Our Neck of the Woods

Cowboy L.

B:  earned her Faith ribbon at New Beginnings (a special program for the young women, ages 12-18, in our church).  She worked long and hard to do this. She is also working with a new orthodontist in getting her teeth pulled in. We see this ortho every two weeks for now, so she'll be good friends with him. This procedure makes for a sore mouth, but she still smiles.
A: went to New Beginnings and learned all about Young Women's, since she'll be turning 12 soon!  She also tried out for her school's writing team and made it. She got 2nd place. She will be going to compete for her grade, writing persuasive, informative, or narrative essays.
X: went to Super Saturday and had fun doing different science experiments. He came home sporting a fancy tie-dye hat and some goo.  He and L. LOVE the goo and the bodily-function noises it makes!  He also went to a "8 IS Great!" meeting at church, preparing him for his upcoming baptism.  He liked it, especially ALL the brownies.
L: had Rodeo day at school. He roped cows (hoola hoops over "cow" chairs), tossed cow patties (bean bags), walked the fence (balance on a little beam-thing), and barrel raced (stick horses around cones). Yee-Haw!  He has started soccer too, so our Saturdays will be full.

So that's what's happening in our neck of the woods. What's going on in yours?

Box Books

When the school called this morning to let us know we would have yet another day of no school, I wondered what we would do...all day long.  Luckily, I received inspiration when I was reading my friend Nikko's blog of the fun things she is doing with her boys in homeschool. I feel my kids don't get the fun, creative aspect of learning, because school focuses so much on tests, tests, tests.  So today was a chance for us to get creative. I found a book in a box idea here and away we went.

 Our box bookcovers

 A's story tucked inside the box. 

 B's dog story.

X-man's treasure--his story. 

L made a story too, but felt shy about sharing it.  What wonderful, aspiring authors! The day turned out fine!

No School--Day 4!

What do you do when you get FOUR days of NO SCHOOL due to icy weather and snow??

Bundle up and play in the white stuff. 

 Capture the snow in a net.

 Kick around. 

 Make snow angels.

Drink hot cocoa with a little extra chocolate added for good measure!

Watch t.v. 

(Poor X-man started running a fever on Tues. night. 

The upside of being sick on snow days--you don't miss school and have make-up work!)

Play Legos--even in bed/couch if needed. 

Wear crazy socks and bundle up.

I bought these blue striped socks at the Dollar Store on my mission many years ago. I LOVE THEM! and they almost have holes in them and I can't find replacements and I'm sad.  Best buck I ever spent.

Play Jenga.

Play marbles.

Play mancala (and get whooped!)

Build. 

That's a banana.

Make cupcakes.

Rejoice in life's little treasures.

I found the RIGHT conversation hearts at Walmart yesterday. 

I almost did a jig in the check-out lane.

Celebrate Nutella Day. 

I guess it's tomorrow, Feb. 5, but any day is a celebration with Nutella!

Tues. we had rolling black outs, so we just bundled up. Our fire alarm went a little berserk and wouldn't stop BEEPing. Luckily, the electricity came back on, and it quieted down. And X-man is on the mend, so life is good. Cozy. Sweet. Not getting much done. Still fun.

1 Hour later...

A bit of bickering. A LOT of noise.  Toys and stuff everywhere. 

A bunch of people in a small area.  For FOUR days.  Still fun???!!