It's actually been remarkably warm in January for the most part but hey, winter is still cold and dark. We are all homebodies when it's like that. We enjoy lounging on the couch or Mom and Dad's bed. Tonight after family meeting which was short b/c we also had church prayer group, El and Gabe decided to pull out the Snap Circuits and proceeded to spend a very fast hour and a half enjoying themselves. Isaiah's into reading the latest Warrior book on the Kindle.
Other nights we've had out Rummicub, Phase 10, Dominoes, UNO DARE, Battleship, and of course Wii Sports Resort Tournaments. After all, the family that fences, dive bombs and boxes each other stays together :). It's nice that most of the time we can all play nicely together.
Our church recently had a family game night. We had a gym so the soccer turn basketball turn volleyball matches went on continually while we had several tables of Scategories, cards games and even a funny caption making game that Elly and Gabe loved. A few snacks and hot drinks and it was a good night.
We haven't played much Hide and Seek or Sardines in the dark lately...have to pull that one out soon. Is it bad that I hide in a great place and spend a 1/2 hour reading a book while they all look for me?
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Aug 2014
Today (Aug 31, 2014) I'm recording weights and heights...possibly for the first time in...well, I don't remember.
Isaiah age 12 years 7 months 21 days, 5 feet 4 1/2 inches, 112 lbs.
Elly age 10 years 6 months 5 days, 4 feet 10 1/2 inches, 80 lbs.
Gabe age 8 years 5 months, 4 feet 6 1/2 inches, 76 lbs.
Ah, I've fulfilled my mommy duty for another season :).
What have we been doing this summer?
April and May:
We recovered from CC, finished up soccer, AWANA, and art. Did projects each week around the house. Enjoyed some things we'd missed during our crazy CC directing year: nature sketching, nature walking, biking, handicrafts, books like Sam Campbell's Forest Friends series, Holling C Holling's Pagoo, My Island Story up through Queen Elizabeth and many things Charlotte Mason. I was so happy to find her writings again. She has such a wonderful, gentle art of learning. We had many lovely ideas to pursue just because we loved learning about them.
June:
The month of 5 Day Clubs. We had one with 26 of our friends attending. One of our biggest yet. The kids attended several more as well as BBC's VBS. EH didn't have VBS and I have to say, I was relieved.
July:
The highlights of July were going to camp and vacationing. Isaiah attended outdoor camp for a few days doing fun things like burning wood, making food over fire, chopping wood, having paint ball slingshot wars, shooting, playing night games, eating grubs (yes, that was a highlight for him), learning about the armor of God and generally having a load of fun while not having to change clothes at all. :). Elly and Gabe and 9 more of their EH friends went to camp the middle of the month. Everyone had fun during one of the coolest weeks of camp ever. They were happy to swim once, eat all kinds of sugar, play a lot of gaga ball, have loads of time with buddies and learn all about traveling light--as a light to the world with light baggage (no sin). Then we headed to Branson with the Reids. We had a lovely condo that had a great pool which the kids used every day. We went to Silver Dollar City for the best roller coasters ever, a clogger show and a one hour tour of marvel cave! It was our first cave and a hard one to beat. Lovely to hike through. Our hour underground went by quickly. Then we attended Jonah at the Sight and Sound Theater for a great, awe inspiring, and thought provoking show. I was concerned about taking 5 boys to it, but it was a hit. We learned there's a little (or a lot) of Jonah in all of us when we presume mercy b/c we're good. The last day we hit the fish hatchery, saw the dam museum and had some time in the lake much to the kids delight. There was even a trip to Hard Work U (College of the Ozarks) for ice cream made by students who don't pay tuition but work at the college in exchange for it and then a lovely scenic trip out to the Branson airport at twilight while seeing lots of deer (and buffalo--though not wild). We had a great trip down and back. It's fun to travel while listening to Odyssey's US History stories.
August:
We though August might be low key and I suppose it was compared to June and July but here we are at the end of it and I'm not sure where it went. We continued to "add a subject a week" which we added to the ever present reading and online drills: starting with Math, nature reading, handwriting. Then we added our new ABC coop for a toned down CC experience. The kids started piano back up after working this summer on their own and doing some Simply Music sessions. Isaiah started Robotics club last week much to his delight. This coming week we'll start art for El and Gabe as well as family fall soccer and then next Monday Isaiah embarks on his biggest adventure yet: Knights Speech and Debate. He's really excited to dig in. So here we are adding to our fall, praying that we have perseverance to do well and learn much while we enjoy our time with our Creator and each other.
Our theme for our school year is HONOR. Treating others as special. Doing more than what's expected. Doing it with a good attitude. We're praying God will continue to show us and grow us into kids that bring glory to Him.
Isaiah age 12 years 7 months 21 days, 5 feet 4 1/2 inches, 112 lbs.
Elly age 10 years 6 months 5 days, 4 feet 10 1/2 inches, 80 lbs.
Gabe age 8 years 5 months, 4 feet 6 1/2 inches, 76 lbs.
Ah, I've fulfilled my mommy duty for another season :).
What have we been doing this summer?
April and May:
We recovered from CC, finished up soccer, AWANA, and art. Did projects each week around the house. Enjoyed some things we'd missed during our crazy CC directing year: nature sketching, nature walking, biking, handicrafts, books like Sam Campbell's Forest Friends series, Holling C Holling's Pagoo, My Island Story up through Queen Elizabeth and many things Charlotte Mason. I was so happy to find her writings again. She has such a wonderful, gentle art of learning. We had many lovely ideas to pursue just because we loved learning about them.
June:
The month of 5 Day Clubs. We had one with 26 of our friends attending. One of our biggest yet. The kids attended several more as well as BBC's VBS. EH didn't have VBS and I have to say, I was relieved.
July:
The highlights of July were going to camp and vacationing. Isaiah attended outdoor camp for a few days doing fun things like burning wood, making food over fire, chopping wood, having paint ball slingshot wars, shooting, playing night games, eating grubs (yes, that was a highlight for him), learning about the armor of God and generally having a load of fun while not having to change clothes at all. :). Elly and Gabe and 9 more of their EH friends went to camp the middle of the month. Everyone had fun during one of the coolest weeks of camp ever. They were happy to swim once, eat all kinds of sugar, play a lot of gaga ball, have loads of time with buddies and learn all about traveling light--as a light to the world with light baggage (no sin). Then we headed to Branson with the Reids. We had a lovely condo that had a great pool which the kids used every day. We went to Silver Dollar City for the best roller coasters ever, a clogger show and a one hour tour of marvel cave! It was our first cave and a hard one to beat. Lovely to hike through. Our hour underground went by quickly. Then we attended Jonah at the Sight and Sound Theater for a great, awe inspiring, and thought provoking show. I was concerned about taking 5 boys to it, but it was a hit. We learned there's a little (or a lot) of Jonah in all of us when we presume mercy b/c we're good. The last day we hit the fish hatchery, saw the dam museum and had some time in the lake much to the kids delight. There was even a trip to Hard Work U (College of the Ozarks) for ice cream made by students who don't pay tuition but work at the college in exchange for it and then a lovely scenic trip out to the Branson airport at twilight while seeing lots of deer (and buffalo--though not wild). We had a great trip down and back. It's fun to travel while listening to Odyssey's US History stories.
August:
We though August might be low key and I suppose it was compared to June and July but here we are at the end of it and I'm not sure where it went. We continued to "add a subject a week" which we added to the ever present reading and online drills: starting with Math, nature reading, handwriting. Then we added our new ABC coop for a toned down CC experience. The kids started piano back up after working this summer on their own and doing some Simply Music sessions. Isaiah started Robotics club last week much to his delight. This coming week we'll start art for El and Gabe as well as family fall soccer and then next Monday Isaiah embarks on his biggest adventure yet: Knights Speech and Debate. He's really excited to dig in. So here we are adding to our fall, praying that we have perseverance to do well and learn much while we enjoy our time with our Creator and each other.
Our theme for our school year is HONOR. Treating others as special. Doing more than what's expected. Doing it with a good attitude. We're praying God will continue to show us and grow us into kids that bring glory to Him.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Christmas 2013
Well,
Christmas has come and gone and here I sit on New Year's Eve wondering
where the year went. This fall has been busy but rewarding. We've
discovered RMT to help all of us optimize our learning. We're hard at
work moving in ways that make good connections for our brains. Elly
also now has her new Irlen lenses. She seems more confident. It's my
prayer that daily RMT work will fix her light sensitivity so that those
lenses aren't necessary in a year.
We had two great vacations. First to DC to visit the Reid/Simons and Kathy, Kate and Max over Thanksgiving. It was the first plane trip for the kids who were super excited. Isaiah wanted to see the Natural History Museum, which was impressive. Elly and I especially loved the gems and crystal section. The rest was good but b/c of the evolution being stated as facts, it was a little frustrating too. It was good practice b/c the next week we roadtripped with CC and EH friends to the Creation Museum near Cincinnati. It was WONDERFUL start to finish. We just soaked up information that bolstered our faith and drew us closer to our Creator. We especially loved the nightly pool parties and morning breakfasts at the hotel with our buddies.
We came home to try to love Christmas without being too busy to appreciate the reason for the season. It helped that our church was working on the Advent Conspiracy to worship fully, spend less and give more (or ourselves) this season. We enjoyed making duct tape bags and goodies, giving coupons for snow shoveling, babysitting and cleaning.
Our Christmas was definitely smaller as far as gifts and money spent on us but the memories we made on our trips and just having fun together playing games (Bananagrams, Tenzi, Pictionary, Train Dominoes) and making food and decorations were a big highlight for everyone. Noone missed having more presents.
And now we're off to Aschoff's for our NYE party with EH buddies. CC starts up again next Monday. Still plenty to do there. Praying about what next year looks like for us with that as well.
And we are ending our 2013 and beginning our 2014 with Stormie Omartian's 7 Day Prayer Warrior Experience. We've learned so far to support our "core" with truth...not just knowing it but living it and making our decisions accordingly. And we read tonight about how our breastplate of righteousness will protect our hearts. If we live and move in God's way...the right way...we'll avoid a lot of pain and be protected under God's umbrella of blessing.
We had two great vacations. First to DC to visit the Reid/Simons and Kathy, Kate and Max over Thanksgiving. It was the first plane trip for the kids who were super excited. Isaiah wanted to see the Natural History Museum, which was impressive. Elly and I especially loved the gems and crystal section. The rest was good but b/c of the evolution being stated as facts, it was a little frustrating too. It was good practice b/c the next week we roadtripped with CC and EH friends to the Creation Museum near Cincinnati. It was WONDERFUL start to finish. We just soaked up information that bolstered our faith and drew us closer to our Creator. We especially loved the nightly pool parties and morning breakfasts at the hotel with our buddies.
We came home to try to love Christmas without being too busy to appreciate the reason for the season. It helped that our church was working on the Advent Conspiracy to worship fully, spend less and give more (or ourselves) this season. We enjoyed making duct tape bags and goodies, giving coupons for snow shoveling, babysitting and cleaning.
Our Christmas was definitely smaller as far as gifts and money spent on us but the memories we made on our trips and just having fun together playing games (Bananagrams, Tenzi, Pictionary, Train Dominoes) and making food and decorations were a big highlight for everyone. Noone missed having more presents.
And now we're off to Aschoff's for our NYE party with EH buddies. CC starts up again next Monday. Still plenty to do there. Praying about what next year looks like for us with that as well.
And we are ending our 2013 and beginning our 2014 with Stormie Omartian's 7 Day Prayer Warrior Experience. We've learned so far to support our "core" with truth...not just knowing it but living it and making our decisions accordingly. And we read tonight about how our breastplate of righteousness will protect our hearts. If we live and move in God's way...the right way...we'll avoid a lot of pain and be protected under God's umbrella of blessing.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
11.13
Been awhile...
updates: We've heavy into CC year two, directing which is more of a family commitment. We've been introduced to Rhythm Movement Therapy which has helped with Isaiah's focus and impulsivity. Elly and Gabe have been diagnosed with Irlens Syndrome...a light sensitivity issue that results in text distortions and depth perception problems. Elly will see the screener for tinted eye glasses to help with this. She's very excited to read without as much difficulty. Kev and I are preparing to take our conceal/carry class finally with some buddies next weekend. We are flying to DC for Thanksgiving ...first flight for the kids. We will also be roadtripping with EH and CC buddies to the Creation Science Museum in Dec. Big fun coming.
We've finished soccer and football for another year. Happy am I . Elly continues in art. Everyone enjoys AWANA...Isaiah is motivated to help me with Puggles. Isaiah is enjoying a robot class and considering making the robot club an activity. It seems to suit him for interest and ability.
The Lord is good and his mercy endures forever. And we're thankful.
updates: We've heavy into CC year two, directing which is more of a family commitment. We've been introduced to Rhythm Movement Therapy which has helped with Isaiah's focus and impulsivity. Elly and Gabe have been diagnosed with Irlens Syndrome...a light sensitivity issue that results in text distortions and depth perception problems. Elly will see the screener for tinted eye glasses to help with this. She's very excited to read without as much difficulty. Kev and I are preparing to take our conceal/carry class finally with some buddies next weekend. We are flying to DC for Thanksgiving ...first flight for the kids. We will also be roadtripping with EH and CC buddies to the Creation Science Museum in Dec. Big fun coming.
We've finished soccer and football for another year. Happy am I . Elly continues in art. Everyone enjoys AWANA...Isaiah is motivated to help me with Puggles. Isaiah is enjoying a robot class and considering making the robot club an activity. It seems to suit him for interest and ability.
The Lord is good and his mercy endures forever. And we're thankful.
Friday, November 8, 2013
GoKart
We also spent some time on our staycation out with our friends, the Aschoffs.
We hit Papio Fun Park for some laser tag, go karts and mini golf. Elly
went from riding to puttering around the course to Nascar driver in the
space of an afternoon. Our family laser tag games were fun...nothing
like shooting your family full of lasers! We hit the park afterward for
some more fall fun. It was a memorable day for the Reids.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Stay-cation
We had a stay-cation this October.
We started out with our first skating party at Hope skate. With Dad's
help, Gabe was able to really do well and keep up with Isaiah and Elly.
It was fun to skate to Christian music new and old. We hit the zoo with
Dad next to see the new aquarium and tried out a new restaurant: King
Kong with huge burgers for Dad, "the best" chicken strips Gabe had ever
had and a gyro for Isaiah and Mom which was new for Isaiah and very
yummy. We finished the day with our CC friends at a fall family fun
day...food, crafts and games galore. It was a great start to our
sometimes busy, sometimes not-so-much week.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Paddleboat
We went on the Rivercity Star Paddleboat up the Missouri River today.
It was great weather...hot but breezy. The "Big Muddy" was indeed all
that. We saw some of the flood damage from last year and went all the
way down to the casinos. Kids enjoyed eating and watching. Isaiah had a
learning moment after he got his leg stuck in the railings...but a very
kind woman loaned us her sunscreen and his knee slide right out. He'll
be more careful in the future.
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