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

week 5 - burnout

This week didn't start out so great.  I was in a funk.  I was burnt out.  I told the kids Monday morning that we weren't having kidschool because I couldn't feel the Spirit.  "Why? Nothing is wrong!" said Troy.  Good boy.  We prayed, we put the flag up.  I slowly inched my way back up.

 I played lacrosse with Troy (sadly the ball shattered the front window while I was inside)

 We all played baseball.

 Cash keeps a close eye on the tomatoes these days

 They built condo.'s

 I guess Paul got the end unit...

 They have thoroughly enjoyed digging in dirt this week.  A lot.

Cooking is better with EVERYONE!

I love that when we go to the Treehouse Museum we can spend the whole two hours in one corner of it playing with blocks (because we have a membership i don't feel like we have to hurry and see everything).  I love that there is one of me and only four of them (unlike the school groups going through).  I love that the "one of me" IS their Mom.  I love being with them during their magical discoveries.

 Studied some weird plants, which turned out to be mushrooms.

 Created a cleaning plan

 with signs

 Studied with Cheerios and Goldfish

 He has been doing some serious weight-lifting

 with lots of moral support

 We built a homemade swing between the bunk beds.

 The kids acted out their first play.  It basically consisted of six Acts of Sir Troy slaying the dragon...

But the lost cow was adorable, and was returned to the beautiful princess by the tough cowboy.

 Pumpkin picking

 Pumpkin decorating

 Pumpkin hauling

 Cut little pumpkin

 Pumpkin arranging

 Pumpkin hugging

 PUMPKIN PORCH!

We FINALLY finished reading Farmer Boy.  We unfortunately had to skip a few chapters near the end, but the last one was worth it.  I look forward to reading it again when they are older. 

"I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me." -Philippians 4:13