nightmare

Audrey woke in the middle of the night with a nightmare. It doesn't happen often, but last night she was sobbing - tears streaming down her face. When I asked her what the dream was about she said, "I was walking along a path in a park. Then I saw a cow in the path so I said 'moo' to him. Then he said to me, 'get off this path' and that scared me." More sobs, more tears.

I was trying hard not to laugh. She was not scared about walking in a park alone. She was not scared about meeting up with a cow in that park. She was just scared that he told her to get off the path. So glad her nightmares are still so innocent!

We prayed together. I rubbed her back. She went back to sleep. I climbed in bed and told Patrick about the dream - we laughed together.

our vacation last week...

...was wonderful!

loving school!

Today marks the end of our fifth week of school this year. I cannot believe how well it's going. We're having a ball with history - I think it is the unanimous favorite. I love watching how what we're studying impacts their play time. When we learned about nomads they lived in caves and Liam would hunt while Audrey would cook. When Egypt was our topic, they built pyramids and pretended they were farmers along the Nile River. Sometimes I wonder if they're listening or "getting it" and then I realize in the afternoon that they definitely are. So rewarding!

Here is a sample of some of the projects we've done so far.

They put on a play for us showing the five steps of preparing a mummy.

They did paintings of the Nile River with the Great Pyramid (made of sugar cubes!).


They painted their names in hieroglyphics.

Liam dressed up as King Narmer wearing the double crown after Lower and Upper Egypt became one kingdom. I think Audrey was one of his fighters!

We did our own cave paintings.

And we created a chart of the animal kingdom.

Just a sample...but SOOO much fun. Cannot believe how much I'm learning with them.

pets?

We've had a few flies in the house this week. Our favorite way to get rid of them is to wait until they fly into an open window and then close it so they're trapped between the window and the screen. Liam thinks it's a big fun challenge to capture them. And today Audrey tells me, "I like to pretend that the captured ones are my pets. Until they die."

Hmmm - do you think my kids need a pet?

football is back!!!

sweet sixteen

Sixteen years ago we said, "I Do."

And I'm so glad we did.

goodbye highchair

This big boy is up at the big table now. The highchair is one baby item I am not sad to see go. See-ya!!

NOT back to school day

Today was the first day of school for our local district. So two friends (who also homeschool) and I decided to plan a special surprise day for our kids as a way to celebrate NOT going back to school! We had a ball.

Started with a trip to our favorite park out in Lynden.



Then off to Mallards for yummy ice cream.

Then the kids pulled out games and started playing!


And finally, it was craft time! They made lavender and rice heating packs with their initials on them. The kids love them -- and I love the smell!

Super fun day. One of the girls we were with today, who went to 'regular' school last year, told Audrey today that she's glad she's not going to school anymore because it is "squished and rushed." Ahhh - no squishing or rushing today. It was wonderful!

sick kid

I hate it when my kids are sick! I feel bad for them. I feel bad for me. Liam has a fever today of 102. No other visable symptoms - says his throat and back hurt. Poor guy. He's got those horrible sick eyes - if you know what I'm talking about. And he's such a good patient. I just wish I could give him my full attention. But two other kids still have needs to be met as well. Pulled, pulled and pulled some more. That's how I'm feeling today. Amen it's Friday - of a 3 day weekend. Just three more hours until Dad will be home....