High Seas Adventures

The kids had a great week at Kidz Day Camp (aka VBS) on their "High Seas Adventure". There was fun music, crafts, games and learning. Thomas Edison worked with the preschoolers; the other 3 all had their own classes. I used the time as a planning break at the library each day and am almost organized for the upcoming school... year. It was a wonderful week for us all.

Hiking on Rabbit Mountain

Rabbit Mountain is a beautiful place to go hiking. We went on Sunday afternoon for a long hike in the heat. The wildflowers and plants were lush and beautiful beside the cacti. It rained on us on the way back down. The mountains in Colorado are one reason I love living here.

Nostalgic Summer

Summer is here - well, unofficially, but traditionally. I'm feeling nostolgic. Sometimes I wish my kids could experience summers in the country like I did growing up - swimming in the lake every day, walking down country roads and big trees to climb. The suburbs have their advantages, but it feels stifling to me today.

Picnic and Field Day

Wind all day long, but we were thankful that it slowed down to a breeze for our homeschool group's picnic and field day this afternoon. We are all exhausted, but the kids had a grand time.

I just finished packaging up 6 freezer meals, as well as dinner for tonight. It took me 2 hours from start to finish - from browning the ground beef to prepping and packaging the meals. Faster than I thought and easier too.

I noticed Davy's pants were soaking wet this afternoon. Wondering what could have caused this, I asked him what happenened. He confessed that he felt hot, so he put ice cubes in his pockets to cool off. ;- ) Ingenious boy I have!

Green, Green Grass

Ahhh . . . we finally have grass in our back yard! It is so nice to look out and see green instead of brown.

The landscapers arrived to install 4,000 sq. ft. of sod after they laid the sprinkler system. We are grateful for the sod certificates that we got from the builder. We still have the side yard to finish up as the free sod didn't cover the entire yard, but it is almost done.

Confirmation Party

Our cousin had her confirmation at their Lutheran church yesterday. Thomas Edison was feeling sick, so I took the three others and DH stayed home with Thomas.

It was a very nice service and I pray that it will always be remembered by Cousin "Kitty". She is a sweet girl and has great potential.

We had a fun time and some good food at Aunt Bird's house.

Living History Day

We attended another Living History Day with Vision Heirs. It was a brisk, and occasionally, snowy day but we kept warm with coats and hats. We lingered at the blacksmith's station to soak up the warmth of the fire. We discovered things that I didn't know about the Revolutionary War times AFTER we declared our independence in 1776.

April Showers Bring??

Contribution from my children:

April Showers bring May flowers. And what do Mayflowers bring?

Pilgrims, of course.

Awana Awards

Last night was our last night of Awana for the year. We had a great year in Awana. Thomas earned his Timothy Award, completing all 4 books in the T & T Club. Pocahontas earned her Excellence Award, finishing the first 2 T & T books. Davy earned his 2nd Book award and Leif, his 1st Book award in Sparks. I am proud of their hard work, and even more, I am grateful... for the amount of Scripture that they have hidden in their hearts.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

. . . ours will grow in raised beds.

I am so looking forward to having a garden again. DH, with the children helping, built a beautiful garden bed frame today and will build more later this week. The kids each have their garden all planned out. They are more excited than I am!

Resurrection Sunday and First Tooth Lost

We had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday.

First, we went to church at our old church which we attended for 7 years before we started moving northward. Then we had a delicious abundance of food at hubby's aunt's house.

Leif Erickson lost his first tooth today. He had been wiggling it for weeks, and it finally gave way.

Last Day of our "Birthday Season"

Birthday "season" in our house is over for the year. Davy turned 8 yesterday. Davy is my sweet, very intense child. He is also the one most likely to take the flavor no one else wants or to give the last cookie to someone else. He has a creative mind and Lego is his favorite thing to do right now. I am so blessed to have 4 wonderful children.


A new bike from Grandma and Grandpa

I have a 12 year old

It is hard to believe that I have a 12 year old! Thomas Edison is a blessing to our family. He is funny, smart, helpful and a hard worker. He truly loves his siblings, even when they pester him. He is a reader, a thinker and always seeking to learn new things. As you can see, he has a playful side too. Nerf guns are the latest craze at our house, and Star Wars.

Awana Games & Sparks-A-Rama

After several weeks of practice, the day finally came for the Awana Games. I was one of the coaches for the Sparks team. Both teams played hard and well. The T&T and the Sparks teams came in 3rd place, but we'll be ready next year.


Pensive children as they see our competition is tough!

T & T Games
Pocahontas and friend ready for the 3 Legged Race.
Pocahontas in the 4 Way Tug, against MUCH bigger girls.

Our fearless Game Director as a Line Judge

A Bunch of Readers

It is amazing to me that all of my children can read now. Zach worked through "Teach Your Child to Learn in 100 Easy Lessons" and is doing well. We had ice cream sundaes to celebrate when he completed the book.

HIM Conference

Today was the local homeschool conference.

I found lots of good deals at the used book sale, and even stayed under my budget!

I also heard David Hazel from My Father's World curriculum speak. He had lots of encouraging words to say. Even though I don't plan to use their curriculum, I thought he had great points about being a family, not a school. We don't have to learn according to someone else's time table. Our kids can learn a their own pace.

My Baby is 6 Today

My "baby" is 6 years old today. Leif has such a sweet spirit. He still likes to cuddle and even be rocked to sleep occasionally. I'm going to oblige as long as he wants, too. He has a great sense of humor (like his daddy). He is a Lego lover just the rest of the bunch. He got a new bike today - - the end of the ...tricycle is in sight. I am pondering, but not feeling sad about it, surprisingly.

Awana Grand Prix Results

They are all winners! We came out on top in the design category, rather than speed. There were approximately 55 cars in all- three different classes. Thomas Edison's car was either 4th or 5th for speed in his class. We aren't sure because they only announced the top three after the computer averaged the times.




The two little boys were in the "Open Class" - Leif came in 2nd for design and Davy was 1st.
Thomas Edison was 2nd in the "T &T Class" and Pocahontas came in 1st.


It was a fun morning. Daddy was able to go in late to work, so he got to be there for the whole event.

Our General Store

The kids set up a "General Store". It expanded to two other shops on the same "street". They had a great time and operated their stores for three days before closing shop. They set up their own currency, priced items, traded and more.

Awana Grand Prix Cars

Ted has been working hard making the kids' Awana Grand Prix cars. They are even done 1 1/2 weeks ahead of time! They turned out great.

Thomas Edison's car



Davy Crockett's car

Pocahontas' banana car

Leif Erickson's truck