October Update

So since it looks like I'll only be updating here about once a month, lets do a little update from the past few weeks.

Up first, my dad turned the big 6-0!

He celebrated in style with a trip to the movies, Smurfs of course.  Isn't that what all 60 year olds do on their birthdays?

We had the entire movie theatre to ourselves.  The beauty of an early afternoon movie on a Wednesday.  Yet another perk of homeschooling and a free birthday party tip to you all, go when schools are in and your kids will think you reserved the whole place for them.

You just have to hope this crew doesn't crash the party.

Cake and ice cream after the show.

Happy birthday Paw Paw.

Next up was our annual trip to Disney.  This year, we managed to work enough Disney road races along with a few donated tickets that we didn't have to pay for anyone to get in!  That's about an $800 savings--just to walk in the door (which is completely crazy).  As much as I don't like getting up at 3 am to pass out water (the passing out water part is great, but the getting up at 3 am, not so much), I don't like paying for Disney tickets even more, so the tradition will continue. Good news is once Rahel turns 12 in January, she can start volunteering with us and earn her own ticket.  One day we'll have the whole crew with us and we'll be able to earn some serious free tickets!

My parents came too which makes things a lot easier!

And we've convinced these good friends to join us in our ticket venture.  They drove down twice from South Carolina to volunteer with us and then again to finally GO to Disney.  Such a fun time!

Eli taking the wheel.

Hermela's dream came true at the happiest place on earth when she was selected to "star" with Belle as the Beast in a new show in Fantasyland.  It was super cute.

Buddies sweating it out in late September.  Yes, we do fall at 90 degrees here at the Magic Kingdom. Marla asked, "why is it always hot in Florida?"

 Taking flight with dad on the magic carpet ride.

  

My flying buddy.

Trying to get my obligatory family photo.  They were all so obliging.

 And Rahel captured the grand finale in the sky.  We had such a fun day and fit in just about everything.  I do have to admit to one mini break down.....on my part (the kids were great) when my plans for watching the parade and fire works didn't quite work out according to schedule (I'm so flexible though, that I was easily able to get over it ;-)  Other than that, it was a day filled with excitement, laughter, friends, family and lots of great memories.

And finally, we had a banana bread bake off in school last week.  I paired the kiddos up and we got to work reading the recipe, measuring and mixing until our house was filled with the yummy smell of freshly baked banana bread (three whole loaves, which you'd think would have lasted a while, but only made it 2 days before it was all gobbled up).  Our whole family loves this delicious recipe that I found several years ago and I make it several times each month.  I add chocolate chips to the bread to make it extra tasty.  

I think this will be one of the things my kids remember about their childhood....mom's banana bread. 

                                                                       I like that.

I Love God 1000

A while back while I was cooking one day, Meron twirled around the kitchen listing all the people she loved.  

One thing you have to know about Meron is this girl can talk!  Oh my can she can talk up a storm.  

So, off she went, "I love mommy 100, I love daddy 100, I love Eli 100, I love Hermela 100".......on and on she went down the list of family members.  Then she paused and looked up at me and said with all seriousness, "but I love God 1000!"

Meron has had a hard time grasping concepts in school.  We work and struggle and work some more to learn each day.  But one thing that she doesn't struggle with is knowing Jesus loves her and knowing that He is to be loved above all other things.

If she learns nothing else in this world, she has learned the most important thing already!

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. 

Luke 18:17

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:14

Catching Dinner

We took our first ever scalloping trip this past weekend and had a blast scavenging for dinner.

Colton helped guide us into the water.

Our faithful captain (not too bad to look out if I do say so) manned the wheel.

My parents came along which was really helpful with all the kiddos.

 Riding out on our adventure.

 Everyone getting geared up.

Eli was a champ!  He just hung out with the rest of as if he always goes boating.

The girls taught Eli how to say "cheese," but he makes this really ugly face when he does it which makes us all laugh. 

My dad did a little fishing with the kids to pass the time.

Then it was time to get in the water.  We spent most of the first day avoiding this sea grass and searching for sandy spots.  Then when we went out a couple of days later with my cousins who had done this before, we realized that most of the scallops are actually in the grass.  That was kind of a yucky discovery, but it looks worse than it really is.  Once you get use to it, it's like an underwater Easter egg hunt.  On our first day, hunting in the sand, we found about 30 scallops, and we were happy.  Day 2 with some experienced scallopers in the grass we found about 6 times that many.

But if you thought the fun was just in finding the scallops, oh you would be missing out on the best part.....digging the guts out!  This too is a little yuck to begin with, but once you get the hang of it, it's a piece of cake (well, unless you're a scallop that is).  All of the kids took a turn cleaning.

And that's dinner folks!

 Four out of 7 kids liked them, so with a majority rule, I'd say it was a success!