The Maze

Have I mentioned that we love Montessori learning?

Lucas and a few of his friends create elaborate games during their lunch recess.  Here, they created a maze that literally filled the whole backyard using the leaves that were falling from the shade trees. 

They kept it up for over a week.  I'm glad I took a picture when I did, as there was a wind and rain storm the next day, and it was gone!  No worries -- they were ready to move on to the next project.  Maybe it will be a lunchtime science club, a habitat for the free-ranging chickens, or an olympic team.  The sky's the limit!

Taekwon-Do

Lucas, Nichole, and Keandre recently completed a 6-week Taekwon-Do trial after a friend invited us to give it a try.  We had a wonderful experience!  The focus on Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit blended wonderfully with the spiritual and life skills we work to teach our children on a daily basis. 

Here, Keandre is studying for his test.

Over the course of the classes, their confidence grew and grew!

Keandre runs over for a quick snuggle after his group's testing.

We hope to be able to sign up for additional classes sometime soon.  The middle three kiddos loved their experience there, and the littlest girls enjoyed watching.  In the future, Jasmin even hopes to participate!  Now, to save up, or apply for a scholarship. :)

(Did I mention they started saying 'Yes sir' and 'Yes ma'am' in response to our instructions to help set the table, get homework done, etc.?  Ahhhhh..... I could get used to that. ;)

November in Phoenix

Lest we forget our winter blessings when it's July

and 110 degrees in the shade.

(Yes, the kids are barefoot and wearing short-sleeved
t-shirts. :)

Under the Weather

Sometimes, even with a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition, you get hit with illness.  It seems like half the people we know have the flu right now!  We've been under the weather this week, too.  It can take a while to get through a household of 8 people.  Fevers, nausea, achy body, coughing fits, we've seen it all.  We're not too bad off, for the most part, just a lot of resting, napping together, and extra TV time.  Andy and I were hit first, so at least we can take care of the others now.

We learned that while under the weather, you might decide to try out a baby bottle for the first time ever - and like it!  Daddy enjoyed the snuggle time.  (Can you believe how long her hair is getting?)

And you might start sleeping in unusual places.

Your big sister, too.

Then one brother....

and another.

There are downed children and comfort items everywhere we look.  Poor sweeties.  It hit little Isaac today, so Anna-Lise is the only one to escape the bug so far.  (We're rooting for you, Anna! :)

Keandre has been sleeping around the clock for 2 days now, but as of tonight, his fever is finally dropping.

These two snuggled up and watched Curious George 2 next to me while I napped.  This is the life, right?  (Ha...Lucas would disagree!)

We haven't had the flu in 3+ years.  At least we got it over with early this season, right?

What do you do to build your family's immunity during the winter sick season? 
(blog post on that soon)

Baby Bunnies

We decided to let our rabbits breed again, in hopes of ending up with a couple female bunnies we can tame better than the last set.  Since they run free in our backyard, we weren't aware of them having a litter until Andy was working out back and discovered four baby bunnies hopping around on the patio.  The kids are, of course, overjoyed!  We put them in a hutch so we can tame them.  They are getting plenty of love and attention from our kids and the neighbor friends.  Nichole and Leslie are pretty much inseparable lately, and Lucas and Chez are playing a lot, too!

First Day of School, 2012

Remember the old days, when school started after Labor Day instead of the end of July?  We're still on that schedule.  Since this blog is part family scrapbook, I've included the obligatory 'first day' photo.  Lucas is in 4th grade, Nichole is in 2nd, and Keandre is officially a Kindergartener.  No backpacks or school supplies to purchase for their Montessori school -- they keep it nice and simple. :)

Nichole celebrated her 8th birthday on the first day of school.  The class sang her a special song while she held a globe and walked around the 'sun' (a candle) eight times. 

The kids are excited to be back in school with their friends.  Andy and I are glad they're back in school, too. ;)  Really, though....we are blessed to know our children are together and have caring and motivated teachers. 

Funny Friday

Just a few of the funnies around here lately....

(March '12)

Lucas got tired of holding the phone.

(April '12)

Brooklyn and cousin Madeline dressed the tortoise in baby girl pants.

Keandre and Nichole got married.  And had a child.  All in the same hour.

They were the typical, doting parents, quite proud of their cape-wearing tyke.

Uncle Ian's tortoise was part of our Easter egg hunt.  He stayed in this position for a good 15 minutes.  So cooperative! :)

A couple tigers and a cheetah planned a playdate...

...and together, they learned the joys of photography in motion.

(May 2012)

Brooklyn's hair took on a life of its own.

And she turned two! :)

 Keandre tried out a new sleeping position. He successfully slept on top of legos, a heat lamp, and his guitar. (Yes, their bedroom floor is usually that messy. I gave up -- and that is why they have a baby gate in their doorway! :)

So....what's funny in your life these days?

Lucas' first day of school

 

 
As I shared last week, Lucas chose to enroll in school with Nichole and Keandre.  We decided we'd better do another 'first day of school' picture since we did that for Nichole and Keandre last month.

Keandre wasn't feelin' the whole picture-taking thing, so he waited patiently off to the side. ;)  (Actually, he was mad that I was 'making' him go to school that day.  He was over it about 1 minute later.)

Lucas was pretty nervous that first day.  He was concerned that he'd be behind, or that he wouldn't understand how to do the work.  Thankfully he settled in quickly, and he says he enjoys school.  I am so proud of him for making this decision, sticking with it even when he was nervous, and settling in and making friends so quickly.  I think it will be a great rest of the year for him!

1st day of school

  

It all happened rather fast.  One day we were looking for a preschool for Keandre, who really needed his own little adventures to go on while I home school Lucas and Nichole.  We started looking into Montessori schools.

A day or two later, Nichole is begging to go to school also, so we expand the search from Primary only, to schools that also have an Elementary program.

A few days after that, we find it.  The school we were hoping for!  A small, intimate community of families.  Involved and passionate teachers.  Students who are happy and excelling.  Days later, we're in! 

We were loading the car to leave for school when I yelled, "Wait!  Everyone out!  We didn't take a 'first day' picture." :)  Nothing exciting, but I'm glad we captured these.

They are settling in wonderfully.  Nichole is tired and a little grouchy at the end of her day, but after a snack she is full of stories and ready to re-connect after her time away.  Keandre is only gone for 2.5 hours, and when I pick him up he is glowing!  He LOVES his time at school, then is happy to come home again.  His teachers refer to 'work' he does there, but he says, "Mom, it's not work! We're playing and having fun." :)

Two weeks later, my die-hard home schooler, Lucas, decides he wants to join in the fun.  He has so many projects and exciting scientific research to conduct at home that he struggles to focus on his other work.  Now that he's had some time to observe his siblings in their element, he's ready to join them.  I'm so proud of him, and know he'll fit in wonderfully.

Whatever will Brooklyn and I do? :)

Our Day in Pictures

 

Andy has started biking Destany to school some days.

She loves it!

Brooklyn has the chicken pox.  Not too many spots so far.  We're doing lots of baths, which she loves!

While I was busy giving baths, Lucas decided to take the morning off school and dig a big hole in the backyard.

Before B's morning nap, we put a raw honey, cinnamon, and vitamin E mixture on her spots.  She was a sweet and sticky mess, but she slept great, and woke up happy!  Then into another oatmeal bath she went. :)

Happy Father's Day!

  

March Kids' Quotes

Brooklyn:
"Hi!"  (complete with super-cute wave with her right hand)
"Da-Da"
"Ma-Ma"
"Ah-duh" (with baby sign)

Keandre:
Keandre: "Mommy, I did Brooklyn's hair for you. She looks pretty now!"
Mom: "With Vaseline?!? Oh, my."

"How old am I now?  Four?  (Pause.)  Where did the 3 go???" 

K: "Can I open my presents now?"  (every 5 minutes)
Mom: "Keandre, I'm just trying to keep everyone alive right now."
K: "Well, I'm just trying to keep everyone opening my presents right now!"

Destany:
"Mom, if I'm going to be snug as a bug in a hug, you'll need to hug me."
After a big hug, "Now I'm definitely snug as a bug in a hug!" 

"Mom, who is this card for?"
Kiara: "Me, it's a birthday coupon."
"Phew!  I cannot handle any more birthday invitations!"

"My mane is crazy today!"  (free hair day, which she loves!)

Lucas:
"All I can think of to do to get warm is hide underneath a big box.  It's the most like a blanket."  (the blankets were in the wash)

"Can someone please come get Brooklyn?!?  She's attacking me!"

"Brooklyn feels hungry."  (Me: "Oh yeah?")  "Yes, I picked her up and her tummy feels empty.  She feels hungry."

----------------
The only thing holding up this post was the need for a new pic of the kids. But since our camera disappeared the middle of March, I had to give up. There will be a new pic next month, I promise. We're giving in and buying new camera.  Yippee! :)

January Kids' Quotes

 

 

Brooklyn-
“ma-ma-ma-ma”
“pbbbbbt” (raspberries)
“mmmm-behhh”
"ah-da-da-da"
"ba-ba-ba-ba"

Keandre-
"Mommy -- I'm texting your mom.  She got real sick.  She had too much salt.  The doctor said, 'No more having salt!'"

"Daddy!  Mommy doesn't cut it like that!"
A: "Really?  How does she cut it?"
"She cuts it normal!"

"Daddy, Destany isn't sharing her love with me.  She won't let me go in her room!"

Destany-
"Mommy, I feel really sick....like my head's going to fall off and my brain isn't working right.  Ask me what's 2 + 2?"
Mom:  "I'm sorry you don't feel well.  What's 2 + 2?"
"Mmmmmm....I'm not sure.  But I think it's close to four."

"When I'm married, I'm going to have 10 kids.  My husband won't have a job, so he'll be around to help me a lot.  I'll give him Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday off, so he can have a rest."

"Bleh!  Wine is gross.  I don't want to drink any more until I'm thirteen!"
(Andy: "Phew!  Glad we don't have to worry about that for seven more years.")

Lucas-
L: "Mom, the oranges you told me to put in the compost were hard on the outside, but perfect on the inside. 
Kiara: "Oh, bummer.  Next time, let me know and we can juice them, okay?"
L: "Okay.  But you're pretty smart, so I thought you'd know that."

"Sorry, what did you say, Mom?  I couldn't hear you....I was thinking."

Free to Good Home

 

Yep, you read that right!  One beautiful rooster, needing a new home. 

We bought Cricket when we picked out our little ladies (who, incidentally, will be laying for us in the near future).  He was in the 'assorted roosters' box, and was so cheap cute that Lucas talked us into it.  From the beginning, we agreed that when he found his voice, it would be time for him to move on. 

Now the time has come, and we're a little sad to see him go.  Lucas hopes he will end up somewhere in Phoenix so he can visit him!  (You can read Lucas' blog post about Cricket here.)

Update 2/12 -- Thanks to Craigslist, Cricket has found a new home!  We think he will be very happy with his new digs.  He is free ranging, and has two pretty hens waiting for him when he returns from exploring his HUGE yard.  He has it pretty good.  Happy crowing! 

campfire prep

As I mentioned recently, the weekly campfires are a highlight of our week!  The kids are so excited for us to begin that they often start preparations early.  But since there is a lot to do, I don't complain.  This week, they....

hauled wood,

cut some pieces smaller,

and laid out copious amounts of junk food.

Ever the helpful baby, Brooklyn took it upon herself to break the graham crackers into lots of tiny pieces.  There were no complaints, though, as the other kids know that this ensures the opportunity to eat graham crackers for snacks, not JUST at campfire, like mommy prefers!

After a month off, Lucas was pretty stoked (ha ha, get it?) about this week's campfire.  He started getting ready at about 3pm and did almost ALL the prep himself.  He was amazing!  He raked the whole yard, swept the patio, hauled wood, and put out the table of food.  We rewarded him with a run to Trader Joe's for 'healthy hotdogs' (nitrate free, minimally processed, etc.) that he could roast over the fire for dinner.  Yum!