School time!

Before I had kids, I thought it was strange when I heard about cloth diapers, people making their own baby food, and homeschooling.  I thought I would never do any of those!  Well, I know these days many these things are trendy, but I do them all out of necessity.  This week started our homeschooling experience.  I have done preschool activities with Luke over the last year but nothing hard core.  I hadn't set out to be a homeschooler, but out of necessity we are doing it this year. But now, I'm really excited to have the privilege of watching him learn to read.  It's so fun to see them put things together! After much prayer and seeking advice (because of Luke's September birthday), we decided to start him in Kindergarten.  I have never seen a child so excited to have school. He asks me if we can do school all day long.  Wow, good thing I like coffee!

It's so fun to see him loving books right now.  We are reading aloud chapter books for the curriculum we are using, and he loves it and talks about the books during the day. I love to see good literature come alive to him.    For Olivia, I am using a simple curriculum called Letter of the Week from here.   In a few weeks, Luke and I will start her Expedition Earth curriculum on world geography.  

Both kids will be going to a Russian preschool in the mornings  (Olivia only 2 mornings a week).  Local kids go to a preschool until age 7 when they start school in 1st grade. Local school starts Sept 1 so it should be a big week for us! 

I do some sappy words to say about my 1st born starting school and turning 5, but I'll save that for his birthday coming up. 

Luke had been counting down the days and Olivia thought she was hot stuff doing "school time" with Mommy. 

He loves math! 

We love a celebration around here  M & M cookies to celebrate the 1st day of school.  I found a chocolate chip whole wheat cookie recipe here.  Hopefully the whole wheat flour balanced out the butter!

Summer is over

August here is HOT and with no air conditioning, I often find myself hoping fall comes soon. But, I have wanted to enjoy these moments with our kiddos at the age they are at.  We've had a fun few weeks and lately been trying to enjoy the end of summer.  We started homeschooling this week and next week they both start local preschool.  

She got a few more freckles this summer.  Very freaky how much this looks like me as a child.  

Olivia's hair and constant suglasses get lots of comments from people.  I get asked daily if her hair is natural.  

Luke has become a lot more comfortable in the water . Hopefully next summer he will become a better swimmer. 

We started out this summer with the birth of this sweet one.  I'm so thankful that she is  so easy-going.  This is her hanging out in her stroller at the pool  and didn't fuss at all! 

It runs in the family...

Luke at 4 months

Olivia at 4 months

Maggie at 3 1/2 months


When Luke received his giraffe lovey at 3 months, we had no idea what this would become.  He immediately took to it and started sleeping with it.  Olivia came along and Forrest insisted she have the pink version of the giraffe, for our tradition.  Maggie came long and ended up with a pink bunny since there are no other colors of giraffes available.  She has become attached very quickly to her bunny.  As long as you give her a paci and bunny, she'll fall right to sleep. If you put her in the bed without the bunny , she cries and cries.  Luke and Olivia still sleep with theirs and I think rub on their faces to go to sleep.  I'm wondering if these giraffes/ bunny will go the university one day?


**No babies were harmed in these pictures **

In the last month...

Maggie traveled across the world on 3 planes like a pro

We tried to survive a 10 hour layover in Moscow.  Olivia's face clearly shows how all of us were feeling.

O started "reading" to Maggie on the newly borrowed playmat from a friend (it's been a lifesaver).  Note: Olivia's morning hair and her book of choice. 

Olivia and Luke got bikes.  Luke rides his around the circle around our yard  100x a day.  

Our neighbor got married and the party was in the street.  These guys were announcing the arrival of the bride and groom.  Oh, and this is in our driveway, by the way. 

This party was literally right up to our house.  It was a loud few hours. 

Made a new friend, hopefully a best friend.  (Oops, I have no idea why this ended up this way, but don't really have time to fix it !)

Reunited with old friends

Loved on baby sister a LOT

Maggie got a bit tired of all the LOVE

Maggie learned how to suck her fingers  - good for the middle of the night when the paci falls out but not so good for getting rid of it in the future.  (Another upside down pic! sorry!)

After almost 8 years in Central Asia, we got a car.  Luke and Olivia are pretty thrilled! 

Took a special pic for Poppy's birthday. 

Celebrated 10 years of marriage! 

Had a fun birthday party for a special American friend

I'm thankful for the sweet moments of this last month. Yes, it's been challenging learning how to balance 3 little kids and this lifestyle, but we are getting better at it.  I've been quite overwhelmed at moments, but I'm trying now to really focus on JOY in this season.
Here's just a snapshot of the last few weeks.  Many more big moments coming up as school begins.  I hope I can capture the moments as they are passing quickly! 

Maggie is 3 months!

Our sweet little Maggie Claire is already 3 months old! So far, she's is an angel baby.  She only cries when she's super hungry, has a dirty diaper, or when her sister is forcefully kissing or hugging her.  She sleeps better than the other 2 ever did.  She is now sleeping in the room with Luke and Olivia.  They'll wake up at 7 am , turn on the lights and stand in Olivia's bed to look into Maggie's crib.  When I go into to get her, she is often still asleep, even with the lights on and them talking.  I know that won't last forever, but we are going to enjoy it while we have it.  She is still nursing every 3 hours during the day, but I might be able to stretch her longer.  She is a really peaceful, happy baby!  She recently started grabbing at the toys on the toy mat that are hanging  down.  She also laughs (sometimes).  The only thing I am disappointed with is that she discovered how to suck her fingers!  Yes, it's great to not have to go in the night to give a paci, but it's a lot harder to get rid of those fingers later on.   And the bigger she gets (she's quite "healthy", aka big) she looks just like Luke!!  I still can't get over having a baby girl who looks like Luke.  Maggie is such a joy to have in our family.