Feb.

Well, it is now the middle of February! Where is the time going???? We are heavy into school, coop, basketball, school, coop, basketball etc. We are enjoying watching Rachel play this year. It has been an adjustment. I have to take pics soon, it is almost over for the year! I always wait until the end for video. Much more likely to get good action after lots of practice!
We are still alive, just nothing exciting going on. I spend way too much time on Facebook, the big reason I"m never on here!!!

9 & 2 days

Birthday boys

Birthday girls

We had party number 2 today.Four kids in our 'swim club' have bdays real close, so we partied together. Unfortunately we didn't get to go to the Jones Center and skate and swim. The fact that Springdale has no electricity put a damper on things! We ended up at the dreaded Chuck E Cheese's. It wasn't near as bad as I make it out to be. The kids played, moms visited , cake was eaten and presents opened. Then it was time to go home. It was a little crowded due to public school being out, but not too bad. We managed to aviod meal time so no pizza!!! We were able to get out with a little money left in our pockets!

After all the ice and bad weather, Thursday it is back to normal for school. Thankfully, we only lost power for a few hours Tues morning. So many people we know have been w/out for days and it will be days more. I don't know how they make it if they don't have some type of fireplace. I decided that I will never live w/out a wood burning or pellet insert. It would be a lifesaver if you didn't have heat!

9

The kids turned nine years old today! I can't believe they are that old. I guess nobody can ever believe how old their kids are getting. It really does go by too fast. I'm in no hurry whatsoever for them to grow up and leave. They were too hard to get here and I remember what it was like to have an empty house. That is why I try to enjoy every minute I can with them. Of course, there are some 'minutes' I would rather forget, but not too many :)

We ended up having a Razorback themed party. That is so easy. Razorback stuff is everywhere. We even had Razorback Ice Cream!! The cakes were so cute and delicious. We used the church and just let the kids play. It was a great way to go-cheap and easy!

Now we are on to party number 2. We will be heading to the Jones Center this week to party w/ our swim club friends :) Ice skating and swimming with a party in between. Four of the kids in our group are having bdays soon, so we are having one big party. Just hope it doesn't ice--gotta love bdays in the dead of winter. It is either icy or someone is sick. I just want to keep everyone well for a few more days.

Presidential Potatoes

We are inaugurated out. We watched all day long. We made and tried the sweet potatoes they were having at the luncheon. They had cumin in them and to me, cumin says chili, not sweet potatoes. Trent actually like them! You never know!! I will try them again sometime, but w/out the cumin. As you can see, we didn't use the fancy dishes they used!!!

Catching Up

We have been studying Indians the last couple weeks. We decided to make False Face Masks like the Iroquois Indians. They are supposed to be a little scary. They were used to heal people when they were sick. Needless to say, Rich doesn't like the masks! Don't know why. Anyway, the kids enjoyed the process.

I also threw in a pic of a cardinal at our feeder. I have enjoyed watching the birds but they sure do eat an awful lot!!

I'm going to sacrifice in the name of education and watch the Inauguration tomorrow! I"m not happy, but you have to take the opportunity to teach your kids about the whole process. It really is interesting when you start reading about it. We are even going to make one of the dishes they will be eating for the Inaugural Luncheon. The only thing that looked remotely easy to make was the Molasses Sweet Potatoes. We found a website that gave the whole menu and the recipes to go with it!

The kids birthday is coming up this weekend. We are partying twice! Once with some family and friends and next week with our group of homeschool friends that party together. Four of the kids have bdays very close so we are having one big party and ice skating and swimming at the Jones Center.

Snow!

Snowfall 1-15-09

I haven't been on here in so long I almost forgot how to post!

Well, it snowed a little this morning and that just means you might as well forget school! I let the kids go out and play. Then we tried to collect snowflakes and look at them under the new microscope we got for Christmas.It is really cool. It is Digital Blue and is completely a computer scope. Everything shows up on the computer screen and you can take pictures and movies,plus some other fun things. If you could have seen us! I had the kids pass me the plate of snowflakes thru the window next to the computer. Then we looked fast-before it melted. We got a couple good pics but mostly we watched it melt. That was pretty interesting itself! We were already studying snow this week w/ Snowflake Bentley. Now we have had some hands on experience. Gotta love homeschooling!

We survived Christmas. All went well and the kids enjoyed all their gifts. I got pics w/ Richard's parents and a 4 generations pic w/ my mom and gma. It wasn't the best pic ever, but I've been trying to get one for months, and this was the best I could do. I also put a bunch on Flikr.
I got the house all put back together today. I finally, after all these years, got all my decorations organized and in real plastic containers. They are even all red & green so I will know what they are w/out having to read the top. All my poor ornaments have been wrapped in paper towels and in different cardboard boxes. I actually lost one big box for 3 years. It had our good stockings in it. Well it mysteriously appeared in the attic right in front of where you go down the stairs! That is just pitiful. No more! I'm organized and color coordinated!
We are trying to head to Branson this weekend. We have to wait for Rich to get off work, so it will be late(oh the joy of being back at the funeral home).
I bought a new marker board for the schoolroom at A-Z this week. I also found the Desk Apprentice fromStaples for $20. I just love to snoop around A-Z. We also stocked up on big blankets for .99 each. They are great for the dog, covering furniture, anything you might need.
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Christmas Stuff

We finally went to get a Christmas tree this week. We went to the farm in Rudy on what had to be the coldest day in the last couple of weeks. We very hurriedly picked a tree and brought it home. Well, if you will notice, the picture at the farm, the tree looks nice and straight. When we got it home and in the living room, that poor thing was leaning BAD. It grew sideways! Oh well, we did the best we could in making it look better. At least it has character!

We had our "SSC" Christmas party today. The kids had a blast. They decorated stockings, made ornaments and decorated Christmas tree tshirts. Then we stuffed the stockings with all kinds of goodies. Naturally, we ate lots of cute food too! We love our group of friends!!!

Twilight

Well, I finally went to see Twilight today. Yes, I went alone, but that is okay-nice and peaceful couple of hours!

I must say, it didn't do much for me. Of course, movies are never as good as the book, but I had pictures in my head of all these people and no one measured up for me. I almost laughed out loud when I saw Carlisle for the first time. They kind of cheesed it up too much. If I had written the book, I wouldn't have liked the end product of the movie, but I didn't write them or I would be living in a larger house by now :)

Now, will I see the next movie when it comes out-of course. It is fun to escape for little while-wether reading or watching.

We went to see The Wizard of Oz this weekend put on by the high school students. I was blown away by the professionalism of the whole thing. They did an outstanding job!

Rachel had her first basketball game of the season. She is playing in a new league this year and she needs to make some adjustments. This is more rough than she is used to so she is going to have to toughen up a bit. I"m sure she is up to it. Of course, my mom blames me for not feeding her enough-enough being junk food to bulk her up! What can I say, Rachel is a salad/fruit eater! She may be skinny,but she is healthy!

Giveaway

My new favorite site, Southern Plate, is having a giveaway of beauty products, so run on over and check it out!

Trent's first deer

Trent got to go hunting this morning with his Poppy and shot his first deer. It was a doe. Rachel got to go Thanksgiving morning but just before her shot, they spooked and ran off. Of course, now she is mad and wants to know when she gets to go again! The one picture is of my grandpa gutting the thing before they took it to the processing plant. Trent is very excited, they are going to make a rug from the hide(oh boy!).

Other than that, we have had a very uneventful holiday weekend. I shopped for a couple of hours Sat afternoon and that is it. The kids want to go see Bolt but I've yet to get up the energy to go. We will see! Right now Rich is trying to fix the toilet I tore up while cleaning the other day. He is getting more irritated by the hour, so I may load up the kids and go to the movie before it gets any worse!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving-A visit from Tom Turkey

One Saturday, Rachel and I were home alone. We started hearing this strange noise out on the back porch. When we went to look, we saw this odd looking turkey standing there looking in the window. We noticed he didn't look so well- a little green around the waddle. We decided to invite him in to see if we could help him out in anyway. Well, he sat down in the kitchen to rest and just about the time I was going to offer him some tea, he threw up all over my kitchen table and sideboard. Well, needless to say, we ran him off out the back door and haven't seen him since. The pictures show the damage that was left behind!

I hope you have a great Thanksgiving, and be careful of green turkeys!!

Crafts

I just found a new kids craft blog. It looks like it has lots of great ideas. Maybe I will be inspired?????
As soon as I take the time to take pics, I'm going to tell the story of how Tom Turkey visited our house!

Ice Skating

We went ice skating w/ Believers Friday. It was T & R's first time to ever ice skate. We even talked dad into going with us. They really enjoyed it and got the hang of it just as it was time to leave!!! I'm sure we will have to go back again soon. I didn't get very good pictures but Kelli did and will get those to me.

After skating, we went on over across the street from the Jones Center and watched the cattle auction for awhile. Sounds fun doesn't it! My uncle owns the sale barn and my grandpa used to own it. I've been there many times but the kids hadn't been, so we gave them the opportunity to witness a cattle auction, complete with wonderful fragrance! R loved it of course and T just wanted to get out!

Then we made our way up to Bentonville and ate at a wonderful pizza place. Gusano's-be sure to find it if ever up that way. Of course, when we are that close, we have to do Krispy Kreme! It is pumpkin spice time-my favorite!

The first pic I posted is from the Spiro Mounds. I tried to delete, but don't know how- oh well.

More Good Eats

Well, I love my Southern Plate! I tried another recipe last night and loved it. It was the Bama Steak Sandwich. I like it so much, I'm having leftovers for lunch. It is easy, quick and yummy! My only complaint lately is that it has been very hard to navigate around her website. I don't know what the problem is but I hope it gets better.
We also had a wonderful Renew last night for homeschool moms. Kelli brought lots of different fun to make foods for the holidays. It was all so cute and I think I could do most of it, I just have to work on my 'want to' a little more. I didn't get pictures but I'm sure some others will post theirs soon. I think I will try the bread cornucopia first. It seemed easy enough! Of course, I need somewhere to go to take it!
I also brought a few things home with me that night and the kids ended up eating them for breakfast!!!!!Oh well!

Election

Well, it didn't turn out the way we wanted. I just hope and pray things go well the next four years. I know God is in control of this situation, I'm just trying to remind myself of that often!

We did have fun learning about the presidential election process. We read lots of books, went to the Republican headquarters and picked up t-shirts , bumper sticker and yard sign. Then we all went to vote together. Election night we printed out an electoral map and filled it in as the night went along. Too bad it was too blue!!!

At least the campain is over-for awhile. Since this one lasted 2 years, I can only imagine the next one starting with 3 years left!!

Eating and Voting

We voted!! The kids went with me and we read the ballot and they got to touch the screen. What a great education! Best part, no line. I'm glad it is over but a little nervous of the outcome.

Now, eating! I tried 2 more recipes from the Southern Plate. Oh my! The grilled chicken tenderloin and baked mac and cheese. That mac was awesome. I've never made it from scratch before. It doesn't taste anything like mac and cheese. Much better. Scoot on over there and try them out.

Trent finished soccer this weekend and we didn't get to have family pics made. She couldn't fit us in. I'm spending most of this week trying to get pics of the kids around here. We went in our yard yesterday and going to mom's sometime this week.

Spiro Mounds was very interesting. I've never been before. If you haven't seen it, it is worth the trip.

Pictures

I'm so excited. We are going to have family pictures made this weekend in front of Old Main at the UofA. I've always wanted pics there. It is beautiful this time of year! I've fretted about what to wear and I think I have come up with red for everyone and jeans. I just hope I got our reds close enough! I'm also going to take pictures of the kids myself around here as soon as the trees get a little more color. My mom's place is a wonderful spot for pictures, especially in fall.
Trent wraps up soccer this weekend. I"m glad-tired of trips to Ft Smith, but never fear, it is ending just in time for Rachel to start basketball! We are just glad gas is going down!

Party Time

One of our homeschool friends had a Halloween/birthday party. One of the perks of homeschooling, you can party in the middle of the day! We had lunch, cake, games and crafts. Can't beat that! I didn't get food pics but it was all so cute-ghost pizzas, brain watermelon, pumpkin cheese ball etc. They also made the cutest tshirts. They were tie dyed orange w/ white cirlcles. They used markers to make the faces. They were a big hit.

Richard laughs so hard he cries everytime he sees the picture of the girls. They were all American Girls except our sweet little skeleton! He said it looks like a sinister skeleton invaded the Duggar family. She wouldn't be caught dead dressed like an American Girl! T was Darth VAder but we forgot to get pics of the boys.

The kids had a great time and we really enjoy getting together with our homeschool friends.