FIVE on Friday

WELCOME!!!!  After a few months "off" from participating in FIVE on FRIDAY...I'm back!  A little late...but back!

[ONE]

Although it's still hot...summer is winding down. 

We are SO busy and I like it, but I also miss leisurely days.

[TWO]

Random:  I LOVE Whataburger's Spicy Ketchup.  If I "happen" to grab a few too many, they always come home with me.  Is that stealing?

[THREE]

Found dead in the kitchen...

Is that what I think it is? 

[FOUR]

Sometimes I get random tweets from people who confuse me with Le$liE H. from LHministries (google him).

I mean...hysterical!!

I sure do "lower the boom" from time to time though!

[FIVE] 

The things people sell on the FB Shop till you Drop are always a bright spot in my day...

I took a screen-shot of this ad straight from my news feed.  He's for real.

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Y'all come back WEDNESDAY for our no-fuss link-up party, What You Wish Wednesday!  You can link-up any recent post from your blog.  

Happy Friday, y'all!!!!

What You Wish Wednesday No. 15, Features, and Announcement

Welcome to What You Wish Wednesday No. 15.  I'm so glad to have you!  Last week's party was fantastic and I can't wait to share some of the greatness with you.  **Don't miss the announcement at the end of the post!!

On to the features...

Caprese Pasta Salad | Mary Martha Mama

An Intro to Hillbilly Jive | The Contented Wife Blog

Y'all check out the other hostesses' blogs (Nikki, Melissa, and Stasia) and check out their feature picks from last week's party

Features, be sure to grab a button for your blog!!! Thanks again for linking up to What You Wish Wednesday!

<center> </center> <center> <a href="http://www.ourjoyhisglory.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="OurJoyHisGlory" src="http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc497/lhale794/What%20You%20Wish%20Wednesday/ceb4206a-d2b0-4066-b632-35910c3a6eca.jpg"/></a></center> </center> <center>

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Big Announcement!!!  What You Wish Wednesday is growing and it's awesome!  We're excited to announce that Amanda from Cultivate Create will be joining our team of hostesses!   Amanda has an incredible blog--tutorials, home decor, DIYs, family fun, and more!  Check it out HERE.

Amanda will join us next week!!  If you have a moment, check out her wonderful blog!

Let's get this party started!  I’m thrilled you've stopped by and I hope you will share a recent post of your choosing with us.  While you’re here, take a few minutes to check out some of the shared links (below).  

WYWW Details:

• Share a recent post from your blog. 
• Include the WYWW button (code below) and/or a visible link-back to this post.  

• Check out a few of the shared links.
• By submitting a link, you are giving me authorization to feature your post.  If your post is featured, I will include a picture and a link to your site to share the love!
• Follow along: 

LESLIE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN'

MELISSA | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN'  NIKKI | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN'

STASIA | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN'

WYWW Button:

<center> </center> <center> <a href="http://www.ourjoyhisglory.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="OurJoyHisGlory" src="http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc497/lhale794/What%20You%20Wish%20Wednesday/a81e8350-c338-4270-ae33-626ba7c2376d.jpg"/></a></center> </center> <center>

An InLinkz Link-up

Ice Bucket Challenge

Unless you live under a rock, you've seen all of the ALS ice bucket challenges.  My family has participated and we've enjoyed supporting this great cause. Here's the girls' challenge:   The girls' ALS ice bucket challenge from Leslie Hale on Vimeo. ********************************************* Y'all don't forget to get your post ready to link-up tomorrow for What You Wish Wednesday!  I am sharing a couple of features and we have a big announcement about the link-up!  I hope to see y'all tomorrow!

Back to School Treats--TWO Free Printables

TWO posts in one day!!  Wowza!  Click HERE to check out the A&W root beer teacher treat--free printable.   Like I said earlier, the first day of CC is this Wednesday!!  I am excited to meet the kiddos who will be in my group (Apprentices).  I made them a little something, too:

Suggestions:  print on white card stock (scroll to the bottom for printable) and cut out, put a few Starburst candies in a little bag, hole-punch card, tie ribbon around bag, and attach card.

Suggestions: print on white card stock, cut along the dotted lines and thread a pencil through the center.

[8X10 printable]

 [8X10 printable]

Linking up:  Hip Homeschool Moms

Teacher Treat--Free Printable

It's that time again--time to start another school year! Although my kiddos are homeschooled, we attend Classical Conversations once a week.  Wednesday will be our first day and we are SUPER excited! Typically, I make something for the girls to give their tutors and/or caregivers, but this year I am AG's tutor so that makes things a little different.  Easy fix:  I'm taking a little treat to my fellow tutors (one being Edy's), and Joy's babysitter.

When I was a public school teacher, I loved a little treat now and then.  Those Snicker bars and Dr. Peppers really came in handy on that first week of school!!! 

There are tons...and tons...and tons of teacher gift ideas floating around Pinterest.  Here's another one to add to the mix...

[8X10 printable] It's going to be an AWESOME year!!!  I just know it! Linking up: It's Overflowing, Hip Homeschool Moms

Birthday Celebration

I'd say that Miss Ava Grace had a fabulous birthday celebration.  Here's the scoop:

We went on a little vacay/retreat for a couple of days...

(from left to right) 1: KK and I chillin' in front of the faux fireplace 2: AG requested grilled cheese and pretzels for her bday dinner (not what I would have picked, but it was her day!) 3, 4, 5: Pedicures with KK 6: New watch from Tat and Gaga; lots of Ever After High stuff from Na, Pops, and KK; new clothes and gift cards from Aunt Dorothy; books and money from Aunt Ann; earbuds from Aunt Kelsey/Uncle Josh; stamp pad set from Uncle Corey; and a diary WITH A LOCK! from Mamaw. 7: $25 dollars from Gran and she picked a Puppy Surprise   8: A huge hot tub in our cabin and the girls loved it 9: JoJo chillin' at the indoor waterpark

AG picked out her cake design: Wait for it...FROZEN!

On our final day, we hung out at the pool and grilled burgers and hot dogs for dinner.  It was a nice, relaxing day of fun in the sun! It goes without saying that AG's bday was a success and every bit as good as Christmas morning!

WYWW Tomorrow!

Y'all come back tomorrow for WHAT YOU WISH WEDNESDAY!!!  I have some awesome features to share and so do the other hostesses:

LESLIE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN'

MELISSA | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN'

NIKKI | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN'

STASIA | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN'

First Day of School

School has officially started at our house!  We kicked off bright and early but made sure to get a "first day of school" pic:

We keep a fixed routine during our homeschool year.  The girls eat breakfast, make beds, get dressed/brush teeth, and we start school at 9am.

We will meet for Classical Conversations on Wednesday which is going to be a big change for us--previously on Monday.

I am humbled and thrilled to be discipling my girls! This is my best teaching job ever!

{to know God and make Him known}

[free printable] if interested. Linking up:  Hip Homeschool Moms

Compare & Collage

I'm a record keeper.  You know those baby books that most people stop filling out after a few months?  Yeah, I meticulously fill it out from start to finish.  I enjoy records and looking back in time at how my kid have grown and changed. 

Another way I like to keep records is through photographs.  

Y'all already know that I'm a fan of the rock wall at the park near our house.  Just look at how my sweeties have changed over the past few years.

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On another note, I'm crazy over a good collage.  Here's my latest FB cover:

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Y'all come back tomorrow for What You Wish Wednesday and share a recent post with us!  

summer pics

I've said time and time again that I'm no photographer.  I enjoy taking pics of my sweeties and growing in my understanding of the camera and editing process.  It's no easy task to get three kiddos to smile (naturally) and look at the camera all at the same time.  In fact, it's nearly impossible.  After each session, I race home (exhausted) and begin looking through the 400+ shots. Most often, I end up with four-six decent photos.  Every once in a while, I'll have a truly wonderful shot.

Today, I'm sharing the pics from our latest photog session...

Come back each day this week.  I already have my posts scheduled and ready to go!