Why Green?

Before I get started, this blog is dedicated to my dear husband, BZ...who asked me to post this little story...

On Sunday Keegan asked if he could make his own breakfast, for the first time, he's 5, and so we said sure. He decided a good meal of toast and butter would be sufficient, so he went to work. With a big smile on his face. When he sat down to the table, I noticed that his toast was very green, and thought to myself, I have never seen butter go moldy so quickly (I had just bought it the day before)...and when I took a closer look, to my dismay, I discovered that Keegan had put green food colouring all over his toast. When we asked him why, he said, "I want green poop." Well then...I guess we have a little scientist on our hands...

Pioneers

Who would have ever thought that I would learn so much by home schooling. I learn how to rely on God's strength from day to day (but I am sure every mom learns that). I learn that it is very hard to get out the door and be on time for a morning class trip. And I learn about random elementary school subjects like pioneers. I love pioneers. Today we went with one of our groups to a pioneer village. It was so cold! But it was so fun, and very interesting. The thing I find the most interesting is that the pioneers often only had 1-3 rooms in their house, which I know from watching Little House on the Prairie...and everyone slept in the same bedroom. My big questions is, how in the world did they get all their kids to sleep, and how in the world did they ever have more than one child? The latter question is obviously an adult thought, but really...it was so cold in the house, and their kids all slept right beside them. Another interesting fact is that if you went to spend the night in a haft way house/hotel, you would have to share a bed with 3 other people...and the bed was no bigger than a double bed...and you might have to share the bed with a perfect stranger...hmmm...interesting stuff eh...I asked Brendan what his favorite part was and he said the school house, very good answer I must admit...and when I asked Keegan, he said the hotel...we had a great day...with a lot of good hands on learning. I love home schooling and pioneers!

Sweetness!

This is one of my favorite pictures. For one it reminds me of sunny days. And it seems to me that Josh and Aliah really like each other. Aliah gets so excited every time she sees Josh and Josh always talks to her in a really sweet little voice. My two babies are the sweetest babies around. Although with all this toilet training, it seems to me that I only have 1 baby now, because Josh is now a BIG boy!!

Big News This Week!!

First, Aliah can roll both ways!!! It has been a long time in coming, but she can do it!!! And she is so proud of herself, but probably not as proud as her Momma!

Second, while delivering papers this morning, Brendan found a 5 dollar bill...that doesn't seem so great, but to a kid, it is the world! What does he want to do with his big find? Buy some gum! He was so excited, I guess the curiosity and slowness during papers does have it's benefits!!

Third, Joshie is still doing his toilet business! Which I think is exciting!

And Finally, Keegan received his Awana Grand Prix hat! He is officially the Grand Prix cub car winner, and his car had a record breaking time too!

So after a week of some good days and some hard, these things may not seem to earth shattering, but to our family of 6, they have added every bit of joy to our week! It is good to be the Momma of this family!

We took the plunge!!!

Into what? Toilet training!! Joshie is finally ready! We started on Monday, and he is actually doing it! He does so good, and normally has only 1 accident a day. The whole family is very excited that Joshie is finally using the toilet...I think that the other boys are so excited because when Joshie does the toilet business, all the boys get a jelly bean...Mommy is excited that little Joshie is a big boy. Daddy is excited that we only have 1 child's diapers to change, rather than 2. Way to go Joshie!!

Learning a little about life, and a lot about love.

We home school...I love it...most days. But to be honest, we do have days that are not so great. Days when it is hard to enjoy the kids, wondering how it is even possible...days when everyone needs mommy at the same time...days when the older ones are very grumpy...days when we all need a nap, but if we all take a nap, we will have children awake until midnight. Would I still have days like this if the kids went to school...YES...are these days part of life, I think so. What are these days good for? Learning to hug more, learning to take it easy and stop school for the day, and learning that tomorrow will be a better day. On Tuesday, when we had not such a great day, I was gently reminded of Phil. 4:9, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" and 2 Cor. 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." I am so glad that I am not alone, and that I can rest in God's grace!

Skating

The city we live in has a outdoor ice rink that is free and really fun!! It has a cooling pad under the surface so no matter the weather, the ice is firm and smooth and ready for skating. Our family has been taking advantage of this wonderful rink. When we were getting ready to leave yesterday, I asked Brendan, our oldest son, what the temperature felt like outside (I was wondering whether or not we needed snow pants on...it had been 10 degrees outside earlier in the day) so he said, "It is half medium and mostly cold." What does that mean? I don't really know. Where did he ever get get half medium from when describing weather, I have no clue... Do I love 7 year descriptions?? Yes I do! What was the weather? Balmy and warm...for a Canadian January.