I tried to post a picture but I don't think it worked. This summer we are going to build a garage! It will not be attached to the house. It is a 2 car garage with a gambrel (think like an old barn) roof line with a room upstairs. I am so excited that we are going to be able to do this. It is going to be so wonderful to have a man room and some more storage space, not to mention that our vehicles will be parked inside. The old "garage" is going to be torn down and we will use the tin and old wood to finish the upstairs room and make it rustic and "lodge-y." It will be perfect for all the deer heads!
I'll post pictures as we get started and I have something to take a picture of...and, of course, if you live nearby and would like to help when we are raising the trusses or something give us a call! :)
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Finishing our study of Creation Day 4!
This is the front of the lapbook we made to review the solar system. I apparently forgot to rotate the picture so tilt your head to the right to view it. ha Anyway, Maverick did the coloring on this page. He was quite distraught over me cutting Saturn in half so we could open the book...but after he saw that the book would open and then we could close it and "fix" Saturn he was fine.
Here are the inside "minibooks" Aiden did all the writing of titles and colored the moon phases all by himself. He was upset that he forgot to make the 2 Gibbous moons opposite to show the waxing and waning cycle but he still did a great job. In the flower shaped book to the right I wrote things they told me about our sun. My favorite thing is from Maverick "The sun is WAY bright and if we look at it our eyes will go 'blonde'." Nice!
Here it is with all the minibooks closed. We had a great time making it and learning about the solar system. God is amazing and it is so plain to see as we study each day of His Creation! The universe is a beautiful picture of what He can do!
Onto Day 5, fish of the sea and birds of the air, next!!
Friday, February 20, 2009
A little Update!
HOly Smokes I can post!! School the last few weeks has been about the solar system. We are learning about planets this week! They just LOVE it! They can name all the planets in order and know that Pluto is a "dork" planet (or that's what maverick thinks). It is actually a dwarf planet, just in case. We made a model of the solar system too which included painting so it was fun for them!!
Last weekend for Valentine's Day, Shane and I went, with another couple, to the Creation Museum in Cincinnati. It was amazing! We got to see the history of the world come to life! The 6 days of creation were wonderfully displayed and then Noah's ark was so eye opening. It gave a real picture in my mind of what it all looked like. We also saw the Tower of Babel. It was all just amazing!
It is maple sugaring season and we are collecting our sap. I so enjoy the little taste of spring...sugaring just gives the hint that it may actually be around the corner. FINALLY! I am so tired of winter. I love the snow...but once is enough and then I am ready for spring! I have picked out all my seeds and plants for a garden this year. I am quite ambitious I think and I hope that it all comes together.
Well, that is certainly an abridged version....but there you have it...life at the Cessna's.
Last weekend for Valentine's Day, Shane and I went, with another couple, to the Creation Museum in Cincinnati. It was amazing! We got to see the history of the world come to life! The 6 days of creation were wonderfully displayed and then Noah's ark was so eye opening. It gave a real picture in my mind of what it all looked like. We also saw the Tower of Babel. It was all just amazing!
It is maple sugaring season and we are collecting our sap. I so enjoy the little taste of spring...sugaring just gives the hint that it may actually be around the corner. FINALLY! I am so tired of winter. I love the snow...but once is enough and then I am ready for spring! I have picked out all my seeds and plants for a garden this year. I am quite ambitious I think and I hope that it all comes together.
Well, that is certainly an abridged version....but there you have it...life at the Cessna's.
Friday, January 23, 2009
What a wonderful week?!?!
The last three days have been simply wonderful! We are weaning out the tv and it has proven a great decision. At first I thought about how I would get anything accomplished. But it hasn't been a problem. The kids find things to do and have a great time. This morning they woke up and got out a board game to play...and then they did. It was so nice. They are still watching a little tv...maybe an hour throughout the day but it is much better. And it is ONLY shows that I think serve some purpose that they get to watch. I am so pleased with the way it has gone.
We have done school work each day...some more heavily than others but they ask to do it and I am so proud of what they are learning.
Wednesday night Shane had to work late so we all went to church for dinner and then class. Aiden and Maverick were such helpers. They each got their own plate and drink and ate nicely. They cleared their places at the table and helped clear mine and Griffin's. It was a ray of sunshine when generally leaving the house with them by myself stresses me out. Monday was a stressful leaving the house kind of day.
Granted, I know this is a pendulum that will swing in the other direction at some point and maybe even soon. But I want to have a chance to revel in the joy that peace in my home creates. Even though it has not been a perfect week, it has been a wonderful and peaceful three days. And I hope it only continues.
We have done school work each day...some more heavily than others but they ask to do it and I am so proud of what they are learning.
Wednesday night Shane had to work late so we all went to church for dinner and then class. Aiden and Maverick were such helpers. They each got their own plate and drink and ate nicely. They cleared their places at the table and helped clear mine and Griffin's. It was a ray of sunshine when generally leaving the house with them by myself stresses me out. Monday was a stressful leaving the house kind of day.
Granted, I know this is a pendulum that will swing in the other direction at some point and maybe even soon. But I want to have a chance to revel in the joy that peace in my home creates. Even though it has not been a perfect week, it has been a wonderful and peaceful three days. And I hope it only continues.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
School today!
We have been learning about the sun and day/night and now the seasons. Since the ground is covered in snow we started with winter today. We talked about what we wear outside in winter and what it looks like outside and what animals eat during winter. We made winter scene pictures complete with a cotton ball hill, white rice "snow flakes" and glitter. We did math with felt little snow man and "built more" (adding) before others "melted" (subtraction). Then we did handwriting (for Aiden) and just play for the little guys in "snow" or shaving cream on the table. Aiden practice writing winter words such as snow, ice, cold, and sled. They will finish their lesson on winter this afternoon by going ice fishing with Nanny and Pappy!
Here they are all helping to spread the shaving cream all over the table. This is the first time that Griffin has been in on the fun AND the first time Maverick hasn't cried about having messy hands.
Aiden is writing one of his winter words in the "snow." They had such a great time and did not want to stop when it was time to clean up...but after a while the mess starts to really grow and you have to get it taken care of.
Here they are all helping to spread the shaving cream all over the table. This is the first time that Griffin has been in on the fun AND the first time Maverick hasn't cried about having messy hands.
Aiden is writing one of his winter words in the "snow." They had such a great time and did not want to stop when it was time to clean up...but after a while the mess starts to really grow and you have to get it taken care of.
Griffin's first hair cut!
Shane thought a week or so ago that Griffin needed his first hair cut. Although I was not certain I agreed I thought "Well, ok." My doubts were more about him being the baby and not wanting him to look all grown up from a hair cut. So, off we went and he is so cute with his hair trimmed.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Hello in the New Year!
Wow! Blogger is going to let me post on the FIRST TRY!!! It's a little start of 2009 miracle.
Anyway, we had a wonderful Christmas complete with too much food and too many gifts. We spent time with family and friends and it was wonderful.
Starting December 1st, the boys read the nativity story each night before bed and put up a figure in their own nativity. It is very thorough with figures for Mary, Joseph, the innkeeper, his wife, shepherds, angels, the star, the stable, bunnies, rats, goats, etc....Usborne had to work to fill the entire Advent Book. But it is cute and it tells the story of Christ's birth with interaction and by Christmas the boys can tell the story all on their own.
We spend Christmas Eve at Nanny and Pappy's house and had our traditional Christmas Eve dinner....steak and potatoes. Mom started this tradition a few years ago and it is a huge hit. Good food and NO dishes. Can't beat that!!!! We open all the gifts from each other then. Nanny and Pappy go all crazy!! The boys got their very own, real, gas-powered 4-wheeler. Yes, it was a surprise for all of us. They also got matching helmets and the 4-wheeler comes with a remote control kill switch....for the "safety" conscious. Although one could argue that a 3 year old wild child on a 4-wheeler is not safe in any circumstance...and I don't know that I would have a lot of arguments for you.
Christmas Day was spent at home. We have a tradition too...we don't leave the house on Christmas Day. If you want to see us, you know where we are. We start with a big breakfast and then gifts from us to the boys. Some would call them gifts from Santa but as we are still scared to death of Santa we avoid all mention of the big man in red. After gifts are opened by the kids, we get started on Christmas dinner which this year was ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole and corn, oh and home-made bread. Yummy! It was a wonderful day!
On December 26, we all got up early to go meet Raphaela at the airport and see the arch. It was kinda a "Murphy's Law Day' in Shane's words but Raphaela made it safe and sound and we did see the arch. We also went to the City Museum in St. Louis and it was awesome. We were only there for a little while but we will be going back. My cousin performs there also and we need to see one of her shows as well.
Raphaela stayed for several days and we really enjoyed visiting with her. She is the same as always and we still wish we could see her more often. Oh well, it is hard when you live on opposite sides of the world.
We had a nice New Years with friends. Each year we have a party with friends from church here at our house. This year was a smaller turnout with 5 or 6 families. We played games and had a great time! It was funny at about 11 we all started running down and as soon as our clock struck 12 everyone got their things together and left. We are a wild and crazy bunch.
So, now...we are into 2009 and I hope to post more often again. The boys will be starting school up again on Monday and we are ready for the structure in the day. I have started running and will be meeting friends early Saturday mornings to go for a run...my goal is to get out there 3 days a week. A new year brings so many new things...no resolutions really to change but only plans to continue along the paths we have started on....healthy eating (AKA weight loss), exercise (me on foot, Shane on a bike but not at the same time), school work with boys, and being active in church. And the goal of building a garage this Spring and summer. It looks to be a bright year! I can't wait to see how it all turns out.
I will try to post some pictures from the holidays soon! Hope you all have a wonderful 2009!
Anyway, we had a wonderful Christmas complete with too much food and too many gifts. We spent time with family and friends and it was wonderful.
Starting December 1st, the boys read the nativity story each night before bed and put up a figure in their own nativity. It is very thorough with figures for Mary, Joseph, the innkeeper, his wife, shepherds, angels, the star, the stable, bunnies, rats, goats, etc....Usborne had to work to fill the entire Advent Book. But it is cute and it tells the story of Christ's birth with interaction and by Christmas the boys can tell the story all on their own.
We spend Christmas Eve at Nanny and Pappy's house and had our traditional Christmas Eve dinner....steak and potatoes. Mom started this tradition a few years ago and it is a huge hit. Good food and NO dishes. Can't beat that!!!! We open all the gifts from each other then. Nanny and Pappy go all crazy!! The boys got their very own, real, gas-powered 4-wheeler. Yes, it was a surprise for all of us. They also got matching helmets and the 4-wheeler comes with a remote control kill switch....for the "safety" conscious. Although one could argue that a 3 year old wild child on a 4-wheeler is not safe in any circumstance...and I don't know that I would have a lot of arguments for you.
Christmas Day was spent at home. We have a tradition too...we don't leave the house on Christmas Day. If you want to see us, you know where we are. We start with a big breakfast and then gifts from us to the boys. Some would call them gifts from Santa but as we are still scared to death of Santa we avoid all mention of the big man in red. After gifts are opened by the kids, we get started on Christmas dinner which this year was ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole and corn, oh and home-made bread. Yummy! It was a wonderful day!
On December 26, we all got up early to go meet Raphaela at the airport and see the arch. It was kinda a "Murphy's Law Day' in Shane's words but Raphaela made it safe and sound and we did see the arch. We also went to the City Museum in St. Louis and it was awesome. We were only there for a little while but we will be going back. My cousin performs there also and we need to see one of her shows as well.
Raphaela stayed for several days and we really enjoyed visiting with her. She is the same as always and we still wish we could see her more often. Oh well, it is hard when you live on opposite sides of the world.
We had a nice New Years with friends. Each year we have a party with friends from church here at our house. This year was a smaller turnout with 5 or 6 families. We played games and had a great time! It was funny at about 11 we all started running down and as soon as our clock struck 12 everyone got their things together and left. We are a wild and crazy bunch.
So, now...we are into 2009 and I hope to post more often again. The boys will be starting school up again on Monday and we are ready for the structure in the day. I have started running and will be meeting friends early Saturday mornings to go for a run...my goal is to get out there 3 days a week. A new year brings so many new things...no resolutions really to change but only plans to continue along the paths we have started on....healthy eating (AKA weight loss), exercise (me on foot, Shane on a bike but not at the same time), school work with boys, and being active in church. And the goal of building a garage this Spring and summer. It looks to be a bright year! I can't wait to see how it all turns out.
I will try to post some pictures from the holidays soon! Hope you all have a wonderful 2009!
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