Four and a half months

I changed her clothes and her diaper, sat her up and she sat by herself for the first time! It's funny how one day they aren't and the next they are. She growing so fast...





















The boys were so proud of her! Jay said "I don't think there's ever been a 4 1/2 month old who can sit up alone!" Sweet big brothers.

May the Force be with you

We had a little birthday party for Hunter this weekend with a few close friends and it was so. much. fun. I love how at this age they host the party themselves. I hung some streamers, made cupcakes, and a few party favors and the rest was all Jay and Hunter. I sat back and visited with the mommies. :)







Streamers. (please excuse the unfinished drywall in the background...it's a work in progress)






Star Wars finger puppet favors. Pattern found here.







Along with "tickets" for the party made by Jay and Hunter.








Chocolate Zucchini cupcakes found here. So yum! With free printable cupcake toppers found here.

When our guests arrived there were two impromptu Jedi costumes made. (I knew it was going to be a fun party...i got to play dress up with little girls! Fun!)







A quick pillowcase dress for Cousin Madelynn.







And a lovely floral tunic for Aunt Lexi.

Here are a few of our guests:







Darth Vader







Storm Trooper







Princess Leia







A variety of Jedi types.

The best part was the Jedi training and each trainee was awarded with a Jedi Training Certificate.




















I think the party was a success. I had one tired little Jedi to prove it! (well, a few!)






Happy Birthday, Hunter! I love you! <3
(some photos were taken and edited by my fabulous sister who doesn't have a blog but should so i could link you to her! Love you, sis!)

Virtual Coffee

Good morning! Grab a cup of coffee and yummy creamer and let's chat. I was flipping through my pictures and noticed we have been busy little Amelangs lately! Now that the weather has "cooled" (it's a mere 95 degrees outside these days) we have been regulars at the state park that is only a few miles away. I love it there. Hiking trails and a playground. So fun. The boys are learning the trails and have a blast exploring them.











Jay (Spartans) and Hunter (Cowboys) have both started soccer this season! Hunter's first game was Monday.




Have you ever watched 5 year old soccer? Oh my, it's the best! My sister in law says it's her new favorite sport.




Hunter did a great job! I was so proud of him! He got in there, worked the ball, blocked and almost made a goal. Soooooo close! He loved it. He's worn is uniform every. single. day. since we got it.








Jay's first game is on Monday.

Random thought...
Remember fishtail braids?




I tried it out the other day. Pretty cute! I like to mix things up from time to time. ;)

One last note before we finish our coffee....
I am working on my certification to be a Bradley Method Birth instructor. I'm super excited about it! I have been reading a lot lately and it's been a great refresher. I've also learned a few new things about pregnancy, labor, breastfeeding and babies. I'll be sharing interesting and hopefully helpful tidbits of information here in the coming days.

Well, thanks for stopping in. I hope you have a great Thursday!

{this moment} ::first library card::

Inspired by soulemama


{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

And sometimes we have guests for school...

The School Post

I recently read one of those "You know you are a homeschooler when..." lists and one was "when someone asks what grade your child is in and your answer ends in 'ish' " That's us.  Jay is 2nd grade-ish.  And really the only reason I keep up with a grade is so that I have an answer when someone asks!  This is our first year of formal schooling.  The past years have been learning through living.  "How many people in our family? 5, right? There are 3 forks in the dishwasher.  How many more forks do you need?"  Reading LOTS of good books and just letting him ask questions, find answers, play and explore.  That tactic worked great!  This year I bought real school books and have a real plan and it seems he is right where he should be.  That makes a mama happy!  So here is what we are doing this year.

Bob Jones Math

 Explode the Code bk 2

Handwriting Without Tears Bk 1

First Language Lessons by Jessie Bauer

We are also doing geography loosely using Geography for Every Kid and the library and internet fun worksheets mostly found here.

October- Human Body Lapbook
Novemeber-Thanksgiving, Pilgrims, Indians...all that jazz.  Bringing in the geography we are already studying.
Decemeber-German Christmas Traditions

That will get us through the end of the year.  I have plans for next year but they are still dancing around in my head!  They will get on paper soon. 


Hunter has been right in the mix as well.  I've picked up a couple of little math books that he loves.  He also finished a dinosaur workbook.  He is always telling me that he wants harder books!  ok!  He's loving this school thing.  That makes a mama happy too! 

Copying math problems out of Jay's book to his own notebook! So cute!

He also has his own Explode the Code

So that's the school post!

{Birthdays} today's and a few belated

::Today's birthday::







Happy 5th birthday Hunter Bunter!







::Your smile makes me melt
::I love how you like when I wear dresses
::you luh-uv legos
::you would live on pbj sandwiches if I let you (and sometimes it's tempting)
::you are so excited to start soccer
::you love school and always want to work in a "harder" book
::you have decided that you don't like kisses because stick on you
::you are amazing






I am so grateful for you and the beautiful morning that you were born at home. Perfect.
I love you, Hunter all the way to the moon, around the sun, to all the planets and back.

::Belated::







My 30th was in April we celebrated with my Dad, Bro, Sis, and the rest of the fam in late July.




















It was a blast! Thank you guys for an amazing 30th!

::Another belated::







Jay's 7th!
We decided to wait to have his party until after the baby was born. Finally in early August we got a party put together for the sweet boy! He wanted a party at Jackson Park so we braved the heat with pizza, watermelon, popsicles, science experiments and of course, good friends! Good times I tell ya!








Jay, I love you so much. I can't believe how much you are growing up. You are so helpful to me. You make eggs for breakfast, you pick out clothes for Mia, you help me keep tabs on Tyler. I don't know what I would do without your sweet self in my life. I love you....ALL the love!
(what's cool about having your party 4 months late is that you don't have to wait as long for your next one!!)

Happiness is....

flowers from my boys!

"because I wanted to make you happy" ~Hunter

{this moment}

Inspired by soulemama


{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Our Nature Walk

A cool morning (finally!) in Texas!





























Perfect.