Icecicles

I don't know why, but this year there have been a shocking amount of icicles hanging from our house. It must be from a the thawing and freezing that has been going on.

But instead of fretting about ice-dams and roof damage. I decided to let the kids have fun with them instead. They had been watching them grow for days and were beyond excited to finally go collect some. (And yes, I know that an icicle to the head would be a very bad thing. Before they went out I knocked down all the questionable ones, and then we made a very firm rule that everyone had to be on the porch before anyone could knock them down)

One of the kids would throw the ball at the icicles. (It was usually Sofie. She was the one who could reliably hit them) And then they would all scramble to the indents in the snow and pull them out. They did this for a couple of hours! Who knew some ice and a deflated ball could be so much fun. But these are the kind of activities that make me happy. The kids, working together, playing with found objects, truly entertaining themselves. No TV, computer, or Wii in sight. Aaahhh...

He's Golden

We recently celebrated John's 6th birthday!

I have come to love this February birthday time. When he was born I was a little hesitant about his day being so close to Christmas, and granted, people are sometimes a little "familied out" by the time his birthday rolls around. But I am finding it a great distraction in the middle of the great winter yawn.

I also completely enjoy that my family makes the trek up for his birthday almost every year. (there is usually a motorcycle show that is going on on the same weekend to entice them as well...) It's one of the few times during the year where there aren't vacations and/ or hunting trips to compete with.

I tell ya, it's a great time of year to have a party.

The day started out with pancakes. John's favorite breakfast. Then the guys decided it was time to hit the motorcycle show, to which John decided that he did NOT want to go to. Crazy kid. But it was his birthday, so O.k.

We tried something a little different this birthday. We let him open up the gifts through out the day instead of keeping them all till the party. Which I am really starting to like that tradition. That way they are enjoying each present instead of being overwhelmed at once. Plus, then the whole day is special instead of just the end.

We had a Taco bar for supper and I pulled myself together and made a birthday cake. I guess I'm becoming some-what famous for all my birthday cakes. My neice had been peppering her Mom with question all day about what it was going to be this year. :) Caleb especially enjoyed the cake. He needed a sink bath after that escapade. Fun was had by all.

Oh, and we did manage to infect a lot of people with the cold that had been going around our house. Sorry to everyone who is suffering at this point... They are just little germ factories I tell ya. :)

Homeschool Co-op, Valentine's Style

We are thoroughly enjoying our homeschool co-op this year. Both Sofia and John are in Creation Science, Art, and Gym classes. Sofie says that Science is her favorite class, John says that his is Gym. :)

While Sofie and John are in their classes all morning, Lilia, Caleb, and I have plenty of time for socialization and fellowship with fellow homeschoolers. Truly one of the highlights of my week!

Today was a special Co-op because we were celebrating Valentines Day. We decorated a box and made enough Valentines for our entire co-op. It was lots of work, but well worth it. The kids were so excited about all their "loot."

This year they also had a clown who did face painting and a little show with some "magic tricks." It was very cute.

The icing on the cake for our homeschool co-op day's is that this is all the closer we get to doing schoolwork. :)