Pics of Kids + Volcano School Project

The kids were in a good mood and they were looking cute, so I pulled out my camera and took some pictures of them "just because" on Wednesday, September 11.

 

Above: Jay and David tickling Amy who was LOVING it!

Below: Jay (5) and David (3)

Above: Jay (5), David (3) and Amy (1)

Below: Amy (1 year, 1 month to be exact)

This week in Science Jay studied rocks and fossils, earthquakes and tsunamis, volcanos, and what makes up soil. I decided to do an optional science project/experiment, so we made our own volcano and had it "erupt" today. I quizzed him to see how much he retained from our lesson earlier this week. (He did great!)

Jay and David getting the homemade clay ready.

(Clay: salt, flour, and water)

 Our volcano mountain is formed!

 Outside we are all excited for the eruption to take place.

 Jay is the one in "school" but they all get in on the action, of course!

Jay requested red lava, but it came out pink since the red food colored vinegar was mixed with more water, plus baking soda and a few drops of dishwashing detergent.

David hopes we'll do it again, but this time he wants blue lava. Ha!

Weekend at Home

Saturday morning, September 7

Amy sure enjoyed her blueberry bagel with cream cheese (literally all over her)

Saturday night Matt enjoyed the Seattle Sounders game with a friend so we had a pizza and (Veggietale) movie night here at home. While I bathed Amy and put her to bed, this is the sight seen upon me entering the living room. Note the toys picked up, chairs out, stool by tv to reach the Kindle to play the movies, David's "Woof Woof" comfortably around his neck, and total engrossment in the story.

Here is a short video clip of Amy dancing to the worship music of our church this morning, Sunday, September 8. We watch the first service from home to give Amy her nap time. She completely skipped her morning nap this morning, the little turkey. Does she look tired to you?

Then this afternoon Matt literally caught David red-handed. He got carried away with the red marker downstairs after drawing a house on an empty cardboard box. THANK GOODNESS for washable markers!

School Project - Weather Vane

This week Jay studied weather in Science (using Sonlight curriculum for this subject). One of the weather related topics was on wind, so today's science experiment/project was to make a weather vane to help find out what direction the wind is blowing.

 

Here Jay is setting it up.

 

And of course David didn't miss out on all the action. I had to have him in a photo, too. Being my typical "funny" boy, he came up with this silly pose. He is definitely the family clown and knows how to get a laugh out of us.

Score off of Craigslist!

Thanks to Craigslist we purchased this terrific desk and chair set for just $40 today!!

 

It isn't in perfect condition, but nothing a little TLC can't fix. It is solid wood, it is such a great/cute size, a piece of furniture with some character to it.  Best of all, it has 5 yr old Jay and 3 yr old David's enthusiastic approvals. At bedtime tonight after tucking Jay into bed he said to me, "Mom, I really love my new school desk." That, alone, makes it the best $40 I've spent in a while. (heart melting)

 

The desk and chair will eventually be at "home" in the downstairs guest room (hopefully in the next couple of months) when we convert our "box room" from our move in February to a guest bedroom and school room.

 

When we arrived to look at and purchase the desk and chair, the lady also had a sign on this Black & Decker play work bench in her yard that said, "FREE." She asked if we were interested in it, so we said, "Sure." It works great in the play room to go along with the Black & Decker play tools Jay and David received for their birthday this year from friends.

We are grateful to so tangibly and clearly see God's hand of unexpected double blessing today in these material items.

Amy's 1 year portraits

I took Amy to JCPenney tonight for her 1 year old milestone photo session. These three photos were among the top 5 the photographer captured for her tonight. Love her to pieces!

1st Day of School!

 My attempt at a good picture of the three kids:

 "No, don't touch your nose, David."

 "A good one - but maybe I should get closer."

 "David, look at me, not at Amy."

 "David, don't be so silly."

 "Amy, look at Mommy!"

 "Hooray!"

 Jay doing his Phonics, Reading, & Writing lesson.

 David built the above airport with airplanes while we were doing school.

 Our calendar fun (and learning) this year, thanks to a friend who gave it to us.

Homeschooling a 5 year old with 3 and 1 year old siblings underfoot is no easy task. It took me 3 hours to finish our first day of school, but the flow of our schooling had many interruptions (dirty diapers, snacks to fix for hungry kids, putting Amy down for a morning nap, etc.)  I'm hoping for more like 2 hours a day or less to do 5 subjects. We'll probably adjust our school schedule day as the days, weeks, and months go to better fit our family schedule groove, but all things considered, it was a terrific day!

Please pray for my eager learner and also for me to be a good Mom so we can have a fun and successful school year!

Amy is 1!

We had Amy's 1 year well check appointment today. Here are her latest stats:

Weight: 20 lbs. (25th to 50th percentile)
Length/Height: 30-1/2" (90th percentile)
Head Circumference: 17-3/4 (50th percentile)

She received three shots today. Her MMR (measles, mumps, rubella immunization), Varicella (chicken pox immunization), and Hepatitis A immunization. One in her left thigh and then one shot in EACH arm.

We celebrated her one year birthday with rainbow chip cupcakes with rainbow chip icing and sang "Happy Birthday" to her.

"Ooooh, what's that on top - the light flickers?"

"What is this sticky stuff I just touched?"

 "Why are you singing a song to me? But I like it."

 "I think I'll touch this sticky white stuff again."

 "It feels squishy and a little funny...I like it!"

 "And it tastes good, too!"

 The finished 1st birthday cupcake.

Amy beat both Jay and David by demolishing and eating the most of the 1st birthday cupcakes. That'a girl!!  XXXX  OOOO