I'm a little behind keeping you up to date with our 'rows' but my long lost camera has returned!

Now I can fill you in on all the fun we've been having!

The week before Thanksgiving, we rowed Cranberry Thanksgiving by Wende and Harry Devlin.

It was a cute story but I must admit - I wasn't overly fond of it.

However, the kids seemed to really enjoy it and that alone makes any 'row' a joy!

The story is about a grandmother who has a secret recipe she wants to someday pass on to her granddaughter, Maggie. She is extremely suspicious of Mr. Whiskers, Maggie's Thanksgiving dinner guest, because of how he looks and smells. She much prefers her own guest, Mr. Horace, who appears much more proper and put together. In the end, Grandmother's assumptions prove false when Mr. Horace steals the recipe and Mr. Whiskers saves the day!

Piper estimated how many cranberries were in a bag and then counted them.

She also tested to see whether they sink or float.

We started our Thanksgiving holiday early this past week and headed off Thursday to visit family.

It was a much needed getaway, full of family time and memorable adventures!

Having completed 6 successful weeks of school, I thought it was all well deserved, too!

Unfortunately, I left my camera behind so I'll have to share my photos another time.

Thankfully, my sweet sister-in-law captured many moments for me to share with you!
Here's a glimpse at our Thanksgiving fun!

1. Rockin' good time at the playground.

3. Exploring. Throwing rocks. Touching a waterfall.

Loving the great outdoors!

Last week we rowed Prayer For a Child by Rachel Field.

This is a little girl's prayer written as a poem.

With its vintage picture and rhyming couplets, this book is absolutely charming!

Both my girls adored it but especially Piper.

There were certain lines I'd read and she would stop me and say, "Oh, Mama! Can you write that down for me, please?!"

I ended up typing up the whole poem for her and highlighting her favorite parts.

She drew a picture on it, we laminated it and it is now hanging beside her bed.

I thought this was just so sweet and I love how she connects with the books we read!

The girls also traced their hands, cut them out and I wrote on each of the fingers the names of people they are praying for.

Then they glued it all together and added some glitter (just because!).

Both girls had a blast with this!

There was lots of hooping and hollering for each goal they made and because the ball was made of bags, nothing was broken (and no one was hurt!) during this rambunctious little game!

A Thanksgiving song.
Because we have Someone to be grateful to.
And the greatest gift to be forever thankful for!

Jesus who rescues us from the wrath to come

You are the ark of God who saves us from the flood

You are right to judge my sinful heart

But Your glory is Your mercy

For You condescend to make a friend

Of an enemy like me

Jesus who says come forth and calls the dead to rise

You are the Word of God whose breath sustains our lives

I was dead in all my guilt and shame

'Til you spoke my resurrection

Now you hide my life inside your own

Where you whisper me your love

Thank you, thank you

Jesus, we are grateful

Thank you, thank you

Jesus, we are Yours

Jesus who gathers us like children in His arms

You are the Lamb of God who shepherds us from harm

We will follow into family

And be seated at Your table

Where matchless grace of an orphan makes

A child of God in full

They're puff ball magnets!

My girlies had so much fun placing a puff ball magnet on each of the circles on their do-a-dot printable!
There was quiet for a good 15 minutes straight!

Following our leaf bingo nature walk, we decided to use an idea I found on Pinterest to make a leaf lantern!
The only thing was the only instructions given were to simply use leaves and Mod Podge.
Well...the Mod Podge didn't work so well!
So we washed it off and found some contact paper to use instead!
Worked like a charm!
And added a nice glow to their after swimming/before bed snack!