Merry Christmas to all!

Love,

Tory, Kedra, Abigail, Nathan, Luke, and Hannah Giddens

Field trip of the year - The Armory

 

   

Male pursuers of these lovely girls...well, just be warned.

October 31, 2012

 

Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker        Balloon Girl and "the pick of the litter"

Marshman coolness right here in Wellington, TX.

And because this is how you do it in Small Town, Texas....back of the pick-up style.  Jump out. Ring the doorbell.  Candy.  Say thank you. Repeat.

New passions

 

 Our boy has a new love. Well, two actually. 1-Ninja turtles. He is of course "the red one, Raph" and Luke has dubbed himself "Mikey". It's cool I tell you. But he is developing an even greater love to put his passions on paper. So far they are mostly super heroes. But what amazes us the most is his detail that goes into them. We look at Darth Vador and see a black mask - Nathan looks at Darth and sees its facial features in very intricate detail. Eye formation. Cheek structure. Who knew!? So excited to see how this love of his developes as he grows into the little man he is becoming.

The Firehouse

A member from our church is the fire chief at the local fire house and has been so kind to give the kids some tips on fire safety along with a little trip around the station.  Co-op field trip love!

Our Callie Anne

What a treat to watch Wellington play Memphis on their homecoming and our very own Callie Anne Molloy is on the Homecoming Queen court!!  So proud of our sweet cousin!  Isn't she lovely!?

Thankful for this time to be only 30 minutes away from this crew.  Getting to see these little babies who I once cradled in my 12 year old arms play ball, celebrate milestones and move on to new chapters is such a joy for me.  Glad to call them "family".

Love watching these two.  You can see it in his eyes...he loves his girl.

Giddens' Academy 2012

We have decided to continue in our efforts of homeschooling our kiddos.  We tossed around public school a bit this summer but will follow our convictions to educate the double duo right here at home for the 2012-2013 school year.  And with that decision, we are taking it one step further into the world of Classical Christian education.  This kind of education emphasizes biblical teaching and incorporates a teaching model known as the Trivium.  I will let you google that if ya like.  

      

So, what does that look like for us?  Well, I am very excited to take on picking out our difference curricula on my own with the help of some veteran classical christian homeschooling mamas, "The Well-Trained Mind", by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise, and other accountable home-school resources.  I never thought I would love this so much but apparently I do.  I caught myself finding much joy in making out lesson plans just last week (which I will do every 9 weeks).  Weird, I know.  So here is the line-up...

Math - Singapore Math

History - Mystery of History (Starts with creation to Christ the first year, working its way to the Reformation by 4th grade, followed by American History.  Then repeats itself in the middle school years taking on the logic stage of the Trivium). Abi and Nate will stay on this track together

Grammar - First Language Lessons

Spelling - Spelling Workout,  (Modern Curriculum Press)

Handwriting - Abeka

Science - "Science in the Kitchen" and "Science in the Air" (Usborne books)

Latin - Prima Latina (beginning in 2nd grade)

Art - ARTistic Pursuits

Music - lots of classical listening and Abigail has begun piano this year!

And of course...READ! READ! READ! the classics!

**This is always subject to change with each school year and differences in learning for each child but we are very excited about this opportunity for our family.

Celebrating Hannah...50s style!

Because her daddy has her dancing as he sings "Chantilly Lace" almost daily, it is only appropriate that we celebrate Hannah's 2nd birthday 50s style!  This girl LOVES music. 

Happy 2nd Birthday, Sweet girl! 

   

Complete with milkshakes AND Miss Rachel.

 

"Could someone please show me where the man group might be?"

Two peas in a pod

That's what these two have become.  

I don't know that I have ever seen two kids laugh longer and harder together than these two can bring themselves to.  It's quite amazing yall.  And a beautiful sound to their Mama and Daddy's ears.  So thankful for the bond that has been formed between these two.

Oh my, I love these four.

Nate's #5

Our big boy recently turned 5!  We love this guys to death for sure.  He has his own little personality that is like none other.  We celebrated him with just a small lunch crew of his best friends.  You see, thats how our fellow likes it...light.  And you better bet his Daddy was never far from his reach as always.

He seems so quiet and reserved but when you get him going it is all out for him.  He has his Daddy's good humor and his timing is on the spot.  He has us rolling often.

And boy is his little heart gentle. He loves to wrestle, and sword fight with his baby brother but knows just how to keep him safe.

His next biggest hero to his Daddy is his big sister whom he still would claim as his dearest side-kick.

We love everything about you, Big Man.  

Birthday Party 7: Flower Garden

I love having parties for my kids.  This may have been one of my favorites yet...a bunch of fun girls, pretty flowers, her favorite colors and one very happy birthday chick.

 

Jolie and Abi busy painting their flower pots.

Did I mention that boys were not allowed?  :)  Grandmas came and also made sure Hannah had as many powdered donuts as she wanted.

 

First Family Camp-out

A little celebration of our eldest's SEVENTH birthday, we had our first family camp out.  Always important to do a trial run in the backyard, right?  Perfect day, perfect weather and no better group than this crew right here, complete with glow stick swords and princess wands.  I love my family!

 

Happy Birthday, "Toothless"!  'Tis the season for losing teeth.

 

Baby frog and baby brother kept things interesting for quite some time.  (Of course it's real.  Would we expect any less from Abigail than finding and taking in a new pet on her birthday?)

 

Sorry Little Sis, but you will be camping in your own bed.  Maybe next year.  Goodnight and we will be right out your window if you need anything.