LOOK WHAT WE DID IN SCHOOL TODAY :)

 Today was a great day!  It was nice to chat with you, Mary!  Sophia and Philip did well at their mini-preschool again.  They seem to really enjoy it--especially the crafts.  Afterward, we visited with dear friends.  Jess joined us there for dinner and we all had a blast fellowshipping with each other.

 Samuel and Philip took turns playing with the remote control tarantula with Mrs. Kitty for a short break from school work.

 Sophia was intense today about school work!  

 Great coloring Sophia!

The drawing lesson today was indian corn, per the kids' request.  They do so well.  

 Samuel wanted to use his other McDonalds gift cards on his brother and sister and himself again.  Two McDonalds trips in three days!  I think it was a thrill for him to have that option!  So sweet.  I see glimpses of the young man emerging in Samuel. 

I enjoyed not having the option of a play place this time.  The kids and I just got to sit together for 45 minutes and just enjoy eachother's company.  They are such a blessing to me. 

LOOK WHAT WE DID IN SCHOOL TODAY :)

It was nice to get back to our schoolwork routine this morning.  I really am glad to have the opportunity to be both mother and teacher.  Philip and Sophia had a mini-preschool this afternoon (45 min.) at Jess' school with the child development class.  They loved it!  Sophia is ecstatic that she is now a preschooler, too!  Philip insisted that he is a kindergartner!?!

 This was taken last weekend.  Sophia disappeared with Grandma Shirley for quite a while.  This is what Philip and I found them doing.  Dolls, dolls, dolls!

 Samuel's tea time/drawing lesson!

Kayley brought over a birthday present for Samuel--a case with 30 cars in it!

Thanksgiving Break

 Jess and his sister, Sarah

 Philip and his cousin, Henry

some of Henry's birthday presents

"These are a few of his favorite things"

 Samuel and Pearl hard at work

 Samuel's birthday gifts--just what he wanted!

 Our Thanksgiving at home with some friends

 Harper with Grandma at work

 Sophia bonding with her Uncle Clint

 My sweet niece, Pearl, and I--Henry took this for us.

 Daddy and Samuel deep in thought

 Henry and Samuel celebrated their birthdays together.

 Uncle Clint captivated the kids with his ipad--but not as much as he did every night with his made-up stories!

 Buddie got sprayed in the face by a skunk!

 Calvin carefully decorates he and Philip's gingerbread house.

 My sweet niece, Harper

Grandma Mary always finds the coolest movies!

Samuel's Birthday Breakfast

 My Two Handsome Boys

 He loves the flashlights.  He put them and his real hammer and tape measure from a year ago (his tools) into his briefcase bag and carried them through the grocery store today with his wallet.  I needed a pen for my list and he said, "I've got one Mom."  Cute.

 Classic Samuel with mischief in his eyes

 His belt from Grandpa Allen works perfectly with the mag-lite holster Daddy gave him.

 The kids wanted to take turns having game time with Mama this morning.  So sweet.

 Look how close the game was!  I had one move to go before I would have won.  See Samuel saying, "Oh, good game, Mama"  or something like that.

 Philip began learning to add using the teddy bear counters this week!  Samuel is working on his animal book--learning some basic amphibians, mammals, birds and reptiles.

 During this time, Sophia is shredding half a kleenex box to make beds for all her dollhouse dolls!

 Philip is amazed at the new selection of erasers since we reorganized!

 Philip is usually my right-hand man when it comes to putting the stroller together for a walk.

 I tried a new potato dish with our chicken and peas.  It was one I watched one weekend on PBS.  Yummy!

 Grandma Lynn makes cute pajamas!

Hmmm . . . and entertainment center is probably the ideal spot for Sophia.  Who would even watch the t.v. though!

 We have been saving change for missionaries.  Samuel and Sophia wanted to give some of their own money.  

 Samuel and Philip had charge over snack this day.  I had to inform Samuel that the right phrase is "slice the cheese".  Why?  they all ask.  Well, you know what their #1 phrase is now.

 Eating lunch in the ditch in our front yard.  Seriously--they really thought it was fun!  (Of course, they were eating mac'n'cheese.)

Well, Mom, we tackled the 10 pound tube of ground beef today!  The kids and I all worked on it together.  Samuel did not enjoy the feel of the meat but mean Mommy repeatedly reminded him that he loves meatballs and "if you don't work, you don't eat".  He did a great job though.  When Samuel cut it open and peeled of the wrapping, Philip sounded excited and surprised when he said, "Oh look Mommy, this one doesn't look like worms!"

Later, as Samuel is helping to break up the meat, he says, "Mommy, I think you are going to have to do this--there's this stuff that looks almost like blood coming out of it."  

"Oh that is blood, Samuel."

Shocked, "It is?!"

"Yes, this is cow meat and that's the cow's blood."

"Disgusting!  I'm not eating that!"

Sophia didn't skip a beat when she enthusiastically replied, "I am!"

Okay, you're probably all going to become vegetarian now, sorry.  But it was too funny not to share!

LOOK WHAT WE DID IN SCHOOL TODAY :)

I let them watch cartoons this morning while they worked on some worksheet and munched on snacks.  They were shocked and did well--although a little slower  :)  Samuel, later, learned how to look up words in the dictionary for the first time and write the part of speech it was!  He's growing up!

Before dinner, Philip suggested they listen to their glasses.  Only Philip.  We had a nice dinnertime with them tonight and even played Duck Duck Goose afterward.  Sophia would just squeal with delight!  Then, we went downstairs for yet another round of Star Wars Trouble--Samuel won!

Samuel's pre-birthday!

Grandpa Allen and Grandma Lynn came this weekend to celebrate Samuel's birthday a week early as they'll be gone next weekend.

Star Wars Trouble game

No snow for the sled?  No problem.  Sleds are evidently multi-purpose.

Almost 7!

Watching Meet the Robinson's

Chatting over coffee with Mom and Dad after breakfast.  Fun times!