Our Week in 10 Pictures – 14 Nov 2011

Cutie Pie – reading books!

Fireman princess :)

Towers of Babel under construction.

Great concentration…

and attention to detail.

We gave each child a set of materials to use and set up the competition to see who could build the tallest tower. Dad was the judge and Mom helped the little ones.

The almost winner… her brother won in the end because hers didn’t stand for long but great fun was had by all!

Gotta test out those ponchos!

Summer is here – wonderful water to play in!

Smile for the camera!

“My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” Psalm 57 v 7

Our Week in 10 Pictures – 21 Nov 2011 Camping

What a wonderful time we had camping by the ocean!

Setting up the tent – little ones learning the ropes.

Outdoor meals are the best!

So peaceful…

Beautiful view of the ocean and miles of space to ride around.

Wonderful trees to climb.

Sandy beaches to explore.

Beautiful waves and precious little boys…

…and girls – burying their feet in the sand.

FIRE!

and nights in the tent.

So refreshing, such fun, what a blessing it was!

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul” Psalm 23 v 2-3

Our Week in 10 Pictures – 7 Nov 2011


Welcoming Daddy home from a short business trip!

Exploring at our favourite nature reserve and collecting interesting stick shapes

Such a beautiful view of table mountain!

Big boy!

The “dinosaur” branch that got carried around for hours.

Appreciating the view!

I finally got rid of the painting aprons – which don’t really protect or cover much and got out some of Mom and Dad’s old T-shirt for painting – they work wonderfully and cover clothes, arms, even legs on the little ones!

Painting time.

Our Russian meal – borscht (soy sausage), strudle (baby apple pies) and rosti (potato) – the best we could do, but it was fun!

Our ‘flight’ home again – Daddy the pilot.

“And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.” Psalm 89 v 5

Our Week in 10 Pictures – 24 Oct 2011

Working on our farm animal lapbooks (as inspired by Linnie from Back to Ancient Ways)

Little horses favourite toys with the girls!

Mat Man!

Feeding the horses!

Date night

Fun at Vergelegen

Tenting in the garden!

Tent good to go – now for the real thing.

Fishing

and butterflies in the bathroom.

“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” Psalm 91 v 11

Our Week in 10 Pictures – 10 Oct 2011

On the old train at Intaka Iisland, Canal Walk

Climbing on the outside is even more fun.

Gorgeous in our summer hats!

Camouflage!

Over the bridge.

A young man driving our boat!


All of us after our boat trip.

Camping in the garden.

Eating dinner outside – a Monday evening tradition.

I must tell you about the most wonderful, delicious, incredible vegetable ever created – the artichoke! I could eat just these every day – and the other girls in the family love them too – though not quite as much as Mom!

“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” Proverbs 3 v 7

Our Week in 10 Pictures – 3 Oct 2011

Popcorn in the garden – summer is on its way!

Exploring…

Collecting leaves and flowers

Running in wide open spaces!

Practical maths whilst unpacking the shopping

Games with Dad

Getting sick…

and getting better!

Getting our feet wet

and making smoothies!

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Psalm 139 v 14

Our Week in 10 Pictures – 26 Sept 2011

Okay – 11! Couldn’t decide which one to leave out, but I know the grannies won’t mind!


We are “virtual” travelling to Russia at the moment – so the game of the day is Siberian Husky’s pulling a sled!

Four in a box!

Matching summer PJs

Exercise time!

Camp-outs on the carpet

Visitors from far away New Zealand

… telling stories of their African adventures and elephants right outside their tents.

Making sentences

Medieval scavenger hunts

…to collect artifacts!

And now suddenly, SUMMER is here!

“I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.” Psalm 119 v 7

Our Week in 10 Pictures – 19 Sept 2011

Here are 10 snapshots of our week – oh, the dilemma of choosing only 10!

We did some good reading,

worked hard,

went visiting,

explored,

went fishing,

“travelled” to Russia and learnt all about husky dogs and sleds in the snow,


“played” in cot,

did some baking,

were butterflies and ballerinas,

and knights jousting!

Wonderful years with little ones!!

“In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.” Psalm 44 v 8

Warm Winter, Homeschool and Large Family Logistics

Well, here I was happily coasting along, enjoying our warm winter days, feeling concerned about the lack of rain and thinking how it is much warmer than winters used to be in the Cape; then I hear about the snow in all the other provinces of the country! It’d be nice to have a bit of snow here although the weather has been wonderful for being outdoors – just a little hard on the garden as there has been just 1 day of rain in the past three weeks. I have been wonderfully busy with our four little ones and doing some bulk freezer cooking and also planning my sewing for some more winter and some summer clothes for the children. I haven’t thought much about blogging until now – but family life is so important – and blogging should never interfere with home life, responsibilities or time with our children – so I refuse to feel guilty :)

I have been very inspired by some articles I have read lately about mothering and homeschooling and would like to share some resources that have inspired me hugely and from which I have been implementing some ideas. The first is from one of my very favourite blogs Raising Olives (I read less than 10 blogs and this one is near the top!). Kimberley from Raising Olives has inspired me in many very practical ways through her blog. She has inspired us in our Bible Memorizing and more Bible Memorizing Ideas, Bible Reading, Bulk Cooking for the Freezer  (this post is epic – you’ve gotta read this! I have also been trying to cook an extra meal to give to friends in need every week or two and this has been such a practical help.), Hospitality, Homeschooling History, Homeschooling with little ones and Reading Hour (what we call lounge time). I’ll have to expand more on each of these in future posts.

I love the book Large Family Logistics and it has helped me so much in ordering and enjoying my home and family. Raising Olives and the other 4Moms have been talking to Kim Brenneman, the author of Large Family Logistics and its very inspiring. If you are struggling to keep up with housecleaning and organizing, homeschooling, young children and life in general this book will help hugely. Kim writes with such a lovely old-fashioned sounding, practical, elegant tone. From tea-party day to town day to laundry day – all her advice is so well thought out, practical and encouraging and will draw you and your children closer together and help to make your home a haven for your family.

Lastly, for a very inspiring and challenging article on motherhood have a look at “Motherhood is a Calling” by Rachel Jankovic. Many blessings to you and your family! love, Karyn

“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Proverbs 15 v 13

Our Days in June

Our June has been a joy-filled, hard working and hard playing month!

Lounge Tenting.

Our little 1 year old’s absolute favourite way to help is to sweep under the table with the dustpan and brush!

Racing round the chairs when its raining outside.


We made the Carob Chunk Cookies  into Rocky Road Cookies by adding some chopped marshmallows when they were nearly done and then popping them back into the oven for 5 minutes.

This graceful girl has started her own cookie mix gift factory. (see the jars in the background)

She uses money she has saved from her earnings to buy the ingredients and then layers them in the bottles. We’ll show you the cute way she decorates the jars later – then she gives them as gifts, very precious!

Who needs playdough when you can do THIS?

She’s gotta wear that apron – she comes running at any opportunity to help in the kitchen and drags her step over and gets out her apron.

Dad’s legs make a great tunnel!

Fire “chick”

A rest in the shade of a tree on a “leaf bed” on a beautifully warm winter’s day.

Pin that trunk on!

Frog hopping.

A delighted birthday boy…

with 2 wonderful new pets

for us all to enjoy!

Balloon animals (not quite recognizable!)

A cute birthday kiss

… and a Farm Cake!

Candle making.

And woodworking with Dad.

We are so blessed!

“When he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” Acts 11v23