Tattoos And a Great Homeschool Day

Yes, we started school in August. We slide into a routine adding a few extra components each week so that by September we are in full swing and have already done all that review and get ready stuff. Last week we had a GREAT day. We are reading Betsy Ross while learning about the American Revolution and colonial time period. The store had a deal on corn so I bought a bunch on the cob for lunch one day and let everyone eat as much as they wanted. Then they had to devise a plan to dry their cobs and make it animal proof. ( We have everything from chipmunks to skunks to bears around here.)


After the cobs, we mixed up our sourdough starters. Each jar has a different color rubber band for the respective kid. Whose is who's is very important! We put them into the oven with the light on to incubate and catch all that good yeast that is floating around in the air.
I'm feeling really good about our day. What a success. Two projects started and we are having fun. Well, in the meantime (in the same room mind you), the toddler and preschooler are practicing the fine art of "Sharpie tattoos" along with some pen and ink drawing. I think the Sharpie stuff looks like Chinese. They must be brilliant!

At least it was only body art this time and not furniture or walls...

Big Sister Boredom

This guy is just a magnet for excitement.

Here is what big sisters do when they are bored and all the new school supplies are lying around.

I especially love the drool running down the chest.

"I'll take them off now, thank you very much."

Everyone Gets a Turn

Is this a rite of passage in toddlerhood? Everyone of them has done it. AND they are delighted and proud of it!
He's so cute that I can't stand it. You know you have been a parent for 20 years when you think to get the camera first instead of wailing about the spilled cereal.
Then there is always a little help from your friends.
There is a paper plate underneath all that with about 15 cheerios on it. Just don't tell anyone that I let my kids eat off the floor....

My Baby Flew the Coop

Last weekend, Lindsey was a bridesmaid in a dear friend's wedding. Her friend, Hannah, offered to do her hair. Wow, she did a gorgeous job. I cannot believe Lindsey let me take pictures. So she must have thought it looked pretty good.

Last night, August 26, 2010, we had a little send off party.
This was "Lindsey" week around here.
I made all her favorite meals including:

Tuesday: Steak and red smashed potatoes
Wednesday: Best ever taco salad
Thursday: Chicken lasagne

She has pretty good taste, wouldn't you say. We all enjoyed the excellent food.

Keith and Kristel came to enjoy the lasagne and celebrate the sending. Kristel has been the "big sister" and Keith has been the "big brother" that Lindsey needed over the past few years. They have really stuck by her and been great FRIENDS.

Dave (our soon to be "neighbor") came with fruit.

Farmor also joined us to see her granddaughter off to college.

Packing day. I suggested to big sister to let the siblings help. They were thrilled and made quick work of it. Here they are in an almost empty and clean room.

The car is loading up. Good little Honda.

She was happy to help. Actually, Cora is almost always smiling.

Hmmm...where do I want that. Starting to wonder if it will all fit...

Uff! This one is heavy. But I'm getting the job done!!!

Come to think of it, why IS she so happy?
Because this means the girls get to move to a new room,
which is VERY exciting for 3 young ladies.

Kloey did her fair share, for sure.

Loaded to the gunwhales! She only took what she needed.

GROUP HUG!
Sibling style.
Micah is in the middle.

Loves that boy with all her heart.

I'm here to tell ya, he's a great kisser.

Sharing a moment.

He's going back for an extra slobbery one...

Cora is still smiling!

Erik got a hug and a tickle.
They are both fiendishly ticklish.
My allergy kids.

Kloey went in for the warm hug. Not sure what she is thinking.

Erika got her fair share of a hug, too.

Going......

Going....

Gone!

She went off to college. After successfully living at home for 2 years, her schedule at the university dictated that she live nearby. She got a sweet deal on an apartment with a job attached.

There she goes.

Another milestone.

I'm not sad.

I am thrilled because she found something that she is passionate about.

Besides, she will most likely be home next weekend. :)

Toddler Toilet Tales

What do you get when you mix a toddler and a toilet?

A project for the front yard.

Hmmm, which end is up?

I don't see anything, do you?

Peek-a-boo!

The culprit is watching the surgery.

Washing up. A job well done.

Here is the evidence.

Yes, two bars of soap were the problem of slow to no flow. The toddler did make a full and complete confession prior to this event. He was quite proud as he held up not one but two fingers to show how much soap he had disposed of.

Is life ever dull?

A Year Later

This was our family picture in June 2009,
leaning against the rock with the ocean behind.
There were 10 of us. We did not all fit in one car.
The boys were little, just barely one and two.

A year later, there are 11 in the family and we found a car that fits.
The boys are not so little anymore, not compared to the baby anyway.
Same rock, same place, the ocean in the background, the trees, a little bigger.

Life is really good!

Simple Prayer

Lord, help me to:

Live in a way that honors You;

Be the person who reflects Your love;

Do the work that You have set out for me;

Learn true contentment and accept Your way.

Lord, let me be an instrument of Your peace.

Amen.

Photo Credits: Both photos are Kansas sunsets. I took the top one. The bottom picture is to Lindsey Peterson's credit.

Whooo-weee!

This is how my man-child changes not-so-sweet smelling diapers.

A.K.A. The t-shirt cover up.

I have been trying to catch him on camera for months.

"Oh, come on Mom.....!"

Aside from enjoying his methods, I appreciate that a sixteen year old boy is willing to pitch in and help out wherever needed.

Kudos to Jerrod!!! Love that boy.