Field trip to the zoo

Last week, we had the opportunity to take a field trip to the Asheboro Zoo! God blessed us with a wonderful family day and we made lots of memories together! Here are just a few of the many pictures I took throughout the day:

 

JJ loved the tram. He thought we were riding a choo choo train!

Two very excited little girls!

We stayed a long time, just watching the gorillas and their babies.

Wubs roared and roared at this lion, but she was uninterested. wink.

Bella doesn't remember our last zoo trip (I think she was only two) so everything was extra special for her!

We enjoyed the beautiful giraffes.

JJ rode in the stroller just a wee little bit. He mostly wanted to walk and run with his big sisters!

JJ was saying, "Look, Daddy! Over 'dare'!"

Wubs and Bella were trying out one the helicopters used when researching elephants.

It was chilly in the morning, but by early afternoon, the midst felt refreshing!

Snack break while watching the rhinos.

All three children piled into a pretend egg.

This picture makes me smile! JJ loved riding the rhino!

The dinosaur exhibit was a.m.a.z.i.n.g! All the dinosaurs actually moved and made sounds! We learned so much about the different dinosaurs. This dinosaur was just a prop for photos, so Wubs wanted me to take a picture of her head being eaten.

JJ was saying, " Dat's a big one, mama!"

This dinosaur was growling and stomping his foot at us. The children were fascinated!

Digging for fossils, shells, and interesting rocks.

Uncovering a dinosaur skeleton.

Nana, this picture is for you! Look, Chilean flamingos!

Our friend, Lily, was at the zoo on a school field trip! It was such a treat to run into our friend!

These bears were snuggling, it was so cute.

We enjoyed a twenty minute 4-D movie! It was pretty neat! We wore 3-D glasses and our chairs moved, water was sprayed at us, and the wind blew our hair!

Bella's first carousel ride. She chose the dolphin.

Wubs had the hardest time picking her animal (she loves animals so much) but she decided to go with the howling wolf!

I love this picture! Bella's hair was blowing inside the bird exhibit because cool air was blowing up out of that vent.

This picture may not look very exciting... but guess what??? JJ gave up his paci, right at this exact time during our zoo trip! It was his last pacifier, and it had a hole in it. He looked at it for a long time, then he said, "It broken." JJ walked to the trash can, threw it away and said, "Pabi all gone."  It was unbelievable! Our baby is officially a big boy now!

Mommy and her big boy! No more pabi!

We are so thankful that the Lord has trusted us with these three precious children! It is such a joy to be their parents!

"Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather through the law we become conscious of sin."- Romans 3:20

Homeschool: 10 ways to keep the younger ones busy

I love being a homeschool mommy! I am so very thankful that the Lord has given me such a special opportunity. It is exciting to teach a new concept to our children and watch them grow in their understanding and knowledge. While this is our third year homeschooling, I still have a l.o.t to learn. wink! One thing that I'm continually navigating: how to keep the younger ones busy. I try my best to homeschool the bulk of our studies during JJ's nap time, but I still need to have plenty of activities to engage Bella. (Bella will start kindergarten in the fall; I can't believe it!) Some of our favorite activities include:
1. Playdough (alphabet cookie cutters are wonderful)
2. Manipulatives (anything that can be counted or sorted)
3. Paint with water books (whoever invented these books is a genius! wink)
4. Puzzles
5. Several sheets of blank paper, stapled together (to make homemade books)
6. I-Spy books
7. Snap beads
8. Legos
9. Coloring sheets
10. Old magazines (to cut the pictures and make collages)

Below are some pictures I've taken over the last few weeks during homeschool time.

Ah, Melissa and Doug toys... wonderful, durable wooden toys that stand the test of a toddler! wink.

JJ was exploring the alphabet magnets when one went under the fridge. Then, his new mission was to retrieve the lost magnet with a butterknife. He is all boy!

Bella, using one of paint with water coloring book pages.

Manipulatives! We have a few 'real' sets of manipulatives but beans, beads, cereal... they are all great, too!

Do you have any fun ideas to share? I would love to try them!
"For where two or three come together in my name, ther am I with them."- Matthew 18:20

Wordless Wednesday: the telephone game

"Until now, you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."- John 16:24

A cord of three strands

I love love love to pray with my husband. I love the time we spend together with the Lord, praising Him and praying for our family, friends, and for those who are without Christ. It has to be my favorite part of the day!
And, I  love the way God uses our relationship with Him to strengthen our marriage! Only God could make our marriage so wonderful. I'm so very thankful He is the center, the foundation!  "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."- Ecclesiastes 4:12

 

Photojournal: Family Fun Day 2013

God blessed us with a beautiful day, filled with memories! I took tons of pictures, but here are

just  a few of my favorites from Family Fun Day 2013...

 

Jamie, Wubs, Virginia,Gracie, Bella, and Kylie were ready for the day to begin!

David gave a few instructions and then he got the fun started with a little Boom Chica Boom!

Wubs and Ms. Tracy on the teeter totter.

Uncle Jeff, teaching JJ a little mini-golf.

Gracie and Bella.

Wubs helped Joshua on the swirlie slide.

JJ and Sarah, riding the duck.

Two of our favorite 6th grade girls ever!

This picture was the perfect action shot of the girls; they were always a few feet ahead of me, leading the way to explore the camp!

David and Michael switched hats for a funny picture!

Ben and Cole, one of his five children. I'm telling you the truth, if there were a reality show about the Moore family, you would watch it! This has to be one of the funniest families we know! wink.

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."- Proverbs 22:6