week 8 - O magnify the Lord with me

Way fun word clue game - nurturing their growing interest in reading.  Each paper has a clue on it of where the next paper is.

 When he is obsessed with Hot Wheels - turn it into kidschool!  We measured how far each car went and recorded it on the white board (got some writing in there, too!)

 Troy loves rulers - and this is his favorite new game.  Like mother like son.

 Yay for art, painting and a big mess.

 Why did no one share the genius idea to start prepping dinner right after lunch with me?  Well I am very glad I made that change in routine.

 Also did some rearranging of furniture and moved the activities and supplies cabinets next to the cozy fireplace in preparation for the colder weather - and they are next to the rug where the activities are always used anyway, which makes clean-up simpler.

 They are running Thank You notes to our next-door neighbors.  Writing and thoughtfulness.  I am particularly proud that they are learning to be thoughtful.

 Yes, that is a mouse.  (Close your eyes Danielle!)

 Created Popsicle stick puppets with curtained stage.

We finished reading Charlotte's Web this week - I am growing to love that book more each time.  Even their Dad joined in on the evening chapter reading.  Family reading really is powerful and I am grateful we are finally doing it.
Some more progress on finishing the master bedroom!

week 7 - learn/teach BY THE SPIRIT

Great - GREAT Kidschool about learning and teaching BY THE SPIRIT

Making Owls

Fun with Adjectives

Hiking the bottom half mile of Indian Trail

Building a nature center for Paul

Plenty of willing helpers for Paul's first taste of rice cereal

It Happened!! They walked over to the bookcase, each picked up a Dick & Jane book and started reading.  On a Sunday night at bedtime.  We let them for a half hour or so.  It was so great how it was their own timing, in their own way - and completely self-motivated.  And both at the same time! (I guess that is how potty-training went with these two, also.  Best friends)

"But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God"

Made lots of progress on mudding the sheetrock!

week 6 - prophets

Thanks to General Conference, this week was focused on the Prophet and the Apostles.  We now have a goal to add a "conference talk of the week" to our weekly song and our weekly scripture.  This week we talked about Elder Scott's talk, particularly the part about Family Home Evening and not letting anything get in the way of it.  We memorized Doctrine & Covenants 1:38, which states:

"Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."

 Happy Birthday to Troy!! Love LOVE that kid.  He is getting to be so thoughtful and independent and funny.  I 'won' this awesome cake at a Relief Society activity, so he actually got a cake that was supposed to look like a pile of dirt this year, covered in bugs (instead of accidentally looking like a pile of dirt as usual).

 His birthday landed on General Conference, which was awesome :)

 We had a great time doing conference worksheets, bingo, etc. and I was babysitting three neighbor girls, so he actually got friends over on his birthday for once, too.

 His presents were hidden throughout the yard and house, throughout the day - no wrapping paper.  Genius!

Also, we ate the delicious chocolate cake OUTSIDE - another genius idea!

 They requested worksheets for kidschool on Monday morning.

 Troy got a new best friend for his birthday.  Late Sunday night (on Troy's birthday) we picked up a boy who lived with us for the week and they are now best buddies.

 Loving this Fall weather!

 We went to a corn maze/pumpkin patch for Family night.  It was awesome.

 I'm studying Infant Massage - therefore his siblings are, too.

 Always a great time during "Friend Time" each afternoon, when the whole neighborhood is invited over.

 Had a pleasant picnic

Starting to enjoy chew toys.

I took Troy to stake volleyball with me one night, and we had fun - he would give me a high five or a 'ball bump' with his own volleyball before I served each time.

We ended up back at the Corn Maze later in the week - with a homeschool group

 Why only put one kid in each 'boxcar' when you can fit FOUR?!

Yep, it was a blast!

 Time for the Annual Cousin Halloween Party!

 Donuts on a string eating contest!

 Costumes

 It was awesome.

He loves his dog.

 I LOVE sunshine

I'll Seek The Lord Early was our song of the week