3 Months

My sister called yesterday to wish Finley a Happy 3 month's! Thank God she reminds me. Her baby Aven was born June 30th and Finley was born July 30th so on the 30th we try to get together for cousin pictures.



I like this one where I'm staring at Aven not even realizing he's kicking Finley in the face. She's so easy going you can tell she is baby #5. She's so sweet and just goes with the flow. Takes all the beating from her older siblings and cousin!

Flashback Friday

I'm posting tonight for tomorrow because I have planned a last minute Halloween party with a bunch of the homeschool friends.(Why do I do this to myself?) I know I will be busy tomorrow with all the Halloween fun we have planned. I hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween. Check back to see our family costumes.

Austin's 1st Halloween as Superman. I remember driving to all the grandparent's houses that night. We would ring the door bell then run and hide with our video camera. We would leave Austin in his stroller at the door step. We have video's of all the grandparent's opening the door going goo goo gaa gaa over him. (1st grandchild on both sides)


This is Austin's 2nd Halloween. I am pregnant with Faith and Justin is pregnant too! LOL...(again he lost a bet)


Faith's 1st Halloween. I couldn't find a picture of her in her Indian costume I made her but here she is at the pumpkin patch at 5 months old.


How could I forget this Halloween. I stayed up all night finishing their costumes. Austin was 4 years old dressed as Elvis and had a big sequins eagle on the back of his cape that I had stayed up all night making. Faith was 2 years old here.


This Halloween I was pregnant with Landen. Hannah our dog as toto. Austin wanted to be a pirate and Faith wanted to be a mermaid princess.(check out her extentions haha) Daddy was a party poop er that year and didn't dress up.


Here I am as I Love Lucy. Justin threw his costume together about 10 minutes before we left for the party. I lost the bet and he wouldn't be Ricky.


This is Landen (Freakin-stein) as he calls himself. His preschool had a little parade and party today.

Mom Needs A Bubble Bath

Yesterday was not my day. When we were on our way to take Landen to preschool we got rear ended in my new car:( At least we are all ok, it could of been worse. When we finally got home from our day of picking kids up and dropping kids off all I wanted to do is lock the door and take a long hot bubble bath in my new jet tub I have yet to use. But, instead I needed to get dinner going and get the kids ready for bed. I told Austin to have Landen jump in the shower with him while I got dinner going.
All I heard was screaming from upstairs.


When I went to go see what was going on...

The boy's poured all my bubble bath and filled the bathroom with bubbles. Needless to say I never did get my bubble bath:(

We Just Got A Letter

We just got a letter, we just got a letter, wonder who it's from? Ok, I seriously need to get out and have some adult time. LOL
We received our state letters today from Alaska and Mississippi. The kids are doing state reports and a couple of weeks ago wrote letters to the tourist office of each state. I had them right in their best handwriting and business letter format requesting a recent state map, census statistics, recreational points of interest, state resources and so forth. We not only got ton's of information back they also sent us pamphlets and brochures. We will be sending out our acknowledgment of thanks. (More writing practice) The kids are doing one state a month. They love to get mail and are excited to read about different states. We also got Halloween cards in the mail from grandma with money in them! The fun doesn't stop there...The UPS man showed up and our costumes are in. I was getting worried they weren't going to show up in time for Halloween. When we opened the door there was Capri sun's on the door step (new boxes) with pencil erasers for the kids. Thank you to whoever brought those. We didn't see a note. We have over 100 Capri sun's now. Keep em' coming!

Another One Of My Crazy Ideas

My husband thinks I'm crazy but I already knew that. A couple of weeks ago we went to the RV show to (LOOK) at motorhomes. We currently have a travel trailer and would like to trade it in for a motorhome. While we were there walking around I asked him, "So do you think we could get someone to run the business?" He just rolled his eyes at me because he knows my mind is turning with another one of my crazy idea's. I kept going... think about it, what if we got a motorhome and took off a year to roadschool. Wouldn't that be cool? He just kept ignoring me. Serioulsy, if money wasn't an issue I would totally live in a motorhome for a year and travel with the kids doing school on the road. Just think how much they would learn. We could visit what we were studying. I know I love our house but just think about the adventure that would be.

Tomorrow night on TLC don't miss the Loud Family. They had the same crazy idea I have. They are a family of six who rv full time and homeschool their children on the road. The show is called Six For The Road . One year ago they gave away and sold everything they owned and bought a fifth wheel and hit the road. They realized that they became caught up in life and became so busy with daily routines that they needed to take back their life. So they did what they have always dreamed of. They decided to leave it all behind and have never looked back.
They have enjoyed learning so much while on the road. They have been able to learn hands on in the most able places. They have been from Williamsburg to the Toilet Seat Museum . They have been to NYC and experienced the big city and we have been to a small town in Tennessee to help tornado victims try to put their life back together. They have done this as a family and have loved it!

How cool is that???

Yes, it would be hard going from 3000 square feet to 400 square feet with five kids. Kati, the mom said that life in an RV can get really crowded and hectic but it is fun.
The first 2 episodes air on October 29 Eastern Mountain and Pacific time zones are at 10:00pm and Central is at 9:00pm. The two episodes air on November 5th. Same times. Each night they will show 2 episode in a row. They are on right after Jon and Kate plus Eight. Same production company.

Kati has asked to pass this info along to anyone that you think may be interested in watching. If you would like TiVo the show and even turn all your TV's on to help our numbers :) They also re- air that night at 1:00am if you want to TiVo that also :)

You can visit the Loud Families website at: http://www.ourloudfamily.com They have a great forum for homeschooling info, travel ideas, etc. They also have blogs that are stories and pictures of their journeys. They also have a contest going on right now . They are looking for people to help them design 3 new bumper stickers. There is a $100.oo first prize for each one. Here is the link for the dimensions etc http://ourloudfamily.com/blog/ view/id_75/ title_loud- family-bumper- sticker-contest- win-big-money/

They will also make an appearence on the TODAY show October 29th during the 9:00 am hour.

Just think this could of been us...LOL

Tuesdays Things

First thing I need to get a blogroll going. If you read this blog will you please post your address in the comment section so I can start one. Thank you!

Second, My good friend Jen Krause who I have been friends with since Austin was born so gosh, 9 years. She has three beautiful kids. Her youngest Luke, has speech apraxia. She is trying to show the importance of his signing. Her goal is to go to Honduras next year with her daughter Lily to sign to poor deaf communities. My kids take ASL and I think it is important for all of us to know how to sign. She also has a business called The Hungry Baby www.thehungrybaby.com She gives a lot of her earnings to charities. Her nursing covers will be at my party on Nov. 13th for a donation which will help her on her trip to Honduras. (I love my nursing covers) Go visit her at www.jenkrause.com and don't forget to check out the fashionable nursing covers too.


Thirdly, This Saturday there will be 100's of us standing out with our yes on 8 signs if you would like to get egged, I mean if you would like to join us email me at www.carlsbadryan@aol.com and I will give you the info. Bring the kids!


And last but not least...
My sister Brianna FINALLY updated her blog. I have been trying to get her to update because even though I see Aven (Stinky) That's what I call him:) once in awhile I just can't get enough of him. Go check her blog out and show her some love...http://www.theadamsfamily3.blogspot.com/
They were the cutest family at the Halloween party. She did a family theme too! Go see...

Pumpkin Carving

Cheers!
(Halloween Stew) ok, it was just chicken noodle soup in those cups, but I told the kids it was Halloween stewwwwwww oooooooo! (hey they thought it was cool)


daddy hard at work (lots of pumpkins to carve)



Farrah loves her pumpkin

look at Finley smile:)



Then we ate pumpkin seeds...
I thought this poem was cute and my kids thought it was funny.
Poem:
One day I found two pumpkin seeds.
I planted one and pulled the weeds.
It sprouted roots and a big, long vine.
A pumpkin grew; I called it mine.
The pumpkin was quite round and fat.
(I really am quite proud of that.)
But there is something I'll admit
That has me worried just a bit.
I ate the other seed, you see.
Now will it grow inside of me?

(I'm so relieved since I have found
That pumpkins only grow in the ground!)
Author~Unknown

When I was little my dad use to tell me that if I ate watermelon seeds, watermelon would grow out my ears...and I believed him.

Stand Still

We were out shopping and Landen was trying to make us laugh by acting like a mannequin.




He couldn't stay still for a second. He's full of giggles and acts like he constantly has ants in his pants.

Here's some more silly kids:

Meet Mr. & Mrs. Gallon

Mr. Gallon (or Mrs. Gallon if your Faith and refuse to do boy stuff) is a visual aid we used to help us learn and understand Customary Capacity Units. By studying Mr. & Mrs. Gallon the kids will easily remember the number of each unit that makes up one gallon.
My kids now know and will never forget how many quarts are in a gallon or how many pints make a quart etc. They have these little friends to help them remember.




Make your own Mr. or Mrs. Gallon
http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/math/units052499.html

I Prayed For The Wrong Kid

Finley is such a good baby (during the day.) She sleeps all day and is up all night. After giving her a bath, putting lotion on her, wrapping her up tight and giving her a good feeding I layed her down. Then I prayed over her, God please help her sleep through the night. Mommy needs sleep! About 11:30pm Faith is crying at the side of my bed saying she threw up all over. Great! I was up about every hour after that with Faith throwing up and cleaning up. God did answer my prayer! Finley didn't wake up until 6:30 in the morning. She slept almost 9 hours! From now on I will pray that EVERY child sleeps through the night.

One of the greatest treasures of homeschooling…..

is the ability to observe your children, and REALLY get to know them. Not to manage them, or cart them around, or teach them, or discipline, or train them. As parents, we can get so busy in the “business” of raising kids, that we schedule our way right on out of it.


Every day, I get to know these little guys as real live people, who think and talk and have opinions, and who are being called by God. It is amazing. Most people say to me, “I don’t know how you do it?”. They must think I am super woman. I am here to say I am not. This isn’t easy, but nether would sending them off to school now would it? Are you kidding me? With all the fund raisers and early morning rat race rush, and homework that you would probably teach them how to do anyway, to me it seems simpler to stay home.


This is what I love the most, getting insight into them as people, so that I may partner with the One who made them. I KNOW I wouldn’t understand them as people the way I do now, if they were away in school for 7 hours a day. I would ask their teacher, and she would tell me. All these little inside conversations that they have are my little gifts to keep for ever and not someone else who wouldn’t really treasure them the way I do…and trust me I do treasure every one.

thanks h.s. diva for sharing this!

Flashback Friday

This Friday were gonna go back to when I was about 10 or 11 years old.
After the puffy paint t-shirts my sister and I were talking about the time my mom made us all puffy paint shirts to wear in our Christmas picture. We all had matching puffy shirts (with jewels too!) It was so embarrassing walking through the mall. Oh, and did I mention they were still wet when we took the picture. LOL. As you can tell from this picture I have always been a nerd. Oh, and could my bangs get any higher?

Sorry the picture is blurry but that's I guess that's a good thing:) Have a good weekend everyone and stay away from the puffy paint!

Is Your Husband a Teenager?

It's true what they say only drunks and children tell the truth. They just say what's on their mind. The other day the little girl(5 yrs old) two doors down came over to hang out with me. (Yes, I am the fun mom on the block) This was our little conversation.

Ella: Mrs. Bridget is your husband a teenager?

Me: No, he just acts like one. Why?

Ella: He looks like he is.

Me: Do I look like a teenager?

Ella: No, but are you having another baby?

Me: No, why?

Ella: Because, it looks like you are.

Yep, there you have it the truth..I will not be blogging as much because I will be at the gym. Oh, and I'd like to see if my husband would look like a teenager if he gave birth to 5 kids!

Are You Smarter Than a 4th Grader?

Austin, my 4th grader wants to challenge you. Can you figure these out? This was some of his homework last night for critical thinking class.
I'll post answers this weekend. Try playing with your kids and see if they can figure them out. It's kind of fun...

Parent-Teacher Conference

Tonight is Parent-Teacher conference it will go something like this...



No, I'm not talking to myself, I'm having a parent-teacher conference.

Could This Count As Floral Culture?

I love the simple things in life. I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds around my neck. (ok that's going a little far) My husband often makes fun of me saying I live in my own little prairie world. I do, and I love it. I love to just listen to the birds sing or stop and smell the flowers. Yesterday, after we finished school we went out back and were admiring God's creation. All the different flowers and plants in our garden. The younger kids were napping so we decided to make some flower arrangements. Austin picked the flowers while Faith and I made the arrangements.
Here's our designs
(I'm sure designs by Dee and Debbie would be proud LOL!)

The Election of a President

Mom's teaching lots of new stuff this week. We started our unit study on The Election of a President. For math we will be creating graphs and pie chart's comparing various candidats, percentages etc.
We will also talk about qualifications for a U.S. President, the difference between Democrats and Republicans-Independents too. We will research various political parties that have existed during American history. We will be doing some campaigning of our own. I will have them look up common political phrases and learn what they mean, such as: mud slinging, spin and spin doctors, swift-boating and any other phrases we come across while reading. I have a list of vocabulary words they will need to know by Election day. (We have a test) The Electoral College is something else they will learn about in this unit study. How it works and how many electors each state has and why. Disenfranchisment and suffrage and the history behind voting. We will end our unit study with looking at both candidates we will compare and contrast between the two current candidates. Some other topics we will cover will be:
If I were President....
Why Voting is Important...
My Favorite Candidate....
How Much Does It Cost To Become President...
Issues's That are Most Important To Me and Why...

You can do your own unit study of the election.
go to Notebooklearning.com
Here are some other sites we will be visiting during our study.


http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/election08/

http://www.pbs.org/elections/kids/index.html

Missionaries From India

Our neighbor knew we were studying Missionaries. So, last night we had a chance to meet Robert and Christine,missionaries from India. We had a nice evening of tea and watched video's. Then they talked and answered questions that the kids had about India. It was an eye opener to me on how blessed we are as Christians to be so free here in America. My kids were touched by the stories of the 300 million people who are deemed "untouchable" and comprise the lowest rung of the Hindu caste system.
Robert and Christine have a heart to share God's love with the Dalits(untouchables.)
The kids also enjoyed hearing the story of St. Thomas and the miracle at the village of Palur. We can't wait to hear from Robert and Christine as they will be keeping us in touch with what the Lord is doing. They will be leaving next week to go back to India where they are planting a church.

Smile!

Today is picture day for Landen at preschool. Before I took him to school we did a quick practice. Ok, Landen show mommy how your going to smile......










Who knows what face I'll get. Gotta love this kids personality though:)