What a Week!

It's been a big week here at the Wilkersons! John Merritt starting kindergarten is the biggest news. We homeschool, so we are at liberty to begin when we choose. I thought it would be a good idea to get an early start since baby #3 will make his/her appearance sometime right after Christmas. John Merritt had a great first week! Mom made a boo boo with the calendar and put the wrong date on the little sign he is holding. We actually began on Tuesday August 2nd. Can someone please write "dork" on my forehead? You can see in the picture that our school calendar is wrong also. We also instituted our first chore chart for John Merritt. I listed all of the tasks he is responsible for throughout the day and he has been keeping track with a marker. As of Thursday though, we changed to stickers. Bet you can't guess why! The chore chart has been great and has really helped him take initiative to keep himself and his room neat and tidy. It's so nice to have a child dressed, with his bed made and pajamas put away before you even get out of bed! Way to go John Merritt!
Sam has had a banner week as well. We began the journey through potty training 2 weeks ago, and I think he's really gotten the hang of it. Not that we aren't without our accidents, but he's doing great and staying dry most of the time.
We had a few animal visitors. Two of them I was able to snap pictures of, but the little fawn that plays in our yard eluded my camera once again.
We celebrated a wonderful week with a trip to the bouncy place at the mall with some good buddies and fellow homeschoolers. I think the pictures and video will tell all! Thanks guys for a fun time!
Here are all of the pictures! Enjoy!

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Chickens, Songs and Cuties

ok, so I'm back on the smilebox kick. It is just so much quicker to upload video to a smilebox than youtube. Youtube takes so long my computer usually crashed before it finished uploading. So here's another smilebox for you! Enjoy!

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Painting Party Goodies and a Big Mermaid Cake!

The bakery has been hopping this week! I had 2 projects for this weekend. One was rather small in numbers, but challenging all the same. A really smart mommy friend of mine celebrated her daughter's 5th birthday with a painting party. So much fun! I made a mini cake and matching cupcakes.
Love the cupcakes!

I also made cookies in the shape of cupcakes and iced them in white. The party girls used edible markers to decorate them! Thanks Laura! Always a pleasure!

My other cake for the weekend was one John Merritt would deem "big honkin' cake." It was really fun to work on. Love, love it when people give me free reign. I loved how it turned out. Everything is edible except the dowel supports inside the cake and the sticks holding the topper on the top of the cake. The topper is made out of white chocolate.
Fondant seashells and brown sugar for sand.

The coral is made with plain old sugar and food coloring. You boil sugar and a little water to a high temperature then you pour it over ice. I sprinkled mine with sanding sugar. Can't wait to use that technique again!
Thanks Laura (yes, the birthday girls and the moms had the same names!) it was a joy to make Caroline's cake!

Happy 5th Birthday John Merritt!

John Merritt turned 5 today! My how time flies! It seems like only yesterday we were heading to the hospital to meet our first child. And now, he's 5!
In just 5 short years, John Merritt has grown into a wonderful young man who has a deep love for his family and for Jesus. He is learning new things everyday and is such a delight to be around. We love you dearly John Merritt and thank God for you! Happy Birthday!

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4th of July Fun!

On Sunday night, our church family gathered at the park for a joint 4th of July church service. It was a bit warm, but wonderful to be able to celebrate not only our wonderful country, but also the freedom we find in Christ.
Monday, Jason had to preach a funeral for a dear man from our church that passed. Mr. Loyd will be greatly missed. We served on the benevolence committee together. I guarantee Mr. Loyd had the best 4th of July ever! The boys and I made our way to Roxboro for a visit with Grammy and Papa. It was a great visit with lots of yummy food from the garden! We returned home in time for a big thunderstorm that canceled everyone's fireworks plans.
My family has been ragging me about not doing smileboxes anymore. So, at long last, another smilebox!

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Famous Family Quotes

There were a few moments today, when the words that came out of the mouths of several of my family members were too funny.
It started with my husband Jason after he brought me the shirt we bought him for Father's Day.
Mom- "so, it didn't fit?"
Dad-"no, the sleeves were too short"
Mom-"would a bigger size work?"
Dad- "I don't think so. And can I just comment on the kind of shirts you buy me?"
Mom- "you don't like what I pick out?"
Dad- "I'm not really into plaid."
Now, this exchange probably isn't funny to you and you're probably wondering why I posted it. I really don't know, I just thought it was so sweet the way my husband told me he didn't like my clothing finds. He kind of had a sheepish look on his face too. And later, at dinner, he told me to stop putting cheese on his hamburger. We've been married 10 years people!

The next moment happened during the dinner blessing. Our 4 year old was the #1 prayer, and he thanked God for the food, his Dad and the chickens. I see where I fall in the lineup. Then he quickly asked God to please let him be able to put a leash on his favorite chicken Clucky. I can't wait to see that.

After dinner, we were playing in the floor when the 4 year old asked me, "Why are your legs so fat?" What am I going to do with these guys?

Easter, Gardens and School

I snapped a few pictures during school the other day! Wow, imagine that! A picture without a cake in it! Here's a neat project we started last week: illustrating the 23rd Psalm, a passage we are committing to memory.
John Merritt decided e wanted to write a book about a trip to the library.

Here's Samuel working on his "school."

Here are a few words from John Merritt's spelling list. His penmanship is getting better. Hopefully, it will end up being a lot better than mine!
We've been working on building a few more raised garden beds. Here's Sam hard at "work."
John Merritt working the soil, getting ready to add more dirt and other fun stuff (I'm talking about that yellow bag with the picture of the cow on it!)


Sacked out after a hard day in the garden.
I always try and get a family Easter picture. Samuel was not thrilled.

Sam in Sunday School.

My poor short legged child.

Dad also built a nice picnic table for us! Good job Daddy!
This is our friend Stick that John Merritt found. Look at how dirty my child is! The bathtub has been working overtime lately. I'm ready for when the weather is warm enough I can just hose them off outside. Aaahhh the joys of country living!


another dirty boy!

Stay tuned for garden updates!!