Eight? Eight! How is this possible?!

Rebecca has been looking forward to 'her day' for weeks and the plans kept getting more elaborate. She chose the whole day's menu, cupcake and ice cream flavors, punch, and even had some friends over to play this afternoon. She patiently waited for Aaron to get home, but she was oh so ready to tear open her gifts! Now we're heading to a meeting to see if she wants to join American Heritage Girls. Whew! This mama has fun making special days for her children, but they wear her out! ;) 

Our girl is really looking grown up!

 :Lego Friends!!!

 This was a great choice for her this year!

 And a new bike....her old bike ( that we found for free) bit the dust a couple weeks ago.

 Test drive.....works great and its super cute!

Off topic- but this dog is NOT yorkie/dauchshund. I see the doxie in her, but she has no petite traits of a yorkie!

Our cupcake creations!

Shacktown Falls

   Earlier this Spring I saw an article listing the 15 best swimming holes and waterfalls in the state. For a state with literally hundreds of falls this at least gave me a plan of attack for seeing them. The best laid plans though, right?! We finally did make it to one this Saturday. It was such a beautiful spot just off the beaten path, and apparently not as well known as you might think. We shared the falls with another family for a time and then spent another hour alone in this beautiful bit of paradise! As Rebecca said as we left " I really like enjoying all the pretty nature God made." ;)  (Video at bottom of pics.)

Second Grade

It begins today....our next year of homeschool. I believe we have found a really great curriculum this year, one that suits our family well in this season of life. My Father's World, a unit study program with an emphasis on Bible memory....in fact all our units this year correspond with the names of Christ! This first week will be pretty easy as we settle into our books and routines. The energy in the house this morning was contagious and I hope it lasts well into the year. Rebecca started her art program, worked on reading, learned about the Pledge of Allegiance, and made a patriotic snack. We were supposed to make fruit and yogurt parfaits, but since yogurts makes her gag we did red, white and blue strawberries instead. Yummy~