Happy Valentine's Day

A little of our day... we drug the girls out of bed to have a breakfast of heart pancakes and sausage.  Don't they look excited to be up?

They really were excited... just drowsily excited.  

After Daddy left for work they enjoyed their gifts for a bit, and I sent them to get dressed saying I set out their heart shirts and for them to pick out something to go with it.  

It's a good thing we're not really seeing anyone today.  

She went a little overboard.  ;)

But, she has such a sweet spirit for a seven year old.  I said that she chose "quite an outfit", and she smiled and said, "Yeah, it makes me happy. And it doesn't really matter what anyone is wearing, Mommy.  It doesn't tell you who they really are on the inside."

Oh, I love that girl!

This one didn't get to dress herself - but she was more than thrilled with the skirt and has done many a twirl for me, her captive audience.

And my Paige, seeing her little sister was permitted to wear a "fancy skirt" - literally RAN to her room to find hers!  She loves a little tulle in her day!

Daddy gave them mylar balloons, which they have declared to be the best things ever!  They have provided much entertainment (and a few fits, to be honest) on this lovely day.

Happy Valentine's Day from the Beelers!  

We love you!  =)

I was reminiscing over Valentine's pictures from 2010, 2009, 2008, and the first Valentine that Lauren gave Paige in 2011.  That is it.  I have decided my children are forbidden from growing up any further. Thankyouverymuch! 

A little life

Cutting wooden vegetables on the classroom carpet.

Jaelyn sneaks outside without shoes (or pants) on.

Lauren does math on the computer in her pajamas.

On this day we headed to the park.

When I have my camera out, Paige wants to stick her nose INTO the lens.

She has no perception of personal space.

But, I love this...

Lauren is still obsessed with her "Leela".

She even dresses to match her.

Oh, if I could only keep her little forever!

Jaelyn picked me some flowers,

and then promptly took them back.  

;)

She finally had an accident-free potty training day yesterday!

I love her and her crazy wispy hair.

Oh.my.sweetness.

And just one more of Lauren fawning over her leopard.

I want to remember that I love these simple days, and the little treasures I get to spend every day with!

Ten on Tuesday

1.  Since I haven't been blogging much, you would think there would be a lot to say... but really there isn't.  Much like most of you, our life just keeps chugging along rapidly, but it cycles through much of the same doldrum of life! Nothing exciting. 

2.  That being said, doldrums or not... I think life is worth documenting!  I am passionate about it, actually.  But, over the past year I have been very distracted from that passion.  I have chosen not to bring my camera on outings more times than not.  I have gone weeks without any new pictures of my kids.  And while that is just fine, really - It's not how I want to be.  So, I am setting a goal of taking pictures of our everyday life at least once a week.  For now... hoping to get back to daily at some point!

3.  That will probably happen when I feel more "in the groove" of homeschooling.  This venture is very involved, and while I am so glad we decided to do it - I think it will be a few years before I feel it is normal on a day-to-day basis, and that I can take on new adventures.  The big girls are doing great at homeschool, by the way!  We made some big adjustments after the holidays, and they seem to like most of it better than before!  Paige is doing amazing, and I have to purposefully slow her down!  She's my little sponge right now.

4. How do you deal with a very active two year old/troublemaker when you are homeschooling?!?  Seriously?!?  Bueller?  Bueller?

Not sure I will ever figure this one out.  She will just be school aged eventually.

5.  The only "real" picture I took of my kids in January.

6.  Loving the weather right now!  Wishing we had a awesome grassy backyard to hang out in all day.  I think I would do school out there, that would solve my troublemaker problem!

7.  Speaking of the yard, I'm thinking of starting a little garden to use as some science content.  Anyone know when we plant for Spring in Phoenix?  Is it now?  I have a chronic black thumb, so this is very new to me! 

8.  I am reading "The Ministry of Motherhood" by Sally Clarkson, and LOVE it!  Highly recommended for any Christian Mommy! 

9.  Some fun things in the works for me over the next few months!  I'm taking part in a homeschool mentoring program, going to the big photography conference with a friend this year (Woo Hoo!), and hopefully a real vacation is in the works with our great friends the Swopes!  If trips/adventures were a love language, I think it would be mine... so this kind of stuff makes my heart sing!

10.  Contrary to my regular personality, I am getting the itch for some serious spring cleaning around here!  But as of right now, the thought of it seems completely overwhelming.  Any 

neat-freaks out there have a suggestion?!?  ;)

Christmas

On Christmas Eve we made cookies for Santa...

And then we had a simply beautiful Christmas morning...

And tomorrow I will post the only real picture I took of my kids in January!  

ugh...