Christmas Visit

We are so blessed to have several friends who live in our small town that also homeschool.

This year for our Christmas Party we first went to a local assisted living home and sang Christmas carols, played the piano and visited with the residents. We all loved it so much!

One of the residents mentioned how they love this time of year because people come and visit. This saddened me because I know I am guilty of thinking of these types of ministries only around the holidays!

We, as a group, have decided that we would make this a regular outing for our children. We plan to go back and play games and do crafts with the residents throughout the coming year!

Cantata 2012

The kids had the great privilege to sing in the church cantata tonight. S, M and B are in the children's choir and E is in the youth choir.

Their choirs joined the adult choir in singing a beautiful song for the cantata and the children's choir did a song on their own. It was wonderful! I am so thankful they have the opportunity to learn music and share their praise to the awesome God we serve!

Tree Lighting Ceremony 2012

The kids had the privilege to sing at the Tree lighting ceremony in our small town. They, along with the adult choir, sang one of the songs that they will be singing on Sunday Night in the cantata.

Visit with Santa

Thankfully M still wants to sit on Santa's lap.

My older ones think that it is so "babyish" to see Santa. Thankfully their daddy asked them to please do it for mom :)

Since our friends were also there, I asked if they all would go see Santa. Again, there was some resistance by the boys, but they finally agreed since they were doing it together with their friends  :)

The Pumpkins 2012

S's pumpkin this year for the Pumpkin Decorating contest at the NPF is....

A pirate!

M's is .....

the Great Pumpkin Patch Charlie "Peanut"

B's is....

Afro Circus from Madagascar 3

E's is....

Duck Dynasty

They all did such a great job...we will see who wins on Friday!

It's Painting Time!

We are working on the pumpkins for the pumpkin decorating contest at the NPF. Any guesses what they will be this year???

S's Report

S had to do a state report for her Co-op class. She chose to do it on the state of Ohio since her daddy is from there.

She did a great job getting everything ready - the research and writing along with the visuals! So proud of her for working hard to get it all done on time!

Family Time at the Park

Scot had the day off so we had a picnic at the park. Love family time!

Harvest Day 2012

This year Harvest Day was a little different for us. Usually we just enjoying walking around and buying things at the booths around the square, but this year, we had a booth!

E needed to earn money for Winter Retreat that the youth group will be going on in December. She, along with some friends of ours who also needed to earn money for the trip, decided to get a booth and sale some of their crafts.

Both families have younger kids who did not want to be left out, so they also made things to sale. Overall, it was a great success and tons of fun! What isn't when you are doing it with friends?  :)

Co-op classes 2012

We had a great time this semester in our co-op classes. My friend who is on the yearbook was able to sneak in some pics of my kids during some of their classes. I am so glad she shared them with me!

B (in the red shirt) during his Anatomy class

E took Algebra Study hall

S (in the pink jacket) during her Anatomy class

First Day of Co-op

 Today is the first day of co-op for this school year. The kids are so excited for their classes this year a few of their classes this semester are Anatomy, tumbling, cooking, and art.

We are so thankful to be a part of a great homeschool group!

Summer Fun...Go Kart

Scot surprised the kids with a "new to us" go kart.

The kids have been wanting one since we moved here and have all this space to drive on!

First Day of School

The 2012-2013 school year started today!

Awana Races

This year for the Awana races, the kids got a little creative with their cars.

S wanted to do a hot pink race car.

B made this dog bone car.

M made this penguin car.

B won 3rd place in the Truth and Training division.

M won 2nd place for Speed in Cubbies.

Turkey Day Projects

We did a few projects this year both at a Thanksgiving Party we had and as part of our school day. Here are a few of the things we did.

M's Turkey hand print. I love displaying these little sentimental art pieces year after year!

S's turkey hand print (in brown) and then she added details to it.

B painted this pumpkin at our Thanksgiving Party. M painted a pumpkin on her tile too. When M wanted to add to her pumpkin, I accidently grabbed B's tile! Sooooo this is a collaboration of B and M's art work!

So what do you think?  Did you do any Turkey Day Projects with your kids this year? If so, let me know...I need some  good ideas to save for next year!

Pumpkin Decorating Contest

Every year the kids enter the Pumpkin Decorating contest at our local fair. This year, the 3 older kids all won FIRST place in each of their age categories!

E with her Angry Bird. This was her first year competing in the Jr High division!

B painted his pumpkin to look like a football.

S painted a farm scene all the way around the pumpkin.

M was so excited to finally be old enough to enter too! She won Honorable Mention in the K5 division for her pumpkin.