Saucer Runs

Winter can officially end, the Orr boys, plus one very eager little sister, have had their snow day...well, week really.  These pictures are actually from day two for the boys, but I don't think they lacked any excitement they had on the first day.  

Scarlett joined in about half way through, and she loved everything about it!  Arthur couldn't even sit down in the saucer before she was trying to climb in his lap for another turn.  I couldn't really predict what her reaction was going to be when Arthur sat her down for her first "run" but when she all smiles and high fives at the bottom it was pretty clear how she felt.  

Everyone had a blast and I am happy to report that we made it through another snow week injury free, unless of course you count Jake's very cold  fingers (the result of a missing snow glove that I am 100% sure he wore to play football...).

Math in the Morning

I have long since lost track what is "normal" or what my children "should" know at a particular age.  I guess a couple years of homeschool will do that to you, and honestly I am grateful...it is quite liberating!  

That being said, I am sure proud of this boy.  He has really excelled at math this year, and is showing real interest and understanding.  Most mornings I let him decide whether he wants to do his Math (he just turned 4 after all), and almost every morning he is happily grabbing his Saxon math book right along side his big brother.

Maybe this is what homeschool "peer pressure" looks like, or maybe it is what happens when you know that your partner in crime doesn't have a choice but finish his math so you might as well join him.        

Either way, I am grateful that I get to homeschool.  I would hate to miss moments like this!

The "NO!!"

We don't get too much snow here in TN.  We usually get a couple of light dustings each winter...enough to make you feel festive, but not enough to get use to living in the snow.

So Scar as seen the snow a couple of times, and we have spent some time looking out the window and talking about the white blanket of "No."  But, before this week, there had never been enough to go out and enjoy a true "snow day."

Monday morning we woke up to it really snowing.  Scarlett hadn't been awake 5 minutes before her nose was pressed up against the glass of our window and she was pointing and yelling, "No!  No!!"

After breakfast, she and I watched from inside while the boys sledded down the hill in our front yard, but she made it very clear that watching the action was not what she had in mind.  So here are a few pictures of Scarlett experiencing snow for the first time.

Splish Splash They Were Taking a Bath!

This actually was a Saturday night.  With church back at 9am on Sundays, I have to start prepping the night before.  It is nice to let the chores go for a little while and harass my kids with my camera instead. I really should do it more often!  It always helps me to slow down a little bit, focus on what is really important, and remember how incredibly blessed I am.

Take 1...

Take 2...

Take 3...

Oh never mind!  Love these crazy babies!!

The Simple Wonders of One

There is so much wonder in being one...

So much happiness...

So many things to learn...

and discover...

It is magical...for all of us.

365 Project...more like the Several Times a Month Project

One of my best friends has started doing a 365 project and the images she captures in the lifestyle photography of her gorgeous busy boys never fails to take my breath away.  Her work has also inspired me to be better about picking up my camera (and not my iphone) for more of the "normal" and simple things...the moments that make up my real life.

I Didn't Quit on Christmas Cards

So, once again the Orrs did not send out a Christmas card.  While I have heard arguments that the whole tradition is rendered obsolete with the use of social media, that is not my excuse.  I actually look forward to checking the mail throughout December.  Seeing the beautiful faces of family and friends and reading their warm holiday greetings isn't lessened for me because I've seen pictures of their children on Facebook.  Instead it makes me feel remembered and definitely spreads a little Christmas cheer.

So, why, if I love receiving them so much, have I neglected to send out my own?  To put it simply, time...I just keep running out of time.  Last year, I was preparing to welcome our baby girl into the family, and this year I...I, guess I was just busy being a stay at home/home school mom of my three littles and the days just got away from me.  I did however, take some Christmas pictures of my crazy kids.  It was Scarlett's first Christmas after all, but that is as far as I got.  So here they are...

So for those of your who keep sending me Christmas cards, thank you!  I did not quit on Christmas cards, I will try again next year. :-)