School Days

 First day of School 2012-2013  Don't we look like we're having fun?!

 7th Grade, I have a child in the 'youth' category now!

 5th Grade

 2nd Grade

 Kindergarten

Preschool

I just realized that I have been a homeschool Mom for 8 years now.  What a blessing!  It is my first year of having 4 doing real school work(as opposed to the busy work #5 will be doing), it gets more interesting every year!  We are using My Father's World and MathUSee with some odds and ends to round things out.

We took a break

 Our bags are packed and we are ready to head out.  Windows down, wind blowing through our hair.  Radio up, singing along.  Excitement in the air for the adventures that await.

 Of course we didn't forget to bring along our legos!

 We got to take a picture with our favorite cone man along the way :)

Lake view from my uncles cabin.  Loved sitting on the deck watching the fog lift off the lake in the morning, birds chirping, squirrels dancing, thoughts whirling, cozy under my fuzzy blanket with my cup of coffee.  Ahhh breathe :-)

 My little fish were so happy to be in the water again.  We went from going to the beach/pool 2-3 times a week to going to the pool 2-3 times a year:(

 fun times!

Love this, my aloha retreat!

 

 Went to an aquarium and saw the doctor fish that take care of all dead skin, warts, blemishes etc

 Checked out The Landing, with the dancing fountain.

Spent the day at a beach, where the children spent lots of time swimming but also found lots of mud to play in too!

Was so sad to see how many ponds were dry now and the lake was very low as well.  We know how dry the summer has been but when you can visually see, wow!  Ironically the week we were gone it rained almost daily at our house!

Two boys happily at home in their trees again.

Summer days at the park

 We decided to visit the sculpture park again. 

#2 wasn't with us last time and I do think she enjoyed herself.

 Climbing and running.....they didn't seem to notice the heat unless they stopped.

 Family I included this one for you....he loves this outfit(cool weather or hot weather makes no difference to him!) and it is getting increasing too short for him.  So if you happen to stumble on some "g.i. joe" flannel combo please keep #4 in mind.

 They really wish we had one of these in our backyard.

 Can't let the kids have all the fun!

#1 looking through a crack in the bottom.

and now he is 3

July 27th my baby turned 3!

 The serious chef

 He asked for a watermelon cake and Granny found this fun jello mold just for him!

 I couldn't resist the aloha shirt!

Do you see what's in  his pocket?  He was so excited he caught it but it was his sister's idea to put it in his pocket:)

My 12 year old

 My lettuce eating...yes just handfuls of lettuce!

 Camp going....

 hamburger cupcake and sugar cookie fry eating...

Other requests for food for his special day:

chocolate chip pancakes

mac and cheese

potato soup

a carb loving boy!

 birthday boy!

Love you!

End of softball 2012

Team & coaches for the older two minus one player. 

#5 was VERY upset he didn't get a trophy too.  I will have to keep this in mind and get him something special the end of the next game season.  After all he does go to all the practices and games-such a trooper!

ps In this picture he is holding a trophy we were taking home to give to the missing player from the older kids team.  Him being able to hold that was such a lifesaver from a complete and total meltdown!!

New summer experiences

#3 getting on the bus for day camp.  He had a blast once he realized he did know other kids going.

 Plus there is that cool fact that he got to ride a bus!  My kids always love an excuse to catch a bus ride:)

 The week really wore him out but he had a great time.  Thankful for all the staff and parents that helped out for the week!

#5 had his first overnight away from Mom & siblings.  #5 and cousin C  had the grandparents to themselves for a few days.  Report back to me was #5 didn't ask about us at all, just enjoyed his stay.  #4 was missing his brother a lot though and couldn't wait for him to come back home!