Takin it Outside

School work just seems to go much better when you can take it outdoors! It was too wet to make a pallet on the grass, so we just got out our chairs and sat in the sun. I bought these really neat marker boards for the kids and they enjoy using them. One side is blank, the other has primary lines , clock face, number line and place value chart. We have used them for math, spelling and copywork so far. Breaks the monotony of using a notebook-saves paper too :) I bought them from Rainbow Resource, my favorite place to homeschool shop!

We were also able to set free a strange insect we found Wed. I finally decided after much googling, that it was in the Mantid family. Looks like a praying mantis. Didn't get a pic but he was sure strange looking. It is really fun to watch my kids noticing nature more and more as we take more time to study it. Which leads me to a wonderful book I'm going through. Talking to Fireflies, Shrinking the Moon by Edward Duensing. It tells you how to do 'tricks' with different animals and insects. Nothing that hurts them, just cool stuff to amaze the kids. We tried fiddling earthworms this week. We didn't have a good spot, we only got one worm but it was fun and they thought I was a genius!

Sunday

Well, not really Sunday, but I had a theme I needed to stick with-actually Saturday night! Big entertainment in the country. Rich and kids looking for crawdads! As I watched (no, I didn't participate) the song Boondocks was running thru my head. I'm going to try to find it and put it on the blog so you can have the full effect!!!

Saturday

T had soccer this morning. We had to miss the Razorback game but we came out the winners on that one. T's team won the the Hogs got slaughtered!!! Anyway, T had one goal and 2 missed goals. He did really well. Poor thing played the entire 2nd half and nearly passed out! Each half is 25 minutes. He loves it though.
R had softball practice and ended up hurting her hand. If it doesn't feel better soon, we may need an xray. She has never complained and cried about an injury like this before.
Rich taped the game and is now watching it. Glutton for punishment I guess!
I did get a quick trip to the used bookstore in VB. I love that place. Found lots of good deals this trip. Also found T some dress shorts for next summer at 75% off(not in the bookstore :). Made it a pretty good day!
Now maybe we can get a little down time before church and home group tomorrow.

Friday

The GALLOWS!

Judge Issac Parker's gravesite.

Judge Parker's court

What is left of the old fort.
Believers kids in the courtroom.

We went on a field trip to the Ft Smith Historic Site and learned about Judge Issac Parker. It was really interesting. We all learned a lot about Ft Smith's history. It is worth the trip if you have never been.

Eagles Concert!

We went to see the Eagles in concert last night. Rich saw them years ago, but it was my first time. They are absolutely awesome!! They played for 3hours and there was only one song I didn't really know. Other than that, there was lots of singing going on. Here are some bootleg youtube videos of this tour. The only song I can think of that I would like to have heard was All She Wants to do is Dance, a Don Henley song. They did his Boys of Summer. I noticed on youtube they have done it at other concerts.
You don't realize how many great songs they have until they start singing. With each song I was saying 'oh yeah'.
If you get the chance to see them, take it. It is worth every penny. They will be back in Tulsa in November.
Now, if I can just catch up on sleep. We didn't get home until 2am. I haven't seen 2 am since I was feeding 2 newborns!!!

Hurricanes in Arkansas

Who would have thought! Well, not exactly a hurricane, but about as close as you can get in Arkansas. And I must say, after this I know I never want to be in a actual hurricane. The wind last night was awful. Thankfully, we didn't have any damage or broken tree limbs but my parents did. Several trees down and no electricity!But boy has the weather been beautiful this afternoon. Cool and sunny. I have the windows open and it is great.
I had some time alone this afternoon so I did some major cleaning out of T's toys. We have brown recluse and they seem to be worst in his room. I finally did a big clean out in his closet. I can only hope it might help! We have been fighting them for years and they are always winning! I found one crawling across my bed last week, just before I turned the light out to go to sleep. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well that night! At this point, I have the kids bedding all tucked in their mattresses so nothing touches the ground. We spray, we sticky trap but it seems once you have them, you have them for life-ugh!
Looking forward to the week. We get to go see the Eagles in concert Tues. It should be awesome.

Nature Lesson

Well, we learned a good nature lesson today. Tadpoles need fresh water more often than we can get it for them! Yes, sad to say our 2 tads expired sometime in the last day or so. I found them floating belly up this afternoon. Poor fellas! You aren't supposed to give them tap water so catching rain water or going to get pond water was our only choices. We were doing ok after all the rain last week, but just haven't had time to change it since. Add that to the fact that the kids put too much food in and they didn't have a chance! At least we did see the bigger one start to grow some back legs.
Oh well! Lesson learned!!!

More Yum and Stuff

I owe this woman a big hug. We tried the One Skillet Chili Bake and the kids liked it again! Even asked if they could have it for leftovers. We are trying the Pizza Rolls later this week, they look quick and yummy.

Trent started a gymnastics team this week. Last night was his first night to practice and I thought he did great for being so new at it. It was 3 hours long(yikes) and he was pooped when it was over but he said he liked it. Now, if I could just win the lottery to pay for it!

Yum

I found this recipe on the Tip Nut and thought I would try it. It turned out much better than I thought. Everyone liked it(miracle!) and next time I will be doing the double recipe and freezing it!

Go Hogs!

We are big Hog fans and went to the first game over the Labor Day weekend. Looks like it could be a pretty long year for the Hoggies! We are looking forward to Tim Tebow being here in Oct. May just make a sign that says Razorback Homeschoolers Love Tim Tebow!!

Facebook Fun

Ok, so I wasn't all that thrilled with Facebook at first, but now that I have been finding sorority sisters, I'm enjoying it much more. It is great to catch up with people I haven't seen in 20 years! Once you get a few friends, you can see their friends and so on. That is how I have found many old friends. I'm just trying not to spend too much time on it! It can be a big time waster.
Our Internet isn't working so I haven't been on much. We have been busy getting our fall schedules ironed out. Hopefully I can get our Razorback pics on here soon.

More laundry stuff

I'm going to make my second batch of laundry soap. I think the first batch went well. I may try it dry this time. I'm also going to use a bit more of the Fels Naptha this time. I found some fabric softener tips here. I may try a couple of those too.
I did try using the recipe of 1/2 1/2 washing soda, borax for the dishwasher. It really needs vinegar in the little rinse hole? thingy. Not sure I'm going to stick with that yet. That is about the most exciting thing going on the holiday weekend. Did get to eat and visit with some aunts and cousins Sunday nite. Really enjoyed it. I haven't seen them in quite awhile(and yes, they live right here).
I think I will spend most of the rest of the day relaxing and reading. It is going to be a hectic week-field trip,working and shopping consignment sale, lessons and practices-oh my! Oh yeah, we have to do school too!