what's in a name?

A couple of weeks ago the kids were curious about what their names mean. They did some research and found the answers. Ever since then, Audrey has been writing her name on her schoolwork differently. I think I like it. A lot.

make a joyful noise!

We have wanted a piano for awhile now. Patrick's parents even gave us some money a couple of years ago to help us get one. But we just never had space. Or could find the right one. Or had the time to teach the kids. Last Wednesday Patrick found one on Craigslist. Kylie and I went and saw it on Thursday. We liked it but the owner was moving and we had to get it out of her house by Saturday. We were able to find a piano mover that could do it on short notice and everything worked out beautifully.

We are so thankful for our new piano!!

pioneer days - week 3

Co-op was cancelled last week (along with everything else on our schedule) due to the snow. So we were all excited to get back at it today. In my pioneer class we read The Deer in the Wood and Going to Town. Then the kids each made their own prairie town. It was a pretty difficult craft for this age - lots of cutting, folding and taping. But they did it. The kids seem to be enjoying the class and I'm having a great time teaching it!

snow day #5

This was our fifth, and final, snow day. How do I know it was our last? Because it is warming up and has started raining so this snow should be gone soon. And I'll have a car tomorrow. I've never been so excited to go grocery shopping in my life. And Costco and Target too. Oh my. It's gonna be a good day!

Today the big kids went outside and built a snowman. Then we had some friends over and the boys built a train track in the playroom and the girls enjoyed their Bitty Babies.

A good day overall. But I will be oh so glad to get back to our regular routine next week. This was a bit too much home time, even for this homeschooling family!

snow day #4

Snow day number four. Oh my. Let's see...we finished up our school work for the week. Found a really fun states/capitals game on the Internet. Did some watercolor painting. Baked banana bread. And went sledding.


What started out as a tough day (think grumpy kids and impatient mommy) turned out to be really fun. Because - we had visitors! My cousin and her best friend braved the icy roads and came over for dinner. The kids and I were thrilled! I just love these girls. They enter our home and brighten it right up. Thanks for coming Erin and Ashley. You made this snow day great!

snow day #3

Okay - now I'm goin' a wee bit crazy. Three solid days. No car. Daddy not home until 7 or 8pm. Lots and lots of time at home. You'd think perhaps I'd do a deep cleaning on my house with all this spare time. But no. It pretty much looks like something blew up in here at the end of every day. So what have we been doing?

More sledding!

Working on a gigantic puzzle.


And baking homemade granola.


Oh, and school work. And blogging.

Staying busy and keeping warm. And even though I may feel a little crazy at times, I am also thankful for this time together. Making memories that will last a lifetime with the three little ones I love so much.

snow day #2

It is still snowing. And according to the weather forecast, we're supposed to get a lot more. No cabin fever yet - we're staying busy with school work and lots of snow-related fun.

The big kids were invited to go to a big sledding hill with a group of kids (and one brave Daddy!) from our neighborhood. They had so much fun! And we have piles and piles of wet clothes to prove it!

Hot chocolate and candy canes to warm up with! And Christmas music - just because it feels right.

Ever since reading the Little House on the Prairie books, I have always wanted to make Molasses Snow Candy. So today Audrey and I did it. You mix molasses and brown sugar. Bring to a boil and pour into pans of snow. It was fun to make and tasted pretty good too.


Patrick has to take the big car to work in the snow. The kids love the idea that we've been "snowed in" the past couple of days. So much excitement in our little neck of the woods!

first snow!

Our first snow of the season arrived today. Ethan ran around the house yelling, "We got snow! We got snow!" The kids went sledding, started an igloo, and made snow ice cream.

pioneer days - week 2

Week two of our co-op pioneer class was today. It went really well. We read A Little Prairie House and then we made our own log cabins. Then we talked about how they made their own quilted blankets using various designs and patterns and we made our own scrapbook paper quilt. Turned out pretty nice!

3.5

A little someone is three and a half today. He learned of this upcoming event last week and has been anxiously awaiting it. He was quite disappointed when he was told that we would not be having cake and ice cream, or riding on a train, or putting the Christmas tree back up for the big occasion. (???) We settled on rice krispie treats and singing happy birthday. Funny boy. Love him so much.

pioneer days - week 1

The big kids and I started back to co-op yesterday. This quarter I am teaching my first class and let me tell you - I feel like I'm student teaching all over again! Lots of planning and crafting and a little bit of nervousness.

I decided to teach a Little House on the Prairie class to kids ages 5-10. I had visions of sewing bonnets and beading bracelets. Then I got my class list. Eight boys, two girls. So I switched gears and now it's more of a class on pioneers. Each week I will read a book or two from the "My First Little House Books" series and then we'll do a craft or game.

For week one we did a brief history lesson on where the American pioneers were traveling and why. Then I read Going West and Prairie Days. Then we made little covered wagons. And we tried corn cakes dipped in molasses just like Laura and Mary ate in our stories. Not a huge hit! And the kids were surprised that corn meal was eaten in some form at almost every meal.



It was a fun hour. Loud and crazy - but I'm used to that. Audrey and Liam loved their classes. Liam is taking Nature Crafts and Adventures in Building. And Audrey is thrilled with her Jewelry Making and Event Planning classes. Should be a great quarter!

my boys...

...watching football. Love these guys!

Happy New Year everyone! Ours is off to a great start. I do love new beginnings!

Wishing you and your family the very best for 2012!