Pals, Rats and More Birthdays

Fletch and Lucy continue to be the best of pals. She amazes me at just how patient and gentle she is with him. He hugs on her like this all the time and she just sits still and takes it. "I ride Lulu" is something he also likes to do!



So our sweet, gentle Lulu has become quite the "hunting" dog. A few weeks ago she came back from the woods behind our house with a box turtle. Thankfully it was unharmed but a little frightened I'm sure, and we were able to bring it back to its home safely.

That one wasn't so bad.

But then... she decided to bring this home as her prize catch...



EEK! Yes, I know. GROSS!!! Typically I wouldn't post such a nasty thing on my blog but it is almost Halloween so I found it fitting.

And typically I would NEVER allow any child of mine to hold a dead rat but Colton got to it before we knew what was going on. He opened the back door and said "Mom. Dad. Come look what Lucy caught!" Before I made him toss it into a bag and double seal it and then scrub his hands until the top layer of skin was removed, I took a couple pictures of Lucy's trophy catch for some sweet memories ; )

Hopefully hunting season is over at our home.



We've been talking a lot about fall lately but I've had to resort to the library and Internet to allow my children to get a look at what a fall season looks like. I am craving to be able to experience a true fall with my children. I want to dress my family in sweaters and stroll through an apple orchard with our baskets searching for the perfect apples to bake an apple pie. To go on a hay ride feeling the crisp air blowing through your hair. To return to sip on warm apple cider while watching the children jump and play in a pile of leaves. (I can hear their sweet giggles and squeals now!) To walk through a true pumpkin patch, searching for the perfect one. Or two. Or three. To take a hike through the fall colored forest and hearing the crunch, crunch as you walk across the leaves. Sitting around a camp fire at night listening to some great music being strung on the guitar while occasionally glancing up to see the amazement of the star filled sky. That is what's on my heart right now. I wish I was there.



The kids and I attended a field trip with our homeschooling group to the new Children's Museum. They had so much fun and came home with more knowledge then when they woke up that morning. Success!


{some of the sweet sonshine girls}

Last week we celebrated our dear "daddy's" birthday. He is an amazing man beyond words. He deserves for me to go into a whole speech about how truly wonderful he is but all I'm going to say is I thank God each day for him. That is not said lightly. He is way more than I deserve and I am so grateful that God has chosen for us to be man and wife and raise our little family together.

The kids love to surprise him with a special dinner that they've helped prepare so for his birthday they made sure it was extra special for him. They were such great helpers in cleaning the house so when our special dinner guest arrived, he would be pleased at how nice everything looked. They even took time away from their play time to clean out his closet for him. And that was no easy task! We are really trying to work on RAK's around our house (random acts of kindness) so this was a good day to do one. He surely appreciated it! To make the table look extra delightful, they explored the yard with scissors (carefully) in hand and put together this beautiful centerpiece.



Today we attended two more birthday parties, one at the beach, one at some friends which made for an especially fun day. As soon as I get the photos loaded, I'll be sure to add them and tell more about our fun day.

Happy Birthday Aunt Kelly, Maddie, Ethan and Ian! Thanks for sharing your special day with us : )