Pumpkins, Fall Hikes, and Kitty Cats

Fall has arrived and has been here for awhile.

We have tried to get out and enjoy the season...before it gets too cold and snowy.

We went to the pumpkin patch and picked out HUGE pumpkins.

We went to a local farm for a fun filled adventure (depending on who you ask) through a corn maze, a hayride, a picnic lunch, and some "socialization" with friends!

Every year the farm picks some fun theme to do. Last year, it was Angry birds. 

And this year.....

                                                        LEGO SUPER HEROES!

Sorry no picture of the amazing corn maze. I tend to get lost in those things. It takes too much concentration for me to make it back out.

Our State Scrapbook~ Vriginia

Virginia is home to beaches, rivers, valleys, and mountains!

Virginia is the 9th state to join the union.

Our Virginia scrapbook pages were done last year when we started this project. We started with Virginia since it was our state. The scrapbook pages are a not as detailed as they are now since the kids were younger and since it was our first state. We've learned a few things and changed a few things up.

State Flag Coloring Page

State Outline Map Coloring Page

Crayola has a fun coloring page that includes the flag, flower, fish, and state. Great for  younger kids!

State Bird~ The Cardinal

Cardinal Coloring Page

The State Butterfly~ The Swallowtail Butterfly

Swallowtail Coloring Page

Dogwood Flower Coloring Page

Here is a great drawing of a dogwood flower. It would be a wonderful visual to help kids draw their own flower. A fantastic art project or perfect for a nature study.

Here are a few more coloring page ideas...

State Quarter Coloring Page

State Quarter Worksheet

Virginia Stamp Coloring Page

A Few of the Books We Used

Here are some fun recipes to try.....

Old Virginia Wassail Cider.... perfect for this time of year!

Williamsburg Cookies

Williamsburg Orange Cake



Of course you can't learn about Virginia without learning about some of our famous presidents.

Virginia is called the "Mother of Presidents." We have had 8 presidents come from this state.
You can visit Mount Vernon online and see the home of our first president George Washington!

Happy Homemaker Monday

As I look out my window.....

I see the rustle of leaves as the wind blows gently. More and more leaves have tints of red, orange, and yellow. They look like they have been dipped into paint. Fall is definitely coming. A few of the trees are almost bare.

Right now I am....

Drinking coffee and collecting the supplies needed for another day of co-op. The kids are excited to see their friends again on a weekly basis. I'm sure in a few weeks they will be back to begging to sleep in.

Thinking and Pondering.....

I'm trying to imagine what it's like to have to say goodbye to your precious child. Right now, a wonderful lady is having to do just that. After being blessed with her beautiful daughter for 22 years, she is slowly having to say goodbye. I see so much strength in her and yet I know she is struggling. How do you say goodbye? How do just sit back and watch? How do you stay behind? My heart breaks for Mary as she has to carry this cross. Mary has shared her journey with her daughter and so many of us have been blessed by knowing Miss Courtney. Please say a prayer for Mary and her family as they travel this difficult road.

Listening to...

Gregorian Hymns from our Chant Kit Cd. I find the chants so peaceful and calming. We are also listening to classical music from the renaissance time period.

What I am Reading...

I am finishing up the book about Saint Rita of Cascia. I am now reading Trim Healthy Mama.

What's on the dinner menu...

Sunday~ Chicken Wings 

Monday~ Shredded Crock Pot Chicken and Salad

Tuesday~ Stuffed Peppers with Turkey Burger & Black Beans

Wednesday~Bacon Wrapped Pork Chops and Green Beans

Thursday~ Honey Mustard Chicken, Roasted Potatoes, and Peas

Friday~ Gluten Free Pizza

Saturday~ Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs

What I am creating this week....

I'm not quite sure. I would like to get a few new skirts sewn for Princess P. Some of her skirts are a little too short now. I have to get a new iron before I can start sewing again. My iron just died while I was ironing a shirt. So I am now looking for a new one..hopefully a better one than I had. It didn't even last a year!

What I am praying for....

Mary and her family. 

Captured

Our State Study Scrapbook~ New Hampshire

Welcome to New Hampshire!

New Hampshire is a small state located in the northeast United States.
It's nickname is the "Granite State" because of all the granite formations and quarries.

I realized when we started New Hampshre that I really didn't know too much about this state. The only thing I really knew was that it was small and north of New York. I have never been there.
So we headed off to the library for some books.

                                                                                                                                    


We read the various books, filled in our notebooking pages, and got to work on our scrapbooks!

Some of the pages we used...

State Bird Coloring Page

Old Man in the Mountain Coloring Page

New Hampshire Stamp Coloring Page

State Flag Coloring Page

State Map Coloring Page