Our week

This was a really fun week full of lots of things!

We finished this month childrens Novel "The BFG" and it was Everyones favorite so far! Its about a young orphan names Sophie and the BFG (Big Friendly Giant) who kidnaps her. The boys loved the book and the second we finished it asked if we could read it again!

The boys worked on some Halloween mobiles this week. A.B2 finished his and there is a picture of it. A.B 1 My not so crafty and slightly more particular one has yet to finish his mobile but is still working on it =-}

We went to the pumpkin patch this week and everyone had such a good time. There was a petting barn with pigs,sheep,goats and a calf named Elizabeth.There were huge mounds of hay bales to play in, pumpkin bowling and even a little john Deere for A.B3 to ride! We searched and found the perfect pumpkins AND some fresh apple butter! Yum!

Friday night was Dads Halloween work party. They had haunted houses and costume contests and LOTS of Candy. We have just a few pics from that. Including one of our friends Jason, Linda and Kaitlyn(who are originally from Heath!!) and Jackie and Travis as batman and Hailey.

Tomorow is the primary program at church and Isaiah has his part all memorized and ready to go =-} We wont have any pictures of that of course but we would appreicate some crossed fingers that all will go wel!!!

Pumpkin patches, mobiles and Halloween parties

This was a really fun week! The kids have been working on some Halloween mobiles with bats and pumpkins and getting there costumes ready for Daddys work Halloween party on friday. We also made a trip to the pumpkin patch. All the kids enjoyed the trip and found the perfect pumpkins!!
At Dad's work party there was food, candy, costume contests and a haunted house.Lots of our friends were there and everyone had a good time.

BOYS!

You know being a mom is a tough job. Whether you have one child or five its still a tough job. There is definately something to be said for moms with boys though!

We made yet another trip to the e.r. yesterday for not our first, not our second but our THIRD head injury!! I swear at this point not much rattles me and a little bit of blood doesnt even phase me!!!

During a game of dart tag A.B 1 was ducking to avoid the onslot from A.B 2 and fell back and busted his head against the corner of the wall. Well 3 hours and three staples later our wounded soldier was all patched up!

Those poor lonely homeschooled kids!

I looked out my back door the other day and just had to laugh at the sight before me. My "Poor lonely" homeschooled kids playing with 4 or 5 neighbor boys.

Homeschooling and everyones misconceptions

I love homeschooling. I have homeschooled all my children since day one and it has been one of the most enjoyable experiances of my life. The thing I have found the hardest to dealwith at times is other peoples misconceptions of our lifestyle and how our children must be because they are homeschooled.
I was reminded of all of that today as I chatted with a friend on the phone. She is looking into options other than public school for her children and we have talked "homeschool" several times. My friend says that her mother is very PRO public school =-} I geuss she had mentioned to her mom that she had a friend who homeschools.
"Well are her kids loners who keep to themselves or only play with there siblings??"This poor misinformed woman asked.
"No mom actually her kids are really outgoing and playful and...normal." My friend says to her mom.
People think because homeschooled children are not stuck in a classroom with 30 other kids every day Monday thru Friday that they must be shy, lonely, socially awkward little things.
How wrong they are!! In my experiance most homeschooled children are the complete opposite, friendly, outgoing, confident and well adjusted.
It was so encouraging to hear that my friend found my children to be all of those good things and that she was able to dispel some of the misconceptions floating around out there.

BOO at the ZOO

This weekend we went to the Boo at the Zoo at Point Defiance zoo. The weather was beautiful and the kids had a blast. AB 1 was pirate captain Jack Sparrow, AB 2 was Harry Potter and AB 3 was a pink leapord. Mom and Dad did not dres up, although Dad did say next year if we did a wizard of oz theme I wouldnt even need a costume to be the wicked witch of the west!!! I keep telling him he is getting brave in his old age!!

ANYHOW^^ We had so much fun looking at all the animals. The boys have always loved the zoo and now AB 3 is starting to love it too!!

Nisqually Wildlife Refuge

Today was one of those rare, close to perfect days. Daddy was home from his two week training, there was not a drop of rain to speak of(and here thats VERY rare), and we had the day to just spend and enjoy! We decided today would be a great day to head to the Nisqually Refuge. They have trails that go thru marshes, wetlands and woodlands and we enjoy them all!

It was a beautiful fall day and all Gods creations seemed happy to greet us. From the little inch worm Daddy and the AB's (Army Brats) discovered to the Hundreds of Geese preparing to migrate.

One of my favorite pictures of the day was one with Daddy and AB #1 and #2 checking out the inch worm we found. the thought came to me as I looked at it " Teacher and students? Father and Sons? BOTH!" Whats a joy it is to have those usually seperate and defined roles blurred into one joyful moment.

Along with all the creaping crawling and chirping thingsthe tree's were really calling to us and even Hannah got in on the monkey business! Although she was not as excited as her brothers were to climb! Hahaha She'll get there I'm sure!

It really was a great day!

My First Post

Well its cool to be starting this blog. I have to be honest though I have only started it because my Big Sis pestered me too! Hahaha. For those of you who know my sister that wont surprise you in the least!

Really though being an Army family and being away from ALL our family,this will be a good way to keep in touch and let everyone know whats going on with us.