Thursday, January 31, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Our Field Trip to the Montshire Museum By: Sis Age: 7
We went to the Montshire Museum yesterday!
We had lots of fun . . .
We woke up and quickly got ready and then packed lunch and got all of our stuff together and finally we were ready and went outside where Miss Kathy was waiting!
(Miss Kathy is my gymnastics teacher and she was leading us to the Montshire Museum!)
So we got in the car and started the long drive to Vermont from NH!
We finally reached there and we were going around a little loop because we didn't know that was the Main Entrance!
So we got out of the car laughing and decided to leave our lunch stuff in the car and finally were ready!
Miss Kathy said that she would meet us after we finished getting ready!
After that we went inside and waited for our group!
Once we got our group together we gave our money to Miss Kathy and she payed!
(It was only $4.00 to go to the Museum for our whole family!
We were surprised and excited!
Then after that we went and quickly started to do our big trip . . .
We went over to the coatroom and while Mom was hanging up our coats we saw a cool ball thing where we pulled down a lever that said READY . . .
then we pushed a lever up and down that said SET . . .
And then we pressed a button that said go and tryed to get it into the two little hoops!
After that Mom and I went over to the fish while Buddy and Dad tryed to get the ball into one of the hoops!
They succeeded so they came over and looked at the fish!
Then after that we looked at the little pictures of the fish and tryed to find them in the fish-tank!
Then after that we looked at some (what can you guess we saw?)
TURTLES!
We saw little ones!
Then after that we went and saw a chameleon thing where if you hold up the red glass you see spots and if you hold up the green glass you see big spots!
Then we went and saw a bike and you had to peddle the bike all the way until you had made enough energy that an elevator would have used!
Although it would take days to do it!
So after that we went to a thing that was a big wheel with a chain running down it and if you tug on the chain then the chain moves in zig-zag patterns!
After that we went to a cool thing where you can take a little object with a magnet that is inside the tank and pull it around to make all different kinds of cool waves!
After that we went to what was our favorite part!
The Bubble Area!
We and we blew bubbles with one thing and went over and a woman showed us how to take a thing make a bubble out of it and hold a little 'window' and hold it to the bubble and put our hand through it!
And then with the same thing we put our hands in water soapy water and we stuck our hands through the bubble and it didn't pop!
After that we took a big hoola hoop and then we slowly-slowly took it up and then it made a big bubble and then got smaller and smaller and eventually popped!
After that we went to a thing where you could hold bubbles and they wouldn't pop!
And after that we went to a thing which made wind and then it would pull a little boat around in circles!
After that we went to a thing with little tubes that you could hook together and then we put the ball through it and it goes through the tunnel and pops out!
It was cool!
And then after that we I went to a thing which Buddy was doing he was moving sand around with a little crank!
After that I went to a thing where you spin a ball and try to make it do a little figure eight!
After that I called Mom and showed it to her!
After that we went over to a thing which had a wrench and we spinned a little crank!
And then when you did the little crank the wrench spun like crazy!
It was really funny!
After that we went to a thing where you spin pennies and they go into a little hole!
And we went to a cool thing where water drips!
And we made it so that it looked like the water was going up!
Then we went upstairs and saw a moose!
We then went over to a cool mirror and we stood with our nose to it and lifted one leg and then we looked like we were flying!
It was fun!
Then we went over to a thing with a hair-dryer and we blew it on a star and we pressed our hand on it and then held it up to TV and it looked like we had a star on our hand!
After that we went to a thing with cool blocks and then we made something with it so that the ball could roll down it and so it would not fall the whole time!
We did and it worked!
It was cool!
After that Mom and I went to a computer and clicked on ultrasound and it showed all kinds of stuff the baby was doing!
(Even sucking his/her thumb!)
It was really cute!
Then we went and saw a beautiful butter-fly!
And Buddy and I then got our picture taken in front of a beautiful thing with all kinds of butterflies and birds!
Then we went to a cool thing where balls were moving all around!
And then we went and took paper drew half of a picture and then drew the other half of the picture on the other side!
For Example: . . .
I drew a birthday cake with candles on it!
And then I taped on a straw and spinned it really fast and it looked like a birthday cake with candles on it!
It was cool!
And after that we found Dad and saw a computer with a microscope you could move all around so that you could see all of the ants!
And after that we went and saw the real skin of a snake!
And after that we saw a cool cat thing where you could move your hand back and forth so that while you and your friend sat down you could move your hand against a board and it looked like you were putting your hand in front of your friends face and you weren't!
And then we went to a place where you saw real bees and you had to find the queen!
And then Buddy and I went all the way up a tower!
Then we came down and were hungry!
We couldn't find Miss Kathy but we went in the car ate our lunch and then happily with full tummies went home!
By: Sis
Age: 7
We had lots of fun . . .
We woke up and quickly got ready and then packed lunch and got all of our stuff together and finally we were ready and went outside where Miss Kathy was waiting!
(Miss Kathy is my gymnastics teacher and she was leading us to the Montshire Museum!)
So we got in the car and started the long drive to Vermont from NH!
We finally reached there and we were going around a little loop because we didn't know that was the Main Entrance!
So we got out of the car laughing and decided to leave our lunch stuff in the car and finally were ready!
Miss Kathy said that she would meet us after we finished getting ready!
After that we went inside and waited for our group!
Once we got our group together we gave our money to Miss Kathy and she payed!
(It was only $4.00 to go to the Museum for our whole family!
We were surprised and excited!
Then after that we went and quickly started to do our big trip . . .
We went over to the coatroom and while Mom was hanging up our coats we saw a cool ball thing where we pulled down a lever that said READY . . .
then we pushed a lever up and down that said SET . . .
And then we pressed a button that said go and tryed to get it into the two little hoops!
After that Mom and I went over to the fish while Buddy and Dad tryed to get the ball into one of the hoops!
They succeeded so they came over and looked at the fish!
Then after that we looked at the little pictures of the fish and tryed to find them in the fish-tank!
Then after that we looked at some (what can you guess we saw?)
TURTLES!
We saw little ones!
Then after that we went and saw a chameleon thing where if you hold up the red glass you see spots and if you hold up the green glass you see big spots!
Then we went and saw a bike and you had to peddle the bike all the way until you had made enough energy that an elevator would have used!
Although it would take days to do it!
So after that we went to a thing that was a big wheel with a chain running down it and if you tug on the chain then the chain moves in zig-zag patterns!
After that we went to a cool thing where you can take a little object with a magnet that is inside the tank and pull it around to make all different kinds of cool waves!
After that we went to what was our favorite part!
The Bubble Area!
We and we blew bubbles with one thing and went over and a woman showed us how to take a thing make a bubble out of it and hold a little 'window' and hold it to the bubble and put our hand through it!
And then with the same thing we put our hands in water soapy water and we stuck our hands through the bubble and it didn't pop!
After that we took a big hoola hoop and then we slowly-slowly took it up and then it made a big bubble and then got smaller and smaller and eventually popped!
After that we went to a thing where you could hold bubbles and they wouldn't pop!
And after that we went to a thing which made wind and then it would pull a little boat around in circles!
After that we went to a thing with little tubes that you could hook together and then we put the ball through it and it goes through the tunnel and pops out!
It was cool!
And then after that we I went to a thing which Buddy was doing he was moving sand around with a little crank!
After that I went to a thing where you spin a ball and try to make it do a little figure eight!
After that I called Mom and showed it to her!
After that we went over to a thing which had a wrench and we spinned a little crank!
And then when you did the little crank the wrench spun like crazy!
It was really funny!
After that we went to a thing where you spin pennies and they go into a little hole!
And we went to a cool thing where water drips!
And we made it so that it looked like the water was going up!
Then we went upstairs and saw a moose!
We then went over to a cool mirror and we stood with our nose to it and lifted one leg and then we looked like we were flying!
It was fun!
Then we went over to a thing with a hair-dryer and we blew it on a star and we pressed our hand on it and then held it up to TV and it looked like we had a star on our hand!
After that we went to a thing with cool blocks and then we made something with it so that the ball could roll down it and so it would not fall the whole time!
We did and it worked!
It was cool!
After that Mom and I went to a computer and clicked on ultrasound and it showed all kinds of stuff the baby was doing!
(Even sucking his/her thumb!)
It was really cute!
Then we went and saw a beautiful butter-fly!
And Buddy and I then got our picture taken in front of a beautiful thing with all kinds of butterflies and birds!
Then we went to a cool thing where balls were moving all around!
And then we went and took paper drew half of a picture and then drew the other half of the picture on the other side!
For Example: . . .
I drew a birthday cake with candles on it!
And then I taped on a straw and spinned it really fast and it looked like a birthday cake with candles on it!
It was cool!
And after that we found Dad and saw a computer with a microscope you could move all around so that you could see all of the ants!
And after that we went and saw the real skin of a snake!
And after that we saw a cool cat thing where you could move your hand back and forth so that while you and your friend sat down you could move your hand against a board and it looked like you were putting your hand in front of your friends face and you weren't!
And then we went to a place where you saw real bees and you had to find the queen!
And then Buddy and I went all the way up a tower!
Then we came down and were hungry!
We couldn't find Miss Kathy but we went in the car ate our lunch and then happily with full tummies went home!
By: Sis
Age: 7
Friday, January 25, 2008
Field Trip to Montshire Museum
Stephen was home from work today and joined us on a fabulous field trip to The Montshire Museum of Science in Vermont. We had a super time, and all of the kids enjoyed the engaging hands-on displays and activities. Even Baby Boy found something interesting to check out and experiment with at nearly every station. This trip brought back fond memories of my own experience (as a young homeschooled student) visiting this museum. I remembered so many of the displays that had fascinated me as a child. Sis plans to update you on some of the details when time permits. In the meantime, I'll post some pictures...
Our Trip Ice-skating By: Sis Age: 7
We went ice-skating for our first time!
Dad, Buddy and I were really excited and hopped into the car fast!
We could not wait because we had heard that at White Park you could rent skates there and Dad was especially excited because he didn't have skates!
(Buddy and I did have skates though!)
We were very excited and drove off to White Park!
When we got there we were a little disappointed because the skate house wasn't open at that time but Dad even though he still had his sneakers did skate anyway!
And so as beginners we started out with lots of falls but soon got the hang of it!
And when we did get the hang of it we went and we saw the skate house was open so we went there as fast as we could!
Then after Dad got his skates on it was his turn to fall!
But he learned a little faster then we did because he had skated before!
But the problem was if we were falling we couldn't hold on to him because we would pull him down to!
But we skated and soon got it!
We skated and we were able to skate fast but we still fell at the end!
So we skated for a long time and then Dad called Mom!
It was funny to see him on the ice with a cell-phone in his hand!
But then after that we skated for like 15 more minutes and headed home!
Then we dropped off Dad's skates and got in the car!
We enjoyed skating!
By: Sis Age: 7
Dad, Buddy and I were really excited and hopped into the car fast!
We could not wait because we had heard that at White Park you could rent skates there and Dad was especially excited because he didn't have skates!
(Buddy and I did have skates though!)
We were very excited and drove off to White Park!
When we got there we were a little disappointed because the skate house wasn't open at that time but Dad even though he still had his sneakers did skate anyway!
And so as beginners we started out with lots of falls but soon got the hang of it!
And when we did get the hang of it we went and we saw the skate house was open so we went there as fast as we could!
Then after Dad got his skates on it was his turn to fall!
But he learned a little faster then we did because he had skated before!
But the problem was if we were falling we couldn't hold on to him because we would pull him down to!
But we skated and soon got it!
We skated and we were able to skate fast but we still fell at the end!
So we skated for a long time and then Dad called Mom!
It was funny to see him on the ice with a cell-phone in his hand!
But then after that we skated for like 15 more minutes and headed home!
Then we dropped off Dad's skates and got in the car!
We enjoyed skating!
By: Sis Age: 7
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Providential Plumbing
This afternoon I enjoyed a brief respite from my teaching and housekeeping duties. My mom kindly offered to watch the kids so I could indulge in a half hour walk - to hear myself think and breathe some fresh January air. As I waddled my way up her road, I mused on this past week and the various challenges it has presented.
For some reason, we haven't been able to find our groove since Christmas vacation. This is due in part to all of the extra hours Stephen has worked (in anticipation of his upcoming trips to California). Our carefully planned schedule has failed time and again, and we have reached the end of many a 13-hour day feeling exhausted and overhwhelmed.
My reserves of energy and patience have been at an all time low as the kids and I have been cooped up inside, plugging away at prolonged school days and dealing with the antics and distractions of a bored 2 year old. Our resident "Picasso" has channeled his creative energies into redecorating our home. His handiwork has been found in the form of multi-colored tiles and elaborate murals on my walls. (Most parents just hide pills and sharp objects from their toddlers. I, on the other hand, must ban all pencils, crayons, paints and markers, - quite a challenge since every surface in our home is cluttered with school and art supplies). He has also channeled his boredom into dumping out everything he can get his hands on - toy bins, trash cans, math manipulatives, bags of crackers... How convenient that my vacuum cleaner broke just as this new habit emerged.
As I scaled snow banks and shivered my way along Primrose Lane, I considered my most recent Bible study in The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment. There was an odd analogy given which required quite a bit of mulling over before the meaning began to sink in. Burroughs spent nearly two pages comparing God's provision to pipes that run into our home. "A godly heart enjoys much of God in everything he has, and knows how to make up all wants in God Himself." He explains that "if the children of God have their little taken from them, they can make up all their wants in God himself...'The pipe is cut off,' says God, 'come to me, the fountain, and drink immediately...' Burroughs goes on to say, "...It may be, that is the reason why your outward comforts are taken from you, that God may be all in all to you. It may be that while you had these things they shared with God in your affection, a great part of the stream of your affection ran that way; God would have the full stream run to him now...when you enjoyed these things...a great deal of your affection ran waste...your (affections) are precious, and God would not have them to run waste; therefore he has cut off your other pipes that your heart might flow wholly to him." (Burroughs, pg. 66-67)
I might have dismissed this passage as interesting but somewhat irrelevent were it not for a tangile object lesson that God brought my way this week. Would you believe me if I told you that, with no warning, the water pipes in our home have gone completely bezerk? What a perplexing thing it is when you go to take a shower, and you're not sure what temperature of water (if any!) will come when you turn the faucet. And when you don't want water, it just seems to drip and pool in every place but where you need it. I nearly laughed out loud when the parallel between this nuisance of pipes and the challenges I'm up against in my day-to-day life hit me. How easy it would be, if things were always going smoothly, to dismiss my desperate need for God's help and intervention in every detail of my day and in the lives of my children. I have seen myself settle into subtle forms of spiritual laziness, where I presume upon God's goodness the way I assume that my faucets will provide water on demand. I pray that this lesson would not go to waste, that I would truly learn to draw my sustenance and significance from Him (not from my best-laid plans, accomplishments, or the blessings He brings along the way) and that "God may be all in all to me here in this world."
For some reason, we haven't been able to find our groove since Christmas vacation. This is due in part to all of the extra hours Stephen has worked (in anticipation of his upcoming trips to California). Our carefully planned schedule has failed time and again, and we have reached the end of many a 13-hour day feeling exhausted and overhwhelmed.
My reserves of energy and patience have been at an all time low as the kids and I have been cooped up inside, plugging away at prolonged school days and dealing with the antics and distractions of a bored 2 year old. Our resident "Picasso" has channeled his creative energies into redecorating our home. His handiwork has been found in the form of multi-colored tiles and elaborate murals on my walls. (Most parents just hide pills and sharp objects from their toddlers. I, on the other hand, must ban all pencils, crayons, paints and markers, - quite a challenge since every surface in our home is cluttered with school and art supplies). He has also channeled his boredom into dumping out everything he can get his hands on - toy bins, trash cans, math manipulatives, bags of crackers... How convenient that my vacuum cleaner broke just as this new habit emerged.
As I scaled snow banks and shivered my way along Primrose Lane, I considered my most recent Bible study in The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment. There was an odd analogy given which required quite a bit of mulling over before the meaning began to sink in. Burroughs spent nearly two pages comparing God's provision to pipes that run into our home. "A godly heart enjoys much of God in everything he has, and knows how to make up all wants in God Himself." He explains that "if the children of God have their little taken from them, they can make up all their wants in God himself...'The pipe is cut off,' says God, 'come to me, the fountain, and drink immediately...' Burroughs goes on to say, "...It may be, that is the reason why your outward comforts are taken from you, that God may be all in all to you. It may be that while you had these things they shared with God in your affection, a great part of the stream of your affection ran that way; God would have the full stream run to him now...when you enjoyed these things...a great deal of your affection ran waste...your (affections) are precious, and God would not have them to run waste; therefore he has cut off your other pipes that your heart might flow wholly to him." (Burroughs, pg. 66-67)
I might have dismissed this passage as interesting but somewhat irrelevent were it not for a tangile object lesson that God brought my way this week. Would you believe me if I told you that, with no warning, the water pipes in our home have gone completely bezerk? What a perplexing thing it is when you go to take a shower, and you're not sure what temperature of water (if any!) will come when you turn the faucet. And when you don't want water, it just seems to drip and pool in every place but where you need it. I nearly laughed out loud when the parallel between this nuisance of pipes and the challenges I'm up against in my day-to-day life hit me. How easy it would be, if things were always going smoothly, to dismiss my desperate need for God's help and intervention in every detail of my day and in the lives of my children. I have seen myself settle into subtle forms of spiritual laziness, where I presume upon God's goodness the way I assume that my faucets will provide water on demand. I pray that this lesson would not go to waste, that I would truly learn to draw my sustenance and significance from Him (not from my best-laid plans, accomplishments, or the blessings He brings along the way) and that "God may be all in all to me here in this world."
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Our Day At The Library! By: Sis Age:7
Here is my story about going to the library . . . (By: Sis)
Our Day At The Library (By Sis) (Age: 7
________________________
Mama, Sis, Buddy, and Mama's Baby were going to the library!
They were going because they had read the list for this month, (January) there was a reading program! They were excited and headed off to the library to see what the program was like! They were all very happy and they all had rushed through school as quick as lighting to get there by 3:30! And sure enough when they got there they were happy because they were there early enough to chose out books and movies and so they did quickly and then they sat down to wait until it was time and started reading books and playing with the animals on the shelf! Then to their surprise nobody but them were there! They were all excited to do it though still! And that day was the day everybody went to vote! So the librarian got out a book and started reading it . . .
It was about being president! It was very cool and very fun! We were excited! It told what was good about being president and other things that are bad about being president! One good thing is that you get to live in the White House! Also one bad thing is that you have to dress up every day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And it also told us that each person had a hobby! Lots knew about music! And lots knew about dancing! And we learned that the tallest president was Abraham Lincoln! We also learned that there have been lots of animals in the White House! Including racoons, rabbits, and many other animals! There even has been a horse that camme up the elavator! It was a very funny book! It was very cool! And then when the librarian closed the book she picked up a very hard quiz! The librarian helped us do the questions and then she pulled out two prizes for Sis and Buddy! They were two cars that you could create and then they even have glue and paint in the package! Buddy has done those before and loves them! He got very excited and so did Sis! Then she pulled out paper that could stick and then she gave them to Sis Buddy and Mama's Baby! They were excited to see what they had to do on them! We were supposed to draw what person we wanted to be president and we had stickers, glitter, markers, and crayons to do it with! We all had lots of fun and created our posters and when we finished them and were satisfied with them then we all washed our hands and started to clean up! Then Sis went checked out the books put back the library cards in the puses and wallets and then she went helped clean up the rest of the mess and then after that we all left said Thank You So Much! And that we would bring back cousins to also do it and left happy!
Our Day At The Library! By: Sis Age: 7
Our Day At The Library (By Sis) (Age: 7
________________________
Mama, Sis, Buddy, and Mama's Baby were going to the library!
They were going because they had read the list for this month, (January) there was a reading program! They were excited and headed off to the library to see what the program was like! They were all very happy and they all had rushed through school as quick as lighting to get there by 3:30! And sure enough when they got there they were happy because they were there early enough to chose out books and movies and so they did quickly and then they sat down to wait until it was time and started reading books and playing with the animals on the shelf! Then to their surprise nobody but them were there! They were all excited to do it though still! And that day was the day everybody went to vote! So the librarian got out a book and started reading it . . .
It was about being president! It was very cool and very fun! We were excited! It told what was good about being president and other things that are bad about being president! One good thing is that you get to live in the White House! Also one bad thing is that you have to dress up every day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And it also told us that each person had a hobby! Lots knew about music! And lots knew about dancing! And we learned that the tallest president was Abraham Lincoln! We also learned that there have been lots of animals in the White House! Including racoons, rabbits, and many other animals! There even has been a horse that camme up the elavator! It was a very funny book! It was very cool! And then when the librarian closed the book she picked up a very hard quiz! The librarian helped us do the questions and then she pulled out two prizes for Sis and Buddy! They were two cars that you could create and then they even have glue and paint in the package! Buddy has done those before and loves them! He got very excited and so did Sis! Then she pulled out paper that could stick and then she gave them to Sis Buddy and Mama's Baby! They were excited to see what they had to do on them! We were supposed to draw what person we wanted to be president and we had stickers, glitter, markers, and crayons to do it with! We all had lots of fun and created our posters and when we finished them and were satisfied with them then we all washed our hands and started to clean up! Then Sis went checked out the books put back the library cards in the puses and wallets and then she went helped clean up the rest of the mess and then after that we all left said Thank You So Much! And that we would bring back cousins to also do it and left happy!
Our Day At The Library! By: Sis Age: 7
Friday, January 4, 2008
Our Final Day of Christmas Vacation...
Today is our last day of school break. I had anticipated a day of laundry and cleaning and maybe a little Science prep when the phone rang. My mom (Grandma) was on the other end, calling to say that she had a crazy idea. How would we all like to pack our swimming gear and head over to the Holiday Inn for a morning of water fun with the kids? My brain spun out a bit as I tried to switch gears and imagine the amount of packing and bundling it would take to prepare my kids and myself for such an adventure. The kids (and Grandma) had enough enthusiasm for all of us, so, within record time, we dug out our swim toys and kickboards, found our bathing suits (mine was rather makeshift since my maternity suit disappeared), loaded up our woodstove, and hopped into the car. The thermometer registered 3 degrees F.
We had the greatest time! Mom and I took turns playing with the kids and swimming laps. What a pleasant change to feel weightless as I exercised! On the way home, Grandma surprised all of us with another treat - lunch at SubWay. Thoroughly tired from all of that play and satisfied with full tummies, we set home for rest time and a cozy movie by the woodstove. Thank you, Grandma, for giving us the best adventure we've had during this vacation week!
We had the greatest time! Mom and I took turns playing with the kids and swimming laps. What a pleasant change to feel weightless as I exercised! On the way home, Grandma surprised all of us with another treat - lunch at SubWay. Thoroughly tired from all of that play and satisfied with full tummies, we set home for rest time and a cozy movie by the woodstove. Thank you, Grandma, for giving us the best adventure we've had during this vacation week!
Our Last Day Of Christmas Break! By: Sis Age: 7
We have had a fun day today!
We had all eaten breakfast and we were going to start our chores when just then dad called!
He called and I (Sis) got to talk to him and so did Mom and Mama's Baby!
(Buddy didn't because he was in another room.)
We all talked to him and then the phone started getting fuzzy and Mom looked to see if anyone was calling and then she looked and she saw Grandma's phone number!
We talked to dad a little longer and then I turned off the phone and then Mom called Grandma!
Mom talked to Grandma and then she told Buddy and I to get ready to go swimming at the Holiday Inn!
We all got ready and then got the other stuff out and ready in the trunk and then we all got in and drove off to Grandma's house!
We picked her up and then we were laughing because the temp. was 3 below 0!
Then we drove off and we came into the parking lot and then we hurried down the stairs and then we went through the hall put Grandma's card in and hurried to the bathroom and changing-room to get into out bathing-suits!
We were happy and finally got all the coats and hats and mittens into the lockers and all our stuff and the swimming stuff and hurried to the pool!
We put our stuff on the holder for the other towls and changing stuff and then we quickly got into the water!
We were happy and excited because there was only 4 people there other then us!
Grandma, Buddy, and I all jumped under!
We were excited and not cold at all!
The water was warm!
Grandma and I started swimming with our floats!
Mama's baby was wondering where he was and wanted Mom until he saw a ball!
Mom walked over to the edge of the pool and the boys started playing ball instantly!
They were happy and Grandma watched them as Mom went and swam laps and then we swam a little more and did back-flips and somersaults in the water and back-floats in the water and then Grandma asked us if we wanted to go to the hot-tub with her!
We sat on the edge of the hot-tub and then we played with the bubbles for like 15 minutes and then Grandma and I went into the other pool!
Which when we went in it was now pretty cold!
We soon got used to it and then quickly the boys came in!
They soon got used to it!
And then we all played and the boys played ball again for awhile!
Then we gathered up all our stuff and quickly we all blow-dried our hair and changed!
Then we headed out to the elavator and then Grandma had told me a surprise that we told Mom in the car which was going to SubWay!
We all were very happy and said our orders!
We went inside ordered ate and then set out for Dunkin Doughnuts!
We got hot chocolate and then drank and then we went and brought Grandma home and said Thank You!
Then we said Good-bye!
And we headed home for rest-time!
We had a fun-time!
By: Sis Age:7
We had all eaten breakfast and we were going to start our chores when just then dad called!
He called and I (Sis) got to talk to him and so did Mom and Mama's Baby!
(Buddy didn't because he was in another room.)
We all talked to him and then the phone started getting fuzzy and Mom looked to see if anyone was calling and then she looked and she saw Grandma's phone number!
We talked to dad a little longer and then I turned off the phone and then Mom called Grandma!
Mom talked to Grandma and then she told Buddy and I to get ready to go swimming at the Holiday Inn!
We all got ready and then got the other stuff out and ready in the trunk and then we all got in and drove off to Grandma's house!
We picked her up and then we were laughing because the temp. was 3 below 0!
Then we drove off and we came into the parking lot and then we hurried down the stairs and then we went through the hall put Grandma's card in and hurried to the bathroom and changing-room to get into out bathing-suits!
We were happy and finally got all the coats and hats and mittens into the lockers and all our stuff and the swimming stuff and hurried to the pool!
We put our stuff on the holder for the other towls and changing stuff and then we quickly got into the water!
We were happy and excited because there was only 4 people there other then us!
Grandma, Buddy, and I all jumped under!
We were excited and not cold at all!
The water was warm!
Grandma and I started swimming with our floats!
Mama's baby was wondering where he was and wanted Mom until he saw a ball!
Mom walked over to the edge of the pool and the boys started playing ball instantly!
They were happy and Grandma watched them as Mom went and swam laps and then we swam a little more and did back-flips and somersaults in the water and back-floats in the water and then Grandma asked us if we wanted to go to the hot-tub with her!
We sat on the edge of the hot-tub and then we played with the bubbles for like 15 minutes and then Grandma and I went into the other pool!
Which when we went in it was now pretty cold!
We soon got used to it and then quickly the boys came in!
They soon got used to it!
And then we all played and the boys played ball again for awhile!
Then we gathered up all our stuff and quickly we all blow-dried our hair and changed!
Then we headed out to the elavator and then Grandma had told me a surprise that we told Mom in the car which was going to SubWay!
We all were very happy and said our orders!
We went inside ordered ate and then set out for Dunkin Doughnuts!
We got hot chocolate and then drank and then we went and brought Grandma home and said Thank You!
Then we said Good-bye!
And we headed home for rest-time!
We had a fun-time!
By: Sis Age:7
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy New Year
It's New Year's Day - the beginning of 2008 and the end of a delightful week of vacation with Stephen. This week really has been a great balance of productivity and relaxation. We have puttered away at some projects (school prep, beginning phase one of our flooring project, catching up on correspondence and errands...), yet we have also relished cozy mornings of hanging out in our pajamas and playing games with the kids. I have started some pleasure reading (one of my resolutions for the new year)and have immersed myself in an inspiring homeschool text, The Well Trained Mind.
Baby Boy greets Stephen each morning with the groggy inquiry, "Daddy home? No work?" before he breathes a sigh of relief and settles in to play. He has savored every spare minute with his daddy; it will be quite an adjustment for him when we return to our regular routine.
We have hit a record of OVER 43 inches of snow in December alone!!! Our yard is so deep that the kids can scarcely walk in it. Stephen brought the big kids sledding over the weekend, and they had so much fun. There is a construction site down the road from us where there are MOUNTAINS of dirt that have become the most amazing sledding hills. We figured that it was worth the risk of getting kicked out just for the thrill of a few runs. ;) Lots of others have "trespassed" here as well with their sleds, snowboards, etc. We'll be disappointed if they ever get around to building anything on the land...
We had my parents and Adam over for a 5 course dinner (a belated Christmas gift) on Thursday. I spent a whole day cooking, cleaning and setting up, and it was so fun to put out a really special spread. After dinner we watched "Ratatouille" with the kids. It was such a cozy night and a treat so see Mom relax and enjoy being served for a change. She takes such good care of her 5 kids and (nearly) 12 grandchildren.
On Sunday night we finally made it over to my brother Matt's new home. This time it was our turn to be spoiled and fed a scrumptious meal. They served us Matt's legendary garlic soup, crusty bread, and pasta with venison sauce. He and Renee have done a BEAUTIFUL job refinishing their downstairs. It was fun to imagine the potential that our home will have once we finish our floors and paint our walls.
Speaking of which, I took some "BEFORE" pictures of our construction work. We are so excited to see our mangy carpets disappear and to anticipate beautiful, ALLERGEN-FREE floors!
As we approach this new year, we are so thankful for the big and the little blessings that God has brought into our lives and the time that we've had to slow down and marvel over His creativity. We can learn so much about His nature from the family He has placed us in - the love and security of a God-centered marriage, the giddy delight of kids who play in snow up to their chest, the cuteness of a toddler who learns to sing "Frosty the Snowman," and the precious kicks and squirms of new life growing inside my womb. I treasure each of these moments and praise God for another year to enjoy them.
Baby Boy greets Stephen each morning with the groggy inquiry, "Daddy home? No work?" before he breathes a sigh of relief and settles in to play. He has savored every spare minute with his daddy; it will be quite an adjustment for him when we return to our regular routine.
We have hit a record of OVER 43 inches of snow in December alone!!! Our yard is so deep that the kids can scarcely walk in it. Stephen brought the big kids sledding over the weekend, and they had so much fun. There is a construction site down the road from us where there are MOUNTAINS of dirt that have become the most amazing sledding hills. We figured that it was worth the risk of getting kicked out just for the thrill of a few runs. ;) Lots of others have "trespassed" here as well with their sleds, snowboards, etc. We'll be disappointed if they ever get around to building anything on the land...
We had my parents and Adam over for a 5 course dinner (a belated Christmas gift) on Thursday. I spent a whole day cooking, cleaning and setting up, and it was so fun to put out a really special spread. After dinner we watched "Ratatouille" with the kids. It was such a cozy night and a treat so see Mom relax and enjoy being served for a change. She takes such good care of her 5 kids and (nearly) 12 grandchildren.
On Sunday night we finally made it over to my brother Matt's new home. This time it was our turn to be spoiled and fed a scrumptious meal. They served us Matt's legendary garlic soup, crusty bread, and pasta with venison sauce. He and Renee have done a BEAUTIFUL job refinishing their downstairs. It was fun to imagine the potential that our home will have once we finish our floors and paint our walls.
Speaking of which, I took some "BEFORE" pictures of our construction work. We are so excited to see our mangy carpets disappear and to anticipate beautiful, ALLERGEN-FREE floors!
As we approach this new year, we are so thankful for the big and the little blessings that God has brought into our lives and the time that we've had to slow down and marvel over His creativity. We can learn so much about His nature from the family He has placed us in - the love and security of a God-centered marriage, the giddy delight of kids who play in snow up to their chest, the cuteness of a toddler who learns to sing "Frosty the Snowman," and the precious kicks and squirms of new life growing inside my womb. I treasure each of these moments and praise God for another year to enjoy them.
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