September 27, 2010

School moments...

This past month has been quite a fun adventure for us.

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We had a little project and sailed the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria in the bath tub!

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Eli is great at finding other uses for things...who knew the Nina could be such a great mask!

Once a month we joined several other kiddos for a Science field trip. This time the boys learned about animal defenses!

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Seth very impatiently waiting to pet the Guinea Pig.

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The boys' favorite...a Blue Tongued Skink...

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Touching him!

They also were able to check out a gecko, and some Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches (yuck!).

E stayed with a friend and the older boys had a great time. They are already excited about the next one!

September 24, 2010

Baby faces...

This little girl is stealing hearts wherever she goes! She is starting to be a bit more content and smiling a lot! She also loves to keep Mommy in her line of sight!

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Sporting a very cute dress from Grandma Pam!

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Sitting on my lap while I try to grab a smile!

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Being distracted by big brother Zach. Look at those roly poly arms!

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Caught the end of the smile! Sweet sweet sweet!

September 23, 2010

Scouts...

Tiger Scouts here we come!!

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Z has tried on his uniform several times this week. He said "I am so proud of myself JUST for signing up!"

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I have always loved a boy in uniform!

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His favorite part is the "neckerchief."

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His first meeting...he learned the "sign" "salute" and "handshake;" and already came home with the infamous Popcorn sale fundraiser (any takers, Christmas is right around the corner?)

An Orphan's Wish

There is so much sadness in our world. There is so many children and families who have nothing. We on the other hand are blessed beyond measure! We have so much that we don't know what to do with it all! Something the Justin and I are learning...and praying for, is more compassion! We are looking for tangible ways to touch those around us. An Orphan's Wish was one of our first steps.

My words won't do them justice, so here is a direct quote from their web page: "An Orphan’s Wish, founded in February 2008 and staffed by volunteers, is committed to caring for some of the “least of these”: orphaned, special needs children in China. With your financial support we are able to be His hands and feet, providing these children with medical attention, therapy, education and an abundance of loving care. As we watch them learn to trust that all their needs will be met, smiles emerge, confidence blossoms and little personalities flourish… this is where the real life change occurs. It is our goal that we give each child roots to grow and wings to fly."

The boys spend almost an hour looking at all of the pictures and stories of these sweet little ones...Take a look on the side bar to see who they chose to sponsor! They are so excited...and looking forward to sending some cards and goodies to these special little boys! I guess really it is easy to just send money somewhere or to someone...it's a small sacrifice in comparison to others we know. We hope this is just the first step for us...leading us to other ways to help those around us!

September 14, 2010

Crocpot...

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Now that there are 4 of these "Crocpots" within a very short distance from our house, we have decided to forgo using our bathrooms for a while! That should save on cleaning supplies!! It will be nice when our house is surrounded by completed houses rather than under construction ones!

September 12, 2010

Baby...what baby??

I almost forgot that there was a sweet and adorable baby girl here that hasn't had the proper exposure here on my blog...thanks to those of you who pointed this out to me!

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This sweet baby girl is growing. I no longer get stopped in the store with someone saying "Now that is a new baby...how old?" or "That cry sounds like a new baby!" She is no longer all scrunchy; and after 3 weeks of acne...her complexion is beautiful!

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This sweet baby girl has about 60 minutes of happy time between each nap. Thirty of those minutes are eating...fifteen of those are laying down and kicking...and fifteen of those are taking a bath! This has to be one of her favorite activities!

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This sweet baby girl is blessing her Mommy with about 9 solid hours of sleep at night!

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This sweet baby girl is smiling like crazy. In fact, today, she was smiling and cooing at a couple in church - two rows behind us!

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This sweet and beautiful girl is bringing so much joy to our home...along with pink dresses, ribbons, and big flowers! We wouldn't want it any other way!

September 10, 2010

Our First Week

I had it all planned out...the lesson plans done...the chore chart up...the worksheets torn out...and the time table finished. The perfect week was going to happen! Then life happened! Strep throat found it's way into our home. Paige decided to NOT nap; and after me being sick, nursing issues just seemed to compound her problem. It was a crazy week...and it was PERFECT!! What I enjoyed the most (which surprised me), was spending time with my kids. I loved watching my kiddos learn and explore...and I loved leaving all of the other things behind to just BE with them!

Monday was Labor Day.

Tuesday was great...We did traditional school. We talked about rules and about what our days would look like. The boys loved their notebooks, journals, and supply boxes. Little did I know sickness was lurking around the corner!

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Wednesday...no pictures. Z and I got strep throat; and Justin had a little child bearing procedure done :)

We were still pretty sick Thursday morning.

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Zach started out the day reading on the couch...

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Maps and breakfast still at the couch

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Eli thankfully felt well all week. Well enough to get into trouble...and want to participate in EVERYTHING. Thankfully Justin was home this week to help out with him.

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By late morning, we were able to catch up on a few things that we had missed on Wednesday. The boys were dressed....I didn't make it out of my pajamas until after dinner.

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Afternoon held a Science experiment. We talked about experiments, theories, observation, and results. Everyone except Mommy (this was planned) theorized that the egg would sink in salt water.

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After observation...I was proved wrong! The egg did indeed float!

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By Thursday evening all boys (including Daddy) were well enough to participate in some water baloon baseball! Very fun!!

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Seth was pretty excited about this P.E. class!

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Dad showing E the technique! The pitchers were too hot though!

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Friday after our work was done we headed out on a nature walk. The boys had their journals ready!

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There is a couple of ponds a short distance from our home. Zach found a bunch of Mussel shells.

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E was really excited about the flowers. Our friend Grace joined in on the fun as well.

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Seth and Grace journaling all of the exciting things they were finding. Seth colored about a dozen pictures in his journal. Zach only had one (shows the difference in their personalities)!

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Zach fished a lily pad out of the pond.

What a great week we had! We will have to tweek things a bit next week. But we look forward to the changes and the things that are to come.

I will leave you with something I read...talking about "What I wish someone had told me during my first year of homeschoolin." (Thanks Amy)

"I wish that someone had told me how much fun having my children with me would be. I wish they had reminded me of the inherit joy in motheing and the small but delightful experiences we could share together...I learned the biggest part of homeschooling is the fun - the small joys, the sudden hilarity - those family moments we couldn't hope to reproduce of explain to someone else." E. Davis

September 7, 2010

School House...

After much praying, seeking counsel, and thought, Justin and I decided to bring our boys home to home school this year. The last 2 weeks have been full of preparation, excitement, and nervousness for me! Since I am not a "fly by the seat of my pants" type of person, I really wanted to be organized and ready. With Justin's help, we are ready to start school this morning!

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The boys each have their own section with school supplies, notebooks, books, and journals. E just has a supply box, which he has already been into several times!

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My supplies!

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I knew I saved Seth's alphabet crafts for a reason.

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This is a timeline that Zach (Seth if he wants to) and I will be filling in as we learn about a few U.S. History events.

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Grandpa gave the boys this clock a while ago. We finally have the perfect place and use for it. We will hear a tractor revving it's engine when school is done for the day!

As Justin mentioned to me...I forgot to take a picture of the table that he crafted from a desk. I'm sure you will see pictures of it later. Sorry Justin!

We are so excited about this year.

September 5, 2010

The Zoo...

We hit the zoo this weekend with some new friends. Seeing the zoo through the eyes of 5 little boys is a whole new experience! We spend a large portion of our time in the Bird and Reptile House...and were too exhausted complete the tour of the Wilds the Africa portion.

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After being in the heat for about 4 hours we started hearing cries of weariness. We weren't sure that we could get 5 sets of tired legs to the car in one piece!

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Our little newborn added a whole new perspective as well. She didn't really enjoy the zoo all that much...or the car ride...or the hotel...better luck next time!