3 Columns!!!

ilyI did it! I did it! (Picture me doing the butter churn!) I made my blog 3 columns!!!! But I had to change the template to something simpler than what I had. If you want to do it too, then go to the website on my sidebar on Blog Tips. Scroll down her sidebar till you get to the link on 3 columns!
It wasn't hard to do, just really nerve-wracking. Don't forget to SAVE your original blog! Follow all her instructions to a tee. Then preview before saving. I did it in Mozilla so I could flip easily between sites!
Have fun!
Now, if I could just figure out how to put that crazy hydrangea picture across the length of my header....

A flurry of pictures!

Yay, I'm finally dialed up at 45 kbps! I'm going to finally post some pictures! LOL These are just a few of my favorites over the past few months.


I think this picture is hysterical. After Easter dinner at Cindy and Jon's, she gave out glowsticks to the kids. On the ride home they twirled them, twisted them, fenced with them, and, My FAVORITE, pretended they were Popdaddy with his oxygen tubes! LOL!LOL! I laughed so hard when they all came up with that one! Popdaddy thought it was so funny, too, when I showed him the picture!



This one above is my most recent favorite! Being on the phone all the time is really taking it's toll on my hubby! HA! HA! HA!


The first night we set up the pool and fill it with (RILLY, RILLY) COLD well water, it is tradition for Daddy to toss everyone in with their clothes on! Well, not Momma, of course!At the end of May we all got together and celebrated Bebop's birthday. Afterwards, he and Jordan played a "killer" game of checkers. I love this picture! It really captures Bebop's laugh. Happy Birthday Bebop!

I found all my "men" camped out in the bedroom discussing "manly" things! Aren't they all so handsome?
Mom is so supportive in teaching our kids table manners! I'm so grateful! LOL! LOL!
After the Scottish Festival at the museum, Abby Bynion and the kids had a blast playing dress ups with their new wooden fans and swords.

In June we had the rare privilege of spending some time helping to care for Popdaddy Carroll. During one week we had an extra treat as we got to visit with his sister from Ohio, Aunt Betty. The kids didn't remember her since it's been a while since we've been to an Ohio reunion, but everyone warmed up VERY quickly. She has a quick wit and is quite spunky. Right up our alley, right? This picture was taken as we all had devotions and book reading one evening. Quinn was sooooo wiggly on her lap (as usual) but she didn't mind at all. In fact, she fussed at ME for scolding him! LOL! I guess patience with kiddie wiggles comes with age! We had such fun sitting at dinner (Popdaddy sat talking for over an hour!) and hearing all about the jobs she had earlier in life.
Everyone had so much fun at the Sunday School Picnic. It was on the cool side, but that didn't stop the kids from staying in the pool for a long time. The sandbox was a big hit with even the older kids! They stayed in there forever!

Countdown to Areponapuchi

Well less than 3 weeks to go. Chad's last email had driving directions and answers to lots of questions we had been waiting on. Brent got his passport, PTL!!!! A few other people are still waiting for theirs.

Last Wednesday was the first planning meeting and tomorrow is the night to present it all to the parents. I've been working on the "PACKET" they'll get. There is sooooooooooooo much legal stuff. I really hope I'm not forgetting anything.

That Kissin' Stuff

Quinn's latest:
Brent comes over to kiss me.
Quinn covers his eyes. "Yuuuuck. Them's kissin! Me don't like that kissin' stuff!"
Peeks out of his hands to see if the view is safe.
Brent, of course, is waiting for him and lays another on me.
Squeals of laughter from Quinn as he covers his eyes again!
Over and over. These two are so silly. Not that I mind the kisses!

Tea and Poetry

One of the ideas I picked up from the wonderful book The Writer's Jungle is to have a weekly "Tea and Poetry" time. It's meant to inspire a love and enjoyment of poetry. We have tried it these past two weeks and absolutely LOVED it. Sometime during the morning, we all take a break, head upstairs for special drinks (not just tea!) and share our favorite poetry. The boys drink Brent's leftover coffee (I know, Bad, Bad Mother!), Quinn has some milk, and Cait has either milk or vanilla tea.

I have the book Poems, Old and New, and Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk ends (hardly great poetry, but right now it's fun and silly!) and there are a few in their First Language Lessons and Rod and Staff English books.

At some point during the morning or over the past week they are to have found a poem they enjoyed and prepare to read it with inflection and expression and accuracy. We go around and read or recite them. That's it. No hoopla but they are LOVING it. I hope it will attach a pleasant attitude toward poetry in their future. I always found the tedious "learning ABOUT poetry" such a bore. But there is such emotion and depth in good poems. One day, in the future they'll learn about the meters, rhythms, and rhyme, but for now, I just want to make it something they enjoy. And, as always, adding food or drink to it will definitely make it more palatable! LOL!

My hope is that in the future, we can kind of expand this to include our "discussion" of literature. Then we can bring in the talk of literary elements and themes and messages. I hope to make it something everyone can't wait to get to each week! So far, so good!