A Day in Our Smoky Mountain

A family shot up the clearing on "the farm"

We are in Tennessee this week for Thanksgiving. On Monday we spent the day on "the farm." "The Farm" is the land where Britt's mom was raised. The house and barn have long since fallen and been removed, but there are lots of places to explore. We took the 4-wheeler, a picnic lunch and had a blast.

Our Picnic at the top of the clearing.

Playing in the spring fed stream

Melting My Heart

Today as I was getting Jackson's shoes on to go to preschool...just an ordinary moment...he says to me, "Mom, when I grow up will you marry me?" It was all I could do to hold back tears. I just hugged him and said, "When you grow up you'll find a great woman to marry, have kids and then I'll come visit." Without a beat, he says, "then you'll be a grandma and daddy will be a grandpa."

Oh those moments make being a Mom so wonderful!

A "Star Wars" Birthday

Today many strange and wonderful creatures visited our house. Emma had a "Star Wars" birthday and asked those who where invited to dress up like a Star Wars character. We had a couple Jedi Knights, 2 Darth Vaders, a R2-D2, Princess Leia and a clone trooper. Keri made a chocolate chip cookie cake (Emma's favorite), Britt decorated it (he was amazing) and it was gone quickly. Britt also made a themed obstacle course complete with astroid field, tie fighters, space monsters and hyperspace (mini trampoline with soft landing area). Emma dressed up as Queen Amidala. Geneva dressed up as Aayla Secura (a female jedi). Jackson was (of course) Luke Skywalker. Maddox didn't dress up as anyone...he didn't want to wear a costume. All the kids had fun and that is what it was all about.

Emma as Queen Amidala and Geneva as Jedi Aayla Secura (we had to look that one up)

Young Luke Skywalker

Homeschool: Anytime, Anywhere, Anything!

Last Thursday night the kids were over at some friends' house for a few hours when the caught a snake. Our friends have 5 kids and homeschool too, so they decided to make it into a great nature study. The kids learned what kind of snake, where it lived, what it ate, all its characteristics.

No worries...it wasn't poisonous or dangerous...and they loved it. Good thing they like to let their catches go too!