Muffin Tin Monday - Circus Theme

Last week was our first week to do this and the kids remembered that today was "lunch in the muffin tins". The theme this week for Muffin Tin Monday is "Circus". At first I thought I might get creative and do cupcakes and let them kids decorate their own clown face but then I came back to realization and did something that I could actually pull off. The result: Blueberries & pretzels for the pins and balls that clowns juggle, Yogurt with lion and elephant sprinkles, Meatballs for the large balls that the elephants stand on and the seals balance on their noses, Happy face french fries for the happy clowns, Ketchup for the bright red noses on the clowns, and my favorite...Mother's Frosted Animal Cookies.

Book Party

Last school year I gave Brogan a reading challenge to inspire her to read more. The challenge...Read 100 books during the school year. It could be any book as long as it was approved by me and on her reading level. After each book was read she completed a slip of construction paper that had the title and author of the book on one side and her favorite part of the book on the other. We made a chain out of the links and hung it up in the living room. At first she didn't think she could do it, but as she started filling out the links and the chain grew she gained confidence in herself and her reading ability. Not to mention had tons of practice in handwriting and math. Before the school year was complete she had read all 100 books! The Reward...She had her book party this weekend! She was so excited and planned some great activities for her friends to do. They made book bags and bookmarks, played outside, ate ice cream sundaes and each girl went home with an American Girl book of her own. Here they are with their completed bags... I hope all of her friends had a great time, I know she did. She is already planning her next book reward for this school year. The challenge is the same...100 books from September to May. Let's see if she is up to the challenge!

Kitchen Clean-Up Helper

Codey made brownies and Rylen got the left overs. YUMMY!!

Summer Reading Awards

Brogan, Christian and Rylen participated in the HEB Summer Reading Club and received their awards in the mail today. They were super excited when they saw that they had mail and then their bright orange shirts! They also recieved a certificate, pencil, bookmark, sticker and 20 HEB Buddy points. Here are the proud readers...

Christian's Super Summer Swap

This summer we participated in the Super Summer Swap put on by a lady named Hadley at another blog. Click the button below to visit her blog. The kids had so much fun getting to know someone else and making a new friend. Christian's swap partner was Hudson from Canada. We sent Hudson an art display that we made for him to hang his art work on, a postcard, a note that I typed but Christian told me what to write and then decorated it, a personalized dry erase board for him to practice his letters and numbers on, and some personalized magnets so he could hang pictures and artwork on the fridge. Christian's package arrived late so that is why I am just now posting about it. He was asking about his package since everyone else had recieved theirs so, when he recieved his today he was so excited!! In his package he got a water bottle carrier with "Canada" on the front, some bookmarks with Bible verses and animals on them, a kit to make a dog and cat puppet, a postcard and a chipboard album in the shape of a star. I think we will make a book out of it. I couldn't get my links to work today so go by and check the Scott's blogs at http://fifthstreetacademy.blogspot.com/ and http://sarahlscott.blogspot.com/.

1st Day of School

Yes!! We officially started schooling TODAY! Jeremy and Joshua started back last week and while it was my intention to start back at the same time that they did it just didn't work that way. So, today we officially started...somewhat. We didn't do a full day but are just easing back into things this week. That is so nice to say and I can't believe that we don't have Joshua at home to hang out with us. But, I know that he is enjoying himself at school and will be challenged in all aspects while he is there. So, to go along with back to school is our traditional "Back to School" picture. Here is Brogan showing she is a big 2nd grader now and Codey as a 6th grader. We are looking forward to a fun year!! By the way...Brogan made the beautiful banner that is hanging in our hallway to bring in our new school year. Great Job, Brogan!!

Muffin Tin Monday- People & Faces

Well, this is our first week to participate in Muffin Tin Mondays and I have to say that it was so much fun. At first I was a little perplexed at what to do for this theme but then I figured we would just pretend we were at a restaraunt but make our own funny face pancakes. The kids thought I was making a dessert at first and then when I put everything on the table I think they thought something was wrong with me. Now, eating pancakes for dinner is not unusual at our house. But, all of these fixings with it definetly is! We had our healthy yogurt, clemintine oranges, choice of almonds or cashews, and raisins. Then we had our fun stuff like M&Ms, Reese's pieces, sour straws, gummi life savers, sprinkles and chocolate chips. Rylen was in such a cranky mood while I was cooking so I gave him his mini funny faces while I was finishing up the pancakes and eggs. I made his for him and when he saw the silly faces all the crankiness just went away. He started smiling and really enjoyed eating all of the good stuff first. He ate both pancakes and asked for another one. I guess funny face pancakes really can cheer you up! Checking out all of the goodies... And enjoying our funny face pancakes...

Flat Stanley Swap

Okay, so we have been getting into swapping lately and it has been so much fun. I found this great one over at another blog and thought it could be our first fun project of the school year. I just signed us up and encourage you to check it out. I think it will be tons of fun for the kids to see all the places that Stanley ends up. Who knows, maybe he will end up a world traveler!!

Ready, Set, Go

We are starting our new school year and we are super excited to be traveling the world in our pajamas! I am finding a lot of my own information but I am also using Galloping The Globe and The Ultimate Timeline Guide as guides as we go along. I hope to post each week on our adventures around the world. Here are a few pictures of the set up for this year. This is Christian's Learning Tree. We are going to put all of his letters and numbers on the tree as he learns them and hopefully, even some sight words as the year goes on. I had been needing to purchase a Weather Chart for our group time for Christian and found this one for FREE that someone was getting rid of. It has all the pieces and will work great for everything that we need. It even fit perfect in the space that I had left on our group learning wall. Here is where we will be doing some of our geography map and group work and Christian's circle time activities. We are starting to get postcards from all over and putting them up as we get them. We can't wait to see how far away the postcards come from! So, if you live somewhere outside of south Texas (or know someone who does), or are visiting outside of south Texas (or know someone who is) please, please, please send us a postcard for our wall!

Matagorda Fun

Codey was invited to spend the weekend with his two best friends, Michael and Trey, for Trey's birthday. We weren't there but from the looks of they had lots of fun...

A few final shots before they headed home...

There's Only 1 Rachel

Rachel, Rachel, Rachel

There is only one Rachel!

Well, that about says it all. Except that if you aren't real familiar with us you don't know who Rachel is. So, let me explain...She is...

1. We knew her when she was a little girl and her mom was the director of Joshua and Codey's preschool. Who knew years later she would...

2. Start at as our babysitter.

3. Then become a friend.

4. Then watch our baby of only 7 weeks while went on an long planned (before pregnancy) family vacation, with extended family. (I know you are thinking "WHAT?!" I was too! I can't believe we actually did it but we knew he was in great hands!)

5. Stay a friend.

6. We would help her plan her wedding, 2 kids would be in the wedding, and we would actually see her get married!

7. Be witness to her change her name...the kids still say "You mean Rachel ----".

8. Be blessed with FREE babysitting and horse lessons. (YES, they HAVE to wear pink to ride, "It's a rule!")

9. I would get to be blessed with her just dropping by to talk.

10. Most importantly...just be a friend to my kids.

So, who is Rachel? She is a blessing!

We Love You, Rachel!!

Belated Birthday Celebration

Codey and his friend Peyton have been friends for what seems like forever and have been celebrating their birthday together for many years. Their birthdays are only 7 days apart so this has made for some great parties. This year they were unable to get together in June so they celebrated just the two of them with lunch and a movie before school started back. Peyton even got to hang out with us for a few days! Though they are getting older, I hope that this celebration will continue for many years to come!!

1st Day of School

Every year I take a picture of the kids on their 1st day of school. This year it was much harder to get Joshua to take his Back to School picture. I don't know if it was the age or if maybe he is just to cool of an 8th grader to take a picture. Jeremy didn't help out any either!

Anyway, this is the ONE that turned out. Here he is all ready to go.

We love you, BossMan and know you will do AWESOME IN 8TH GRADE!!!

Alpha Omega, Here We Come!

Joshua is starting back at Alpha Omega after one year of homeschooling and is both excited and nervous. He will be in a new class this year, in the 8th grade, since we did both 6th and 7th grade last year at home. We had Student & Parent Orientation last night so that they could get their schedules and lockers. The older student's orientation was after the elementary students so Joshua wanted to take a couple of friends to get some ice cream before they set out on their new journey. The three had a good time with a quick bite of ice cream and some friendly chatting. All three will be new to Alpha this year so this was a good fit.

It was hard to get this picture, thanks mostly to Joshua. I guess it's just not cool for Mom to take pictures of pre-teen boys.

Dima, new to Alpha and the USA as he was adopted from Russia this summer, Taylor, and Joshua.

Delicious Dinner

Jeremy made an awesome dinner Sunday with some fresh shrimp that Codey got from a neighbor of ours. He skewered the shrimp with some veggies and we served it with a side of fettucini alfredo. It was YUMMY!!

I'm thinking he needs to do the cooking more often!!

Brogan's Super Summer Swap

All of the kids participated in the Super Summer Swap and Brogan got some really neat stuff. Her partner was "The Frog Princess" from Virginia and she had a lot of fun getting to know her. Brogan sent her a heart wreath that we made because "A Friend Loves At All Times", some personalized stationary that we made (hopefully they can keep in touch), some personalized magnets that we made, a postcard and note that she typed with just a little help from me, and a folder that she can keep all of her art or schoolwork in. I wasn't able to take a picture of all of Brogan's stuff that she recieved because she was just way to excited and ran off to her room with it. But I did manage to snap a few pictures of her opening her package. She got a rainbow necklace with her name on it, horse stickers, personalized notepad and pen, a homemade flower press (very cool!), a tooth fairy pillow (her favorite thing!), postcards of Virginia and Washington D.C., a letter from her new friend, and I feel like I'm forgetting something but it was all so cool! Brogan's package was even more special because so many of th items had her name on it. We NEVER find anything with her name on it so she thought it was all very special. I hope that they will continue to keep in touch! When we visited The Frog Princess' Mom's blog we saw so many cool craft projects. Brogan saw the tooth fairy pillow and said "Awe! I want one of those!". Well, she got it in her box and she was super excited! She said ""E" sent me just what I wanted Mom!". You can find the blog at http://pinkandgreenmomma.blogspot.com. I couldn't get the link to work but I encourage you to check it out!!

Codey's Super Summer Swap

The kids participated in the Super Summer Swap put together by Hadley over at the blog http://lifeofadairyqueen.blogspot.com/. They had so much fun corresponding with another child their age that they didn't know. Codey got Nathan, from Wyoming as his partner. They traded emails, and made a package for each other to send. Codey made Nathan a dry erase board with his name on it to hang outside his bedroom door for people to leave messages on when he isn't home, a memo holder for his soccer schedules or any notes, a postcard from Texas, some personalized magnets and a letter. Codey received all kinds of great information on Wyoming, some fishing stuff, some rocks (I think), and some other great stuff that Mom has never seen since we received it. Codey has just been having too much fun with all of it. This was fun for the kids and I hope that Codey and Nathan will continue to keep in touch. You can check out Nathan's mom's blog at http://delightfullearning.blogspot.com/.

Joshua's Super Summer Swap

The kids participated in the Super Summer Swap held over at http://lifeofadairyqueen.blogspot.com/ . They had fun picking out things for their partner and couldn't wait to see what they got as well. Joshua's swap partner was Cori over at http://scottchriscoricassicali.blogspot.com from Alaska. Joshua was they only one that did not receive a swap partner of his same gender. I was a little worried at first but he has loved emailing her and finding out what life is like in Alaska. Like a bad Mom I forgot to take a picture of what he sent her. But, here is what we sent: personalized stationary, personalized magnets, a horseshoe, a postcard of Texas, and there must have been something else but I just can't remember. Here is what Joshua received: an Ulu knife, a special knife used by the Eskimos for generations, a pooping moose (something that most boys get a kick out of in Alaska, and Texas too!), sponge waterballs, lots of books and info on Alaska, postcards (that were supposed to be for our world map but Joshua won't let me have them now), a chocolate bar, a sketch pad and pencils (Cori made the sketch pad out of a cereal box and thought of it just for Joshua. He mentioned to her that he liked to draw but that he did not think he was very good. She thought this way he could practice. Very Sweet!). Joshua had fun with the swap and met a new friend. I hope they can keep in touch!

Joshua with all of his goodies!