Going Higher

A couple of weeks ago, we (meaning the kids) were able to go rock climbing for the 2nd time.  Again, it was amazing!  This time was much better, though, because we weren't walking on a sheet of ice and the kids fingers weren't frost bitten.   All month, leading up to it, the kids had been discussing how high they would go this time.  They wanted to try out the harder climbs and be able to repel down.   I was so proud of them.   The all accomplished their goals.   They had to work really hard, even when they were worn out.  A couple of them had to overcome a little fear of heights, but, once they did, the didn't want to stop.   I think this is such a great activity that teaches so many great character qualities.  We can't wait to go back!

Tears and Laughter

Little Luke...Lukey Duke....or Dukey Dukey as Moses calls him...he's such a funny little guy.  He just makes me smile and laugh.   He's totally the dog from "UP"...the one that says "Squirrel!" mid-sentence.   He's a little dare devil. He loves to climb high up in the trees to use the bathroom....it's way more fun that way.  He loves to scale the outside of tube slides rather than go down through the inside.

His mind is always working.  He's got the best imagination.  Today this is what he told me:

"Mama!  I'm going to save up all my money until I have 200 DOLLARS!   Cuz I wanna be a millionaire!  You have to be a millionaire to have spies...right?"


He's also a lot more gullible than I realized.  The other day he started asking me about the tooth fairy...where does she live?  how does she get all the teeth? etc.   I couldn't tell if he was kidding at first and then realized he was serious.  We've never acted like any of those characters were real...or so we thought!    So...I told him that I am the one who takes their teeth and gives them money.   He laughed.   I reassured him it was true.  He said, "Mamaaaaa" like I was trying to pull one over on him.   So I reassured him again and he just said, "really?".   I could tell he still wasn't sure.   About an hour later he asked him again and then said, "Well...where are all the teeth?".    I told him where but he needed to see them.  So I showed him and you could see the disappointment for a minute but then he laughed and  was really suprised.     Tonight he asked Chad if I was really the tooth fairy for the whole world!   Ha...I really need to clarify for him.

It's been one...or two...of those weeks.  I told Chad I was calling to enroll the kids in school.  I sobbed almost every day he came home.  I felt like I just could not do this anymore.   I'm thankful that he reminded me WHY we homeschool.   I think it's really important to know exactly why I'm doing this.   I need to be able to cling to that some days. Other days are wonderful and things are full of great stuff.   Some things are harder than I expected.  Some things are way easier.   One thing is constant.  The ONE who has called us to this.   I'm thankful for little blessings that bring laughter and a smile in the midst of chaos and tears!

So sad...

It's so sad when your kids start reading and realize they've been saying things wrong...but, they are the little things that melt your heart and make you smile every time they say them.  

Awhile back Luke read the words on a bag of marshmallows and turned around in shock and said, "I thought it was MARSHLELLOWS!  It's supposed to be marshMellows!".    So, now he says it the right way....so sad!   Today we were doing reading with Christy.   Ethan was doing her flash cards and came to the letter U.   It had a picture of an umbrella and he was saying it very clearly for her.  "UN-BREL-LA".   I said, "Buddy...it's UMbrella".  Luke yells, "WHen I was little you guys told me it was RAINbrella!".   Ugh...so no more "rainbrellas" or "marshlellows".

Soccer

Luke is playing Upward Soccer and loving it.  He is so stinking cute!  He has really started getting in there and fighting for the ball.  There is a huge hill for the other kids to play on...and get all covered in mud...while Luke's playing...it's perfect. :)