Well for this post anyway. I'm getting tired of seeing those same pictures pop up every time I come to Pleo. I have been so bad about posting on here. I'm just not a writer and I struggle finding anything interesting to say.

I'm sure everyone has heard by now about the terrible weather we had in Alabama a few weeks ago. It was such a bad day for so many. We had so much damage in Cullman, and it doesn't even look like the same place when you drive downtown. I cried like a baby as we drove through the streets that once had historic buildings and beautiful old homes. Our dentist's office was completely destroyed. The barber where my husband and boys had their hair cut (when they had hair now the buzz it) was completely destroyed as well. We actually live in Vinemont which is just North of Cullman, and we had a tornado come within .3 miles of our house and the church building. We were in a school basement at the time. The tornado that actually hit downtown Cullman was heading right for us, but turned and went through downtown instead. Had it come through here we would have probably been killed. Our great and wonderful God was watching over us that day. It was only after that one passed that I convinced my husband to take cover somewhere other than our bathroom. As I drove through downtown Cullman today the sky was dark and gloomy just as it was that Wednesday. There were also police sirens going off in the distance just as there were that day also and I couldn't help but get a sick feeling in my stomach. I'm sure there were others in town who felt the same way. It is a day that I don't think I will ever forget.

My youngest two boys 6, and 5 are playing T-ball this year. Our oldest two children played when they were smaller, but it has changed since then. They have four games this coming week. It is not going to be easy since my husband is gone in a Gospel meeting. So I've got the youngest three alone this week. I'm so thankful that T-ball is only for two months. The first month is practice and the second one is for the actually games. We could not be the family that has our children in numerous sports. I just don't see how parents have time for everything when they are carting their children off to different sporting events. Not that sports are wrong, I'm just glad we aren't involved in more with our family. It drains me physically! Of course it also drains the boys and they seem to fall asleep quickly on the nights they have games. T-ball games are really fun to watch! Kids running after balls or just watching as they roll by.

I hope everyone has a great Lord's day tomorrow and a great week!

Dawn

For those who don't know, in October every year our homeschool group has a one night, two day camp. We all get together on Thursday for classes, and on Friday we do games or crafts. This year the classes were about Science. This was my first year to teach. It was an awesome experience to be able to see all of these smart children so eager to learn. I mulled for weeks over what on earth I could teach them. Thankfully I only taught the younger grades. I had two classes k-1 and 2-4 grades. I finally decided to do teach them about yeast. It was a pretty cool Science experiment if you ask me, but I'm easily impressed. I think the children enjoyed it. Of course it involved liquid, foods, and balloons so what's not to like. All of the children were so very well behaved which they always are.
We fed the yeast to see what it like to eat the best. Sugar and soda won.
On Friday the children did Fall crafts. There was pumpkin carving and painting, yarn crafts, as well as food crafts. What's not to love about a craft that involves food?
Brandy had her precious Thatcher
On the second day we have a potluck type lunch. We gathered all of the children together for a group picture. We had a great bunch of children this year! From what I saw they were all very well behaved.
While the moms had their meeting we asked some of the teenagers to help clean up the tables. They did an amazing job and very very willing to help. Little Matthew decided he wanted to join in on the sweeping. This goes to show even young children can help and are usually more than willing.

This is always my favorite meeting of the year. I love the time off for a couple of days and the little trip. I can not wait until next October!

Dawn

Tonight we are getting together as a family to celebrate my niece's 5th birthday. She wanted a Scooby Doo cake. I made all of the characters and decorations out of fondant. The cake is iced in buttercream. I had a ton of trouble out of this cake, but I hope my niece likes it. Joan if you see this before tonight do no tell Marlana! I haven't let them see it.

I haven't posted in ages, and I'm truly sorry! I have checked in from time to time with some of my favorites, but haven't left a message for you, (again) sorry. There is a ton going on right now with us. We started school up again last Monday. We now have three that are schooling. Micah is in the 5th grade, Madison is in the 3rd grade, and Matthew is in Kindergarten. Mark sits with Matthew and I while we do his Phonics and Math. I figure if he can pick up a little of it then that is good right. He has actually picked up on some of the sounds, but is not near as interested in doing the Phonics sheet. (Which is fine since he is only 3)
I have a few pics from our first day of school.



I have also been busy lately with canning. We were given green beans from two different members. My hubby came home from picking them the first time and informed me that we were going to can them. Now understand that I have never canned anything, ever! I set in to learn and loved it! We (Mike helped me) canned 70 something quarts. It was a great learning experience for me.

It is time for another birthday update. My only little girl is going to be eight on Sunday. I cannot believe that my little girl will be eight. She is such a beautiful child with a kind heart. Madison loves to play with her baby dolls. She also loves her Nintendo DS she got for Christmas. She is a good little sister to Micah and a good big sister to Matthew and Mark.

Madison wanted a Star Wars cake for her birthday. I joked that my only daughter wanted a Star Wars cake and I guess that is what I get for giving her three brothers and no sisters. So I obliged her and made her a Star Wars cake. I looked for the character she wanted at Wal-Mart but the did not have them so I decided to make them out of fondant. I also made my niece a Minnie Mouse cake.

I hope you enjoy and I will post pics from the party later, it is tonight.

The Star Wars cake the front says May the Force be with you Princess

the side with Darth Vader

the side of the cake with Chewbacca

Leia and Luke

The Minnie Mouse cake