WNTW: Homeschool-style

The other day, Micah came downstairs in a very colorful ensemble. Red shorts, blue pants, and a multi-colored shirt were involved. I suggested a few tweaks in the outfit, but he quickly pointed out that the white in the shirt matched the white in the shorts. And the blue in the shorts matched the blue in the pants. I guess the yellow and black in the shirt, as well as the red in the shorts, were just bonus colors. Truthfully, because I knew we would only be around other home-schooled families that day, I let it go. (We're pretty much a non-judgmental group when it comes to fashion.) Later that afternoon, he put on his red snow boots before going out to take care of our chickens. And that was when he announced the ensemble was complete, and perfectly matched. Don't you agree??

Funny Hair

I have this thing during pregnancy. Well, during always; but heightened during pregnancy. I get sick of my hair. So, in an effort to not be too drastic, I cut bangs yesterday. Gabriel spent the rest of the morning giggling every time he looked at me, telling me he was laughing at my funny hair. He took this picture, but I had to move to get into the shot. Enjoy my silly hair!

Last of our Summer

Just before we dove into our new adventure of homeschooling, we took a much-needed vacation to California. Of course, we mostly visited my family. The kids had lots of fun playing together, and so did the grown-ups. So much so, I didn't even stop to grab my camera for a single picture. Except for when we took a couple trips on our own. First, we went to the beach. What trip to the coast is complete without a beach trip?? This was also a perfect springboard for our first unit on the ocean.

having fun being chased by waves...



playing in the surf some more...
not sure what m was doing here, but i'd bet it involved some trash-talking to the sea...

gathering treasures...


and here's g -- sandy, happy, and about ready to head out...


We gave ourselves a day to recover, then treated the kids to a 13-hour day at Disneyland. I have to admit I was pretty worried about the masses, the heat, and the horrible lines. But we *almost never waited more than about 25 minutes (for which we can, unfortunately, probably thank the economy.) Anyhow, M's dreams came true when he was chosen to be a Jedi trainee.

fighting Darth Maul...

apparently, Darth got in G's face (and scared him pretty good!)...


*I say "apparently," because while the boys were doing Jedi training, I had the distinct honor of waiting with A to see the princesses. For 90 minutes. To see 3 of them. And is Minnie even a princess?? A didn't buy it. So I guess we really waited 90 minutes to see 2 princesses and a fancy mouse. The camera battery died right when we got to the front of the line. Luckily, I had my cell phone... but who knows if I'll ever figure out how to get the pictures off. Later in the day, A said, "So, the princesses here aren't the real ones from the movies."
Me: "Ohhh, why do you say that?"
A: "I just figured it out."
Me: "How did you do that?"
A: "Well, when we went to see Belle, she was wearing the same clothes as the real Belle. And her hair was the same. But her face was different."
Me: "Oh, what was different about it?"
A: "It was a lot fatter."

There was also this conversation, after watching the Celebration parade (which was just after she met Belle, Mulan & Minnie):

A: "In the parade, I heard a man say, 'Disneyland is the place where dreams come true.' But I don't really think it is. Because, once, I had a dream I met Jasmine. And I haven't seen her."
M: "Well, once, I had a dream I came to Disneyland."

At least someone's dream came true that day! We really did have a great time. And we can't wait to go back, see our family, and take some pictures of them all!! :)

Snack time

G is getting very resourceful. Yesterday morning, he apparently got the munchies. Finding no appetizing food on the floor, he hauled the bathroom stool into the kitchen. Strategically placing it next to the counter gave him easy access to the breakfast condiments I had foolishly left out. As I was getting dressed, J & M came downstairs and began loudly scolding him in between side-splitting laughter. And this was the crime scene as I walked into it:

This was taken AFTER i washed half the syrup bottle off his shirt and shorts...and after i told him it was yucky (but then let him keep at it when i realized i had to get a picture of it. BAD mommy!!)

overheard

M: Daddy, guess how long I just held my breath.
D: I don't know....how long?
M: Two thousand three hundred and two seconds.
D: Wow! I'm surprised you're still alive.
M: Well, I took a few breaks.

My Baby Girl is 5!

Happy birthday to the best May Day present i could ever hope for!! i can't believe it's been 5 years already since you were born!


Autumn asked that her brothers buy her a Playmobil knight, and she enjoyed playing "fighting guys" with Micah the next day. (I don't think she's touched it since, but it was cute watching him pick it out at the store, then pay for it with his own $.)


The candles began to melt while we sang, much to Autumn's amusement.


We decorated the kitty cat birthday cake together earlier in the day. I stole 2 ideas from blogging friend/family... the cute cake (thanks, Jen!) & decorating it together (thanks, Wendy!). :)

No photo session is complete without some funny faces!

Happy Birthday to a Boy Who Knows Just How to Make his Mommy Smile

Six random remarks made by Micah over the years, to celebrate your 6th birthday:

1. (Background: the boys were at the kitchen table, drinking juice and calling each other names. I told them if they couldn't say something nice to each other, they should just say nothing. ) On my way to the laundry room, Micah says, "Nothing, Jonah." -- 2-1/2 years old

2. (Micah had taken off his diaper and was trying to change it himself. Clint said he thought Micah was ready to be potty trained.) Micah furrowed his brow, scrunched his nose, and - in his angriest voice - retorted, "Daddy, I not potty train!" -- 2-3/4 years old

3. Micah: "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, introducing the best - the greatest - the BOOGAR MAN!"
Jonah: "Uh, I think you mean the Boogie Man."
Micah: "Oh... the BOOGIE MAN!!" -- 3-1/2 years old

4. (Micah said he had black spots on his hands & asked me why.) Before I could look into it, he said, "Maybe I'm TURNING BLACK!"
I looked at his hands and said, "It looks like you drew on them with a black pen."
To which he responded, "Oh ya. I did." -- nearly 4

5. (Micah asked to borrow my mirror. I walked by him as he looked into it.) To himself, he said, "I think this is my mirror, because... Mommy's not in it." -- also nearly 4

6. (Pointing to his hind quarters, either meaning his pants or underwear.) He asked me, "Do you know why I put these on? ... Because then my poop will say, 'Oh my gosh! How do we get out of here!? We're stuck!" -- 4-1/2 years old

Thanks for making me laugh, Micah! I love you, and hope you know what a precious treasure you are to me.