My Favorite FREE iPad Apps

 

"Goodnight Safari" is absolutely adorable! The trees in the Savannah shake when you touch them, and the mama giraffe twist her neck and lifts her legs, while you help the baby giraffe feed on the leaves of a too tall tree. You give a baby rhino a bath and help a baby zebra find his mother. Our 3yr old LOVES this book. You can choose to Read Alone, or Read to Me. You can purchase more Learning Activities...but I'm good with free. ;)

The "Endless Alphabet" is my FAVORITE! It is so educational. You choose a letter and the monsters run through the word and all your letters get scrambled! Then you must fill the word back in. I love that when you touch the letters they make the letter sound. So as they add them back, not only are they spelling the word, but they are learning the sounds to read. Once the letters have been replaced to their original places, they cheer and take you to the next page where they read the word, and act out the meaning of the word, then give the kids the definition. Super cute! All of our kids love this app, and beg to play it.

The letter wiggle, stretch, and make the silly sounds.

New words are added weekly! 

 

Such a FUN, & EDUCATIONAL App! 

 This "LEGO" app is cute. Best for a young audience, but our older kids still play it. You build a lego truck and as you speed down the road, you pick up lego pieces, and earn new vehicle pieces...like a helicopter, or new pieces to your truck. Very simple, but the kids seemed entertained by it. So I guess that is the most important factor when picking an app for your kiddos {after your approval of the app, of course!}. :) 

Hoping that these come in handy during our flights in the next week! We have the blessing of heading to Hawaii for 3 weeks on Monday! So very excited to have the homeschooling trip we've always wanted to take our children on. We will be hiking to waterfalls, volcanoes, and to the beach! Many memories will be made on this trip...one that will not soon be forgotten. {And I'm so thankful my work travels with me! Another reason I love my job...I can do it as needed while I'm gone.} We will get to tour coffee plantations, wildlife zoo, and even get to volunteer with a non-profit org, helping people with disabilities and their families enjoy a day at the beach, for a snorkel day! It will be neat to see our children serve others and see the change in their hearts because of it {and Bob & I as well}. 

So that is what we will be up to in the rest of this month! 

Blessings ~ Heather

Weekday Wear

Weekday Wear by messybunch featuring dolman sleeve tops

  This has pretty much become my Traveling Suit when we travel back and forth from Eastern Washington to the West Side. It's perfect because it doesn't wrinkle! The skirt is super soft and wrinkle free, the sweater super comfy too. I add the leggings in the colder months, since you never know when you'll have to make a pit stop to go potty with 5 little ones! :) Sitting for 4hrs in the car can do a number on what you're wearing and your backside...so why not make it as pleasant as possible?

   I was introduced to these Miche Bags in December, and let me tell you, this woman is a genius! You buy a base, and shells to change out the look without emptying the contents of your bag every time. The shells have magnets in the corners and you either wrap it around the base, or slide it in depending on your shell type. Genius!! 
As always I've paired it with these beauties from lia sophia, Standing Ovation Earrings in Hematite , Flapper Necklace , Ryne, by Debbie Ring 
  *We try and make our trips as fun as possible. We sing songs, play car games, and trade off the iPod containing history lessons for Alexis and Ty. Make the best of 4hrs...'cause it's a long ride! We head out again this Friday for a weekend of friends and family!

My Top 3 Places to Travel...

Where might they be you wonder....?

Well needless to say, I surprised myself by deciding upon 3 that did not include hot beaches year round, skin smelling of coconut, sweat & hibiscus, drinks with umbrellas, monkeys swinging in trees, zip lines in the jungle or music with steel drums. Awhile ago I might have picked 2 out of 3 to be some tropical paradise, but as of now these are what it would be. Although these all do have beaches & sunshine, or at least a beautiful lake or two! :)

#3 GREECE



#2 ITALY
Although I think I might gain a few (alright a TON) of weight being here. Gelato, fresh bread bakeries, delectable desserts in so many shapes forms and flavors!!


Imagine staying at a B&B eating old family recipes, sipping wine (well if I drank wine, it would be an experience...lol) Let me dream! :) Looking out on the valley below wishing there was a villa...awaiting your company in which you fall in love with it (the house) and proclaimed "I'll take it!" (Yes, I know too many movies!)


#1 AUSTRIA The hills are alive with the sound of music...awhawhaaaawh

The hills are alive with the sound of music
With songs they have sung for a thousand years
The hills fill my heart with the sound of music
My heart wants to sing every song it hears

My heart wants to beat like the wings of the birds
that rise from the lake to the trees
My heart wants to sigh like a chime that flies
from a church on a breeze
To laugh like a brook when it trips and falls over
stones on its way
To sing through the night like a lark who is learning to pray

I go to the hills when my heart is lonely
I know I will hear what I've heard before
My heart will be blessed with the sound of music
And I'll sing once more

Can't you just picture yourself like Maria, spinning and singing and breathing the cool crisp fresh air? Boy I love that movie!


Do you think the bell hop wears Lederhosen in this hotel? Yeah, me either, but wouldn't that be a hoot? :)

Well these are my dreams. What are yours?!

Father & Son Retreat

I received an email from Vision Forum about their Father & Son Retreat in Winter Park, Colorado and am so excited for this opportunity for Bob & Ty!

www.visionforumministries.org/events/fsr/

Bob & I have been praying about whether or not he should go and we both feel that he should. The only set back is the cost. It's not much cheaper to drive than fly to Colorado, so we can't save the money driving like we thought. So, would you please pray for us to know that this is really God's desire for us, and that He would provide the means to get there? It's something that we feel is very pivotal in Ty's life and Bob's role as a father. What a great opportunity to hear, see, and be involved in something that is purposefully there to make you a better father and give you the tools needed for bringing up children who love and fear the Lord! What an opportunity for Ty to be with other godly young men who are there for the sole purpose of learning about their roles as children of God, and how to live a life pleasing to our Lord! So, please pray that this would work if the Lord is willing. :)

*Maybe you should make a day for a walk or hike with your son. (thanks, Jamie for all the great tips!)

Father's now a days don't realize the role they have as Daddy, is so crucial in the outcome of their children's lives. We are a pleasure centered generation. That pretty much gives dads the pass for no responsibility. As long as they pay the bills and provide a roof, their job is done...or so they think. Can you imagine the greatness that could come from a family who has a dad who purposefully involved in their children's lives? It would be astounding! Instead of the "what's in it for me" mentality, why not try "what can I do for you" as Christ calls us to?!

Memorial Day Camping

The Boys are ready to go!


Sunday, we got the wild idea to take the kids fishing/camping out on the island at Swift Lake. Bob's dad drove us out to it with the boat, and we fished and ate! Luckily, Alexis, Ty, and Gabe all caught a fish by the end of the night.

Ty's big catch! He reeled it in all by himself. :)
Alexis' big catch! This was a second attempt at a fish. The first one got away...
Gabriel's night fish. He caught the biggest one! 14 inches long, but he wasn't very happy about getting the picture taken. :)
Ty, Alexis, Daddy, Gabe, and Grandpa with their catches.
Alexis and Addison goofing off Monday morning. Maybe the Fruit Loops make you "fruity?"
Grandpa, Gabriel, and Daddy fishing for more trout.
Our camp site on the island. Grandma is hanging out with Addie while we moved out by the logs for better luck.
Mommy and Addie...her trademark smile!
One last look at our island on the way back to the docks.