Kayaking on Whiskeytown Lake

Ava's first kayaking trip

The veteran kayaker

 

We were so fortunate to be able to kayak on the most lovely lake in Northern California! What a beautiful day to enjoy God's creation. We saw vultures drying themselves in the sun, a blue heron, frog eggs, explored Boulder Creek, spied an osprey nest and lots of little fish. Ah, I love where we live!

Our baby girl had a birthday last month!

A little Ava vinyette on the mantle



Nana helped Ava make her Strawberry Cake

Rachel, Marty Dog, Ava & Rylin

Grandpa and Papa sing along while the birthday girl listens.

Ava shares her birthday with cousin Olivia.

August 10 was a big day for Ava. She was FINALLY 6, the magic number for a slumber party. She started planning months ago! In May I finally had to tell her she was not allowed to talk about her party till July. Whew! When July came I gave her the option of a slumber party with three friends or a big pool party with lots of friends. She chose the slumber party. She wanted friends to bring bikes, swimsuits and babies, so they did. We made sleeping bags for their babies as a party favor and had lots of fun swimming in the dark at Grandpa and Grandma's house. The bonus was Nana and Papa were here so I didn't have to think about the cake. Yeah!

All in all, she enjoyed her first slumber party and was thoroughly worn out afterward!



Fresh Start: Bidwell Road School

Ava, Tricia, Daniel, Luke Naomi & Rascal. Boo stuck with his name and hid during pictures.

Naomi, Third Grade

Ava, First Grade

We officially started school today! On my whiteboard I wrote:
September 10, 2012
Naomi Rose - 3rd grade
Ava Leanne - 1st grade
Luke Wesley - Preschool
Daniel Cole - In training

So here's the breakdown for 2012-13:
Everyone: Family Learning Time based on Kendra's helpful little book and circle time concept. I'm using Coriell's A Child's Book of Character Building Book 1. Our character trait for today is being ATTENTIVE with our eyes, ears, and hearts. I also include prayer, singing, later will add Scripture memory.
Girls: Listening to history with Story of the World Volume 1, plus additional work based on age. They also participate in Gymnastics and Xpress Choir.
Naomi: The Phonics Road to Reading and Writing, Level 3, Teaching Textbooks Math 4, Math fact practice at XtraMath.
Ava: Half way through The Phonics Road to Reading and Writing, Level 1 and Saxon Math 2.
Luke: Kumon workbooks, lots of play, puzzles, etc.

May the Lord bless our efforts with knowledge and wisdom!

Life is hard

The first half of this year was just plain hard, but God has been so good to not only carry us through but be our ever present strength. The Holy Spirit has been a comforter and shelter. Our life in Christ has taken on new meaning. So we press on towards "the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" found in Phillipian 3. And I'll try to blog more along the way ;-)