P.E. Homeschool Style

After a long day of hard work yesterday, the children were rewarded with some time at the park. What a fun way to participate in physical education!

Kennedy took advantage of the time to practice her rollerblading skills.

More P.E. Time

Last week we joined our friends at the roller rink for some more "P.E." time. It had been about a year since our last indoor skating experience. I was pleased with how well Jackson and Kennedy skated and even more so with their attitudes when they fell down and got right back up again.

Harrison and Mikey were content to watch and play on the sidelines.

Jack and Kyle; best buds.Kennedy and Erica; friends forever.
I was especially proud of the two children when they decided to enter the races for their age groups.

Here is our whole gang (Harrison in the background). Funny, I remember when it was just Kennedy and Erica and now our group will be growing to nine. It sure makes playdates lots of fun!

National Pancake Day

Today, February 24, 2009 is National Pancake Day. Enjoy some flapjacks with someone you love!

Surprise! We're Letting the Cat Out of the Bag!

My ultrasound is today at 1:30.

Boy or Girl?

We'll soon see!

Several Hours Later....

Here is our lovely child. Thrilled to report that all looked healthy!

We purchased a box of Mike and Ike Tropical Typhoon candies to share the gender with the children.The children sorted the colors and found more than twice the number of pink candies than any others. Jack and Kennedy were thrilled to find out that they are going to have a baby sister. Harrison said that he wished there were more blue candies. Mike was just glad to eat candy.

Campin' Jack's Birthday

We had a family celebration for Jackson's birthday closer to the actual date, but Jack has been asking for a party with his friends since then. I thought a super hero party was a good idea and my mother-in-law even helped make capes for party favors, but Jackson had his mind and heart set on another camping party. He helped Dad set up the tent downstairs.

The children sat in the tent to watch the puppet show.

Jack became part of the act at the end of the show.One of our favorite people in the world, Cousin Kelly, was on hand as official photographer.


After lunch we gathered around the campfire and made s'mores.

gooey-licious!

The children also exchanged Valentines toward the end of the festivities.

It was an easy, laid back party. We are thankful for friends with whom we can celebrate the lives of our children.

Mikey's First Hair Cut

We love Mikey's curly locks. They are so fun and wispy, and of course adorable. But recently they have gotten him into trouble. He has been in the habit of twisting his finger in his hair when he is tired since infancy. But I have had to come to his rescue several times lately because his finger has been so tightly wound around his hair that he can not possibly get it out on his own. He has also been using his hair for a napkin after meals. Imagine the nappy mess after spaghetti, pancake syrup, or mac and cheese.

So we had to do it. As cute as his curly locks were , it was time for them to go.

He was quite the happy camper during the cut. Though a little wiggly, he never complained. The end result was adorable. We preserved some of the curl on the the top so it isn't gone completely. But now Mikey looks older to me. Somehow the big-kid hair cut seemed to age him.

So here is the little man with his new look.

Our Valentines Day

It's the little things that make Valentines Day special. We started out our day with pink heart shaped pancakes. I blended the mix with canned beets to get the pretty color.

We enjoyed a heart shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's for lunch.

The kiddos loved their packages from Grandpa Randy and Grammy & Papa. They also liked their cards from Gigi. Thank you grandparents!

Mikey really likes his new Valentine monkey.

And I am enjoying the beautiful flowers from my sweet Valentine.

It was a sweet day with little distractions that made it special. But I am reminded of the greatest love all.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16

A Small Taste of the Great Depression

Our children have been learning about the Great Depression. This week at co-op they broke into groups and with a roll of duct tape and cardboard boxes, they had to work together to create their own shack for the makeshift Hoover ville.

Next, they had to go through a soup kitchen to get their lunch consisting of chicken noodle soup and a piece of bread.Finally, they had to eat it in their little shack.

I am sure they will not soon forget the Great Depression after experiencing it like this.

Counting to Ten

We have fourteen stairs leading to the playroom. As I take Mikey's hand to go up or down, I usually count with him while he takes each step . This week, as he sat on his bottom and scooted down the stairs on his own, I heard him count all the way to ten.

We have been asking him to show-off his great mathematical genius ever since. Both clips show him counting, but he is so adorable in each one, I couldn't decide which to post. Enjoy them both.

Kennedy's First Piano Recital

Last night Kennedy performed in her first piano recital.

The first song she played was Good Night Ladies.

Aura Lee was her second song.

She started her lessons in September and has been progressing nicely. Once a week she has her lessons and then she has a practice day at Grammy's house to work on her new songs. She is doing well and we are so proud of her.

Daddy wore his Kennedy tie in honor of the special occasion. It was her Father's Day gift to him when she was just over a year old. It has photos of her all over it.

Co-op Fun

We are involved in a wonderful homeschool co-op. Last week both Jackson and Kennedy gave their European presentations.

Did you know that Audrey Hepburn was from Belgium?

Kennedy shared that Luxembourg is the sixth smallest country in the world.


The students have been studying the early 1900's. Last week a dance instructor came in to teach the children how to do the Charleston. It was fun watching the students try it out.