Monday, February 27, 2012

Life Coming Full Circle



  Then...
November 2009, we had a cow die at the farm while delivering her calf.  So Dwayne built a temporary pen at the house so Marian and Andrew could bottle-feed the calf.  It was quite an experience for them both!  Suffice it to say, much was learned.

The calf was soon named.  Marian and Andrew preferred "Curly".  Little Sister Ellie had a different opinion, of course.  She preferred "Bitsy". ("Like itsy-bitsy," she explained.)  So it was decided, and Curly-Bitsy came to live with us.

Now...
Well, time passes, and this week Marian and Andrew are proud to announce the birth of their brand new foster grand-calf!!  Curly Bitsy gave birth to a healthy bull calf.  Cow and calf are doing great.    Aren't they good-looking?


We are so proud... and relieved no bottle-feeding will be required this time!

Monday, February 20, 2012

C is for Cow, Yum!

Ellie just finished letter 'C is for Cow' week in My Father's World Kindergarten.  Of course, we learned about all the good milk products we enjoy, including yogurt, cheese, and sour cream.  We also learned that God's Word is like milk... it helps our spirits grow!  I really like the way MFW uses such simple lessons to teach spiritual truth.
To celebrate, we had a dairy party!  For our snack time that day, we had fruit salad (with yogurt), crackers with cheese, crackers with dip (sour cream in it), cheese sticks, and of course, milk!  Some pretty dishes made it special, too.  The kids loved it!
Reagan, who is usually still asleep at snack time, woke up early that day.  Coincidence?  I don't think so! 
Something tells me the next theme, H is for Horse, won't be nearly as tasty! lol!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Our Valentine's Day


Some might say we make a big deal out of Valentine's Day.  I agree!  One year, I started a family Valentine dinner and now it's our tradition.  The kids and I go all out; it's our Valentine gift to everyone!  This year was no exception.  We made decorations for the wall and table.  (Notice the heart-shaped coasters by every plate.  Valentine table covering is courtesy of my mom, the seamstress.  XO, Mom!)
 We made up a menu, giving appropriate names to all the food.  The menu was as follows: Kiss-Me Spaghetti with Hug-Me Meatballs, Tie-the-Knot Rolls, Love-at-First-Bite Salad, Sweetheart Tea, Be-Mine Milk, and Apple-of-My-Eye Cheesecake.
Then we all sit down and enjoy!
 
 Everyone save room for dessert: Bavarian Apple Torte (aka Apple of My Eye Cheesecake)!
 Our little cupids sure do love our special Valentine's Day celebration, and we sure do love them!


Thursday, February 16, 2012

100th Day!

Happy Day 100!  The kids and I have been looking forward to this day for some time now, so I figured I'd better do something special today.  However, I didn't really want to use up a lot of time (and energy) with a party, so I had an idea.  Today was the First Annual 100th Day M&M Giveaway!!  
Prior to school time, I counted out 100 M&M's and put them in a bowl.  For every good thing the kids did during school, they received an M&M.  And if I pulled a green one out of the bowl, that child received a second M&M. Whaddya know?  We accomplished 100 great things today!  They received their rewards for a variety of excellent things:  correct answers on a vocab quiz, handwriting, copywork, building words, math papers, phonics, participation in a history discussion, and on and on the list goes.  
The First Annual 100th Day M&M Giveaway was a huge success!  Someone remind me to do it again next year!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Funny Girl

I have been chuckling about this for days now, so I decided I need to write it down...
Several days ago, Dwayne was bragging about Ellie's reading ability - in her presence.  He said something like, "Ellie's reading everything lately... books, ads, labels..."  Then Ellie interrupted him, "Yeah, and I can read Daddy's mind, too!"
What a funny girl!

Thanks, Mom!

 My mom sent us a new set of cookie cutters... just in time for Valentine's Day!  The kids and I took full advantage of them and made cookies for our homeschool group, cookies for Sunday School, and plenty left over for home!  I think we counted 87 in all.  Aren't they pretty?

Saturday, February 11, 2012

A Quote Worth Remembering



Marian & Andrew (July 2003) This pic is one of my all time faves!

This quote was attached to the signature of an email I read tonight.  All I can say is, Wow.  And Amen.  
"The Bible calls debt a curse, 
and children a blessing.
In our society, we apply for a curse
and reject blessings.
What is wrong with this picture?"
Doug Phillips, Vision Forum Ministries

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Gotta love RightStart

Andrew playing a math card game

Ellie partitioning numbers on the abacus
You know it's been a good day of homeschool when... the words "math" and "play" are used in the same sentence! :)  Thanks, RightStart!

An Incredible Duo

I just love this picture.  Two things amaze me about it:  Ellie is reading, and Reagan has shoes on! LOL!  I know Ellie is not the first 5yo to just start reading on her own, but I still reserve the right to be shocked and amazed.  And the fact that Reagan has had these shoes on all morning long is unbelievable!  (My kids seem to have been born with natural shoe-repellent.)

From the mouths of babes...

Marian has been playing this online game where she dresses up a Barbie-type figure.  I don't know all the details of the game, but she does certain things to earn points which allow her to shop, go to the gym or spa, go out to eat, and on and on.  She loves it.  Well, while she was playing it today, I heard her wonder out loud, "Why does my spa time pass so fast, but my gym time lasts so long?"  I almost choked.  We feel your pain, Mar!