A Sleepover at E's House By: Stella (Sis) Age: 9

I sometimes pack my bag, grab my pillow and sleeping bag and head over to my cousin, (E's) house!
When I get there we get ready to go outside. Her backyard is very large and she has lots of scooters and things to ride on. We then take out some makeup and we giggle as we put blue, orange, pink, purple, green and many other colors of eyeshadow all over our faces. Then we head inside and get supper. We have dumplings with creamy soup all over them! We then head outside again with muffins. We like to play outside in the evening because it is really peaceful out. We then head inside and roll out our sleeping bags. We get some icecream and then settle down to watch a movie. When the movie is over we pull out some dolls and play with them while we brush each other's hair. After that we get out a game and start to play with it. We stay up playing till 10:00 p.m! We start to get sleepy so we brush our teeth, floss them and take our vitamins. After that we dive into our sleeping bags and try to sleep but soon fall into a deep sleep. These trips are very fun and I am very grateful for being invited to my wonderful friend's house!

By: Stella
Age: 9

DI Competiton 2 By: Stella (Sis) Age: 9

My DI team came in second place as I told you a couple posts ago, and I mentioned that we would be going to States. We had lots and lots of fun at the State competition, although we will not be moving on to Globals. We worked hard this year, and we celebrated with a pizza party! We also had cake and ice-cream that we won at the cake walk! Well, here's how it went...

We (only Dad and I went to the competition) got up at 5:45 in the morning because the States Competition was located in a Kingston Highschool, an hour away from here.
We got up and got dressed and left. We went to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast and got some bagels. When we got to Kingston we waited in the cafeteria. We met the rest of the team and then we got our banner for the banner parade. We walked in holding it and then we sat down. The opening ceremony began. Then we watched some challenges until lunchtime. We had lunch and then played outside afterwards. Then we got in our costumes for our challenge. We got ready and put our makeup on, and then we headed in to the challenge! We did our challenge in about 6 minutes, and then we talked to the appraisers and headed out. We went back and got changed again, and then we watched some more challenges until it was time for our Instant Challenge, which I can not tell you or anybody about, (including parents, siblings, friends etc.) till after May; however, I can tell you that we did really well in our Instant Challenge and got 100 points out of 150! We were really excited! Then we went back to the cafeteria, cleaned up, and then went to the closing ceremonies. We had tons of fun! One of the teammates had brought bubble gum, and we all tried to make bubbles not very sucessfully!!!!! In all we had a great time at States and have had lots of fun in Destination Imagination this year!

By: *Stella (Sis)
Age: 9

Couldn't resist a couple more...

There's so much cuteness packed into his 3 year old body...

Rus saw Mommy putting on her makeup and asked what I was doing.

Mommy, "Oh, I'm just trying to look like a princess. DO I look like a princess?"

"No, you look like a Mom."

"You're trying to potty train me, but it isn't doin' good, right?"
Rus exclaimed, "We're going downstairs?! That's incredible!! You're kidding!"

Every now and then Rus will still ask to nurse for old time's sake, and I distract him with a different/age-appropriate activity. The other day, I suggested everything I could think of to no avail (reading, singing, playing, etc.) The only thing that got his mind off wanting to nurse was when I suggested that we floss our teeth. Then he hopped up and said, "Oh sure! Let's go!!"

After our first outing to the park this spring, he said, "Mommy, let's not go back to that place. It's REALLY freaky!"
Mommy asked her little son, "Can you help me, honey?" He answered, "No, that's not my job, Mom. That's YOUR job."

"I want to make "FIRE, AIM PEE!"

"When I'm older, I'm going to call my Daddy STEPHEN."

And a couple from my biggest boy...

After reading about WW2, the older boys came up with their own makeshift gas masks. Buddy (Leo) explained, "Mom, this is our breathing apparatus!"

Buddy (Leo) asked about President Obama's postion on abortion. Then he asked, "Well, what about DIVORTION?"

Some Recent Quotes from the Kids...

Yes, we're still here. :) I have found Facebook to be a much more efficient way to stay in touch with friends than the blog; however, I do have a growing list of pictures and stories to post for those who have hung around and might read this now and then. Most of these quotes are from Rus (formerly known as Baby Boy) who is going through a hilarious stage. Some of these might be repeats, but hopefully they'll make you smile anyway.

Rus (my 3 year old): "Where IS the bathroom anyway?!"

Referring to the timer, "I don't like it when that thingy beeps."

"I like it when you are my friend."

"I like it when God makes it Christmas!"

"My cousin took my nose, but he will give it back soon."

"Stop SINGING, Sis! I'm trying to sleep!! I had a horrible day."

When I was holding him and his wiggly baby brother, "Mom, can you move him. He's stealing my YAP!"

You should hear Rus singing our patriotic song of the week, "Old Abe Lincoln was the firsteenth president."

Rus, with his impish expression asked, "Daddy, why do people find me so funny?"

"That movie has a HOBIBBLE monster!!"

After tasting his cheese, "Mmmm, not bad, Mom!"

"I'm glad that you're my favorite friend."

When I was trimming his nails, "you're not going to do my KNEES, are you?"

"Daddy gave you those [anniversary] roses because you WERE a princess, right?" (NOTE the PAST TENSE!)

Flipping through the dictionary, Rus said, "I'm reading God's Word. May the baby please be quiet?"

Leo (Buddy)observed during a history lesson: "Mixing religion and politics is like mixing honey and tomato juice, right Mom?"

DI Competiton By: Stella (SIS) Age: 9

As I wrote recently, I have been taking a class that is called Destination Imagination or DI. It has really been a great year for us! We have learned a lot and have had fun through the class! On Saturday we went to the competition! Each week we have been going to class and preparing a challenge that we will bring and present to the appraisers, and then they will score it and we will get points if they enjoy it! Our task this past year and up to present has been to create two machines and a skit that demonstrates them. We made two machines out of a tricycle and a wagon, and we put stuff on them such a rope to pull them and a grabber and net! We were also allowed to ride on one of them. We arrived at the competiton at 7:30 a.m. and stayed till... GUESS... 6:00 p.m.! It was fun though in all! We did our challenge at 11:40 p.m, and we had to do our skit in 8 minutes! It is all about Egypt and is based on the story of Pharoah and the Slaves; although it is not a Bible story! It was really fun! There is a proclamation in it about not providing hay for the slaves' bricks and lots more! We had fun, and the appraisers loved it! Our score was 85.98 and we were a little dissapointed, TILL THE AWARDS! Over the microphone they were annoucing the winners. Our challenge was called Operation Cooperation! They said 4th place, then 3rd place and we were REALLY excited when they annouced, "Second PLACE, Lighthouse Homeschool Co-Op!" We were in second place! That means that we get to move on to the states in less than three weeks! YAY! There are three levels- Regionals, States, and Globals! We are on States, and if we win that... in May we will go to Globals! Globals is in TN, and you stay there for a week. We would do our Challenge again! It is really fun! That is the highest level a team can reach!
THANKS TO MRS. LOMMEN AND MRS. NEWHOOK MY TEAM MANAGERS!
THANKS ALSO TEAM!

BY: STELLA (SIS)
AGE: 9

Reasons Why I Like to Read By: Stella (Sis) Age: 9

There are many reasons why I like to read. Although some people might find reading a bore, I find it really interesting. The three reasons why I like to read are, reading takes me to the place in the book, lets me use my imagination, and lets me know the author better.

One of the reasons why I like to read is that reading takes me to the setting of the story. When I read, it is like everything around me melts away! I am in the place---a castle or even in a desert sometimes! It is wonderful!

Another reason why I like to read is that it lets me use my imagination. This allows me to be the characters-a hero, or a just a poor, poor person! I can use my imagination a lot in reading.

Finally, I enjoy reading because it lets me know the author better. Whatever the author is thinking he/she incorporates into the story! And a good author makes my imagination run away with me...

There are lots of reasons why reading is wonderful! When you read you can be or do whatever you want!


By: Stella (SIS)
Age: 9

An Awesome Birthday By: Stella (SIS) Age: 9

I have discovered several ways to have a great birthday! A birthday comes but once a year, and it should be a special occasion. These ways include having a birthday party with friends, spending time with family, and going out with someone you love.

The first way to have an awesome birthday is to enjoy a birthday party with friends. Having a birthday party is a great way to create special memories with friends. You may not get to see some of your friends very often, and this is a perfect opportunity. After all, friends are a blessing! The second way to have a great birthday is to spend time with family. Having this special time helps you to know your siblings or parents more. They also get to know you more. The third way to have a great birthday is to go out with someone you love! Going out with a loved one is not something that you necessarily get to do very often, and a birthday is a wonderful time to do this! On my ninth birthday, I went out with my mom (Mater), and it was really fun!

Finally, these are some of the many ways to have a wonderful birthday party. By spending time with family, friends, and loved ones, you can create the best birthday celebration EVER!

By: Stella (SIS)
Age:9

Happy Birthday, Stella!

Stella celebrated her 9th birthday today! We had such a special weekend. Last night we had our family celebration, and today she got dressed up in a special, new dress made by Grandma P., and we went out on a mother/daughter lunch at the restaurant of her choice (Olive Garden). Everything we ordered was something new and exciting that she had never tried before. Then we "rated" the meal together. I'll never forget this special memory we created today. I love you, Stella!

Homeschool FREEDOM! By: Stella (SIS) Age: Almost 9

We recently went to the Capitol Building, which was really neat! There were lots of flags with regiment numbers on them that stood for which Civil War battles they were in. The House of Representatives was presented with a Bill that would mean we homeschoolers would have to be tested by the teachers in school and present a porfolio of our work. Right now we take our testing at home. If this Bill passes, we would have to be tested in the schools and, if they thought that we did not do well enough, we would have just one more year of homeschooling. If we still didn't improve, then we wouldn't be able to homeschool anymore. We would have to go to school. One thing that we learned is that there are 4000 homeschoolers in NH. Some of it was amusing; the person who was in charge said in the rules that, "There is no applause!" but everyone still applauded. Then she said, "Control yourselves, or I WILL CLEAR THE HALLS!" It was pretty funny! This field trip to the public hearing was a good way to see in person how a Bill is put into place and to demonstrate that we are not in favor.
By: Stella (Sis)
AGE: Almost 9

I YUV living at the Yighthouse Co-Op!

Here is a picture from Baby Boy (Rus') preschool class at the homeschool Co-Op. He is SO proud to be in his own class. We moms take turns teaching it. My week was on the theme of gingerbread, so I brought in crafts, stories (including our favorite, "The Gingerbread Girl") and cookies for the kids to decorate. :)

Sis' (Stella's) Room

Stella is a great sport about sharing her bedroom with a fussy little brother who has only slept through a handful of nights in his young life... We let her help choose a pretty paint color and were delighted when a friend gave us a gorgeous comforter/pillow set that matches PERFECTLY! Aunt Gretchen's rainbow maker added the perfect finishing touch to her chambers. Here's a peek.

Sis' (Stella's) 9th Birthday Party

This February we combined Stella and my niece's birthday celebrations into one elegant Victorian tea and slumber party. It is so neat to see the friendship that has formed between these cousins. When they all lined up for their picture I realized with some sadness that this is the last year they will all be under 13 together. Tomorrow, my sweet niece "L" paves the way for the rest as she crosses over into her teen years.

When Mom drove the girls to our home, she said that the backseat chatter reminded her of a bunch of girls headed to the prom. They were going on and on about their outfit choices, their hair styles and everything else girly.

When they arrived, I had the table set and decorated for the festivities. We played some tea party games (including a word scramble, tea party bingo and a "language of flowers" guessing game). We made a rather sticky and disappointing attempt at homemade maple candy (I need a thermometer next time) but enjoyed the Maple snow "Slushies" nonetheless. Then Mom and Gretchen helped the girls with making lace fans. They feasted on dozens of finger sandwiches, dainty tea cookies and cakes, homemade ice cream and hot tea punch (a recipe from Stella's American Girl cookbook).

My sisters surprised her with a rainbow maker for her bedroom and a sweet bag of gifts themed "Things We Love About You." Stella's cousins presented her with beautiful artwork and loving cards.

After the tea, Krista picked up the young ladies for a slumber party at her house. They watched "Chrissa," the lastest American Girl movie and played with Polly Pockets and tea party cootie catchers we sent home with them. I know that Stella will treasure the memories she made for years to come.

Hearts, Hearts and MORE Hearts

We found ourselves buried in homemade Valentines this weekend. Our Co-Op held a Valentine's party for the kids today, and I had the brilliant idea of making customized, homemade Valentines for each of the kids. I thought that this would be a fun art project and an economical way to produce 60 Valentine's! Let's just say that, after the kids fizzled out, I inherited the project. I invited my brother over to amuse me while I glue-gunned, cut and colored yesterday. The kids did help quite a bit and were delighted to exchange their artwork today. I'm really thankful for this Co-Op and all of the fun the kids have there.

Just a Few Quotes...

Baby Boy (Rus) comes out with most of the winning comments these days. It's so hard to capture all of his cuteness in these quotes, but I'll try...

After his preschool class he announced, "I LOVE living at the Lighthouse Co-Op."

When he spotted the mole on Mommy's knee he asked soberly, "Did God make you like that? Did God put that on your yeg?!"

"Stella and Leo are my hungry children."

"Daddy's ladder is kind of wiggly like my baby brother!"

When he is trying to keep his baby brother awake in the car, he bellows at the top of his lungs, "Bermuda, Bahama, come on Pitty Mama..." He picked up this song from a Muppet preview (sung by Kermit the Frog). His older brother patiently explained to him that it's a song about someone who is calling his mother and trying to invite her (and his baby brother) to these islands. Ah, sweet innocence.

"Mommy, will you marry me in a church?"

"Mommy, I love "Cheaper by the Doesn't!"

"Mom, I'm NOT out of control!!!"

"Can I go see my friends (Sis and Buddy)?"

"Mom, I'm tired. I want to go to bed until the sun comes up."

"Mom, I'm saving my toast for Valentine's Day."

And one quote from Buddy (Leo)...

"Mom, I love having little brothers and how they're amazed when I do things that aren't that complicated..."

Sweet Baby Tert

I feel badly that I have so few pictures of our littlest guy. In just two more days he will have reached his 10 month mark! He is a delight to our family. You'd think it was Christmas morning each new day when the kids hear him calling from his crib and rush in to greet him and smother him with kisses. He has mastered crawling and pulling himself up to a standing position. His newest tricks are waving and clapping. His "formal" vocabulary consists of "Mama, Dadda and Hi," but his expressions and babbles communicate much, much more. How can these milestones be just as thrilling with the fourth as they were with our firstborn?

Persistent Potty Training...

Baby Boy (Rus) is digging in his heels with this potty training thing. You'd think that we'd have the system down by now, but we're scratching our heads with this young lad. This scene of Daddy on the bathroom floor reading "The Very Worried Sparrow" was too cute not to share. I will file it away as some serious blackmail someday... ;)

Reasons Why Homeschoolers Should Go To A Co-Op By: Stella Age: 8

I think that every homeschooler should take part in a Co-Op that allows him or her to participate in fun group classes. Co-Ops are very enjoyable and educational. They also give you a chance to spend time with friends. The day I spend at our Co-Op is one of the most fun parts of my week, and I think other homeschoolers would find the same to be true.

The first benefit of joining a homeschool group program is that students can get classes they wouldn't get at home or in school. There are many classes that I would have missed out on if I had not been participating in the Lighthouse Co-Op, such as Destination Imagination and cooking! The second benefit of going to a homeschool group program is that homeschoolers get to spend time with their friends! Some people say that homeschoolers don't spend enough time with other students their own ages, and a Co-Op is one way for them to do this. The third benefit of participating in a Co-Op is that the small classes allow teachers to spend more time with each student than they would in regular school. For example, if a student is have trouble understanding something, teachers and parents can work together to help them.

In conclusion, every homeschooler should try to participate in a Co-Op. By giving you a nice time with friends and an excellent setting for learning, a Co-Op is a wonderful support for students and parents.


By: Stella

Age: 8

Our Spelling Star

As you can see in our last post, Sis has changed her blog name to Stella (Latin for Star). I thought that this was an appropriate Latin nickname for my sparkling little girl and one of my prize pupils. :)

I am so proud to announce that Stella won first place for 3rd and 4th graders in our homeschool Co-Op's spelling bee!! She worked so diligently to prepare for this and entered it with so much confidence and poise. She truly wasn't nervous and did a fabulous job. The winning word was cauliflower, and my heart was pounding out of my chest when she spelled it correctly. She won a gift card to Target, so we went out on a special date to choose a gift with her prize. After looking through nearly every department, she settled on a pretty necklace to remind her of this special event.

CONGRATULATIONS, STELLA!

New Blogger Names By: Stella (SIS) Age: 8

We as a family have decided to switch our blog names, which we hope will not be confusing to you all. Well, we decided to change them because they are Latin, and as some of you may know, we study Latin! We study it because it is called 'the root of all languages'. (Languages came from Latin). Well these are the little changes we have made as a final
Dad= Pater
Mom= Mater
I (SIS)= Stella
Buddy= Leo
Baby Boy= Taurus
Papoose= Tert

Well, as for what it means, we all have a secret identity on the blog from now on! We decided not to tell what it means! (GRIN).
Well, all for now!

By: Stella
Age: 8

Reasons Why Students Should Take Destination Imagination By: Sis Age: 8

All students should participate in Destination Imagination (DI). Destination Imagination is a program that allows young people from elementary to college age to develop many skills while having lots of fun.

The first benefit of participating in DI is that it forces you to really think harder. It is important to be able to be able to come up with a solution on the spot.
In DI groups, this is known as improvisation.

The second benefit of taking DI is that it teaches acting skills. Acting skills are very important to have and can be used in many ways, such as public speaking. In DI we act out skits which help us to overcome our stagefright.

The third benefit of taking DI is that it teaches you how to work together with different teammates. In a DI team, we have six or seven students, and we have to work with different personalities and opinions. Usually everybody doesn't agree on the same idea.

In conclusion, every student should enter in a DI team. Destination Imagination provides young people with a fantastic experience that they can remember for the rest of their lives!

By: Sis
Age: 8

Day with Dad By: Sis Age: 8

Yesterday, Daddy and I went to UNH for a Destination Imagination Workshop. In the morning, we got all ready, these are some pictures we took, just as we were heading out the door...




When we got there at the challenge, we went upstairs to our group, and we built a character and learned skills on that; it was a ton of fun! Next we went and practiced Instant Challenges, such as when we built a tower out of a cup, chopsticks, and a plate and stickers, didn't go well... REALLY HARD! The next thing we did was we made up five jobs, in 4 minutes with no words in it in a skit, and my dad and a couple of other grownups, had to do it! IT WAS HILARIOUS! JUST what Dad hates doing most :) It was funny! Then after that, we made up a little commercial of something that had never been invented and was about to be invented, which we (my DI team) decide to do a commercial on lemon flavored taffy, and twenty seconds into it, one of the directors, held up a sign that we had to add into our skit, somehow! Unluckily, our word was waterproof, two seconds after one of my friends had said, "And it makes your tongue turn a different color!" then she held up WATERPROOF, and luckily one of my friends said, "And it makes your tongue WATERPROOF!"! It was hilarious, and it was done in just the right amount of time! Next, we went and we played a game called What are you doing? ! You go up to someone while they're acting out something, and they say something that they're not doing and so you have to do it, one boy said, "What are you doing?" And the girl responded, "I'm just pracicing my ballet!" Then the boy had to take her place and practice HIS ballet. It was fun! Then we played freeze tag where someone would be in a motion and when somebody said to freeze, then they took the motion and like when one person had been toasting marshmallows, the girl changed in into turning a door handle, so in all it was fun!

Thank you Mrs. Lommen for doing Destination Imagination!

By: Sis

Age: 8

Our Christmas

I was so sleepy and distracted on Christmas Eve that I completely forgot to fill Buddy's stocking. He is the most precious, good natured little boy. He woke up with a puzzled look when he saw his empty stocking and then burst out in his dimpled laugh when he heard that we completely forgot about him! :)




Papoose takes a spin in his brother's birthday car. Isn't this adorable?!




A groggy Baby Boy enjoys some caramel popcorn. We made 10 batches of this for Christmas gifts! We're still sticking to our floor. :)



Here are some of the special gifts the kids made (complete with homemade wrapping paper). The highlight of this Christmas season was the creativity and love the kids' poured into their gifts for our extended family...




Festive candy wreath Buddy made for Aunt Krista's family




Sis and Mommy sipping tea from some dainty cups we received from my dear friend, Kristine. Thank you so much, Kristine!




Baby Boy receieved the biggest gift this year. It's a toddler train set that all 3 boys have enjoyed immensely.





Buddy's big gift from us was a gun that shoots rubber bullets. He has proven very responsible with this grown up gift and has practiced the safety rules he learned when he went shooting with Grandpa and Daddy.





Sis' two big gifts from us were a scrapbooking kit and a sewing box. My mom brought her out shopping for fabric and then spent a day teaching Siobhan how to sew her own curtains! What a special memory...





The cutest little Christmas feet ever...




Buddy really wanted this book on dolphins that shows the skeletal structure, etc.


Papoose was delighted with the day - even though his gifts from us were very practical...


It feels like much more than a week has passed since Christmas/New Year's break! We are back into our school routine full swing. It was difficult to say goodbye to Stephen after a delightful two weeks with him all to ourselves. I keep saying what a luxury it was to have such a long vacation that wasn't spent on a move, major house construction or childbirth.

Stephen and I were really encouraged by the kids' sweet spirit during this Christmas season. Their Christmas wish lists were so simple which made it all the more fun to surprise them with their desires on Christmas day. We were so thankful for the generosity of our extended family and some special friends which made the kids' (and our!) Christmas even more exciting and fun.