School's out!

Well, almost! :) Soccer season is over,  only three more school days left, then promotion Friday night!  Can't believe Bailey is finished with third grade, and with the exception of one class in one semester, got straight A's the whole year! (First semester penmanship was a b, imagine that!) I think he may be a doctor when he grows up if his penmanship is any indication.  And my little girl is done with pre school.  Adah will be in Kindergarten next year!  So hard to believe!  So far our summer plans to include a trip to Ohio to Amish country, Bible school, and putting up a pool. Oh, I have a HUGE list of "want-to's", but doubt that will be done this summer! :) One can hope, right? Hope y'all are having a fantabulous day!

I just figured out how to post from my phone! Yay!!

Friday Feature

Ok. So I'm two days late on linking this up, but wanted to share a site that I was a guest blogger on this week! I stumbled upon Curly Hairdo Ideas while looking for ideas for the girls hair. Anyone that knows me and my girls knows how I struggle with their hair! It will NOT stay in one place for very long! Their hair's always a mess! Anyhow, love this site and this wonderful lady's enthusiasm for making little girl's hair special! :) Go check her out - Curly Hairdo Ideas! (and be sure and check my darlings pictures while you're there!)

Homemade granola bars

Granola Breakfast Bars

3 1/2 cups oats (quick or regular), toasted

1 cup nuts

1 cup raisins

2/3 cup butter or margarine, melted

1/2 cup packed bown sugar

1/3 cup honey, corn syrup or molasses

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Toast oats by spreading on a cookie sheet or large baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 mimutes until lightly browned. This gives the oats a nutty flavor and helps the mixture stick together better. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl with a wooden spoon. Press into well-greased 15x10 inch jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Cool and cut into bars when cool.

Variations: Substitute chocolate chips for raisins. Add 1/2 cup coconut. Substitute 1/2 cup sunflower seeds for the nuts.

** I left out the raisins, used sliced almonds for the nuts, then melted some chocolate chips and drizzled over the top. I think I'll try putting mini M&M's in them sometime... think the kids would like that. Very tasty, and MUCH cheaper than store bought! :)

Isn't it beautiful? It looks like glitter, fairy dust, something magical - This was our last snow. I hope and pray that it really IS our last snow for this year. We are pretty weary of sliding down the steep hill and donning the huge coats, boots, hats, etc. You know its been bad when it warms up to 40 degrees and the kids are clamoring to go outside and play! ;) It has been a beautiful, but very long winter. VERY long.

I don't even mind the mud at this point. Its flooding today, can you imagine how much snow we would have had if this rainstorm had been snow? Yikes! We may not have gotten off the hill till April!

S0, with the lull of the "After Christmas" season about over, the change of seasons has brought some changes here as well. My littlest boy is growing so fast - he's six months old now! (and in 12 month clothes!) :) Bailey has ended a wonderful season of Upward basketball. He was much improved this year, we are very proud of him!

The girls have kept busy pretending to be princesses, and all kinds of wonderful imaginary things. Oh to have the uncomplicated mind of a 4 year old! What a joy! Selah, (getting ready to be three) is at such a FUN age! Love that silly girl!

I hope everyone is enjoying this transition into spring as much as we are... Can't wait to start the garden this year! I'll leave you with a picture of the full moon we had last week... Hope to catch a few minutes to blog again soon!

Up next...

The muddy season! Yep, Christmas is over, along with all the plays, parties, dinners, and hoop-la. Next year, I have requested to have Christmas in July, so we can actually GET to all these wonderful events. :) Sliding down our long steep driveway is NOT one of my favorite things. That aside, December was a beautiful month. The kids had a great Christmas! And so did we. I so enjoy the excitement my children have during this season. At a few points, they even SHARED some of their new toys! Gasp!

But, the season is over and for now, if it isn't snowing, there is MUD. Everywhere. Sweeping twice a day doesn't even keep it out of the house. Oh well, its a sign of spring coming, (eventually), so I can deal with that. :)

Once again, this year, my goal is to Simplify. (Didn't I just post about that? Surely it hasn't been a whole year since LAST January's post about Simplifying??!!) It was a rough (but fast!) year with Micah's pregnancy. Can hardly believe my little man is almost 5 months old now... He is such a joy. The happiest little baby, EVER. :) We are so blessed!

So now that the Holidays are over, kids are back to school, the house is a little quieter, at least on Tuesday's and Thursday's, this mama is getting busy. :) Can't wait to see what this year brings! I know I'm not on here very much, (another goal for the year) But I do so enjoy all of your sweet posts and hearing (reading) about other ladies lives! Happy New Year! :)