The Kids Love Swimming

We have been trying to teach the kids to swim.  Adrian has worked with Avalyn, and now she can swim a satisfactorily, though not very well.  Kyle and Keira are working on it, but aren't quite there.  Sophia and Mercy enjoy jumping into the water and swimming around with their puddle jumpers on.

Mercy was very brave and jumped in over and over again.

Sophia wasn't going to be out done by Mercy and also enjoyed jumping in.

Avalyn jumped up to get enough air to make a good cannon ball.

I love watching Mercy be so brave and jump in the water just like her siblings. 

Kyle works on holding his breath and swimming at the same time.

First Day of School

We started school on August 1.  We wanted to get a start on the year so that if things came up, we would still be able to have a summer vacation!  The kids were ready to start and I was ready to get back into a routine. 

Keira sorted money.  She was very diligent and wanted to go sort our coin jar when she finished with the toy money!

Avalyn asked if she could help Sophia start her math.  Sophia started Alpha Math U See and was really excited about it!

Kyle worked hard on his math: Gamma - Math U See.

Water Rocket

Kyle and Avalyn have been reading a lot of how to science books.  They enjoy the Dangerous Book for Boys and Geek Dad books.  After building the marshmallow guns, Kyle wanted to build a rocket.  Adrian helped him build a water rocket.  It was great fun to watch!  The suspense was incredible, and the result was awesome!

The kids originally set up on the porch.

The rocket's launch pad.

The kids quickly moved to the yard since the rocket was getting everyone wet!  The pressure was almost too much for Sophia.  She really struggled to pump up the rocket, but she managed to do it!

Kyle loved the water rocket!  He would have done it all day if we had let him!

Avalyn had her turn with the rocket.  I think the kids' favorite part was getting wet!

Project 366: Week 39

I have not been taking pictures as frequently.  I pull out the camera when I see something I want to capture, but not just to get a picture.  Maybe I'll do better soon, but the motivation has left me!  This is for the week of September 25 - October 1.

Sunday: I did not take any pictures on the Lord's Day.  I am thankful for a day where we can have a change of pace and learn more about God.

Monday: We had friends over for dinner.  Jeff served on two an aircraft carriers!  Kyle was completely fascinated by his stories and pictures.  I am thankful for good friends who can share their experiences with us.  (I've know Jeff since I was in 5th grade and his children were babies!)

Tuesday:  I didn't take a picture on Tuesday.  This picture is from Thursday.  The Junior Chemistry class made a periodic table from sugar cookies!  It was a more difficult project than it probably should have been, but the results were tasty nonetheless!  I am thankful for Michelle teaching Chemistry to the kids and doing all the experiments and projects to go along with it.

Wednesday:  I bought Kyle a VCR from Goodwill for him to take apart.  He loved figuring out how to take the case off.  Then he took some springs off and watched to see if it would work.  He couldn't get too much further, but he enjoyed the process.  I am thankful for Kyle's desire to learn and explore.  I am not sure how to further that desire, but I try where I can.

Thursday: I teach two critical thinking classes at the co-op at our church.  I love the material and I try to make the class exciting for all the kids.  We play games and try to solve problems!  Kyle is playing with a geoboard.  I am thankful for the opportunity to teach some of the kids from our church.

Friday:We got pool noodles to turn them into swords!  Patrick loves carrying one around and hitting the ground.  I call him my little warrior!  I am thankful for the kids' imagination and creativity in their play.

Saturday: Kyle tried to make a sling out of duck tape, but it didn't work very well.  We looked online and found several tutorials on how to make a sling from paracord.  We bought the paracord, and Kyle made a jig and then wove his very own sling.  He practiced with it and decided he needed a bigger cup in it, so later he modified the jig and made another sling!  I am thankful for Kyle's desire to work hard at what he wants!

Celebrating Independence

We went to my parents' house for a BBQ to celebrate Independence Day (several days late).  My brother and younger sister also came!  We had a great time, and as a finale, my parents' neighbor shoot off some fireworks for everyone to enjoy.

This was the best I could get of all the kids together!

The kids sat so nicely on the curb waiting to see fireworks!

Mercy decided to cover her ears early, just to be prepared!

Project 366: Week 38

September 18 - September 24

Sunday:  The Lord's Day is sweet!  I even captured a picture of the wonderful fudge my little boy enjoyed in celebration of the Lord's day.  I am thankful for the day of rest our Lord gives us each week!

Monday:  Talk like a Pirate Day!  Avalyn and Kyle dressed like pirates and each got a dozen donuts from Krispy Kreme to share with our family!  I am thankful for the kids' enthusiam and desire to be a little goof for a good cause. :)

Tuesday: I got to work on Mercy's quilt again!  One of these days, I am going to finish the quilting.  I am excited about this quilt and seeing it completed!  I am thankful for the opportunity to make such special things for my family.

Wednesday:  Mr. Turtle loves carrying candy for all the little kids.  He loves hiding and waiting quietly for the kids to find him.  He loves the joy the kids have when they quietly find him and try to get his candy without their siblings seeing them.  I am thankful for this fun little game of hide and seek the kids and I enjoy!

Thursday:  Patrick tried to climb at the church's playground.  He did a good job, but got upset as soon as he saw his mama!  I am thankful to get to witness my children growing and learning new things.

Friday: Megan and I got together to sew a little bit on Friday afternoon.  We managed to finish this small quilt top!  I love making baby quilts because they go so quickly.  I am thankful to share this hobby with my sister.  It makes it so much more fun to get to sew with someone!

Saturday: At the last minute, our favorite friends invited us to spend a day at the lake.  We took advantage of the opportunity and had a great time!  Mercy got to ride in the tube for the first time and she absolutely LOVED it!  I am so grateful to God for giving us such good friends that even through the many moves and long distances, we are still friends and enjoy our precious time together.

Date Night/Game Night

We have been switching off date nights with my sister and her husband.  July was my sister's month to go out, so we watched all the crazy kiddos for a little while.  They had a great time playing games together.