lapbook

2010-02-06T18:08:00.000-08:00

Colton had fun working on a winter lapbook craft this week during school. Crafts are one of his favorite parts of home schooling. He is getting pretty handy with a pair of scissors! Not to mention wielding a glue stick like none other :-)

So Grown Up!

2010-01-27T18:34:00.000-08:00

How did these guys get so grown up??? Mikey and Abbey are growing up to be such wonderful teens/preteens! I am so proud of their kind and generous hearts!

Happy New Year

2010-01-11T16:29:00.000-08:00

We had a low key New Year's Eve celebration at home. Daddy had to work so I took the night off cooking and ordered out for pizza delivery. Mikey was the only one brave enough to stay up late. The rest of us were in bed by 9:30pm.

Bye bye 2009........hello 2010!

Who wouldn't want to party with these two cuties!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

2010-01-07T19:46:00.001-08:00

We have so much to be thankful for this Christmas season! We give thanks and praise to the Lord for his faithful provisions, our health, and wonderful happy family. It was so fun to watch the kids open all their gifts. They were so grateful and happy with everything they received. We have such a generous family!

Mikey + a wad of cash = one happy teen :-)

Papa Mike reads a new book to Mister Matty.

Abbey was excited to get a friendship bracelet kit from me and Patrick.

Colton loves all the yummy treats in his stocking!

Abbey with baby Andre (4mo.).

It was such a blessing to share Christmas morning with my sister, brother-in-law, niece, and nephew at my mom and step-dad's home.

Elmo is Matty's favorite!

More Christmas Fun

2010-01-01T21:28:00.001-08:00

While my sister and brother-in-law were visiting from Arizona, we wanted to get together for some Christmas cookie baking. Colton just LOVES baking cookies and is getting really good at rolling out the dough and using the cookie cutters. Next year I think I'd like to get some gingerbread people cutters and do some cute gingerbread cookies.

Here's Colton busily cutting out cookies.

Colton said, "This is hard work, Mom!"

Patrick, my sister (Sarah), and my niece Alex.

A bunch of tree cookies are ready to go on the cookie sheets.

Christmas Eve

2010-01-01T13:29:00.000-08:00

Anna's first Christmas Eve at Auntie Lynnda and Uncle Paul's house.

My two sweet little girls.

Colton was so excited about opening his gift from Grandpa Bud.

Matty looks like such a big boy in this picture. He's definitely not my little baby anymore :-(

Mikey and Matty look so handsome.

So, Christmas Eve didn't quite turn out the way we had hoped it would. Patrick couldn't get the day off of work. Michael and Abbey did lots of extra work, helping me watch the little ones so that I could get all the gifts wrapped to place under the tree. The good part was that we all worked together to get things done! I couldn't have done it without them. This is one of the many things I am loving about having "older kids". We went to the annual Christmas Eve party at Auntie Lynnda and Uncle Paul's house in the evening. Surprisingly, we were actually on time.

Colton cracks me up!

2009-12-27T17:52:00.000-08:00

We were on a walk this afternoon when the following conversation occurred.....

Colton: What are those things hanging up there? (Pointing to pods hanging on a wisteria vine)
Me: Those are seed pods.
Colton: Oh, like an iPod.
Me: No, not exactly :-)

We Have Hummingbirds!

2009-11-29T20:48:00.000-08:00

After purchasing a new feeder, waiting patiently for three weeks, and a lot of prayer- we finally have hummingbirds visiting our backyard! The one I saw today was a beautiful male. He swooped in a couple of times for a drink and then perched in one of our trees and sang for a bit. It was a little piece of heaven!

Apple Pickin' Fieldtrip

2009-10-10T19:58:00.000-07:00

There was a really cool cottage bathroom near the apple orchard. I guess it's where they bathe after a hard day of work on the farm!

Anna and Colton helping Mommy pick Rome Beauty apples.

We went to Gabriel Farm to pick apples for a fun fall fieldtrip. Gabriel Farm grows certified organic apples, persimmons, and asian pears. The owner, Torrey, gave us a little tour and a lesson on proper apple picking technique so we wouldn't damage the trees. We picked about 15lbs of apples to use for pies, cobbler, applesauce, and of course lunch! They grow quite a few varieties but we picked mostly Gilbert Golden Delicious which have a very different flavor than the ones I've bought from the grocer.

Torrey said his Golden Delicious trees are from the 1920's (before growers tried to "improve" the apple for shipping). Torrey encourage us to visit again during persimmon picking season. I've never tried persimmons so maybe we'll go back again later this fall. We'll certainly be making apple picking a fall family tradition. Some fun facts that we learned is that apples can get sunburned which can give the flesh under the skin a "woody" flavor. Also, we learned that the proper way to pick an apple is by turning it until it falls from the tree so as not to remove any of the tree itself. Torrey said that would be like cutting off the tree's finger or toe- ouch!!! Gabriel Farm's website is http://gabrielfarm.com/

A Successful First Few Weeks!

2009-10-03T21:28:00.000-07:00

We have had a great first few weeks of home schooling! Colton loves his Sonlight books- surprisingly the Uncle Wiggly Storybook is one of his favorites. He continues to amaze me each day with how much he is learning. Patrick and I are going to start doing Nature Study with the littles on Fridays. This past Friday we went to a nearby lake at sunsest and saw some beautiful birds and plants.
This picture is of Colton working on his Fall Leaf Collage.