School will start soon

School has started back up down here in Texas so that means Tony will begin his 1st year in preschool at Fellowship. We went and visited his teacher, who we love, and it was a treat for Alex as well because she was his teacher from last year (I planned it this way).

Tony has been afraid to go to school, thinking that I will leave him there meaning I won't come back to get him. But after visiting on Wednesday, he is so excited to "go to school".

He will become a ladybug! (lol, each class is a different bug or animal)

Ice Cream Cones

After sportball we came home to have every child eat everything on their plates for dinner so they were able to have ice cream cones outside afterwards. Plus a little water play since that's a given with melting deserts on a 104 drg evening. We should be getting a break from the heat in a couple days, thank goodness, to the mid-90's.

She communicating to me that she wants a taste of my cone. haha.

Before they got messy and ended up having to play in the water in the underwear.

Sportball-Soccer

I signed Alex up for Sportball at our local Rec Center. For an activity part of homeschooling, he will be learning a different sport each week for 8 weeks (8 sports). This week it was Soccer. They all were too cute and wanted to play so badly.

Learning to dribble and trap the ball.

Listening to instructions.

Running after and capturing hula hoops.

(Tony calls them huley-hoop-a-leez. It's really cute.)

SCORE!

Going through the jungle (obstacle course).

Tony wanted to play so bad and not once did he get upset because he couldn't participate.

So instead he participated by me ;-) He's going through the jungle.

Playing Mr. Freeze.

This is a game at can be played at home but it needs at least 2-3 children for it to work.

Mr. Freeze sits in the middle with a bucket of balls, the children run side-stepping around Mr. Freeze in a circle. Mr. Freeze will then throw little balls and if it touches anyone that person freezes. The child puts their arms out for anyone who isn't frozen to hit their hands to unfreeze them letting them to run some more. Very similar to freeze tag just more controlled. They surprisingly learn a lot from this game plus get loads of exercise. Just try it.

Found these

I couldn't find these pictures that I took as we were heading home and realized that they was another file on my camera where the pictures were going. Weird!

We just left LA, CA and went waaaaay out into the Pacific Ocean. It was exciting.

I got some really good coastline pictures.

Beautiful!

A Challenge to Christians: The Manhattan Declaration

This was sent to me the other day and then it was on a friends, Susan's, blog. So I thought why not post it on my blog too, that's a great way to get this out there.

"By signing the Manhattan Declaration you are adding your voice to hundreds of thousands of others in taking a biblical stand and speaking out on the vital moral issues of life, traditional marriage, and religious liberty...." this is just one of the reasons that they list. Go to the link below and if you feel lead then please sign the Declaration and make a stand!

The Manhattan Declaration

Last night, Monday, at 11:47pm Susan was number 469,803 and now at 2:oopm, Tuesday, I am number 470,160. That's great, but lets keep it going!! (When trying to sign the declaration you have to put the code in and submit it, but for some reason, resubmit it without changing the code a second time.It took a few of us to figure this out.) A number will be at the top of with website of how many people have sign it....that's your number.

"Chuck Colson reminds us in this week's Two-Minute Warning that the kingdoms of the world come and go, but the Kingdom of God presses on. For this reason ministry leaders should join together, even though there might be some fundamental doctrinal differences. But if you believe in the sanctity of life, the integrity of traditional marriage, and the inherent value of religious liberty you should make sure your name is on the Manhattan Declaration. But remember, this is not just a declaration, it's a movement."

Lake Tahoe & Travels

I figured out that Walgreen's comes with a link to your photos that you upload to their site. So here is the link to see the whole album: Lake Tahoe Pictures

Instructions: click on "play slideshow" and you can adjust the speed to read what each caption says. Once you are in slideshow mode click on the 3rd square to put the captions on the photos (don't forget to adjust the speed). You can also purchase the photos you like right from the site. How easy is that.

Enjoy!! We did.

We're Back

Our week at Lake Tahoe has come to an end and we are back in Texas. It was so nice seeing and spending some much NEEDED time with the family. The weather was absolutely incredible minus one day that it got above 90 drgs with no A/C...that was really hard on everyone. But I'm getting the house in order, the laundry done, kids back on routines, praying that 2 of the 3 kids don't get sick (having symptoms and acting up), and then sending Mark out of town for 5 days for work on Monday. Gees...God, momma CAN get through this, right?!

I could have stayed a couple more days, but I am glad to be back home and I think the kids are as well. If you know the Deno's then you know that we are morning people, but today everyone slept until 8:00 after putting them to bed at 7:00 the previous night and then naps at 12:30. We were traveling for 10 hours straight...hard for little ones but they did exceptionally well. They all got a surprise when they walked in the door to our house.

Anyways, we took loads and loads of pictures (195!) so check back for updates. I only get the afternoons to work on the computer and post pictures on the blog. So hopefully tomorrow I can start posting them.

Now... the focus is on homeschooling. If you notice there is a new icon on the right on the screen towards the bottom. This is just one of the many groups that the RRHOME (Round Rock Home Educators Offering Moms Encouragement) offers. I am trying to get involved in this group with Alex but having a little trouble with its meeting times. Praying everything works out for the best and I can do the most for Alex and give him what he needs.

Please pray for us concerning our first year at homeschooling. I really want to be the BEST for him, help him to succeed while loving to learn, meet good Christian boys, and most of all to have patience and understand his learning style.

Time to Listen

More music has been added to the Music Channel for your listening pleasure!
Enjoy!

Having Fun with the Camera

Alex's Photos.

Tony's photo...good job buddy.

Cute one of the boys.

Alex came into the kitchen as a pirate. Not sure how he put the belt on his head and made it fit perfectly without seeing what he was doing...hhmmmm.

Aliana Helping in the Kitchen

Ever since she began to walk and follow me around she has LOVED kitchen duty (cooking, baking-she knows where her safety square is for when the oven gets opened, loading/emptying dishwasher, vacuuming, wiping down counters/tables, emptying/putting away the trash, even the laundry in the next room). I have to keep her on the hip so she can see everything. One of her 1st words besides momma and dadda was hot (from cooking over the stove).

So now she goes to get a chair and carries it over to participate in dinner making.
Here she is putting together the salad.

She was even telling me what should go in next.
That made me laugh.

I love my little shadow!

Dying?

Well, let me explain!
We have been talking alot about nonliving and living things and what happens to them when they die and what that really means (God made us and gave us a soul. When we die our bodies stay here on Earth and our souls go up to live with God forever in heaven.)
So... at breakfast they were playing that something made them die and this is what it looked like. I wasn't listening to them so when I turned around to come sit with them this is what I found.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"We died." Alex responded.
"Wait, let me get a picture!" (lol!)

Aliana just continued to eat while the boys died ;-)

Alex's Time Frame

January ~ 4 years old ~ Happy Birthday!

February ~ 4 yrs 1 mnth

March ~ 4 yrs 2 mnth

April ~ 4yrs 3 mnth

May ~ yrs 4 mnth

June ~ 4 yrs 5 mnth

July ~ 4 1/2 yrs

August ~ 4 yrs 7 month

They all are growing so fast. I'm so happy to be capturing their moments and then sharing them with you!

Please enjoy our children!