A Little Craziness...

Today was the first full day we have taken off of school this year. We "celebrated" by doing phase one of our fall house cleaning. I told the kids that today and tomorrow were going to be some serious work days and that we would celebrate this weekend by pulling out our Christmas decorations and bringing home our tree. I am embarrassed to admit that sorting through our basement sent me into a sneezing fit. Several spiders lost their homes when my swiffer made the rounds, and my vacuum was groaning from over exertion. The big kids were a huge help with the little guys and took turns labeling, sorting and rearranging while the other held or entertained a younger brother. I am thoroughly exhausted but am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Stephen is taking a vacation day tomorrow which he graciously agreed to give to me so I can clean while he does a few projects and watches the little boys. I told him that 10 more hours should bring me closer to a sense of order and well-being in my home. My fellow homeschooling moms realize that there is very little time to keep up with housework in between completing several hours of school each day, potty training a toddler, nursing a baby, making 5 snacks/meals a day, and keeping the washing machine running.

Buddy warmed my heart with his especially-sweet and helpful attitude today. I asked the kids to sort and eliminate the toys they no longer use. He said to me, "Mommy, maybe you should decide that for me since you have a better sense of what I don't play with." Then he added, "I know why you don't want us to have too many toys. It's because, if we did, we might make an idol out of them, right?"

Perhaps I'll feel bold enough to post a few pictures of our new sorting systems and the fruit of our hard work...

Sis' Latest 3-Paragraph Expository Essay

I have discovered there are many benefits to taking gymnastics. Some people think there is only value in writing and doing math, but I believe there are many learning opportunities and advantages to taking gymnastics. Taking gymnastics gives me exercise, helps me to take pride in my accomplishments, and lets me have fun.
One of the reasons I enjoy taking gymnastics is that it gives me exercise. When I exercise in gymnastics, my body gets healthier and more flexible. Another reason I like taking gymnastics is that it gives me pride in my accomplishments. It really is wonderful to have a sport that lets me be proud of my skill and to share what I have learned with friends! Finally, I enjoy gymnastics because it lets me have fun. You have to agree that everybody loves to have fun! Anything fun is awesome!
It is easy to see that there are lots of benefits to taking gymnastics. I recommend gymnastics to anyone who wants to learn through taking a fun, challenging sport!

Our Field Trip In Concord At Uno's Pizza By: Sis Age: 8 (9 SOON!!)

We went this morning to Uno's Pizza Place. We went for a tour and to make our own pizza! We first went and sat down at a table with a bunch of other homeschoolers which we knew from the Lighthouse Co-Op. which I have written about in another entry and anyway Papoose was in the stroller and Mom pushed him and Buddy, Baby Boy, and I sat down at the tables with our friends and we each got a bit thing of dough with breadcrumbs on top and a glass of milk. And then we all got in line and we put on a bit of tomato-sauce and cheese (and pepperoni if we wished) and sat down again. The tourguide explained how they put cheese and then sauce on as a cool type of Pizza! And then we went on our tour and saw a TON of cool stuff, their dishwasher and other things, like their oven, their freezers their toppings and much MORE! And then we sat down again. Our pizzas had been cooking and they were READY! We each had HUGE cooked pizzas with milk and a certificate for a free meal at Uno's Pizza with NO expiration DATE! (And ALL this was for only $2 a KID!)

THANK YOU UNOS!

By: Sis
Age:8 *ALMOST NINE!

Cool or What?!

Okay, you know you're an official homeschool nut when you get all giddy over owl pellets. Get a load of this science project from Buddy's class at the Lighthouse Co-Op. We think we've identified the remnants of a field mouse.

This Morning

Big Shoes, Little Shoes

Baby Boy got these shoes in a hand me down bag and was delighted to discover that they match his uncle Adam's!

When Stephen was in California last week, Adam came to spend the evening with us. Papoose stared at him so intently, carefully felt every feature of Uncle Adam's face, grinned in approval, and snuggled up to him (just like he does with his Daddy). You can see the pictures of him sleeping on Uncle Adam's chest. It was so adorable and pathetic! Adam said it was kind of overwhelming to have such big shoes to fill in Stephen's absence.

Daddy Thinks My Hat is Goofy!

My Sweet Niece

I am so thankful for my niece this year. She has volunteered to come to my home as a mother's helper once or twice a week. Each time she comes, she cheerfully faces whatever chaos awaits her and gives me the extra set of hands I need. Papoose is crazy about her as you can see in these photos.

Things I Love Most About My Grandmas By: Sis Age: 8

This is a writing assignment and I wanted to turn it into a fun project ENJOY!

Things I Love Most About My Grandmas

By: Sis
Writing Assignment (7)
Expository Paragraph
Things I love Most
About My Grandmas

~

I love my Grandmas for many reasons but here are three. These three are the way they surprise us, the way they help us, and the way they care for us. First, is the way they surprise us! Grandma P. has sent me many things in the mail and one time surprised us with Moon Sand. Grandma Z. has given me many things including games. Second, is how they help us. Grandma P. has given us meals every time we have had a baby, and Grandma Z. comes every Wednesday to help us with Papoose. Finally, is how they care for us. They show their care through e-mails, calls and visits. They have always done many nice things for us. And they most of all love us. I have three favorite things I like about my Grandmas and many more, but these will always be on the top of the HUGE list! ;)

By Sis
Age:8

The kids are making a creation mural here. We are using Veritas Press' "Genesis through Joshua" series where the kids memorize the chronology of key Bible stories and events. The lessons and memory work are reinforced by fun activities, quizzes and worksheets. I've never been more delighted with a Bible curriculum.

Buddy is learning about "common attributes" with some bright math manipulatives...

Learning About the Water Cycle...



Between making business trips to California and juggling a busy work schedule and long commute, Stephen takes time to invest in the kids' schooling and to cheer me on in my efforts. I couldn't do this without his help and support...


Daddy has taken over teaching my Electricity and Magnetism unit in Science. What could me more fun than making compasses with Dad in your jammies?!




Acting Out the Day's of Creation in the Bathroom...



Baby Boy LOVES doing his preschool workbooks. A friend recommended some fabulous sticker/pasting and folding books. He squeals with delight when he makes one of his projects and is always begging to "do school" with me.

This and That...

Buddy often startles us with his logic and attention to details (well, SOME details). He picks up on nuances from our studies and repeats them back at the most unexpected times. The other day he said, "Hey, Mom, do you know why the Southern people called slavery a peculiar institution?"


Sometimes he gets a little muddled. For instance, he was explaining something about the Holy Spirit the other day and pointed out, "Mommy, He is one of God's heads!" (meaning one person of the god-head). He later explained that "God won't forgive you if you blaspheme the Holy Spirit."

Baby Boy never misses an opportunity to tell people about our "wolf named Balto who ran away." He often says, "We need to get a new dog that won't run away!" He has named his plastic dog, Balto, (after our former Husky) and saves real bones for him from our chicken dinners.

The other day, I was running the blender, and Baby Boy looked at me sternly and said concerning the noise, "That's annoying! I'm taking my dog for a walk."

I brought Baby Boy to the potty, and he said, "Mom, can you make sure no one steals my crackers while I go potty?" I scolded him for being selfish, and he answered, "But, Mommy, I WANT to be selfish!"

Baby Boy: "Mommy, that spider has googly eyes!!"

Baby Boy: "My stands are hickey!!"

Buddy was enduring some small hardship, and pointed out to me, "Mommy, this must be a shadow of how hard YOUR life is."

Some Pictures from Baby Boy's 3rd Birthday

Baby Boy had an unbelievable birthday this year! With a tighter-than-usual budget, we were worried that his few presents might be a disappointment to him. Because of the generosity of our family, he had the most special birthday ever and got everything his little heart desired! Even his big brother and sister spent their savings on some special gifts. When we arrived at his party, Aunt Krista surprised us with a digital camera, so we were able to document these special memories. Thank you so much, everyone!