Ferrara's in Florida

This lil guy doesn't get too many privileges at his young age.  He does; however, receive one-on-one Daddy time since they're the only two in the house that wake up before the sun.

What does one do when one finds a leaf bug? But of course, study it, touch it, google it, youtube it, and sometimes bury it if necessary.  Joel is getting the hang of making his bed.  This photo captures his personal passions-- Spider Man sheets on display (because the striped comforter is just not as pleasing to his eyes), his stuffed sheep souvenir from Pops & Mimi  to the right of the Spider Man pillow topped with a football... and his baseball medal is hanging from his lamp...with lego creations as nighstand decor These are the wonderful new friends & neighbors God gave us when we moved last year to a new subdivision.  We decided to have a ladies' dinner together.  The sultry summer keeps us indoors and we see less of each other during this drawn out season.  It was fun to reconnect with the "hillcrest housewives."

Showing me via picture that he kept his hands to himself :) Joel spent the afternoon with Daddy and his friend, who enjoyed a quick plane ride to Jacksonville.  There, they test-drove a new boat. This is one courageous, adventurous & fun kid!

Joel, with kindergarten capabilities & near endless energy, has taken up the counter space from one end to the other. More of Joel's work station--drawing & fall art model After school, the workbooks and library books pile high on the kitchen table.  I enjoy the remnants of a good day because the day's memories linger.  I sometimes miss my 3 big kids when they are away at afternoon sports practice.

Neighbors -- These are the only girls in our cul de sac; 3 girls: 10 boys Ruby Simone (8), Ella Joy (8 1/2), Sable 9 1/2 Kicked back relaxing Fun at the dentist while Ruby & Joel were having their teeth cleaned Baby Chloe Louise down under

2-year old Sable Yukari with her baby blanket and a bag of goodies for the plane

What could be better than a fun field trip with Pops and Mimi at the beach?  The kids said if Daddy could've come, it would've been an A+.  How incredibly convenient that we studied the Titanic & Paul's shipwreck just days before during Bible, science and history classes. Sable--9, Ruby Simone--8, Joel 5 1/2 The Fabulous Four with Pops and Mimi (I just love that my girls will wear matching dresses) Inside of Ripley's The Titanic Exhibit

James Richard turns 9 months tomorrow, on 9-10-16.  He eats three meals a day by choice, and he nurses 3-4 times a day.  This sweet baby boy stands up and pushes anything that will move with him, but he sits down before taking a step independently.  He loves his siblings, and they make him laugh hard and often.  Everything he can fit into his mouth goes in, and whatever doesn't fit gets a good licking.  His favorite toys are the Tupperware cabinet, exersaucer and a baby book with furry patches throughout.  While he still complains about his car seat, he did a mighty fine job riding 4+ hours to and from the beach.

Pops and James Richard, who is one week shy of 9 months Wearing Pops' glasses Doing What They Do:  Making Cookies When I asked all 3 kids what their favorite memory of PCB was, hands down it was "Crabbing with Mimi"

These are the best and only pics I have from Ruby Simone's 8th birthday at Pops and Mimi's condo  

This is what yesterday's morning assembly looked like for school. :)  No shirt? Not a problem. Warm fuzzy blankets at school?  No problem.  Baby interruptions?  We love them!   Our morning assembly time is reminiscent of St. Margaret Mary elemetary school days:  prayer, pledge of allegiance, and Scripture memory. Then we have Bible reading together.  Some of my best memories are when my Dad read Bible stories to my siblings and me.  We used to do it at night with Mom leading the prayer time, but at this time morning works better for the Ferrara family.  Our pastor preached on Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego two weeks prior, and the kids wanted to know more, more, more about these teenage boys.  We moved to the book of Daniel and read many of the stories in that book.  I vividly recall to this day the first time I heard the story of the fiery furnace.  My dad was sitting on the couch--my mom across from him, the kids gat...