downtown manteo

The last excursion of our Outer Banks trip was to Roanoke Island. I would have LOVED to walk through all of the historical sights associated with the island…especially more about the lost colony, Fort Raleigh, etc…but it was late, hot, we were hungry…and it was all a bit more than what we wanted for the very last day. So…we decided instead to walk around downtown Manteo. 

Roanoke deserves its own little portion here though because it’s so intriguing to me: The Roanoke colony eventually became known as the Lost colony that was the first English settlement in America. It consisted of around 120 people that came and settled in Roanoke in 1587. John White, the leader/governor, left to go back to England to get more supplies and bring more settlers to the existing colony. His excursion was delayed and he didn’t return until three years later…only to find that the entire settlement and all its people had completely vanished. What?!? Nobody knows what happened to them…although there are loads of theories and speculation. It still remains a most unique mystery. Thus the entire settlement became known as the Lost Colony. 

Roanoke was technically the first settlement although Jamestown, more north, typically steals the show on this…even though it wasn’t founded/settled until 17 years later…just for a bit of reference. 

There is so much rich history on the island. I loved it although we didn’t explore it to the max. 

Manteo was an adorable downtown feel with a lot of overpriced shops…lol…ice cream, treats, etc. I did find an adorable pair of pants for $160 and Payton found a jean jacket for $256. We decided to…pass. 🤭😊 

Manteo is located directly on the sound so it was seriously stunning. I kept saying, “This is soooo cute!” We wandered around the water, the lighthouse museum, the maritime museum, the shops…before heading to dinner.  

stories

My kids have been sooooo into me telling them stories recently. I am always making up some stories about kids showing good character, acting with integrity, choosing to do the right thing, and even some stories of my own life when I was a kid and some hard things I remember going through or ways that the Lord answered prayers and came through for me. They LOVE it. And it reminds me of some of the following passages:

Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. Joel 1:3

We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. Psalm 78:4

...that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the LORD." Exodus 10:2

We are called to pass on the wisdom and things we have learned and walked through...and I love that they love it. :) They particularly love when I tell them stories about THEMSELVES! It's so precious to see their little eyes light up, their faces burst into a huge grin as I let them see a glimpse into the world before they were born or even when they were really little...even though they ARE still very little to me. :)

Had a moment with Kaden last week that was just beyond precious. I can't forget these as a mama...

Keith and I have told him (and the girls) over and over about how excited we were when we found out we were pregnant with each of them and how grateful to the Lord we were that He entrusted us with another them. We always tell them we are so blessed to be their mama and daddy. 

This has led me into telling Kaden how excited we were when we found out we were having a boy. We already had Addison, and while we truly would have been thrilled with either one, we were ecstatic at the thought of having a boy!! I tell him how Keith shouted, "Yes!" when we were having the ultrasound that revealed he was indeed a little man. :) And I have continued to tell him about how things were really scary for me when I was pregnant with him...when Keith got shot, and how he was in the hospital, etc. His favorite is when I tell him about the day I had to go see a specialist about my platelet levels while Keith was still in the hospital...still a very critical, concerning situation for him. 

While I was at the specialist, they were going to be doing another ultrasound to check on the baby and the size as well as take some labs and look more in depth into my blood issues. When they did the ultrasound I asked the tech to just confirm that we were still having a baby boy...and she did. :) After my appointment, I went straight the hospital where Keith was. When I walked into his room, he was sleeping and still had multiple tubes all over the place. BUT...he looked up in his groggy state and mumbled, "Please tell me it's still a boy." I remember smiling really big and saying, "It is!!" Kaden loves that part of the story. Wouldn't it bless anyone to know how excited you were to have them, and meet them, and love them!?!

As we were retelling this story for the millionth time the other day, Kaden look at Keith and said, "You were excited to have a little boy so you could have a pal! Cuz we are pals and buddies." Does it get any sweeter? Keith affirmed him and said that was exactly right. That has to be a secure thing for a kid...and that is how I want them to feel. Very loved. Very wanted.

So...I am reminded to keep the stories going. Keep the communication going. Even the stories about how we were bad little boys and girls at times and how we got into trouble. They can definitely identify with those! And I like just being real. 

biomes biomes biomes!!!!!

This past week we studied BIOMES!! We focused on 7 different ones...although depending on where you get your info...you could take some or add some. I'm amazed at what kids can learn when you actually take the time to invest in them and teach them. I have been saying this since Addison was probably 2. I don't ever 'dumb it down.' I keep the bar high...and make them rise to it. Or...I try to most of the time. I use easier vocabulary to initially teach it, but always throw the big words in too!! :) And they get it...they really do.

We focused on:

• Grasslands
• Deserts
• Scrublands
• Tundra
• Deciduous Forests
• Coniferous Forests
• and...Tropical Rain Forests

And....even little Pay Pay can say them. We read books upon books about them. We have watched videos and looked at a bazillion pictures. Then it was time to use that knowledge....we all built dioramas of them. I let them pick which one they wanted. And then we went on a nature hunt/hike. Addison wanted to do both coniferous forests and deciduous forests so I let her. I thought it would solidify their differences anyway. Kaden picked the arctic Tundra. And...Payton picked Grasslands. Kaden didn't get much on our hike for his, considering our lack of things from the arctic...hahahaha! But he helped his sisters. :)

When we came back from our hunt/hike, we had a mess...seriously. So much dirt, mulch, grass, leaves, twigs, rocks, etc. Because it was so messy, I knew we were in the learning zone! The kids loved it, and with some assistance with the background of the diorams, we were on our way! We created for hours and ended up with some pretty cool examples of our biomes we were studying. I got some pics of their creations!

 They were so proud. :)

 

 Grasslands...by Payton

 Tundra...by Kaden

 Coniferous Forest....

And Deciduous Forest...both by Miss Addison. 

These will be displayed in our school room until they dry out I guess. :)

first day of school

Today wasn't really our first day of school...but it was our first day at our 'one day a week school with our friends'....our New Life Academy School. I am so grateful for this. So grateful for the wonderful ladies there, the kiddos, the accountability it gives me, and just the time away from home for a bit. Most of our days are spent at home, and while we LOVE that, we are grateful for some 'fresh air' so to speak. I love that my kids get to be taught and hear the same stuff from someone else that they hear from me all the other days of the week...just reinforces it I think. And gives them a different voice to listen to. 

This year I'm teaching Latin I and am the assistant in the Rhetoric course...responsible for grading, creating tests, study guides, etc. Probably pretty time consuming on top of all the other subjects to keep up with and teach my kids, but I'm right where I need to be and I feel it. God always has a way of doing that. Who would have known that those years of Latin I took back in the day would benefit me now? God orders your steps and knows where to put you. I feel that this year for sure. 

As we were packing up this morning, I had to snap a few pics of my cuties. They were SO EXCITED! They had been looking forward to it for days and probably weeks. :) We were up and at 'em at the crack of dawn!!

 

 

 

 

I'm BLESSED.

Blueberry Pickin'

Today...we went on an adventure! We did some serious...very serious...blueberry pickin'. I can be a very intense person at times...or so Keith tells me. ;) So...when I decided we were going to pick some blueberries this summer, I REALLY planned on it. Mind you, I don't really [ever] use blueberries. I always think about how nice it would be to have them for some oatmeal, or for a smoothie, or to make some muffins...but I just rarely use anything like that. But--in my mind, that was about to change and we needed to pick lots and lots of berries for me to have SO I could be "Ms. Domestic" and use them. 

The weather was awesome as we set out today to get some. And...the kids were excited! We picked and picked....and picked and picked....and, well...you get the idea. ;) Keith kept saying, "Babe, I think we have enough." "Just a few more," was my reply. Thankfully the kids enjoyed it, the weather cooperated, and we all had a good time. 

 My lil' troopers!!

 

By the end of it, I had gobs!!!! Even the lady weighing them said, "Wow...you must love some blueberries." I was a bit embarrassed. ;) Just wanting to be prepared if the domestic spirit hits me!!

Leaving was just the beginning of the process for me. Whew! I washed and froze and bagged and froze again for 3 solid days. No joke. Blueberries are very delicate little things so you have to be careful with them. I didn't want to just throw them in bags because I read that they can stick together. So I washed them...then had to lay them on the counter to dry...completely!! Then, I put them on cookie sheets to freeze them individually. Finally, I took them out and put them in baggies and put them back in the freezer. My strong attempt toward the domestic life...was fulfilling...exhausting! My entire kitchen looked like a blueberry factory for days! My freezer is full now for all those recipes that I have yet to try...but boy am I prepared for them. :) I told Keith to just physically remove me from the premises if I decide to go that far again!

father's day photo op

Got the kids together earlier in the week and snapped a shot of them that is just too cute! This was one of the Father's Day surprises for Keith...a sweet tribute to the awesome dad he is. We sure do love him!

I also put together a gift basket full of items that he loves...trinkets and snacks. But...epic fail on the pic of it. I never took one. Oh well! We are just so thankful for all he does for us.

addison's 6th birthday

My little Addison is not so little it seems. This year, she turned 6! Time does totally fly. Our house was totally not party worthy this year...way, way too many things undone and just a plain disaster. And...the idea of having it somewhere appealed to me this year. :) 

She has turned into little miss crafty this year, so I decided to roll with it and looked into some pottery painting for her and some friends. Then...after the little 'friend' party I thought it would be good to have some friends and family get together for her as well. I called Pizza King and got their party room area as a place to congregate and celebrate our sweet girl. As always, a 'small' family get together doesn't exist with us and we were seriously busting at the seams of the area we were in. It won't work ever again for us, but we tried to roll with it and make the best of it that day.

She is totally into some hello kitty garb, and while I am typically not fond of character type parties, we rolled with that as well. She loved it and a couple weeks before, we got her a shirt to sport the theme of her party. :) I loved seeing her excitement leading up to the day and knowing that this was totally FOR HER! 

I got there a bit early to set up and get some things ready and decorated.

 

 

 

 

 

My Birthday Girl!!!

 

 

 Getting directions and picking some paint colors.

 And...on to the painting!

 

 

 

 

Each of the girls were able to put their thumbprint on a plate and Addison put her handprint in the middle. She was able to keep this as a memory. :)

 

 

 

 Then, on to the cake and presents!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the pottery painting, then we moved on to Pizza King to meet up with the family. We were packed in there like sardines! But we survived. :)