Oh Me Oh My!

I think this boy needs a brother. Tu-Tu (pun intended) many girls are in the house.

I was sitting at the computer this morning checking Facebook, and these precious princesses greeted me. Only one of them was indeed the ugliest princess I have ever seen! Of course they giggled and laughed and thought they played a good joke on me. If only their father could see them.

Oh Me Oh My!

Wordless Wednesday~Ballet Class in the Living Room

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Fire Station Field Trip

Last Friday many of the home schooled kids from our church went to our local fire station. We all had a blast. I don't know what it is, but I think it is more fun to watch the kid's pleasure and delight than it is to experience such things for myself.
Here the fireman asked the kid's to shout if they were ready for the tour of the fire station and for a good time.

After taking a peek in to fire station and hearing the emergency signal broad casted out over the intercom, we were led out for the kids to take a turn at the fire hose.
Tiny Boy was in respectful awe towards all the firemen that day. He *truly* appreciated this field trip. Just look at his face!
And I think I know what Sweetie is *really* thinking in the back of her mind while holding this hose. She probably is wishing she could squirt her brother and sister with it. It's one of her favorite things to do with the hose at home, so why not this one?
A walk through of the cab of the truck. Tiny Boy didn't walk through. Instead he buckled himself up, ready to take a ride around the block. He was sort of disappointed to learn that he couldn't go for a ride.

But they did let him sit in the driver's seat. Pure joy is written on that face.

This picture cracks me up. The kids are looking at all of the truck's equipment. Look at Tiny Boy's pants. Those things *used* to fit him in the waist, but were too long. Now they are too short, and too big in the waist. He is three and a half, and I bought him those when he was 18 months old. Talk about getting the most ware out of your children's clothes. I guess I should invest in at least a belt?Again awe and respect.
More awe and respect. Sweetie thinks it looks a bit silly. The difference between boys and girls! LOL!





Trying on the gear
More awe. I don't know, but I am wondering if he is one of those kid's that won't change their minds about what they want to be when they grow up? I think he is at least seriously considering his career path.

Build A Fire Truck

Early Saturday morning I did something that I haven't done since Tiny Boy was a little baby. I got up early. I took the kids to our local Lowes store for their *FREE* (Yup that's right free!) "Build and Grow" workshops for kids. This months project was a fire truck.

We met up with a friend (who happened to be the one who told me about this) and her little girl who also attend our church. It's always more fun when you have a friend! ☺

Since this program is free, you can expect alot of people to show up and they only have about 50 kits to give away. I was warned to show up a half an hour early. I showed up 40 minutes early and there was *ONE* lady and a little girl waiting outside. Of course, I didn't know that this is where they would be building their project, so I went inside the store to ask customer service where the Build and Grow workshop was going to meet. As soon as I found out where, I ran back outside, and like out of nowhere 10 more families showed up.

Then as I was standing in line, I realized I couldn't find my slip of paper showing that I had already signed up. Let's just say, "frustrated"! I ran back to the car as quickly as I could, and by the time I arrived back to the line, it had doubled in size. No kidding. And I was parked up front! Wow!

We did make it though. But barely. But all the hassle and early morning wake up were worth it. My kids *thoroughly* enjoyed building their little firetrucks.


As you can see they are all in deep concentration, and working diligently. And this is so weird. I am in the picture! My friend (who is an amateur photographer) took these pictures for me. Thanks Mrs. S!
Bean pounding away

Tiny Boy is going to give it a go now. Sweet patiently awaits her turn. She was very good at building this. She really didn't need much help. Just some guidance
Who can resist laughing at this face?
Once he knew the camera was on him, look how quickly his expression changes. ;-)

Lowe's even had the city's fire department show up. That was Tiny Boy's highlight I believe. He really enjoyed building the firetruck, but he was awed by the real deal. On Friday we are going to take a field trip to the fire station. Stay tuned. :)

Second Year in "Offical" Homeschooling

Monday, the 14th, we started our first official day back to school. I am trying to make this picture a yearly tradition.

Here is the First year of "K5" and Preschool for Bean

http://heartofamommy.blogspot.com/2007/10/first-day-of-kindergarten.html

Last year was the official "legal" year of Kindergarten for Sweetie. Legal meaning, I had to keep records and report to the superintendent of education.

http://atranquileducation.blogspot.com/2008/09/our-first-day-of-school.html

How much they have changed over the years. Oh my soul, I just cannot believe how fast they grow up and change. This year Sweetie wants to grow out her bangs, which makes her look two years older right off the bat as I brush them to the side and clip a Barrett in them.


Every year, I *try* to find a good deal on back to school clothing that goes on sale after the public schools are in session. I always tend to start a wee bit later than the public school does. The dresses the girls are wearing I found at Target for $7.00 each. And Tiny Boy got a new Shirt and Shorts as well. His little outfit was about the same price as the girl's dresses put together. I guess they don't put toddler clothes on sale after everyone goes back to school?
This is Bean's first year of "official" Kindergarten. I'd rather she wait until she was six to start Kindergarten. But her Birthday falls "just" in the time frame of having to begin school. Our state law is that children need to begin Kindergarten if they turn six on or after February 16th. I think. I can't remember the exact date. I do know that Tiny Boy can wait if need be as his birthday is February 1st. Which I am grateful, because Tiny Boy...well, I think he's just going to need that extra time. (whispers, if you know what I mean?)
Our curriculum for this year includes:

Math U See
Explode the Code Online
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
Memoria Press Copy Book #1 (Both for Sweet and Bean)
Home school Coop Choir
And a little bit of unit studies for history, science, and other "electives"


For our first unit study, Sweetie wanted to study Germs. So I bought a "Germs" lap book from In the Hands Of A Child, and will be using that as my outline. (How Appropriate! Just in time for Swine Flu Season!)

Something that I started last year and got the idea from my best friend Esther, who got her idea from another blog; (I have been pounding my brain to remember the name of the blog, because it's a neat one to share!) is to have a back to school tea party. This year I set the table with a real table cloth and real china.

We had Mint Oreos, and Gingersnap Cookies, along with Chocolate Chunk Cookies. Really easy recipe...just open the box and put on a fancy cake stand. I served our refreshments with Apple Cinnamon tea, Sweetened with a bit of Stevia, and yummy smooth cream.

One of my friend's saw these pictures on my facebook and thought I was a cool mama because I did this. Well, I have never considered myself "cool". I have always been a bit "nerdy" But if she thinks I am cool, I'll take it! ;-)
At each place setting I had a fancy gift bag filled with special school supplies, and a few little extra goodies. All found at the Dollar Spot in Target. I also made them a little name tag for their place setting. Of course Sweetie's real name was on her card, and it was hand written in my ugly handwriting. But to keep her anonymous from wacky people, I used photo shop. ☺Next to her name is a left over princess sticker I had. Bean had the same concept. Tiny Boy had Smiley face stickers on his.

All in all it took about 10 minutes to put this tea party on the table...including the time it took to boil the water in the tea kettle, and brew the tea bags.
Here they all are. Patiently waiting. Patiently, as they *REALLY* want to rip open those bags to see what was inside.
Here's the loot. It included, New water colors, and cutesy puppy school folders, and little scotty dog notebook, cheapo rubber stamps, sparkly pencils, new crayons, and a sheet of stickers

After we cleared all the loot away, we had an enjoyable lovely afternoon tea. Which included good treats, good conversation and good memories

PS. Here is another lady who shared her back to school tea party on her blog as well. ♥

Show and Tell Friday~My Cute Cow Clothing.

Today I would like to show you the outfits I sewed for my kids for Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A. The framework of the idea came from my oldest daughter Sweetie.

This is such an easy romper to sew. It takes about an hour from cut to finish! It's completely lined as well!

This is the dress that my daughter's Bean and Sweetie wore. They both wore identical dresses. I appliqued' the cow faces on a T-Shirt, and then sewed a cow print skirt onto it. It is such fun learning how to applique' with my sewing machine.

All dressed up and ready to head out to Chick-Fil-A. I am asking them to say "Moo" here.

When we got to Chick Fil A the cow spotted them right away, and wanted them join the "herd".

And this is the picture that I have entered into Chick-Fil-A's Show us the Cow photo contest. I would be SO VERY MUCH appreciative if you would click over there and give us your vote and help us make it into the finalists! Here is the link: http://www.showusthecow.com/photos.php?view=browse&tag=CHURCH

To see what others are showing and telling about it on their blogs, please visit Kelli at There's No Place Like Home. ♥

Wordless Wednesday~Couture Cows. PLEASE VOTE!!!

This isn't going to be such a "wordless" post. This was at Chick-Fil-A's Cow Appreciation Day. I sewed their cow costumes. They did have hats, but by this point they had already ate, and were playing on the playground, saw the cow, and I snapped a picture. Scroll down, and you can see them in their outfits before we went to Chick-Fil-A

Before we went to Chick Fil A. I have also entered the first photo in a contest. And it needs votes. Could you PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, pretty please with a cherry on top go over there and vote for them??? Thank you so much!! ☺♥

Here is the link:

http://www.showusthecow.com/photos.php?view=browse&tag=CHURCHKIDS

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Family Circles

Doorposts is a neat little company that puts out many products that encourages a home to base everything they do in scripture. One neat little thing they have is called Family Circles.

Here is their description of the product:

Do you ever wonder if you are spending enough time with each of your
children individually? Do you ever feel like you should set aside your work
sooner in order to spend more time with your children or spouse? Do you ever
feel like you really don’t know the people you live with?
This little kit,
combined with your resolve, could change the whole atmosphere of your home. It
is designed to help you set aside time each day for each of your children and
for your spouse.
It is simply two circles mounted on a piece of paper. The
large circle is divided into sections for each child in your family. The smaller
circle is divided into sections listing activities to share with your spouse.
Around the outside of the large circle different activities are written. As
you turn the circle each day, it will tell you what special thing to do with
each person that day.
We can’t tell you how much this has affected our
family! We are getting to know each other in a way we never have before. It has
helped us to spend time with each child each day. And it has renewed our
marriage. (Really! This isn’t just sales hype!)
We know you could do this
yourself--we’re just trying to make it easier for you! This kit gives you:
A
more detailed description of the idea and its results
Circles already drawn
and marked for dividing into the desired number of sections
Suggestions for
profitable activities to rotate
Drawings to paste onto each section so that
eager non-readers will know what they "get to do with Daddy today"
Instructions for assembly
All you need is scissors, ruler, pen, paste,
and a brad fastener!

So I have set one up for our little family, and we will see how it plays out. I really like this idea. I know I need to spend time more one on one time with each child. I tend to spend more with one or the other on any given week. Depending on who is "acting" out more, LOL!

I have six different activities to do with each child each week. So we will see how it goes. But I thought I would let anyone out there know about it, and maybe they too could give it a try. :)

Imagination

For more Wordless Wednesday pictures visit Five Minutes for mom! :)

Show And Tell Friday~Fair Winnings!

For the first time ever, I entered some items into our county fair, as well as my children. Today, I want to show you what we entered, and what we won with our entries!

First off, before I show you the pictures, I want to say that this was *alot* of fun. If you have an opportunity to do this in your state, or county, take advantage of it. It boosted Sweeties self-confidence, and also allowed me tie some heart strings with her as I taught her some new skills.

OK! First thing we did was enter an egg decorating contest. All of the kids were allowed to participate in this. And I think everyone "won" something.

This is Tiny Boy's egg. It placed third, and won a $2 cash awardBean's egg. It also placed third with a $2 cash award
Sweetie's egg. Also third place, with a $2 award. We saw some really unique egg decorations, and got some great ideas for next year! :)

Next, Sweetie and I entered some baking classes

This is the Whole Wheat Bread I bake on a regular basis. It placed First with a $5 award in it's category I guess. I am not sure how the placing system works
Sweetie won 2nd place and $3 for the Cream Cheese Cookies she made!

Then Sweetie entered some "fine art". It was a water color painting of the sun done in dots all over the place.

It placed 3rd, with a $2 award!

Sweetie and I entered some sewing. I entered the outfit I made to sell on ebay.

It placed 1st, with a $5 reward

Sweetie entered a tote bag she had made.
It placed 1st, as well as "BEST IN CLASS"!!!! The 1st place was $5, and the "best in class" was $10, for a total of $15! I was sooooo excited for Sweetie! I am always tell her she is going to be a better sewer than me, and this really boosted her confidence! I am so proud of her!!!

We even had some time for a few fun rides, and fabulous fair food! :)

To see what others are Showing and Telling, Visit Kelli at There's No Place Like Home. Thanks for looking! :)