The Reynolds Nation

This is about how much we dress up around here for Halloween. Esther decided to make her own wedding dress the other night...and after a few changes and adjustments, this is what was created...from a throw blanket and a sash. Totally beautiful. This is a tradition around here at the Reynolds Nation...dress up. We have had a ton of costumes over the years and we even make our own from old t-shirts, dresses...anything you can think of. And to go back to the Halloween thing. Matt and I originally dressed up our kids for the holiday. Didn't think to much about it. But as the years progressed, and we wanted to be more pure before the Lord and to follow his plan...we stopped the costumes for Halloween. One main thing that made us change is the desire to not duplicate what the world does. It is hard sometimes. The world has lots of desirable things. But this was just a standard that we made for our home. We try to attend local fall festivals for the kids to enjoy the season...that I think...

I tried to think of a more jazzy title, but I just couldn't think of anything. So, I will keep it plain and simple :Sunday. The weather was nice today...breezy and cooler. I can't say cool or even cold, but I can admit cooler. Was able to keep the air conditioning off all day, and that's what counts. As I sit here in my bed, I must be honest and say it is a little warm. But I know as the evening crawls by, it will be nice and brisk in my bedroom. Today, I made by first attempt at Julia Child's beef bourguignon. I saw it on a television show the other day...and I am always into trying new recipes. And the attempt was utterly SUCCESSFUL!! The recipe called for it to be served on creamy mashed potatoes. And it was so delightful. I loved every bit of it, and we have plenty for a whole other meal. And the best part is that Matt loved it. That's the true test. And to make Matt even happier, I quickly made a pumpkin pie for him. His favorite, remember? I know how to make...

Oh, Saturday, how I love you. There is nothing like a day off from the real world. Which basically means no school and Matt is home. Not much going on here today. The weather is a bit dreary...dark clouds, high humidity and a hope for this cold front to push through. Then we may have a cool couple of days ahead of us. In contrary to the record breaking snow that is hitting New England today. They are expected to get up to 8 inches of snow...oh, I am so jealous. I will take the cold, and the snow over this weather any day. Matt and Bryn went to the annual Disney scavenger hunt last night...which entails them running around the outside of all the Disney parks, hotels and attractions looking for specific clues. They have fun doing it...and I stay home with the kiddos and relax. I don't mind skipping this crazy, full speed ahead Disney outing. So, because of the Disney hunt, Bryn and Matt are a bit ( I mean a lot) tired today. Between their tiredness and the dreary weather, they never...

I was excited to post my Gratitude Friday post, and then it dawned on me that it was only Thursday. So, I am jumping ahead of myself and making it Thankful Thursday. I don't think you will mind, will you? 1. I am thankful for a quiet house at night...kids snug in their beds and the house so peaceful. 2. I am thankful for the noise that permeates my house all day...knowing one day it won't be like that. 3. I am thankful for homemade chocolate chip cookies...the kind that I made this week. 4. I am thankful for little kisses from my kids...the unexpected kind that warm the heart. 5. I am thankful for the love that I get from my family. I couldn't live without them.

My friend gave me this shirt awhile back...and I love it. It reads, " warning: unsocialized homeschooler..interact or communicate at your own risk ." The main reason that I think this is so funny is that homeschooling parents think that the idea that our homeschooled children are "unsocialized" is hysterical. Most homeschoolers have to turn down so many extracurricular activities because of their already full schedules. My children have never had a problem interacting with other kids or adults. Sad to say that there are some parents out there who say they homeschool and they really aren't doing anything with their kids. Or there are also some who homeschool, but there children have so many gaps because the parents aren't thorough with their teaching. And then these kids head to school at some time and give homeschoolers a bad name. No, I am not a perfect homeschooler, but I do believe that my kids are getting a good education. But most of all they are learn...

This past week we finished up our ninth week of our new curriculum, Tapestry of Grace. After the ninth week, and completing a unit, you are supposed to have a celebration of all the work the kids have done. At first, I thought, this is just another activity I have to put together...but in the end, the kids looked so forward to showing friends and family their work. It was worth every minute of planning, and I already have new ideas for our next celebration. Here are a few snapshots for you of what we worked on. We had spent three weeks studying Ancient Egypt, which the kids loved...especially Bryn. This is her second time doing an in-depth study of that region, and it truly started a love of history a few years ago. Esther couldn't resist making one of her Barbies into a mummy...which was one of her favorite things we studied. For the party I made Mummy Dogs (which the kids kept on calling Mommy Dogs). The special treat was meant to look like a mummy, with their mustard eyes. I t...

Notice on the picture above that the boys are wearing their new fleece sweaters. So, you know what happened here in Florida! Cool weather. Finally a brief break from the heat. A break from the mosquitoes. A break from the humidity. Can we shout Hallelujah? 1. I am thankful for the cool weather. It always comes when I can't take the heat another second. 2. I am thankful for my sweet husband. I think I say this a lot, but he truly is so beautiful to me. 3. I am thankful for all the funny noises that come out of my house. The giggles, the laughter and even the occasional yell. 4. I am thankful for sweet boys who sit with me on the chair, snuggling under a blanket while they read to me. Simple pleasures, yes sir. 5. I am thankful for this season in my life. Though it is so busy and full, it will be gone in a blink. So, now I have the memories to build and look back upon. Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Okay, well I just opened them...but it still counts. A bit of cooler weather is moving in and I am taking advantage of it. I am actually thinking of making hot chocolate tonight. I know...long stretch, but that's okay, right? Some random thoughts from me : *I am cooking a yummy roast right now. The smell is so inviting. I have biscuits ready to rise, carrots cut and up and ready to cook...and soon a husband who will be very thankful. *Got lots done today...some things that I have put off a bit. I ordered the rest of my books for the next unit of Tapestry of Grace. Which starts next week...can we say procrastination? They will get here in time...but even so, get on the ball Allison. There is nothing like spending the morning on Amazon picking out books while your kid sounds out words next to you. Love you I-pad! I also spent lots of time on the local library page reserving my books for next week. Soon I will be getting lots of call from little old ladies telling me my books are in. ...

After a very successful school day yesterday, we had plenty of time to get in trouble. And that meant pulling out the "fall" cookie cutters and making some yummy cookies. I had even found "fall" sprinkles a few weeks ago at Target, so they were quite the hit with the kids. After making the cookies, we were even able to run a few to daddy to brighten up his work day. Esther the artist...takes so much time for each cookie. The boys just dump and run...all they care about is actually eating the cookie, not so much decorating it. Voila! Here is Esther's masterpiece. Each cookie decorated and ready to put in the oven. They turned out to be fabulous, and a perfect way to get in the "fall" spirit. I am posting my cookie recipe for you all. It is the fastest and easiest sugar cookie recipe ever...and the best part is that you don't have to refrigerate the dough for hours before baking (though I do keep it in the fridge in between baking to keep it fir...

Some of my favorite pictures are of my kids picking out their pumpkins. Especially as I see how much they have changed each year...grown up and become so cute. The kids have been begging to pick out their pumpkins for weeks...but living in Florida, you don't want them to get them too early because they rot so quickly. Especially with the 90 degree temps that we were having last week. So, I try to delay it as long as possible. It's hard for them to contain themselves, especially since I have all of our fall decorations up and they have made a few "autumn" crafts. Anyway, long story short...here they are...our little arrows...as cute as can be. Enjoy!

Happy Friday everyone!!! Love Friday, don't you? Not because it's the end of my work week...that seems to never happen...but it does mean that Matt will be home for two days and not locked up in his office (OK, it's not that bad). So, I always get excited for the weekend...especially after a busy week like this past one. Matt was training new agents...which means...he is super busy, super tired and just plain worn out. I am glad the week is over for him...and for us :) 1. Super thankful for God's grace...his abundant grace. He is so patient with me. Anytime I think I have it all figured out, I really don't. 2. I am thankful for the upcoming cooler weather...not too cool, but enough to allow me to open my windows for a few days. 3. I am thankful for almost completing our first unit in Tapestry of Grace. Can't believe it has gone by so fast...and I am loving this curriculum more each day. 4. So thankful for my sweet husband...how many times can I say he is such a ...

I love capturing my kids in Simply Delightful poses. Last night, our Judah Bear looked so adorable. Snuggled next to his Barney doll...with his Car socks on, and the striped jammies. Can you get any cuter? Sorry, had to post it. They get big so darn fast!

Matt has been hinting all week that he wants a pumpkin pie...I believe he was just talking about picking one up at the store as a treat. This is the time of year where he gets consumed with pumpkin anything... pumpkin shakes, pumpkin pie, pumpkin ice cream...you name it, he loves it, as long as it has pumpkin in it. This is the week he trains all the new agents...which is extremely stressful and he gets really tired. So, as a quick treat, I made him a pumpkin pie this afternoon...fresh from my kitchen, crust and all. I know I made his night!

What a Monday!!! I was inflicted with a small ailment, that took me under for the whole day. I thought I would snap a picture of my feet bundled under Great-Granny's blanket...because I surely know that you wouldn't want to see my face or my hair...it was not a pretty sight. So, not much was done yesterday. The dirty laundry sat. Beds weren't made (why make it when I keep on getting in it?). And the children ran amuck (is that a word?). Matt laughed at me when I told him that I was going to at least get school work done with William, but instead I went to sleep. He says, "remember that's why we homeschool. We have the liberty to take a day off." I forget that sometimes...and we do work hard all the other days. So, here is a picture of my footsies, covered up. Feeling a million times better today. Happy Tuesday!

Having an extremely wet weekend here in Florida. We are expecting up to 8 inches this weekend...it is coming down with a passion. So, in light of the wet weather...I wanted to share a picture of my little Judah Bear and me. Is he cute, or what? It took a couple of shots to get it...he wouldn't stop making silly faces. Happy Saturday everyone!

I am blessed and highly favored . Look what the Lord has done! And I anticipate so much more in the future !

What is a legacy? I had those thoughts this weekend as my family was able to enjoy hours of playtime outdoors. My thoughts went to my father-in-law, Bill. If you read my blog regularly, you know that we lost him to congested heart failure a year ago and now he is with the Lord. But though he is gone, he has left a legacy. He has left memories. And as my kids were swinging on the pasture swing on Saturday, my thoughts were drawn to the day Bill hung up that swing in the pasture for my kids. And at that time the Reynolds Nation was small...just Bryn, Caleb and baby Esther. But he went out of his way to put this up for them so that they could play. The only one who enjoyed it at that time was Bryn, because the other two were still small. But Bill had thoughts for the future...that all his grandkids would be able to play on it. And so they have. So, I was thinking about Bill and how much he loved my kids. And how much he did for them despite his physical limitations. He never put himself ...

...For cooler weather. We woke up this morning to 65 degrees....which really isn't that cool, but so much better than the normal hot and sticky morning temp of 75. Amazing what ten degrees does (and of course a small dip in humidity)! So in honor of our cool(er) day...we spent the morning outside letting the kids ride their bikes and go on the swing in the pasture. It was glorious. And then (prompted by lots of begging from the kids) we put up all our fall decorations. Lots of pumpkins, acorns, apples and turkeys. This is my season...my favorite time of the year. Perhaps it has something to do with my birthday being only four days away. Purely pleasant. So, enjoy the beautiful weather and a handful of my family's favorite candy from the fall season (though actually I can't stand them, they just look pretty in my pumpkin jar). Happy Fall Y'all!