This Week's Photos

Josiah began the demolition process. Hammer in hand, he knocked down the old playhouse that was sadly falling apart. They have countless tree houses, so we didn't feel so badly about it. The Girl watered the Hummingbird Garden that was recently planted. Poppins also has 3 Satsuma trees planted, but we're guessing that only 1 is really thriving.

Anders prepared the Shade Garden raised bed. Behind him is the raised bed for asparagus and a few herbs, and the trashcans to his left are actually our 3 recycling centers. Not too fancy, but it works for us.

Sowing the seeds in hopes of reaping beautiful flowers...

And just look what ChubChub found! A flower? [That's what he said it was]. Nope, but it's a brightly colored leaf that was just as pretty as a flower.

Poppins' friend invited the kids over to ride his pony. They really enjoyed it. Doesn't Branch look just like a little cowboy?

And of course ChubChub had to give it a go. He wasn't too sure, though.

Loving that little guy...

Well, we have a van for 15, so why not a bicycle built for... 3 ???!!!

And another brother loving that little guy...Is it cold outside? No, ChubChub said he wanted to be "...cozy".

Grandma & Grandpa Week Part II & Beyond...

Branch tried his hand at making Potato Chip Cookies. They were buttery, salty, slightly sweet, and delicious.The boys had a little snack time with Grandpa.

Meanwhile, the ladies "retired" to The Girl's room for a special tea time with Grandma.

The Girl showed some of her goodies to Grandma and told how she and Mean Ol' Mama host Theme Teas every 2 months. She sent out invitations yesterday for Magical Muffins in March.

Anders and Grandpa had a checkers showdown.

Talk about having a monkey on your back...

Mean Ol' Mama threw together 3 different bread ideas and came up with Citrus Pecan-Bran Bread. Yummy...

While the boys were away at a birding seminar, Poppins took the rest of us to Andersonville, a Civil War prison. We had visited before, but each time we see different things.

Poppins and Grandpa ordered us a nice picnic lunch to share.

Such sweet, princess-y style.

It's easier to sleep when you have a soft shoulder to lean on...

We met the boys at the Aviation Museum in Warner Robins. This was our second visit, but it was just as much fun as the first time.Mean Ol' Mama enjoyed seeing this cabbage grater from Germany, made during WWII from old metal and shots from an American rifle.

And just what are you doing under that fishing cap, ChubChub?

Poppins took the boys and Grandpa out for the afternoon on Lake Seminole. They had a good time looking for 'gators and fishing.

The cousins came from next door for a genuine "hoe-down", and Levi demonstrated the proper way to play banjo. He's quite good.

Stennes showed Grandpa and Grandma the new chicks that he and Anders bought.

Goodbye, Grandma.

Josiah and Branch worked faithfully bringing compost and mulch to the new blueberry plants.

Anders worked on his posters and speech for competition this coming Saturday. He will be singing and playing guitar as well.

Stennes purchased a tiller (not working) for our gardens and tinkered with it for a while until it ran. What a blessing to have a handy boy!

And he can do his Spanish Grammar, too!

The Girl helped out on a very busy day by mashing bananas for banana bread. She's a sweetie, no doubt about it.

Branch caught this nice fish just last evening.

Two little squirrels sitting in the tree...

The fellas had a picnic with their buddy who was visiting for the day. They're outside right now having a water fight. The weather is pleasant, we're ignoring Latin, supper is cooking, Greek is still on the shelf, ChubChub is playing in the tub, guitar practice isn't happening...[Mean Ol' Mama is trying to balance the "doing" with the "not doing"]. Hopefully things will come about on a more even keel soon. Right.

Grandma & Grandpa Week

Josiah is home from the hospital, and his "Get Well" balloons appear to have relocated to the upper corner of the stairwell. They'll have to stay there until their air runs out...
And just look at this cutie hiding under the table. Who could resist taking a picture of such a sweet guy?

Now he's going to play guitar for us at the homeschool meeting. Classical? Flamenco? No, folks, he's just gettin' his groove on...

The kids had a nice class about barrier islands. We had a fabulous 3-day stay at Jekyll Island last year, so the boys knew quite a bit of information about barrier islands.

"There's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza. There's a hole in my bucket..."

Josiah found two new friends while cleaning out the barn with Pop. They were very peaceful due to the chilly weather.

And here's that cutie again...

All of the boys wanted to hang around Grandpa for a while in the balmy weather and ask him deep, life-changing questions such as: "What's the biggest fish you ever caught?" ; "What type of lure were you using?"; "Are you hungry now, Grandpa?"

Grandma got a fierce game of Uno going with some of the boys and their friend.

Out on a limb, guys?

It was nice to have Grandma and Grandpa share Bible time with us. We're scheduled to have Bible trivia tonight, and the boys are very excited about matching wits with their elders.

And here's that cutie again, diligently reading his book in his little chair. We just can't get enough of this fella...

Branch worked independently on his Spanish Bible reader. Our goal for the boys this year is to work on self-initiative and self-discipline in their school work.

Stennes has a beautiful bird journal this year, and his sketches are lovely. He really puts forth good effort in his illustrations.

Poppins has started a riot: yo-yo mania. The kids can't get enough. Mean Ol' Mama is holding her breath, hoping that the yo-yo doesn't meet the win-dow. No-no.

Even Grandpa tried his hand at giving the yo-yo a few rounds.

And just look! Another picture of ChubChub. Can't resist a face like that, can ya?

We spent Saturday exploring Fort Gadsden and St. George Island. It was so peaceful at the Fort. Grandpa, Poppins, and the boys are such history buffs that it's lots of fun to go places with them and see sites through their eyes.

Shhh....The cutie is asleep after visiting the Fort.

We had company Sunday afternoon. Mean Ol' Mama was too lazy to make dessert, so she waited for the visitors to help! One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes and Vanilla Buttercream. Luscious, simply divine...[And the baking experience with 3 other ladies was lots of fun].

Check out that yummy cupcake. Pay no attention to the cutie since we've seen enough photos of him [...ahem...].

We got out the instruments for an impromptou concert and enjoyed singing together.

Branch challenged Grandma to a game of Checkers. Again, ignore the cutie in the photo.

The Girl had to give it a try as well.

The boys taught Grandpa how to play War. He promptly trounced them. Ufda. [That's what those Norwegian farmers say, you know].

Poppins and Stennes worked steadily out in the cold, planting some of the 35 blueberry bushes brought by our visitors and re-locating citrus trees.

Isn't that a shiny table? Cutie? What cutie? I don't see any cutie...

And one final shot of The Girl and The Cutie.