Friday Funnies

Rose:
Today when we were praying at the abortion clinic, I asked Rose what adoption
was and she said, "It's when kids' parents can't take care of them so other people 
buy them and become their step mom and dad."

Rose's new concoction...hot dog garnished with macaroni

Ava:
"Someday you will be handicapped." 
Ava said after I explained to her why I couldn't park in the handicap parking space.

Madeline:
"You don't have a short family, you have a long family."
Yes, dear, I do!

A little pro-life parade in front of the abortion clinic this afternoon

Ella:
"I'm getting married.  I am the flower girl."
Ella thinks that since she is the flower girl in Olivia's
wedding, that she is getting married.

                Ella singing her ABCs...3 year olds are the cutest!


Maximus:

                      Just can't get enough of that baby laugh!

HAPPY Friday!

Boyd Orchard 2014

Last Wednesday, we took our annual trip to Boyd Orchard near Lexington, KY.  It is by far, one of my favorite trips of the year!  I don't know how we keep getting so lucky with the weather, but it was another gorgeous day...perfect for picking apples and pumpkins.

We started off with a brief info session about how to pick apples, what can be made with apples and pumpkins, and the different crops they grow on their farm.

Ceci sporting beekeeper garb

Ava is such a great big sister.  A little mother.

Then we walked to pick apples.  We picked Jonathan apples this year, which are good by themselves and for baking.  I think we ended up bringing home 4 small bags and one huge bag of apples.  I still want to make cinnamon applesauce, apple crisp, carmel apples and maybe even an apple pie.  So everyone is welcome to come over and help us eat it all!!!

Cute little 3 year old carrying her bag of apples

Little girl legs

The Klinker clan

We walked to the pumpkin patch around the corner and we all got to pick out our own pumpkin.  I really wanted a white one, but there weren't any in the patch we got to pick from :(

Pigtail sisters

Cutie patooties

Ella finding just the right pumpkin

"It's heavy, mom"

Rose with her sisters and homeschool friends

Madeline's pumpkin

Next we fed the animals.  The two big girls had a ball, laughing as the animals licked the food out of their hands.  The younger two...not so much.  They both carried a cup of food around with the intention of feeding the animals, but neither one could strike up the nerve to actually do it.  

Ava feeding the llama

Ella keeping her distance

Ella being sheepish

After a snack of homemade donuts and cider, we got to take a hayride around the farm.

Joshua, the Terrell twins, and Madeline on the hayride

Ava buddied up with Mariel (12), who was so sweet to  allow her to tag along.

Cute little back shot of the Terrells and Madeline...I love all the little jeans!

Then it was playtime!

All the homeschool kiddos that came that day...even Maximus.  Can you find him?

The awesomely tall slides.  Mary Catherine was so sweet to take Ella down.

What a perfect way to bring in fall!

Friday Funnies

Rose:
"I don't really like soccer.  There is too much kicking."
Well, ok then.  I guess you you wouldn't like soccer then.

Ava:
"Mom, look, I can lick my armpit."
I mean...who thinks to even try that?!

Madeline:
"Stop in the Name of the Lord!"
Madeline yelled at Ava trying to get her to stop fighting her.

Ella:
"This book is about 'birds are mean'."
Ella told us when she saw the cover of the book we were going to read before bed.

Maximus:
Watch out...my little boy is learning to move!

HAPPY Friday!

First Days of School

On Monday, even though it was Labor Day, we decided to start our school year.  We began the day with our annual first day of school pics:

The girls 2014

The girls last year 2013

The girls 2012

Rose and Ava 2011...first year of homeschooling

They have grown so much!

Rose's 2nd Grade Favorites

                                           Something you're good at: drawing

                                           Something you want to learn: cursive

                                           Favorite thing to do: play with Hunter

                                           Favorite food: pizza

                                           Favorite song: Midnight Memories (One Direction)

                                           Best Friend: Hunter

                                           One wish: for bouncing shoes

                                           What you want to be when you grow up: Hairdresser

Ava's 1st Grade Favorites

                                       Something you're good at: helping with babies

                                       Something you want to learn: to make pancakes myself

                                       Favorite thing to do: school (not sure I believe this one ;)

                                       Favorite food: chicken with parmesan crust

                                       Favorite song: Midnight Memories

                                       Best Friend: Whitney

                                       One wish: for 20 more wishing candles

                                       What you want to be when you grow up: a mom

Madeline's Pre-K Favorites

                                           Something you're good at: riding my bike

                                           Something you want to learn: how to count money

                                           Favorite thing to do: draw with chalk

                                           Favorite food: pancakes

                                           Favorite song: Let it Go

                                           Best Friend: Nora

                                           One wish: that I was a ninja

                                           What you want to be when you grow up: a rock star

Ella's 3 year-old Favorites

                                                 Something you're good at: playing

                                                 Something you want to learn: school

                                                 Favorite thing to do: swing

                                                 Favorite food: chicken on the grill

                                                 Favorite song: Dora song

                                                 Best Friend: Julia

                                                 One wish: for a Dora doll

                                                 What you want to be when you grow up: Dora (haha!)

...and silly outtakes, of course!

Rose looking off in the distance???

And little Maximus, just along for the ride.

Cheers to a new school year!

Then yesterday Rose and Ava had their first day of school at New Song Academy.

They could almost pass as twins, couldn't they?

Toothless McGee :)

Ava with her teacher, Mrs. Ernspiker

Rose with her teacher, Mrs. Zoeller

Madeline and Ella definitely missed having big sissies around.  Madeline would say, "Why do the girls get to do lots of things and I don't?"  She hates being left out.  And Ella would ask over and over, "What we can do?"

Two crazies excited to pick up big sisters

Before Ava left for school in the morning, she gave Madeline her favorite baby doll and said, "Take good care of her while I am gone."  And Madeline did just that.  It was so sweet how she carried her around all day, dressing her up and putting bows on her.  I told Ava she should be very proud of Madeline because she was an excellent babysitter for the day.

When the girls got to the van, Ava immediately said, "when is the next school day?!"  She LOVED school!

We were happy to see them too and thought ice cream (and a Diet Coke for me:) seemed like a good way to celebrate a successful first day of school.

Praying for a successful and happy school year!