Homeschool Snow Day??

Somehow the kids talked me into a homeschool snow day yesterday. 

They reasoned that if public school is cancelled...we should get to have fun too. 

Well luckily for them I was kind of needing a day of fun too. 

We started with cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

Sullivan then got busy with the exercise ball. 

While he did that the girls and I made a fun owl craft. 

Torrance was very into it! 

And actually did a good job of keeping the glue where it belonged. 

Very serious work here. 

Sullivan also had fun with the nerf gun all day. 

Often shooting the pellets purposefully into places where they were hard to retrieve...like the ceiling. 

We played some games. 

This particular one ended with Tess flinging her game piece across the board and storming off. 

We have some issues with competitiveness in this house. 

Its a work in progress. 

I love how Tess is taking a picture of the game here...just like mommy.

They were excited to go outside. 

And she was the only one who wanted to stay out there!

She flung herself against the door to try and get back out...but it was locked. 

So she did this for a long time to make us pay. 

She didn't stop crying till I asked if she wanted to call people on the phone. 

A good chat with a friend or daddy is always the answer. 

We all did some afternoon reading and movie watching...and napping for mom. 

Tess feels no snow day is good unless you make cookies! 

And she's impossible to resist so we made a double batch. 

So after yesterday these are now all over my ceilings. 

And these are all over my floors.

Public school is on their 3rd snow day this week...but we are back in session today...

Instant Day Brightener!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnL0D0AgB7o&list=UUii5aBRg0Gl9XXk74gLegkw&index=112

That's my darling nephew!
December 2011
Truly, he's one of the cutest thing I've ever seen. 

catch-up

Honestly, Im so behind. 

Life has been busy as usual. 

And we've had some very cold and icy weather. 

This house is ready for spring! 

And trampoline jumping!

But Im getting ahead of myself...the past weekend we spent a lot of time in the gym for Lauren's volleyball. Her team did so well. And I had a great time watching. I may become the mom that people have to tell to sit down and quit pacing and yelling!
I'm also learning a lot about this sport that I never played in high school.
Lauren is a setter...I've got that position down now I think. ;)

They ended up getting 3rd place in the tournament. 

Afterwards she went out for a late late supper with her team and Jordan and I found ourselves waiting up till after 10:30 for her!
A new era indeed.

The younger brothers and sisters of the girls all band together, share electronics and laugh during the long tournament days. Their turn will come soon enough. 

School is off to a great start this semester. 

I changed up our math and language arts curriculum after Christmas. 

I was just not happy with the other. 

And this change has proved to be the perfect fit. 

Also, Im getting to use my first love...teaching writing. 

Here are pictures the kids made with our river/streams/lakes unit. 

They loved learning about the different types of animals that live around these bodies of water...especially platypuses and the venus fly trap! 

We wrapped up our unit on Germany with some help from the Kirkpatricks in cooking an authentic German meal...complete with snitzel, spatzel and of course...football appetizers cause the playoffs were on! Melanie was great and let Lauren help with much of the cooking.
The kids decided the meal was a hit!
Thanks again guys!

In other news, Melanie and I challenged each other to tackle Spring Cleaning/organizing
our houses this month. 

Its been a ton of work but I love seeing the results.
And of course its more fun with someone to keep me accountable and joke around with about the things we are finding!

 Here is an example of some of the fruits of my labor.
This is our toy room/school book/supply storage. The underneath of that desk (where the phone and 3 computers sit or charge, wii remotes charge, also home to the roter, eternal hard drive and a light) had some serious ELECTRICAL CORD ISSUES. 

It drove me nuts. I can see it from where I sit on the couch in the evenings and it made me burn.
No more.
Clean. Hidden. Organized.
Awwwww.

Spring cleaning also got me my new DYSON!

Of course amidst all this stuff there is still fun.
Sullivan is very into potions right now. We pulled out a kit that we haven't used in a long time which he got LAST christmas.

Cant you just feel the excitement?

Ok, it was a bit of a let down but he still enjoyed it. 

And these two got bored with that pretty early so they were wrestling. 

Love them. 

So with that I feel somewhat caught up and Im vowing again to blog more!

the little moments

I will admit that the past 7 days have been far from my favorite. 

But I love how when I really stop and look...I can see all the little moments in my week that are huge blessings. I love that my Savior is constant and that He reminds me everyday of His love for me. 

So thankful for the family and friends He has placed in my life. 

And now I give you the pictures of the little moments that made my heart happy this week:

This girl...and her guitar. 

Its my favorite thing ever. 

She practices all the time. 

Without being asked. 

She looks forward to lessons. 

And it somehow is just so perfectly 'Avery' to see her playing the guitar. 

Lauren is deep in the midst of basketball and volleyball. 

She's always at practice or a game. 

We are proud of how hard she works.

And she loves it. 

She has such wonderful friends. 

Learning about sportsmanship and teamwork...

Sitting on the sidelines (literally and figuratively) is a hard...Id rather be right by her whispering advice and stopping any injuries (again, literally and figuratively). Its a new part of parenting for us...

Honestly.

She is two.

And that's about all I have to say. 

She is so impossibly fun and precious and adorable.

And naughty!

She knows when to turn on the charm...I believe here she was asking for more popcorn!

Jordan is reading Hatchet to the three older kids...and I take it back..

THIS is my most favorite thing ever...and possibly theirs. 

Yeah, I live for little moments like that. 

(insert Brad Paisley singing here)

High Fashion

Our study of France moved to Paris today and what that city is famous for...including Fashion!

As part of our creative writing today the girls put on a fashion show for us...they had to create the outfits themselves and write about them. 

During the show they read about each design. 

Lauren created the set.

Both Lauren and Avery were really into this assignment!

I cant blame them...it was really fun! 

I was impressed with their designs. 

Love them! 

A short sample of each of their writings...side note...time for the magic eraser on the table! 

Silhouettes

We are finishing up our study of France this week in school. 

I felt we were due for an art project so we discussed sihouette portraits. 

They originated in Rome but the French made famous the profile form. 

Clearly this is not as easy as it may sound!

Wow, I warned the kids that mom was not an artist. 

I truly hope this is not what they actually look like! 

Top to bottom - Left to Right

Sullivan, Avery, Contessa, Lauren

Strumming Cousins

Alexa has been taking guitar lessons for about a year. 

So she came over one day during break to get Avery started.

They wrote a song and performed it for me. 

I was seriously impressed!

(and they are adorable)

2 years old...

There is nothing better than a 2 year old. 

And this one LOVES the snow. 

But when your legs are short...the snow can be difficult to get around in!

Mom, seriously, Im stuck. 

I've fallen and I cant get up! 

Really mom, have a heart! 

Fine, I give...I'll just stay here.