For my children

Question Me Please…9/2014

My silly birds that I love so much.
We completed our fun little interview that we do at the start of each new school year. Isabela didn’t answer some of them so I left them blank or answered a couple with my thoughts. Jackson and Abigail’s answers are evolving a bit more as they mature. I love adding this insight into the story I am trying to tell of their history.

“My name is…”

J- Jackson Sawyer
A- Abigail Julienne
I- Isabela Jolie Hall (Isa-belwa)

“I am…”
J- 7 years old
A- a girl that is 5
I- a baby

“My favorite color is…”
J- dark tree green
A- pink
I- purple

“The best thing about school is…”
J- Math
A- Reading
I- crayons

“My favorite book/s is/are…”
J- “Sports Illustrated Big Book of Who Football” and “Magic Tree House”
A- “The Little Duck”
I- “Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See”

“Something that frustrates me is…”
J- the girls walking over my cars when I am playing with them
A- Jackson being mean to me
I- (mommy says) not getting my way/being tired

“My favorite thing to do is…”
J- ride in the truck to church
A- play with puppy and ride my bike
I- play baby dolls

“The best place to go is…”
J- swimming at deep pools
A- the beach
I- Target

“My favorite foods are…”
J- pizza and carrots
A- peaches and bananas
I- green beans and frozen fruit

“I don’t enjoy eating…”
J- quinoa or mushrooms
A- mushrooms or Bojangle’s spicy chicken
I- meat

“My favorite TV show is…”
J- “Wild Krats”
A- “Peter Rabbit”
I- “Daniel Tiger”

“Something special for me to do is…”
J- kayak on the lake
A- play with my ducks
I- water flowers

“I am really good at…”
J- throwing a football and cooking
A- hoola-hooping and singing Bible songs
I- flipping and playing

“When I was little I used to…”
J- ride on my battery powered four wheeler
A- suck on my pink tiger binkey
I- ………..

“My best friend is…”
J- my sisters and Elijah
A- Isabela
I- daddy

“What makes me the happiest is…”
J- playing Stack the States and Countries on IPAD
A- playing with Mommy
I- holding my blankie

“What makes me the saddest is…”
J- losing privileges
A- not having my ducks anymore
I- not getting my binkie

“My favorite song is…”
J- “Am I Wrong”
A- “All Things Bright and Beautiful”
I- “Fancy”

“Something that scares me is…”
J- tornados
A- bears and other wild animals
I- thunder

“My favorite animals are…”
J- ducks and horses
A- ducks, puppies, and kitties
I- all kinds

“Jesus…”
J- helps me when I’m bad or sad
A- loves me!
I- was a baby

“Three words that tell about me are…”
J- wild, silly, smart
A- funny, happy, and loving
I- (mommy says) sweet, spunky, fearless

“Someplace I hope to visit one day is…”
J- Alaska
A- The Bahamas
I- the beach

“When I grow up I want to be a…”
J- logger and a football player
A- vet doctor and a photographer
I- a mommy that is a mam

“This year I hope to learn about…”
J- multiplication
A- playing the piano
I- (mommy says) being patient and writing an “s”

I can’t believe how fast they are growing!

Football time in Tennessee!
I love to watch them play, giggle, and talk.

True happiness and excitement leading into a new year for learning!

September 14, 2014
Categories: Abigail's Work, Isabela's Work, Jackson's Work, Moments of Joy, School Related . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

2014-2015 School Curriculum

We are starting another year of educating at home. This year will take some trial and error as I decide what each needs. Also it will take a bit of manipulation, teaching, as well as keeping three occupied with substance for learning all that we can.

A second grader, a kindergartener, and a tot/preschooler

Jackson will be registered as a second grader. Since much of last year I exposed him to second grade work, I will start the year out reviewing many of our units in both math and reading before starting third grade level skills. I do not feel as a seven year old he is fully ready for the independence required for all third grade work just yet, however he will need challenged as we go along and I will learn to be more flexible with him.

SPELLING, daily
Scott Foresman Everyday Spelling, Grade 3

READING, daily
All About Reading, level 3
ABEKA levels 2-3
Continue with Magic Tree House Series

PHONICS, daily
Continue Steck-Vaughn level C

ENGLISH, Monday, Wednesday, Friday
First Language Lessons, level 2
DOL

MATH, daily
Harcourt math, units 4-6 grade 2
We will review and finish up Geometry, Time, Money, Measurement, Fractions, and an Introduction to Multiplication Concepts.

SCIENCE, twice weekly
Continue with Biology for the Grammar Stage- Study of the Life of Plants
Harcourt Science-continue with level 2
Little Scientists Hands On Activities
We will continue to observe the life around us where we live and in the vineyard and recognize what things share this space with us.
Jackson will also work to complete portions of the Junior Ranger Program of the Great Smoky Mountains National park ages 7-8

SOCIAL STUDIES/GEOGRAPHY, twice weekly
Investigate the Biographies of Famous Americans
Study Native Americans
Study where things come from. Explore the concept that things we use must be grown or manufactured.
Continue to name, identify, and locate the 50 states and their capitals.

BIBLE, daily
90 Devotions for Kids
100 Bible Stories by Stephen Elkins
We will continue with our character study using We Choose Virtues. Lessons and Vocabulary will consist of PERSEVERANT, PATIENT, SELF-CONTROLLED, OBEDIENT, CONTENT, FORGIVING, ATTENTIVE, DILIGENT, KIND, GENTLE, HELPFUL, and HONEST.

We will be working with Literature Pockets Aesop’s Fables grades 2-3. Fables included will be The Tortoise and the Hare, The Lion and the Mouse, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, The Milkmaid and Her Pail, The Miller, His Son, and Their Donkey, The Fox and the Goat, The Fox and the Stork, The Cat, the Rooster, and the Mouse.

Abigail will be registered as a Kindergartener. Since she began reading this past winter, some of our educational plan will not be the typical kindergarten study. Although we will continue with cutting, coloring, better letter formations, sharing, socializing five year old skills, we will be working ahead in some first grade areas as she needs the challenges.

SPELLING, daily
We will start the year using Zaner Bloser Spelling Connections. There are 35 units I will mix in some of the ABEKA list as well as some sight words from her weekly readings.

READING, daily
Continue using ABEKA K as well as completing All About Reading Level 1

PHONICS, daily
Scott Foresman grade 1 workbook.
Also, finish the second half of the year using The Complete Book of Phonics Ages 4-8 by American Educating Publishing.

ENGLISH, Monday, Wednesday, Friday
First Language Lessons for the Well Trained Mind, Level 1
DOL determined by me

Math, daily
Combination of grade 1 Harcourt and Scott Foresman workbooks
Math fact drills numbers to 10 and numbers to 20. Abigail will complete writing her numbers to 1,000 by Christmas and then begin writing backwards to one in the Spring. We will work on patterns, comparing numbers, and simple addition and subtraction.

SCIENCE, twice weekly
Elemental Science Level 1 Exploring Science with Science Play Beginning Discoveries. We will observe the life around us where we live and in the vineyard and recognize what things share this space with us.
This year Abigail will also work to complete portions of the Junior Ranger Program of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park ages 5-6.

SOCIAL STUDIES/GEOGRAPHY, twice weekly
ABEKA K
We will also study the various American holidays and celebrations, as well as start exposure to locate and name some of the fifty states in the USA.

BIBLE, daily
My First hands-On Bible
Playful Songs & Bible Stories for Preschoolers
The Beginner’s Bible for Toddlers
Memorizing The Lord’s Prayer, The Ten Commandments, and other bible verses.
We will also be working on character using We Choose Virtues. Lessons will cover perseverant, patient,self-controlled, obedient, content, forgiving, attentive, diligent, kind, gentle helpful and honest.

HANDWRITING, daily
Determined by me including copy work, dictation, and creative writing.

We will be working with Literature Pockets Nursery Rhymes. Weekly, we will learn a rhyme as well as complete activities with each rhyme. The first 12 rhymes will be A Little Bird, Little Miss Muffet, My Black Hen, Jack and Jill, Little Bo Peep, I Caught a Fish Alive, Pease Porridge, Rub-a-Dub-Dub, Sing a Song of Sixpence, To Market, To Market, One, Two, Buckle my Shoe, and Diddle Diddle Dumpling.

We will complete Draw-Write-Now, A Drawing and Handwriting Course for Kids, Book 1, On the Farm, Kids and Critters, and Storybook Characters

Sweetness here will hopefully continue learning to recognize her alphabet, at least the letters in her full name, as well as her numbers to 5. We will finish writing her first name, work on address and phone number, and continue with life skills. Isabela will join our Science, Art, Nursery Rhymes, Character study, and Bible lessons. She will mostly just learn through playing and watching, experiencing life’s blessings all around her.

September 6, 2014
Categories: Abigail's Work, Isabela's Work, Jackson's Work, School Related . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

June, July, and August

Finding fun on a playground is easy for these three.

We are always on the hunt for a new place to play.

We are thankful for our health to enjoy this leisure activity.

They were catching these tiny fish on every cast. They reeled them in as if they had caught a huge bass!

Isabela’s first catch

A not so good find beside of where we pass daily!

Bless these girls of mine!

Her energy runs over!

This girl’s spirit is contagious!

A natural born child of quiet curiosity.

A future environmentalist, protector of nature, lover to all living things!

A project from our summer reading program. He actually completed it and made it work correctly.

A boy with a sensitive side but a thrill for boyhood!

Best friends they say!

This man is her best friend!

Corn harvest

Fun at Saxton and Synclair’s

Foxy Kitty

Jaydie and Elijah’s cat…

We love for her to visit!

One of our final pictures with the ducks.
They have flown to heaven…

We spent an afternoon with Colton to celebrate Aunt Fran’s Birthday.

We had a fun time hanging out with Jeff, Colton, Amy, Stephanie, and Fran.

The ducks, bees, and pigs are slow and steady but always make us smile.

I even joined the fun.

I HOPE this is not the last season they fit as one!

A handful of fresh picked raspberries from our single vine

Playtime outside is the best way to feel the summer season.

After swimming one evening, Jackson joined some bigger boys playing football.

Passing and throwing he fit right in.

We continue to plant seeds for the fall

Jaydie and Elijah’s first day of school.

Well visits are never that fun especially when you have to wear this!

A good check of health from the doctor is always a blessing!

Childhood is a story I am happy to witness.

August 30, 2014
Categories: Excursions, Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Love What the Earth Gives

Papaw’s special delivery

What a beauty

Fruit on Earth’s floor, flowers towering above our heads

This is the first year we grew a garden in this spot.

One beet,

Two beets,

Three beets,

Four!

An interesting cucumber.

The bloom of okra hosting a beetle

The bloom of my girl.

Same bloom, different angle and lighting

Bean picking from my smallest “pod”

Wonderful weather

Our unique water Lilly from our sweet friend Janice

Nana’s beautiful blooms

These five cousins are the best things Mother Earth blesses us with.
Albert Einstein once said, “Teaching children to love and respect nature can be very impactful when they understand we are all connected in this world.”

August 25, 2014
Categories: Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

The Long Days of Learning…

The long days of summer require the coolness of a pool and the people you love the most in the world!

On their own, they placed towels on the ground and began practicing yoga.

We love nature’s rocks.

We appreciate time together.

Markers of time, a growing foot from my little man.

Early in the swim season, splashing and hanging on to the sides. I placed a stipulation on these two. “Let me slowly start the process of teaching you to swim or you HAVE to go to swimming lessons given by ANOTHER teacher.” Each time we visited a pool they had to attempt holding their breath as well as doggie paddling in the shallow.

Yes, mommy even went back on her word. Swimming in the lake!

Better on the lake…an introduction to kayaking.

Both Jackson and Abigail picked up the skill quickly. Although happy to watch them enjoy going at it solo, I have to admit, I was happier to have them come closer to the edge.

Daddy and his girl having a special treat after a good school day.

Baby girl and daddy by the pool.

Shall I tell you this baby loves her Daddy!!

My water puppies have really enjoyed playing in the water this summer.

We even traveled to Charlotte, NC to play with Saxton and Synclair in their pool.

Jackson has built his swimming confidence enough to try water slides.

We are having the time of our life by the pools.

Even the backyard pool is a blast, as long as we play together!
Love these summer memories!

August 21, 2014
Categories: Excursions, Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Isabela Jolie

Happy 3rd Birthday to my sweet Baby Girl!!!

Watching you grow and love your life is just a blessing.

Due to the circumstances, “birthday week” turned to “birthday month”. We celebrated her days shopping with Aunt Teresa, playing with balloons, opening gifts, and of course…blowing out candles about three times…She’s worth it!

We had one cake in the mountains by the creek to celebrate the first day of summer and your big day, June 21st.

A peaceful day in the mountains for playing happy birthday.

Nana also treated her to a big birthday cookie!

Final cake a ladybug of three for my three!

Happy are we…

Amy and Stephanie joined our fun.

Bronco binkies from brother.

A smile from sweet sisters

The days have been fun for us all.

I hope all of her wishes come true…

Daily I want to capture her in a bottle and freeze her preciousness to keep forever!

July 31, 2014
Categories: Excursions, Memories, Moments of Joy, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Time With People We Love

We were all finally able to gather together to celebrate Nana, Amy, and Stephanie’s June Birthdays.

Although we waited FOREVER to be served, we had a great time!

We’ve been able to spend some much needed time with Aunt Teresa.

Some Friday mornings we joined Nana for breakfast with her Electro Voice buddies. Bonnie is one of their favorites.

Jackson had three dollars given to him from Little Brenda because when he bit into his biscuit his tooth fell out. She played fairy for breakfast.

Papaw took off all week for picnics, fishing, playgrounds, and Dollywood.

Popcorn with Papaw, Nana, and the cousins.

These boys went wild in the water. Minutes after this photo, Jackson had a huge nosebleed after colliding with another face.

Mommy and Daddy had to get in on the fun.

We consider this little guy “Pockets” a familiar friend. He is a rescued animal of Lynn McCoy. Each summer she brings her furry friends to our reading program at the library for a study of rehabilitated animals and we love it!

She also brought “Cinnamon the Owl” and “Miss Molly the Opossum”

Mommy, Uncle Mikey, Na-Noo, and Pa-Poo

All of us except Brooke and Nana

The goal was to have all legs in the air on the count of three!

Isabela and Great Aunt Fran Fran

Learning from Nana and Papaw, great summer corn and okra growing

Life is just grand!

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
In memory of Mamaw Judy…

July 15, 2014
Categories: Excursions, Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Keeping Happy

It really is the small things in her days which make her the happiest. She teaches me a lot about finding satisfaction in the little pieces of life.

She loves to watch the clouds, play in the rain, and say hello to every living thing she sees. Joy should have been her middle name!

My two “wild cards”

Finally she has her own helmet and is as quick as her little legs carry her.

Although a little slower on the inchworm, she is just satisfied when she’s moving

…or splashing in the cool water.

He is always the happiest when he seems to be the dirtiest!

He enjoys rigging up trailers and hauling things all over the yard.

He also loves pulling up the root vegetables to see how big they have become under the earth. Beets believe it or not are all of our favorites!

Gardening is hot and dirty work but Papaw loves for us to help…as long as we keep our feet off of the growing vegetables.

Ever-changing seed to bloom

Another beauty

Saxton and Synclair sent us this fun summer gift

The whole family played so hard on it we all had bruises to show from it.

Summer is great!

Trading his helmet for his daddy’s spray helmet

“A merry heart is good like a medicine” Proverbs 17:22

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” Proverbs 3:13

June 24, 2014
Categories: Uncategorized . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Duck Play

Love the expression

This was one of the last photos which displays the yellow feathers we love.

Miss Abigail loves her ducks.
She made this drawing and writing for Mamaw Judy.

These ducks are constantly being picked up.

We looked up one day and the ducks were being carted around the yard in the wagon.

They are so innocent in their play. It is always really cute watching them, however the ducks always have the look of uncertainty of what to expect from these two.

Nana even joined the fun, they talked her into holding one. She calls it the Aflac Duck! I know the duck in the wagon is happy there wasn’t an extra pair of hands to hold her.

This photo was taken a few months ago. All three truly enjoy caring and playing with their ducks. Sad to report that one of the brown ducks must have been bitten by a turtle on the pond. An injured leg but it survived! One of the yellow ducks Abigail claims “flew to heaven to be with God”

June 24, 2014
Categories: Abigail's Art, Abigail's Work, Moments of Joy . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Chasing Summer

The little country church within our community just celebrated 100 years! To celebrate this occasion, the bell has been restored and is now ringing!

The church, 100 years ago, 1914

Abigail loves all fuzzy critters!

We like hanging out anytime with Nana and Aunt Fran

We took Nana out to celebrate her birthday.

We even talked Great Aunt Fran Fran into trying mussels…”no like”

It was a fun night

Isabela is happy that her Daddy was able to join us!

I had to include this photo. My little birds call Aunt Fran a “fraidy cat”
She was terrified to be that close to the water, check out her holding on to Nana. Jackson wonders why she also always holds tight to her purse…

Love you little birds!

We try fishing but it’s not much fun when they aren’t biting.

As long as we get to hang out with Daddy all is well!

Walking with Ras…he always has exactly three suckers when we see him!

My sweet, sweet treat!
She says everything living on the earth is her best friend.

One of our new favorite things we are testing out as a family is the mountain trails.

Selfie of us after the 2.8 mile hike we completed!

Honestly, I/we weren’t sure if we would make it to the Arch Rock, which was our attempted goal on this day. We were overjoyed we didn’t turn around before reaching this point. This has been our longest walk yet, especially for Jackson and Abigail. In the future, we hope to make it to the next two points on this trail, and maybe in a few years, Mt. Leconte will be the prize!

Isabela had the best seat. She did walk some but the terrain was dangerous and so was the very narrow bridge.
I gave my girl her butterfly wings and let her cross it alone. Hard for me but also thrilled at her success.