Ferrara's in Florida

34 weeks 38 weeks and about to pop!

Batman with his Batdog Even superheroes eat breakfast Super Man learning school work with teacher & big sister Sable (The girls frequently ask to teach him and Joel especially enjoys Sable's instruction)

Our children were asked to record a Christmas commercial for the local Christian radio station.  They didn't hesitate to say an emphatic yes to the opportunity, showed up with their usual fully energized little selves, and followed instructions all the way through the end.  Bravo!  Very proud of them. Joel recorded first and was AWESOME! No fear, brave and very fun Our beautiful, sweet Sable Ruby in white, with her sweet voice like MMG's

After an at-home summer course of art history and creating our own art at home with mixed media, all three children enrolled in art this fall.  We realized the time commitment of 75 minutes per class was just too long for Joel, he only endured 2 classes.  Sable and Ruby have worked with several media and learned many types of art.   During the month of November the girls worked on an art architecture project building this bridge.  Spencer Shey, a family friend, and the two girls were a team of 3.  Once the bridge was complete, the class used replicas of their bridges for print-making.  Those should be ready for viewing on www.artsonia.com next week.  (Artsonia.com is the online children's art museum where all 3 children's art work is for viewing.)

The kids are hanging out in trees Both Girls with purses, journals, you name it, up in that tree

Sable on the left at USAG Florida State Level 2 Meet Best Performance of the Year & Of Her Gymnastics Career! Ruby spent the weekend with teammate Carsyn since I'm too pregnant to travel out of town (midwife's orders) Level 3 Meet Largo, Florida

I worked the meet during Sable's competition as a volunteer. I had a great seat watching her but I wasn't able to capture photos. Ruby and I posed with her FIVE medals. Both young ladies scored their best of the season today!

My friends threw me a surprise baby shower.   I was really surprised and felt very honored that  my mom friends would give up a night with their families  to spend it with me.  With all of us in the same season of life-- raising little children through teens-- it's rare that we get to spend a girls' night together. Ty did such a great job on the food. Those cups are filled with a fall salad, so yummy! Sarah and me... and a bunch of yummy desserts!

How Cute is This?

What a Treat! Nana and the kids cooked me dinner AND did all of the dishes My helper enjoying a pear after naptime Most children sit down while doing homework. Some children stand up to complete work. The Rubester, well, here she is finishing her spelling.

Was like old times with Joey and Niki Super fun!

New Haircuts and Lunch with Daddy Sabey Sabes (3rd from left) 4-Way Tie for Fifth on Vault Ruby=2nd from right Joel receiving a treat (videos/iPad) during the awards ceremony & Ruby draped in medals   Joel in a real police car After walking up to a policeman and bravely sharing with him that, "When I grow up I want to be a police man too" the officer let Joel sit in his car and turn it on, steer the wheel and he even was handcuffed at his request. Best. Day. Ever. This Week.

Jason, PF's former boss more views from new construction sky rise exotic spices in Chelsea Market West Village townhome on Horatio St Broadway show

Teaching Joel is super fun!  While studying South America and Bolivia with the kids out of Sable's curriculum, we decided to touch on Central America and Panama.  How do we make this interesting for a  4-and-a-half year old boy with an interest in baseball?  Why, Mariano Rivera's story came in handy.   So many different topics for teaching a little boy, materials I never knew of when teaching Sable and Ruby preschool--seated work with fireman and police lessons, counting from 1-10 with footballs, baseballs and bats, and lots of play time...lately behind a home-made home plate! Nana's Pops taught Joel how to hold a bat, throw a ball and use his glove. I noticed Joel even leaves one of his fingers outside of his glove, he is tooo cute!! Matching ball caps--Joel picked out the NYY--good choice, buddy! Watching yesterday's Yankees vs. Blue Jays game into extra innings, where one of our young neighbors & customers pitched as a closer for NYY

Yesterday's Scores: Vault 9.35 Bars 8.425 Beam 8.75  Floor 8.125 AA 34.65 Sable scored higher yesterday than she did for the 2014 State Meet last November.  Way to go, Sable!

She started the day over breakfast with Daddy. Afterwards, she went to work with him, dressed the part and all! Ending the evening with her special buddy, carrying him into bed with her

Joel started regular school sessions with me this summer. I don't think there's been a day when he's wanted to quit when it's him and me, one to one.  Sometimes he brings me his workbooks so that we can have two-a-days.  I'm thrilled to have a motivated student. :)

Selfie at 23 weeks Feeling good, baby is moving great Joel prays for baby James every morning and every evening. He talks about his baby brother so much, and James is even in his dreams. Yesterday he drew a picture of himself playing baseball. Daddy, Mommy and James were the fans behind home plate. Sable and Ruby, well...they didn't make the picture.

Matching with our neighbor, Ella, at church Sable, Ella, Ruby Simone Miss Brittany is so good to us.  When she visits, she often makes a few stops by our home. The kids were begging for me to leave so they could have her to themselves, but it didn't work out this time.

Florida, especially Alachua County, boasts multiple springs.  Poe Springs, located in the town of High Springs, proved very enjoyable on a 90+ degree August day.  The fresh spring water generally sits at 72 degrees year round.  Swimmers can view an underwater cave with wildlife, and one can walk to the Santa Fe River.  Daddy and the girls were able to jump from a tree into a river and they enjoyed it, despite the out of order rope swing.  I hope to make this an annual family day trip. Ruby Simone, almost 7 Mia, 8

We studied an introduction to art this summer.  Artists included Michelangelo, Toulouse-Lautrec, Picasso, DaVinci, Rembrandt and a few others.  The children created art in different forms: Expression through Costume Expression through Fashion & Shopping for Artistic Pieces Painting with Oils--outside of course Art through Architecture: Fire Station Thanks, Mimi, for the craft kit! Joel enjoyed it all, especially Art through Construction