Playdoh Mondays

Jacob's Creation!

Fun with paints!

I'm starting my course with Sheffield School to become an Interior Deisgner and my first color project was working with primary colors (red, blue and yellow) to make secondary colors (green, orange and violet) and intermediate colors. I decided to make it into a color class for the kids. They learned what two primary colors create secondary colors and then how to create intermediate colors. We all had a lot of fun and the kids made some beautiful pictures.

Jacob's picture

Audrey's picture

Ethan's picture

Apologia Live in Chicago

My dear friend, Jennifer, flew out from Washington to meet me in Chicago for the Apologia Live Conference in Chicago. It was a women's retreat for homeschooling moms. Our entire trip was amazing from start to finish. Even if there hadn't been a conference to go to spending time with Jennifer would have been worth it all on it's own. We had a fabulous time touring Chicago before and after the conference. The highlight of our time in the city was a walking tour of their Modern Skyscrapers. But, on Sunday we knew we couldn't go home without going to the top of Willis Tower (formally known as Sears Tower). It is the tallest building in the United States and your ears actually pop as you're going to the top because of the speed of the elevator. When we weren't sightseeing or at the conference we were talking nonstop until late into the night all three nights we were there. The conference was also incredible. I really didn't know what to expect, but I was inspired and rejuevenated throughout the conference. I realized towards the end that as homeschooling moms we aren't only impacting the hearts of our children, we're are also changing our hearts by being faithful to Christ's call on our lives. I had always looked at my role as an investment in the next generation, but now I realize that God is also changing my generation too.

My Little Helpers

If it wasn't for Ethan, Audrey and Jacob helping me out today I never would have gotten the house clean. We got everything done except for the basement and it feels oh, so good to have a clean house again!!

Gymnastics

The boys started gymnastics a couple months ago through the homeschool group we're involved in. However, Audrey wasn't able to start taking classes until she turned four. It's been a really big deal for her to wait. So, I decided to make her big day more special by getting her a gymnastics outfit for her birthday. She couldn't wait to wear it to her class and she looked adorable in it. (P.S. The peace sign is something they picked up from the neighborhood kids, which is something I was unaware of until they flashed them for the picture.)

The funny thing about Audrey's first day is that she got right in there and tried to do everything. It was impossible to tell that it was her first day. We also gave Ethan the responsibility of showing her the ropes because they are in the same class. However, during group warm-up it was Jacob who was by her side and he asked Ethan why he didn't do the same when we were in the car on our way home. Ethan's response was "You were taking care of it."

Audrey and Cal (pictured below) are in the same Cubbies class on Thursday nights at AWANA, so they were happy hanging out together at gymnastics.

Ethan and Jacob have improved so much since their gymnastics classes in Olympia, WA. Ethan loves the trampoline, but I think he was even more happy to have me out there taking pictures of him.

Its been exciting to see Jacob do more difficult stuff at gymnastics. He was very proud of himself when he was able to climb the rope all the way to the top of the building. Both Doug and I were there the first time he did it and we were very proud of him too! We treated him to ice cream for that one!!

He's been working on doing handstands at home. He's getting much better and enjoys working on his new skill.

Swim Lessons

The kids have been taking swim lessons through Scott AFB's Homeschooling group at the YMCA since January, but this is the first time I've taken the camera with me to take some pictures. The kids love going. Jacob has really improved since last year. It's hard to believe that a little over a year and a half ago he had never put his head under water before. Audrey and Ethan are in a class together and have a lot of fun. Ethan is doing much better, but he still needs a little more time before he moves up to the next class. Audrey has been working on overcoming her fear of the water and she is starting to enjoy herself more and more each time.

Ethan and Audrey waiting for their turn!!

Ethan wasn't happy that his turn was already over.

Audrey's happy doing whatever!!

Jacob swimming laps in his Guppies class!!

Grandma Rapp enjoyed watching them swim today and I know they loved having her there. 

It started to rain as we were leaving. The raindrops were big fat drops which I found oddly different. However, the interesting part is what happen when we got home which will be in the next blog.

Here's a clue. Look at the clouds reflected in the window.

I Pledge Allegiance

The first thing we do every morning when we start school is the Pledge of Allegiance. Today was Ethan's turn to hold the flag and he added his own comic relief to our morning routine by wearing these hats. I guess I need to teach them that hats must be removed when we say the pledge, but I'm glad I didn't require it this time! 

Home School Insanity

I took this picture becuase I thought they looked hilarious with Audrey's tights on their heads. However, they hammed it up for the camera, which made the picture even funnier. 

I'm sure you're wondering why they had Audrey's tights on their heads in the first place. Well...our theme this week was learning about their five senses and as an impromptu measure the only thing I could think of to blindfold them with was her tights, and it actually worked out quite well.  They had a blast with all the activites I had planned, but their favorite was when I had them guess what I gave them to eat. It was tempting to throw something in that they wouldn't normally eat, but I decided to be nice.

St. Patrick's Day

We started off St. Patrick's Day by making green eggs. I wasn't sure if the kids would eat them, but they seemed pretty excited to see the eggs change color when I put in a few drops of food coloring. I would have to say that the eggs didn't look very appetizing, but the boys gobbled them up. Audrey tried a bite, but wasn't interested. However, it wasn't any different than any other day I serve her eggs.

THE KIDS MADE UP THEIR OWN CRAFT

I had a few crafts planned for the day, but before doing the crafts I told them about why we celebrate St. Patrick's Day. It was a story I never heard before and it was very interesting to learn the real reason for the holdiay. St. Patrick was a missionary in Ireland and used the clover leaf to tell people about the Trinity: The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit. He died on March 17th and that is why we celebrate St. Patrick's day. After telling the kids the story I had to run upstairs to sign some paperwork for the bug man who came to spray our house. When I went back downstairs Jacob was making St. Patrick and they found the clover leaves I printed out. Audrey almost had her's completely cut out. Jacob decided he wanted his clover leaf attached to St. Patrick's hand and had me write Father, Son and Holy Spirit on each leaf. Ethan wanted the body of his St. Patrick to be a cross. This spontaneous activity they created touched my heart and let me know more than ever how truly special it is to home school my children. 

Laundry Day

Painting Birdhouses

The kids amazed me with this project. I took them to Michael's to pick out their birdhouse. Then, when we got home they pick out the paint they wanted to use from my collection of acrylic paints. I didn't give them any advice on what colors to choose and they didn't ask for it. They also decided where they wanted each color to go. I painted the edges where different colors bordered, gave them some instruction on how to use and hold the brush and they did the rest. They had so much patience with this project and really tried hard to do a good job. Their efforts showed because they look great!

Ethan Started Swim Lessons

Ethan started swim lessons on Tuesday and loves it! I realized very quickly after we told him we signed him up that he believed he could already swim. He watched Jacob for half the year in his Homeschool PE class and was just waiting for his chance to get in the pool. Days before he started his class he was uncontainable with excitement. One night I found him still awake in bed and asked him what was going on and he said he couldn't wait until his swim class. Tuesday couldn't come quick enough for him. It was also difficult for him to understand that his class wasn't until Jacob's Homeschool PE class was over. I picked him and Audrey up in the childcare and he began taking his pants off right there. I told him it wasn't time for his swim class and he was confused as to when it was going to start. Finally, the time came for us to go into the locker room to get him changed. He was so excited he could have jumped out of his skin. Unfortunately, we were ready about 5 minutes early, so we had to stand and wait once we got to the pool. I could feel his anticipation building and it was killing me. I just wanted the class to start for his sake. Finally it was time for him to get in. He got in the water so fast I thought he was going to take off and go under because I was still pretty sure he thought he knew how to swim. Thankfully, he realized he wasn't allowed off the steps without the teacher. It was exciting to watch him in his class because he was having so much fun, but the funnest thing for him was jumping into the pool. Both Tuesday and today he tried to get in two jumps, but the teacher was only letting each kid have one jump. He took his disappointment in stride which was nice to see, but he was pretty upset when his class was over. Thirty minutes is not enough time for him. If I had known he wanted to take swim lessons this much I would have started him months ago. Audrey's also let me know that she is ready to get in, so I'll be signing her up next time too.