The Stubblefield Family: September 2010

Thursday, September 30, 2010

My Meg

There's a photo of Meg Ryan I keep on our computer. I've printed it out and taken it to 3 different stylists. Nobody got it just the way I wanted it until last fall. I wish I would have taken a pic right after Diane did my hair this time. I was so pleased. No matter how hard I tried I could never duplicate her hair stylist magic, but I loved my "Meg" none the less. Hannie got her "Bob" and I got my "Meg." A fun and successful time at the salon! :)

Blurry, no make up, undone. (Still love it! : )

Hair & make up done. : )

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Dance Party

One of Hannah's favorite friends is named Noa. They sit together in Primary every week. Noa had a dance birthday party near the end of September. We thought it would be fun to take Hannah to Target and check out the clearance section for a special party outfit. We picked a really cute little outfit out and I took Hannah to the dressing room. She put it on, looked in the mirror and said, "Mom, this is NOT my style." Hmmm, ok, 5 going on 15. So we headed back out, picked out a couple of racks with the right price tags and let Hannah pick her own outfit. She wanted to tuck her shirt and wear her favorite, though worn, sequin belt. And here she is, Hannah style! :) Beautiful!

She loves to get her self ready for church. This week she put on sticker ear rings, a necklace, did her hair, ask to put on a bit of my blush, packed her purse and she was on her way. :) I love it! She is so fun and I love seeing her express herself this way. She is all girl! :)

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Early For Church in September

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

First Day of School 2010 & Mud Pies

Since before Hannah was born, Jared and I were excited to spring our kids out of public school (before they even started ;) and educate them independently. Hannah turned 5 last June and was eligible for Public Kindergarten here in August, so it was time to think more seriously and less hypothetically about it. After lots of thinking, conversing and praying we decided to go ahead and give home school a try. We had a most wonderful "back to school" (Hannah kept reminding me that it was really just "to school," since she'd never been before :) weekend. The curriculum boxes came in the mail on Thursday and Friday. Saturaday, we went down to Ikea to gather up their school space furniture etc., had our now traditional lunch out at PF Changs (got our fortunes for the new school year :) and did some serious school supply shopping. Then, our family's education journey began. We are learning a lot about education, our children, our family and our selves. I am learning and reading and my educational philosophy is taking form and I am constantly learning from the kids about how they learn, what they are interested in and how to help them. (It is a very cool blessing how much I've been learning, while teaching my kids.) Our Hannah is still very interested in school buses and "Barbie" lunch boxes, so we'll see what next fall brings, but for now here's a look at the first day of school, the transformation of their school space and some "extracurricular activities." :)

We think there are many compelling reasons to teach your own children, but here is one of my favorites...tons of time left in their day to work, play and...make mud pies :)...or snow balls and go tubing, as is the case lately :).

Monday, September 6, 2010

Labor Day Holiday, Bike Ride & Hike

Labor Day we went out to Central Park in Lancaster City. It is a 544 acre park, with beautiful trails, tennis courts, swimming pool, flower gardens, water fountains, a skate park, horse trails, an American Indian burial site (seriously :), garden plots and more. The kids rode their bikes for a while. Then we ate snack on big gray rocks under beautiful shade trees. Inside a hole in one tree Jared found a snake skin. Benjamin thought that was pretty cool! :) And then we took a little hike. It was just so lovely, the very beginning of three full months of fabulous fall weather.

Love this photo. Sweet little people following their Dad.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Amish Country

"Horse and Buggy Parking Only."

This is a sign in our Costco parking lot! :) We live in the heart of Amish country and have learned a little bit about Amish culture since moving here. One thing we've learned that surprised us is that the Amish shop at Costco! : ) For some reason I thought they wouldn't shop at modern stores. I also thought that they would only use cloth diapers and always be eating home grown, organic food. But, check out the Huggies in the back of the buggy below and we've noticed that pizza is a favorite after-shopping lunch and chocolate chip granola bars and Sunny-D are regulars on some families' shopping lists. : ) Clearly my ideas about this people were pretty romanticized and a bit unrealistic, but so much of there life does seem very old time, uncluttered and peaceful. Their beautiful clothes are all handmade, they do not drive cars, have tv/internet or telephones and get where they need to go by horse and buggy. The children go to school in one room school houses and they make beautiful candles, quilts, furniture and other types of hand work.

A couple of afternoons during the first few months we lived here, we went out driving in search of Amish farms, just to see them. One of those times we hit serious pay dirt and rode for miles through lush green fields, past fat little piggies, chickens, work horses pulling men on plows, lots of boys riding scooters down the road, little girls playing dolls in the yard and little signs for selling eggs, produce, honey etc. It was beautiful and very peaceful. It is interesting and sweet, living here in the heart of Amish country and learning more about our Amish neighbors!

Here's what it looks like when a horse and buggy parks at the Costco. : )

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Babyhawk, Caleb in September

Man, oh, Man I love my Caleb. He is one great little guy. He is happy, strong and adventurous. He is also very funny. :) Sometimes when I look at him I see Jared's Dad (or his brother Micah :), sometimes when I look at him I see my Dad, but always when I look at him, I just love him! Jared and I were talking about our family and he said to me, "What would we do without Caleb?" It's true. Unexpected timing brought us this little boy we can't live without and we are so grateful! At six months Caleb's tongue loosened up, he got his front bottom two teeth, gave up his passie completely, started sitting up all by himself, quickly there after was crawling (about 6 1/2 mo.) and generally turned the corner into big boy babyhood. :) This was one of his last baths in his baby "bucket"...he was on to the big kid tub!