My Summer Book

Since the kids have been out of school for the summer, we have "played" school everyday.  This is good practice for me if we plan on homeschooling next year (more on that later).  And it keeps them busy and entertained while inadvertently learning.   I've found several great websites with free printables and worksheets.   This one is one we have used several times with lots of science and health worksheets for all different age ranges.  Also, this one is great for making your own math worksheets and drills, as well as online games for kids.  My kids love math time tests...who knew?  And while we're one the subject, this is a great phonics website for little ones.  

Another daily project that we are working on is their "Summer Books".  Each of the 3 older kids has their own binder with paper and every day they have a time to journal about what they did the previous day, be it somewhere special we went, what they played or any thoughts on the day, good or bad.  They get to write a short journal entry and draw a picture to go along with their entry.

As I have been encouraging them to chronicle their summer, it has inspired me to do the same only... you guessed it...on my blog!  I hope to daily (or somewhat daily) post about what we are doing each day.  Other than the fact that writing in this forum is therapeutic for me (as well as fun), I plan on keeping all these random stories, pictures and memories from this blog for my kids to read years from now.  Each year, I plan on doing something like this (although I'm not endorsing this particular site).

So, you lucky people you, will get to be privy to our daily happenings, good and bad, this summer.  And of course pictures will be included.  And, if the thought of this bores you to tears, feel free to avert your eyes or suggest other topics that you'd like to read about.    I'd love to start right now, but nap time is only so long and there are chores to be done.  Maybe tonight.  :)

Nathan's Baptism

Sunday we celebrated Nathan's baptism as a covenant child.  Ken's parents were here to share in this special day with us, and all the children got to take part in the service.  It was a beautiful ceremony and Nathan slept the entire time... right up until he got cold water poured on his head.  :)   We pray that one day Nathan will personally profess Jesus as Lord.  Through his baptism now, we offer him to the Lord and trust that he is a child of God's covenant.  We will pray for him, teach him the ways of the Lord, and trust God to bring him to Himself.

"Then God said to Abraham, "As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come."  Genesis 17:9

potty training 101

Potty training is really not a new thing for us.  After all, we have 5 children.  Three of which were fairly successfully potty trained by age 3.  However, we now have boys.  Things have apparently changed.  Jake is, as of last week, a 3 year old.  I have half-heartedly tried a few times over to the past months to get him out of diapers, obviously to no avail.  So, today we decided that we just needed to dedicate a full day to one-on-one training.  Ken is home from work, so we could divide and conquer. Or so we thought. 

It's not going well.  Not well at all.  We're trying the pants-less method that so many swear by. We've also incorporated treats and lots of praise.  Jake, however, seems to be determined to stay in diapers and defies us to suggest otherwise.  What we have ended up with today, so far, is a very grumpy toddler from trying to "hold it" all day.  And if we do "catch him in the act", he turns into a 3 legged ninja fending us away as we try to drag him to the potty.  He could care less about the treats today and is hell-bent on getting his diaper back.

Our girls were rather easy in this department, so the full on potty rebellion has taken us a bit off guard.  This... along with Ken's busy work schedule, nursing a 3 month old, summer entertainment for the big kids, all while staring down the barrel of our 8th move in 9 years... has got Mommy a little on edge.  I know some of you have trained boys (or stubborn girls)...so I'm all ears for any advice you have.  Do I abandon ship and try later or is there a way to get past the rebellion?    Any words of wisdom or encouragement will be heeded and appreciated!

Follow me...

The night before Ken and I got married, he brought his guitar to my parents house and sang the John Denver song "Follow Me" to me.  It was so sweet, and I'm sure he will be immensely embarrassed that I'm sharing that with you.  However, the song has been so true in our marriage, as I have literally followed him all over the country now in our Navy adventures.

That being said, you are invited to follow me as I follow him (who is following Him, by the way).  Let me clarify...  I've added a Followers gadget to my right sidebar so I can keep up with all those wonderful people who follow our family blog.  If you ever read here and find it interesting or even mildly amusing,  please do click there to become a "follower".  Then, others can click on that and link to your blog (if you have one, but you don't have to) to see what you've been up to lately.  

And if you really want to follow us, we'll be moving to Rhode Island in about 8 weeks.  But you probably don't want to do that.  Because that would be weird.

And because I rarely post without pictures... here's my favorite man to follow and one of my most faithful followers.  :)

Summertime...

The girls got off the school bus for the last time this year on Friday... summer is officially here! The kids are excited and I'm in full planning mode, finding ways to entertain and stimulate 5 little minds during the long days of summer. Our move is coming up in July, so that will definitely break things up a bit. But until then, I'm trying to add a little more structure to our days so as to do some teaching and training along with our playing and resting. We're starting our first weekend of the summer off with a fun weekend with Bumpa and Grandma here.  

We took a trip to the local Farmer's Market this morning...one of my favorite places in summer. I love the colors and smells; the kids love the treats and throwing rocks in the nearby pond. They always have a local artist playing live music and beautiful flowers for sale everywhere. Here's a few fun pictures from our morning.

Observations of a 3 year old

I've come to notice that every time I take a shower and come downstairs with wet hair, Jacob says, "We go to church today, Mommy?"   

Hmmmm...perhaps this should speak to me concerning my daily weekly whenever-I get-a-chance hygiene routine?

Happy Birthday, Jake!

May is the birthday month in our family... being that 4 of the 7 of us were born in this month.    It's late and I haven't downloaded the pictures from today, but I couldn't let the day pass without saying Happy Birthday to my sweet Jakey.  Our first little boy, born into a house full of little women, he has certainly changed things around here, only for the better.  With his sweet smile full of mischief, he can melt my heart and make me laugh all at the same time.  I love you little Buddy.  Happy 3rd Birthday!

The Kindy 500

In the spirit of the Indy 500 which is (as you might imagine) wildly popular up here, the girls' school annually holds the "Kindy 500".  And it is adorable.  It is a big wheel race for the Kindergarten classes and the whole school turns out to cheer them on.  Hannah participated last year and this year it was Gracie's turn.  She was on the gray team, and when it was her turn  in the relay she put the pedal to the medal (or the feet to the pedals, as the case may be).  We were all there to cheer her on, and she very much enjoyed her moment to shine.

Heading out for the big race.  They even took a "parade lap" and a "victory lap".

Sweet Grace...leading the pack!

Happy, happy birthday baby...

Today was Ken's 40th birthday!  We celebrated most of the day because it's not every day one turns the big 4-0, right? His day started with a parade of little feet marching into the bedroom to bring him gifts and breakfast in bed.  (He even looks good first thing in the morning, doesn't he?)
After a fun filled morning of celebrating with the kids, we went to church and then picked up sandwiches from his favorite deli.  Ken thought that we would be ending our day with a date night while our neighbors watched the little ones.  However, we actually ended the day with a surprise party!  A few of our wonderfully generous and kind neighbors helped me (e.i. they did all the work) plan a party for Ken and it was great!  I think he was truly surprised!  The party was complete with fun, friends, decorations, great food and lots of birthday cake.  We even had a poster size (slightly embarrassing) picture of Ken in his "hayday".  The kids played in the backyard while 80's music jammed in the background.    Good times.  Here's a few pictures of the night...and a special thank you to Gary, Jane, Becky and Rob for all your help!

 Happy Birthday, baby!  I can't wait to spend the next 40 years with you!

One last thought:   The party is over and, as I'm blogging about the great day we all had, Ken is at work.  Yes, it's midnight, but tragic situation occurred with one of his staff and he had to go in.  As he is working tonight on his birthday and on the eve of Memorial Day, my thoughts are easily turned to all those who are daily sacrificing so much for our country and for our freedom.  Tomorrow we will remember all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and way of life, and we'll remember the families that have been left behind.  I hope sometime tomorrow you can take a moment to pray for all those serving in the all volunteer force that protects every freedom we have come to enjoy.  I am thankful for all those who bravely step forward, standing in the gap for me and for my family.  I am thankful for my husband and so proud of his heart to serve in whatever way he is called.  And tomorrow, I will be especially thankful for all those who lost their lives in such a way and for the country they died to protect.

Recipe for fun

Ingredients:

4 girls

1 old dolly from the garage

1 booster seat

a dash ingenuity 

a handful of creativity

Mix well

And enjoy!