True Love

When I think of true love one of the first things that pops in my head is my Granny and Papa.
They are IN LOVE.  They still flirt.  Granny still blushes when Papa says certain things.  Those two are adorable.  They aren't Hollywood.....they aren't rich and famous.....but they are real and their love is real.  It has stood the test of time....that is for sure!

This weekend we celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary.  65 Years!  That is a loooonnnngggg time!

This is a picture of them with my Mom (their daughter) and their son.  They had another son also.  He died about 7 1/2 years ago.

They started their family in Ohio and then moved here to North Carolina around 1962ish and Papa and Granny farmed and raised chickens.  They were VERY hard workers and raised their children with a strong work ethic. 

I am so glad that my children have been able to know their great-grandparents and I am so grateful to have such a wonderful example of love and marriage.

What a blessing!  Happy Anniversary!

School Daze

Well I am well known for my winter school blues.  I love the summer...the slower pace of life.  I love the fall and the change of seasons and flavors and schedule.  I love the spring and the warm weather and flowers and fresh air, I love Christmas.....BUT I do not really like winter.  It is cold. It is dark. It is boring.  So often the freshness of school has worn off and the dailyness of it is in full effect.  So this is the time of year that I am often in search of a school bus .....really any bus and ready to load the kids on and then jump in a convertable with Randy and go somewhere....anywhere warm.  But alas finances don't allow so I am here.....dreaming of warmer days.

Enough whining!

Co-op is still a highlight.  At least we get to leave the house!
The elementary class I'm teaching is now studying Greek Mythology and we learned this week about how the Trojan War is (aka. Fairy Tale War) said to have begun. When Zeus threw down a Golden Apple with a card saying "For the Most Beautiful" a fight ensued between the goddesses.  Which after a long chain of events led to the Trojan War.  So after reading the story we made paper mache' apples complete with tags.  They really enjoyed it.

As a cute side note one of the boys in THE GIRLS class said, "the apple must be for Sophie."  she turned every shade of red.  It was so cute! he, he, he :)

The Kids all LOVE co-op day.  I think by Thursday we are all so ready to get out and see other people.  Especially in the winter when we are so home bound.

PRESCHOOL LUNCH BUNCH!

Usually on Thursday's I come home and pretty much veg out.  This Thursday I was supposed to go on a Girls Night Out with the ladies from my Sunday School class. I was so excited however I found out earlier in the week that Randy's boss needed him to attend a work event.  I also knew our Odyssey team needed to get in some extra work hours.  So I reluctantly decided not to go.  I hated missing it.  I know they had a blast. 

So instead of vegging or hanging out with my girlfriends....I stayed home with the kiddos. We ordered pizza and 2 guys from the Odyssey team came over to work on their script.

This is the problem they selected to solve (they had 6 to choose from):

The problem is to create and present an original performance that includes a tour guide that represents a character from classical literature.  The tour guide will take a group of tourist to three places: two that already exist and one that is an original place created by the team.  At one of the places, the tour guide will give an inaccurate explanation of something, and a tourist will provide the correct explanation.  The performance will include an inanimate item that becomes animated, and an item that is worthless but is watched over by a guard that gives the reason the item is being guarded. 

I AM AMAZED by these kids creativity.  The kids do EVERYTHING themselves.  Write, create costumes, make props, make backdrops, E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.....we (the coaches) can teach skills ie) sewing, hammering, sawing....but we can not do anything to contribute to the solution of the problem.   

The girl is already asking when she can be in Odyssey.  They have so much fun....but they also WORK so hard!

Their presentation time allowed is 8 minutes including setup time.  They are judged on creativity, quality of performance, how they portray the tour guide and the creativity of the inaccurate explanation.  The tourist are judged on their effectiveness and the creativity of the correct explanation they give.  The places they pick are judged on how they are depicted, the visual effectiveness of them additionally the team created place is judged on the creativity of the concept.  The inanimate object is judged on how it is depicted, the creativity of its design, and the effectiveness of how it comes to life in the performance.  The guard is judged on if we have one and the creativity of the explanation as to why they are guarding a worthless item.  Their worthless item is also judged for creativity.  Whew!

They have to keep all this in mind....while writing a script.  They also can have points taken off for having unsportsmanlike conduct, not have a correct membership sign, having outside assistance (from non-team member's helping or coaches helping) Spending too much money (they have $125 to spend to solve and present the problem), for the performance being too long and for not following the criteria set out in the problem.

FINALLY they are also awarded points on their STYLE

The style points are for: the creative use of a trash item in the solution, the creativity of the guard's costume, the overall effect of their style elements, and 2 team choices.  In other words the team can pick 2 things from their performance....music/acting/another costume, their sign, their backdrop etc. that they want to be judged on for Style.

So they worked for 3 hours last night....WRITING!  After a long day at school and all their extra curricular activities....and guess what....I think they loved every minute of it.

I can't wait to blog about what they've come up with....but I must wait.....their ideas are just too good to share.  Regional competition is the first weekend in March. 

We are running out of TIME!

So after a very long day for me, my kids, the Odyssey kids.....and Randy....he FINALLY gets home and decides we need to liven up the party and starts pumping the music!

The boys were thrilled to see him.

They eagerly helped him come up with the Odyssey play list :)

I sure do love me some Randy!

So even when the winter gets cold, dark, and boring....Randy is always good for keeping things FUN!

Pondering Passages Romans 12:1-2

Because of God's mercy and WHO he is: wise, knowledgeable, unsearchable, just, glorious.....we are encouraged by Paul to offer our very beings as living sacrifices to God.
WHY?
because it is an act of worship that is holy and pleasing to God.
So this begs the question: How would my life be viewed?  Would it be holy?  Would it be pleasing? 
I think after reading commentaries and stuff on this passage I would have to say....Not so much.

What is holy and pleasing is the obedience....not the "ritual" of sacrifice.  He doesn't long for simple sacrifice....He wants a LIVING sacrifice.
WHAT?
As a parent my children's "sacrifices" ie) them fulfilling their duties....doing what is expected.....is nice BUT....obedience when it is hard....when they don't want to....THAT is pleasing!
As a parent my child's obedience-choosing to willfully obey despite their own selfish desires....is so pleasing.  So encouraging. How much more must our obedience please God?  He is a perfect and holy and loving Father.  Imagine that....we please Him and bring joy to Him?  WOW!

So this living sacrifice thing sounds painful!
And how exactly do we do this?
I would say it is painful.  Most things that are worth anything involve some sort of pain or sacrifice.
He lays out for us exactly how to do it....
1- Don't conform to the world.
2-Be transformed.
As I think about not conforming to the world I can't help but think, "what is the world?" It is filled with sexual immorality, lying, cheating, killing, jealousy, quarreling....etc.
I'm thinking....hey maybe I'm not so bad....OOPS BUT WAIT:
The Pharisee's kept the law....AND killed Jesus...OUCH....there must be more.
This transformation must go further....maybe it means becoming like Jesus who not only kept the law...He loved people.  He loved the unlovable.  He turned the other cheek....when it hurt.  He was a friend to sinners. He gave until the point of death. He showers mercy on people.  He freely gave grace....ummmm maybe I'm not so good after all :(

HOW?
Renew your mind.
Yep....you know how....read your Bible and pray.  As cliche as it is...I think it may work!

WHY?
Because THEN you will be able to approve what God's will is
AND HIS WILL IS: GOOD, PERFECT, AND PLEASING!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Well....who would have thought this September baby would be going out to celebrate her birthday tonight?  It was a little late....but hey.....better late than never!

One of my bestest friends Kelly and I always take each other out for dinner to celebrate our birthday's.  Well Kelly was a little tied up having a baby back in August and has been busy caring for a newborn plus his 2 big brothers.....so I got to extend my birthday celebration to January!

It was so nice to go out and have a delicious dinner.  To chat and enjoy just being.  I LOVE that with Kelly I can just be.  She doesn't expect me to be_________________.  She just lets me be me! 

We talked about kids, we talked about life...and we actually planned another get together with the hubbies and the kids for next month!  I don't get to see Kelly nearly enough so I'm looking forward to having our crews get together!  Our kids always enjoy their playtime.

I have so much I want to blog about....my heart is so full right now....but I'm not ready to share all that is going on yet.  I can't really find the words to articulate my feelings...so for now just pray for me. 

I'm thankful for friends.  They sure do make life brighter!

The Plan

I don't know if people know this about me or not....but I LOVE TO PLAN!

I like to plan birthdays, my day, school curriculum, vacations......pretty much anything!  Planning I think gives me a sense of control....in a life that often seems out of control!

Now I have lived long enough to realize that so often life does not go according to my plans....but still.....I like to plan!

So....we are entering one of my most favorite times of the year.....The Birthday Bonanza is about to begin in my little corner of the world.....
February-Twinkies turn 5
March-THE BOY turns 13!!!!  YIKES!
April-THE BABY turns 4!
May-THE GIRL turns 8!
June-MY MAN turns 36!
So let the party planning begin!!!

Also....I'm starting to plan school for next year!  I am thinking of what courses the kids will take, what activities we will participate in, what curriculum we will use.....FUN!
THE BOY will be in 8th grade!  WOW!
THE GIRL....will be in 3rd grade!
THE TWINS....are starting Kindergarten!
and THE BABY will be in Preschool!

So....I'm going to grab a pen and paper.....and spend every free moment I can find....and let the planning begin!

Catch Up!

I feel the need to do a week in pictures update.  It's been so long since I've blogged.  However I've been so busy I have only taken 2 pictures this entire week....

Our family has a CrAzY schedule from January through the end of February.  This week alone we had 7 basketball games (8 really....but we could only make it to 7),

3 basketball practices, 1 cheerleading game, 1 cheerleading practice,
7 hours of Odyssey of the Mind,

Speech, Guitar, Co-op, and of course regular school.

I also had a bunch of fun this week....
A Coffee date with Rae and Charity and MY GIRL!  FUN!

A Coffee date with one of my Co-op Mommy friends named Loreen.  It was such a sweet time to visit.  Not only did I get to enjoy visiting with her and get to know her better but she was such a blessing to me. She was so kind to listen and really helped me to sort through some school decisions.  I really treasure her friendship.

A Hot Date with Randy....and the Mangums....and the Cockerham's.  It was fun to get to go out and have a grown up dinner.  These friends are the best.  They keep me in stitches.  I always know when we go out with them I will leave laughing and smiling.  Mom and Dad kept all the kids overnight....so we came home to an empty house and we woke up this morning and didn't have anyone to get ready for church.  It was so quiet and we had so much time!  We were actually early to church.  I love my kiddos but I also love having time with just Randy.

Then....as if I hadn't had enough fun.... I got to go to see The Lion King with my mom, dad, and sister.  Holly was supposed to go instead of Dad but unfortunately her and her family have been sick this week.  I hate Holly missed it but it was nice hanging out with mom, dad, and Stacy.  We had dinner at Tobacco Road and then went to the show.  The show was fabulous.  We even got to go backstage thanks to Matt (and Stacy) several people from the show workout at my brother Matt's gym and they offered to give us a backstage tour.  It was very cool and the people were so nice.  THANKS MATT and STACY for coordinating that. 

As I was thinking about how busy this season of life is.....I am grateful for a full life......I must admit....I'd prefer a full life to an empty one.  Although I must admit I'm looking forward to the slower pace of life coming in March.

Pondering Passages!

Whew!  What was Shay thinking?  This week was a doozy!  I must admit the first time I read over 1 John 1:1-4 I was like, "WHAT???"  I was COMPLETELY confused.  Granted....it often doesn't take much to confuse me....but this one was a real puzzle!

However....It did start to make sense.  There is something to this pondering.

First off....the verse was a toughy....but I FINALLY have it...(I think).

"That which was from the beginning.  Which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes.  Which we have looked at and our hands have touched.  This we proclaim concerning the word of life."
1 John 1:1
*I typed this without looking so it may not be word for word accurate*

What the heck does this mean?  I kept being reminded of John 1:1.  Thank you AWANAS!  The wording seemed very similar.  "In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the Word was God."  So....I did know the Word was talking about Jesus. 

But what struck me...was how John (the writer) was so excited.  He was like: I heard him, I saw him, I touched him with my own hands.....this dude was really here and he was real.  Not only that....but he is LIFE. 

WOW!  My kind of guy.  I like facts.  I like first hand true information.  Not much for here say and rumors.  I like to KNOW.  John wrote this for people like me.  Doubters....I unfortunately would have been Thomas.  I would have wanted to see, touch, hear....then maybe I would believe.  I'm so glad that is okay with Christ.  He's okay with my questions.  They don't get on his nerves.  He shows us the scars in his hands.  I love proof! 

This guy was also majorly excited.  After all he had seen Jesus!  He was compelled to tell everyone.  He wanted people to have what he had:  A relationship with Jesus.  He couldn't even help himself.  He was "proclaiming" all this about Jesus. 

Hmmmm....
What am I excited about.....
What do I proclaim.......
Hmmm......

Believe me people....I love me some Jesus....but I seem to recall a post I wrote at the beginning of this year entitled I'm so excited.....and I'm embarrassed to admit....Jesus didn't make the short list :/ 
YIKES!

So what is the deal?  I know Jesus but I can't help but think I must not KNOW him enough.  If I did.....I can't help but think I'd be a bit more excited about him.
I'm just sayin.....this pondering passages thing is a bit convicting.....
So my prayer this week for myself chiefly but also for my fellow ponderers is that we will seek to KNOW Christ.  REALLY KNOW HIM.  Not just in the salvation sense....but in the relationship sense.  If we KNOW him like John knew him....I bet we, like John, would be so excited we couldn't help but proclaim this Jesus to the world.

Off to check out Shay's blog:
http://sreyner.wordpress.com/2011/01/20/pondering-the-passages-1-john-11-4/
A work in progress,
Kim

The Sweet Life!

Busy...busy...busy.....

descibes my life right now.  I don't like being busy!  It stresses me out and I feel like I am not investing and living intentionally when I get too busy.  MUST. SLOW. DOWN.

The day flew by.....in a flurry of early morning chores and errands (library, goodwill, and walmart).  School. Lots of driving.  Lunch on the road. Basketball Game in Louisburg. Lots more Driving.  Home to Finish School. Story time.  Cooking with THE GIRL.  More Chores.  BATH....Ahhhh.  Coffee Date!  Laundry folding.  Tuck in Time.  Prep for school.  Computer Time.  BLOG!  The day is over!  Where did it go?

A few things that made this crazy day sweet : Listening to the Story of Corrie ten Boom while driving all over creation.  The Audio Story of the Hiding Place is so good.  God really does filter everything he allows through his loving hands.  Everything!  I loved that THE GIRL and THE BOY got to hear this truth too.  THE GIRL was listening to THE BOY and I discussing the story of the ten Boom's and she couldn't believe that it was a true story.  Heartbreaking.

LOVED that THE GIRL Cooked Dinner.  It was so GOOD!  That sweet girl is a blessing to our family!

LOVED having coffee with 3 of the sweetest girls I know!  Oh I'm going to miss my Charity....but I am so excited for her and proud of her!!!

Could there be a cuter picture?  They are adorable! 
It really is the little moments that make life sweeter.

What do I hunger for?

So I've just finished Week 2 Pondering Passages....

Our memory verse is:
Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled. 
(I typed it without looking :)

I haven't read what Shay has written yet...because I want to write about what the Lord has revealed to me before reading his post.  But plan to read his as soon as I post this because it's always so good.

The thing I kept coming back to this week....was the same question...What do I hunger and thirst for?  What do I long for?  Am I filled?

I hunger for.....a vacation somewhere tropical without kids and with a big book.
I hunger for.....quiet.
I hunger for....a nap.
I hunger for......a shopping spree.
I hunger for.....my kids to be nice to each other.
I hunger for....an evening out with adults....and adult conversation.
I hunger for....time away with Randy.
I hunger for.....a clean house...that stays clean.
I hunger for.....a 15 passenger van...without a van payment.
I hunger for.....a break.
I hunger for.....a body like I had at 20.
ummmm.....I think that's it....
Oh yeah and righteousness....  :/
I mean righteousness sounds good....but do I hunger for it?  Not so much!

Am I filled?  Am I satisfied?....again...not so much.
The Lord has been showing me through pondering this passage perhaps the reason I am not filled or satisfied is because I'm hungering after the wrong things.  What I long for is not bad but it is also not the best.  So much of what I want is to be left alone, have a break, look good to the world.....but how selfish and shallow is that?

As much as the world tells me I need to make time for myself.  I deserve a break.  Me time is important.  God says something very different.  I am to model self-less-ness....not selfishness.  I am to give.  I am not called to seek a life of comfort and ease.  But I am to pour myself out, as Christ did, as a drink offering. 

So I am challenged not to seek a break or a vacation......although nothing is WRONG with these things....BUT I am challenged to begin to seek righteousness.

What is righteousness?
As I studied what this word meant.  I discovered it is very closely tied to justice.  Justice means doing the right thing.  So it is simply following the ways of God.

I am to hunger and thirst for following the ways of God....that will fill or satisfy me.  As nice as a grown-up tropical vacation would be, or quiet and well-behaved kids would be, or a 15-passenger van....or the body of a 20 year old..or_______fill in the blank......I still wouldn't be filled!  I still wouldn't be satisfied.  I would always long for more....something else.....

So my prayer this week for myself and my fellow Ponderers...has been that we/I would be filled with nothing less then Christ.  I pray that He would turn this wondering and lustful heart to the things that truly satisfy.  I pray that I would long for righteousness....hunger for it....thirst for it.

2 Other things that also struck me in the passage but to a lesser degree then the biggie....were...

1-in Matthew 5:1  The disciples came to Jesus and he taught them.  It occurred to me that the Lord wants to teach us.  He is available to us.  We only need to come and sit at his feet.  I am the reason I don't grow in my walk with the Lord.  He is always there and always willing and ready to teach.  Am I being a disciple?

2-After pondering the entire passage over the week I was struck, afresh, with the knowledge that God thinks very differently then I do.  He calls situations blessings that I would not.  He has an entirely different economy and perspective then I do.  PRAISE THE LORD!

Amazed at this Savior-
Now....Gotta run....It's time for me to read what Shay has to say!  FINALLY!!!
Shay's Blog
Kim

The Dash...Making a Difference with Your Life

The Dash
By Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning.....to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,
the cars...the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
and more often wear a smile....
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read
with your life's actions to rehash,
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent your dash?

This is a poem from a book one of my dear friends mother gave me for Christmas.  The book is called The Dash....Making a Difference with Your Life.  So good!  So timely!  It was an encouragement to me and I hope it will be to you too.
Love,
Kim

Our Weekend

We have done our best to avoid team sports since THE BOY was a tot.  We decided that we didn't want to drag all the kiddos, at the crack of dawn, out to the field or court, etc.  We did plenty of that with THE BOY when he was little....BUT THE GIRL REALLY wanted to play....and TWINKIE BOY REALLY WANTED to play....AND THE BOY was playing...and then THE TWO LITTLE GIRLS saw the cheerleader uniforms and decided that they had found their calling!  So....Randy and I reluctantly decided to give it a whirl.  And boy did we jump in with both feet.  So our 3 oldest are playing basketball.  THE BOY for a traveling home school league and THE GIRL and TWINKIE BOY are playing for UPWARDS.  The two little girls are on the same squad (at least that worked out!) and they are both cheering at UPWARDS. 
I must say aside from the MAJOR rush getting out the door this morning....I actually had a great time!  Our girls are cheering with the 2 oldest Williford girls (they have twins too...but they are too young to cheer :) Getting to chat with Amber definitely another highlight of the day!  I don't get to do that enough!

The only problem:
The girls cheered at one gym at the same time THE TWINKIE BOY played basketball at the other gym!  So I had to miss THE TWINKIE BOYS first basketball game ever.  I was sad.  But TWINKIE BOY definitely wanted Daddy there and didn't care if I missed....so he got Daddy!  But next week...he's getting Mommy....because I want to see my boy!

I did get to see THE GIRL play this afternoon and she is quite the basketball player!  This was her first game ever and she did a great job!  She scored two baskets and came REALLY close to making several more.  I was so impressed with her dribbling and hustle.  She is going to be a very good ball player!

THE BABY WAS IN AWE OF THE EXPERIENCE!  SHE LOVES BEING A CHEERLEADER!

THE TWINKIE GIRL IS TOTALLY IN HER ELEMENT

They were all so cute!

They had a great time cheering and hanging out with the other girls.

They both LOVE their coach "Mrs. Ginger"

After the game....we came home and had lunch.  The kids had room time and then THE BOY took them out to play in the backyard.  He did this on his own without being asked.  So Daddy and I had a nice little nap.  What an awesome Big Brother!

After our Nap we vegged and Daddy made blueberry pancakes from scratch with the little ones.

They looked and smelled sooooo good.

I hear they tasted good too....however Daddy and I had a Veggie Omelet made from Egg Whites so I didn't get to taste them first hand.  Maybe another time!

Last Night Was Friday Night Fun....

So...we made homemade pita bread pizzas.  I didn't think it was like the funnest idea ever...but it was cheap and different.  However the kids loved it! 

Each pizza was a little different.  We made them with whole wheat pita bread and turkey pepperoni, and lots of veggies to stay with our healthy eating!

Just goes to show a little thing can be plenty and you don't have to spend a lot to make a memory and enjoy one another!

Ready for Sunday!  I love Sunday!
Kim

Our Week in Pictures

Where has our week gone?  It is nice to be back on a schedule....but I do miss our lazy unscheduled mornings.  I realized I haven't blogged about school in a while so here's what's happening at THE HOME BUILDERS ACADEMY....

Odyssey of the Mind.....
We are getting closer and closer to competition so things are ramping up.  We had our regular Monday morning meeting but several of the guys on the team met this afternoon to work on the Script.  I was really proud of the guys.  They only had 2 hours to work but got a lot done and stayed on task.

Of course we had regular school which started back on Monday:

The preschoolers have been doing the letter C and studying about Caterpillars.

We had a fun sequencing activity while reading The Very Hungary Caterpillar.

We practiced putting numbers in order.

We made Caterpillars.

AND A BIG MESS

We made patterns with Caterpillar colors

We practiced counting and recognizing numbers.

We read lots of books!

We did a bottle cap letter matching activity.

AND OF COURSE WE USED OUR PRESCHOOL ACTIVITY BAGS

These are bags filled with everything the student needs to complete a learning activity.  These are fun and educational and a great way for me to keep the little ones busy while working on other things.

These bags had a tracing activity, a cutting activity, and a uppercase/lowercase matching activity.

The little ones did a bunch more too....these are pictures from Wednesday but it does give you an idea of what we are doing.

The big kids of course have school too but their pictures are not always as exciting.  However they definitely keep busy.

We all do Bible Study.  We are all memorizing a verse: THE BOY is memorizing verses for his Co-op Class.  I am learning verses for Pondering Passages with Shay, THE TWINKIES AND BABY are memorizing verses for Cubbies and THE GIRL is memorizing verses for Sparks.  So we all review our verses together and then do a short topical Bible Study.  This week it was on arguing.  Whew...and it was timely....my little rascals have been ARGUING!!!

THE BOY has his nose in books for a large portion of the Day.  For History he has been studying World History and is currently reading a book called George Washington's World.

He is also reading a historical fiction set in 1815 on the remote island of Saint Helena, fourteen-year-old Betsy Balcombe develops a friendship with Napoleon Bonaparte who, after his defeat at Waterloo, is brought there as an exile and is housed with her family.  He says it is pretty good.

He is spending a lot of time memorizing in Geography.  He knows all the countries in Africa and Europe so far and was excited to learn that this week he only had to memorize the original 13 colonies.  Which is not only a review....but MUCH easier!

He's studied quite a bit this week he had vocabulary test, geography test, and Spanish.

He is also plugging away at Math.  Which he does primarily on a computer based program called teaching textbooks but when he runs into things he doesn't understand then we do have to supplement.  He is a good Math student and seems to grasp most of the concepts fairly quickly.  WHEW!

He's had lots of other things to...but he doesn't love for me to take pictures so I try to refrain :)

THE GIRL has been super busy too....

LOTS OF MATH....Which she LOVES!

Lots of Stories!  She loves for me to read to her and is really enjoying our current story The Year of Miss Agnes.  It's the story of a teacher from England  who connects with the hearts and minds of students in a one-room Athabascan school in Alaska in 1948.  I'm enjoying it too.  I think even Mindy likes it :)

She continues to work on her penmanship which is another issue with dyslexia...but she is plugging away and it is not too bad.

She also continued with her study of Ancient History.  This week learning about The Exodus.  She is fascinated to learn about these Bible Stories she's grown up hearing and how they fit into real history.  It's cool to see her enthusiasm.  She, like her big brother and dad, is a history buff.  In science she is studying teeth.

Her favorite class by far is Home Ec.  She LOVES to learn how to cook and bake.  She baked biscuits all by herself this week.  We all enjoyed the fruit of her labor!

She made sure her hair was up, hands were washed, and apron on.

She measuring carefully.

She followed the recipe.

She learned about how to use a rolling pin and roll the dough in every direction. North, South, East, and West.

Set the oven!

Then she taught her little students with the leftover dough.

She even cleaned up afterwards!

She did great!

And all this baking inspired THE BABY to open up her own Play-Doh Bake Shoppe!

AND OF COURSE WE HAD THERAPY....But at least I got to carry our stuff in my very cute bag my parents gave me for Christmas!  David Bishop aka Stitch Doctor made it even cuter with his awesome embroidery.

We had Speech (TWINIKIE BOY LOVES his speech folder and all his stickers!)

Twice at the school and everyday homework!

I've also started doing some alternate therapy at home in hopes of increasing TWINKIE BOYS progress.  So far it's been fun.  He especially is enjoying the "rebound therapy" and I have been amazed at how effective it is.

This was his "big" present from us and it had a purpose :) beyond just fun.  Although it has been a lot of fun for the kiddos.  But THE GIRL and TWINKIE BOY are going to reap major benefits it appears.

ANYWAY...

I LOVE MY TWINKIE BOY!  He is a trip!

He works so hard!

We've also had Reading Therapy if full effect....

THE GIRL is plugging right along.  She does not love it...but at least she does not hate it right now.  The pace is S-L-O-W...but we will get there...one day!

She does enjoy the game part of her therapy!

IT WAS NOT ALL WORK NO PLAY....we did have some fun too!

They always enjoy outside time....especially THE BoYS

I love when they play nicely (which was not often this week!)

I did let them eat lunch in front of the TV one day.  Which they of course LOVE!

Here is another fun part of our week.  THE GIRL got a fun card game called Pick-a-Draw, in her stocking for Christmas.  It is a cute way to teach kids how they can make different cartoon characters.  You have a stack of faces, hair, eyes, noses, and mouths.  Without looking you draw a card from each stack and create the face.  She has had so much fun making so many different cartoon faces.  Definitely a great gift.

Enjoying Oranges!

We are trying to eat healthier.

Week one went very well.

It was a busy week.  It was a good week and I am so glad it is the weekend!

Happy Weekend!