awww!

That's Kenna with little Eli Mosley, one of the children of our friends who came to visit last weekend. Is it too early to book the church? Just kidding. Sort-of. (I believe Laura and I are on the same page here?)
We were out at the frisbee-golf park with our crowd of kiddos (remember this line-up? man they have grown!)

We've decided that Frisbee golf is a great sport for our family right now. Those who are interested in playing a real game can do so while those less interested (or unable to walk) still feel included in the fun. Kate is usually a happy camper outdoors in a stroller and the big kids like to run around, tossing Frisbees when they feel like it. We do spend a bit of time searching through the thorns and brush for stray discs (OK I'll admit it-usually mine). So far, we haven't made it through the entire course with the kids -the playground is just too enticing. But we don't mind and the playground is fun too. Right now, it's just nice to have an outdoor activity that everyone can enjoy together.

giggles

Tristan has absolutely NO idea how cute he is.
I think the girls are starting to catch on though.

watching them wonder

I love these shots from our time at the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium (I'm finally getting around to all those pictures from last week.)
I think one of the things I am really loving about homeschooling is the fact that we have more time for things like this. We can visit the aquarium on a quiet weekday morning or head to the beach for an afternoon rather than spending it in pick-up lines. Our days are wide open for exploring and learning and playing. Oh, I am tired and overwhelmed and worried I might be doing it all wrong a lot of the time...but I'm willing to keep at it. We're just getting started and so far it has been so worth it. We're going to have a lot of fun figuring things out along the way.

today is fall

Autumn arrived today with clouds and rain...and more rain...and more rain. Tristan has been eagerly awaiting Fall, knowing that it brings with it his favorite pumpkin bread, hayrides at Mike's Farm and a reason to find new crafts and projects (there is a blue paper pumpkin taped to our front door right now). This morning over breakfast he reminded me that today is Fall and we should definitely have a party. Or at least decorate something.
We had planned to spend our first Fall day outside but instead we sloshed through the rain to a bookstore (fun!) and the grocery store (not so fun!) I then nursed my mom of three in the supermarket at nap time wounds with a pumpkin spice latte. Ah fall coffee.
While the drizzle persisted outside, we celebrated the season inside with new Fall-themed books to read, pumpkin bread to bake and paper leaves to cut out (or cut up if you have two year old scissor coordination). It ended up a very cozy day and I am looking forward to many more of these to come (minus the grocery store whenever we can help it).

busy

We have had a very full and busy last week of summer but I sure can't complain when "busy" means doing a whole lot of playing. Nope, not complaining one bit. We've had a fun week with family -sailing, walking on the beach, touring the aquarium and hanging out by the fire pit. After having to say good-bye to GranD, Mike and GG on Saturday we said hello to some old friends and their kids and spent the rest of the weekend playing some more.

And now it's Monday and I'm kind of wishing it was Friday as I think we need a weekend to recover from our weekend! I did my best to ignore the dishes and laundry piles this morning so we could dig back into our school things and return to a somewhat regular routine. School is going well and one of these days I will get around to telling you all about it...just as soon as I tackle that laundry and those dishes and all these photos from last week...

Toben's toes

My dear friend, Sara, welcomed her son, Toben James Griffin, on September 9 and he is precious -just look at those feet.  Oh how I love baby feet!  Toben has two big brothers all ready to teach him everything they know about life (you know -how to stick things in your nose, how to burp, how to drive your mom crazy with questions about robots and space ships, how to do pretty much anything with at least two matchbox cars in your hands...)  With those three beautiful boys, Sara definitely has her hands full but I'm pretty sure her heart is full as well.  Congrats, Sara and Ryan!  I hope you don't mind me stealing your photo.  Like I said, I do love baby toes and Toben's are extra cute if you ask me.  Maybe one day soon we'll be able to get all six(!) of our kids behind the same camera.  Wow...full hearts indeed.

love this place

We never get tired of spending time out here. There is something so refreshing about the beach. Whether you spend a day or an hour, whether you dive in head first or just let the waves tickle your toes -you leave feeling such peace.
And maybe a little grit in your shoes.
We enjoyed some of this gorgeous last-week-of-summer weather at Topsail today with GranD, Mike and GG who are visiting from Texas. I've got more photos to go through but right now I just want to be sitting outside in the breeze. See you later computer.

"I won? I never win! I won!"

That was my reaction when I opened my email this morning and found out that I won a whole case of The Jesus Storybook Bible. All I did was tell you all about a book I love and now I have a box of them coming my way! Now that's a great prize -something I get to pass on and share. I already have a few special little ones in mind who will be receiving copies but I also plan to share the love with you.
It will be the first ever give-away on The Zinnia Patch blog!
I'll wait till I have the books in hand so keep an eye out for your chance to win. Because let me tell you, this winning thing is fun.

time for a Story

Lately my kids have been really into their music and audio books, so I was excited to see that the new edition of The Jesus Storybook Bible is going to include CD's. We've already checked out the free sample downloads here on the new website where there is also a chance to win some free books. I'm happy to plug such a great little book -especially if it gives me a chance to pass some copies along to all of you!

"The Bible is most of all a Story. It's an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It's a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne -everything- to rescue the one he loves. It's like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life! You see, the best thing about this Story is -it's true. There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one Big Story. The Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them."

Check it out. Buy it for your kids or your niece or nephew or that baby shower coming up.
Don't have kids or know kids or even like kids? Buy it for you.

"...Because, you see, the most wonderful thing about this Story is - it's your story, too!"

-The Jesus Storybook Bible
by Sally Lloyd-Jones

a long weekend

There was fire and marshmallows on a fall-like evening, a perfect frisbee golf afternoon, a whole day of rain (good for reading) and some serious Lego building (but for some reason I haven't taken pictures of that yet).
And now our week will be only three days long. Sweet.

wow.

Does Kate look like my mom or what?! That is Kate's YiaYia (Greek for Grandma) and namesake (Alexis) in 1949. I walked past a similar photo in my parent's house and did a double take. I was certain it was my baby girl but I didn't remember taking the photo!

suddenly...

Monday night I was complaining about the heat and suddenly Tuesday was a breezy seventy degrees (I was eating my blog words that day). Monday, Shawn was thirty-four years old and by Wednesday, he was thirty-five. Monday at the doctor's office Kate did not have teeth (swollen gums, yes but teeth, no). Tuesday, she had not one but two making their appearance! Amazing how changes can sneak up on us even when we are expecting them.
Suddenly, my baby is half a year old. She is trying to crawl, trying new foods, trying to sit up, trying to say mama (OK, maybe not that one. Maybe I'm just hoping that one of my kids will say mama before dada...is that selfish?) Suddenly, time feels like it is moving faster than I thought. Suddenly, I just want to hold this little one as long as she'll let me because I know how fast this stage will pass us by. I am excited to know who she will be at two and at five and all the ages in between...but oh to make the sixth month last just a tiny bit longer would be a dream. I do love this sweet, easy age.
Suddenly, I see my other two running around like puppies, giggling over some invented game. As I holler at them to slow it down please, I realize I can't wait to see Kate join them.
Alright then, Katie Bear. You can grow now...but slow it down please.

birthday love

Tristan picked out and wrapped his gift all by himself (Star Wars!) Kenna was in charge of party hats (pink polka dots -a must.) Mom ordered everyone's favorite Thai takeout and tackled a cheesecake recipe for the first time (and it was GOOD!) Kate cuddled up for her own special tummy time after the others were asleep (she knows when to go after the most attention.) We hope Dad felt loved on his special day (and feels loved by us EVERY day for that matter.)

Happy Birthday, love.