Advent Calender

We wanted to put a new twist on our advent calender this year. We have always done the store bought chocolate ones (which the kids insisted on doing again), we also made a homemade calender.

Here is what we did:

We purchased 24 red, white, and brown craft gifts bags (the very small ones). Each child was able to decorate 8 bags, then we numbered the bags. We hung string in the hallway (it took the entire length of our hallway). Then we hung the bags with clothespins.

Each day there is a new message for the children such as: calling someone to sing a Christmas song, reading a Christmas story, mailing someone a handmade Christmas card, watching a Christmas movie, riding around and looking at Christmas lights, baking cookies to take to a nursing home, and the list goes on.

Each day I wanted the children to be engaged in an activity that was giving of themselves. Isn't that was Christmas is supposed to be about?

Octopus and Seaweed!

Logan in still learning to recognize her letters. She has trouble with just a few now so to help her we made this great meal. The kids loved eating Octopus and Seaweed. She knows the letter O but we decided to use this exercise to learn the letter S and reiterate the letter O. She thought this was the coolest meal (and she hasn't forgotten the letter S!)

How to know your baby is growing up

Every day it seems that our children change and grow. There are a couple tell-tell signs that seem to pop out. The first sign is when your child comes home from spending the day at a friends house (of the opposite sex) and the mother informs you that she found the two engaged in a romantic "grown-up" kiss. Well a six year old and seven year old see it on TV and movies, they are just emulating what they see, right? This is Nolan and his best friends photo:

The second sign is when their first baby tooth is lost. I cried. Nolan is my little baby and watching him grow up is so hard and so great. Loosing the tooth is symbolic for me, like loosing the first piece of childhood and growing your first permanent piece of adulthood. It is a sign that more is to come.

Yes, maybe the toothfairy felt sorry for Mom and gave him a $10 bill to buy that, "Star Wars, The Clones" book that he has been wanting. I bet that from now on he will only get a $1 coin!

Spend as much time with your children as you can. Everyday is new and exciting. Childhood is fleeting, but memories are forever, make as many incredible ones with them as you can! They will thank you for it when they grow up.

science lesson

Why do stars twinkle?

"The sun makes them twinkle" - Logan

"God makes them twinkle"- Nolan

"It is caused by the sun's reflection" -Cody

What we did & what we learned:

We filled a plastic tub with water and each child dropped in a coin. Each child got a turn to stir the water. As the water is moved by the stirring the coins appear to shake at the bottom of the tub. Looking at the stars in the sky is like looking at the coins through water. In the atmosphere, air or wind moves in all directions and speeds. This motion stirs up air that is moist or dry, hot and cold. As light travels through the atmosphere, the light waves are slightly bent (remember refraction?) making the stars "twinkle". If we were in outerspace looking at the stars they would not twinkle because there is no air in space for the light to pass through.

A new 12 year old

What about a birthday haircut? Thanks has to go out to Uncle Fritz for planting the seed years ago and for Jimmy Spikes reminding us this week to water that seed. Last Thursday evening Cody decided it was time for a change, a birthday change. Celebrating 12 years of age comes with redefining who you are and making statements (ok- not really but it sounds good). I have to say that I was mortified and shaking as I took the razor to my little baby's head, thank goodness it suits him.

The Ropes Course

Cody is a member of The Palmetto Teen Group. The Palmetto Teen Group is a group of over 75 boys and girls that are Homeschooled in Rock Hill and Fort Mill. They range in age from 12-16. They have monthly outings such as; formal dances, Holiday meal swaps, community service, and fun trips like this one.

Last week he was fortunate to be able to join the group at Winthrop's Ropes Course. He loved it and I loved watching and taking photos. He is excited that he can do it again next year. I remember going when I was in middle school and it was the best field trip ever.

Can you guess how high in the air he is? These were tall trees and I had a big zoom lens. At the end of the course the only way down was the zip line. Of course that was all of the kids favorite part. Cody was able to throw up a thumbs up while flying by.

A Trick-or-Treating We Went

Halloween is a favorite holiday that ranks at the top with Christmas. We had several of our friends come over for dinner then go trick-or-treating with us. The kids have enough candy to last until Easter (so Cody says- but he only eats a piece a day!)

My Rockin Son

This is a little tribute to Cody for over 2 years of guitar lessons. His instructor told him last week that he is no longer a rookie. He is playing leads to songs (mostly Rock and Roll which is Cody's favorite!). Our home is filled with awesome music every day. Rock on!

A Ninja and an Airforce Solider

Nolan is behind the Ninja mask (a costume he takes seriously)

Cody a solider and peace maker.

Meeoowwww

Logan's Halloween Costume

My finished project

I had a great idea come to mind....make silhouettes of the children! Besides planning and purchasing supplies the whole project took less than 2 hours to complete. I used acid free scrapbooking paper. I purchased a patterned paper with tans in it for the background and used classic solid black for the foreground. Now I am going to try to get more creative and do our animals all together, something artsy and fun. I will let you know how it turns out.

Halloween Craft

In the spirit of Halloween and All Hallows Eve the kids painted these cute decorations. These adorn our front step planters.

Just wanted to share their creative, artistic abilities with you!

Failed attempt at pumpkin picking

I had a great plan to take the children to pick pumpkins after they completed their school work. School was a struggle today (lots of whining). We finished and ate lunch, dressed Logan in her hip Halloween Kitty Outfit, grabbed the camera and left for the pumpkin patch. During the drive Logan managed to destroy her hair, Nolan and Logan got into several fights (punching and screaming). The first rule of the car is when my work phone rings EVERYONE must be silent. There was no silence, only more fighting. I quickly found the first driveway that I could find to turn around in. We headed back home and I ushered the kids to their rooms to change into old clothes and sent them outside to weed duty. For 45 mins they weeded the beds in the front yard. Nolan has had to do this before for bad behavior so he already knew that he hated this task. Woah at the whining and crying now. I think that they would have rather had a spanking! After they finished they had to spend an additional 30 mins in their rooms for quiet time. What a waste of a great afternoon for them. I am glad that I got these pictures to remind them, when they are adults, of how they used to torture each other and me!

First camper camping trip

Finally we got away for the weekend. We took our camper to Andrew Jackson State Park in Lancaster, SC. We enjoyed fishing, throwing the frisbee, baseball, hiking, playing at the playground, visiting the old school, and reading. We had to throw some learning into the trip too. Besides learning the proper way to collect kindling, or the stack logs we took the kids to the pioneer school at the visitor's center. We learned about school in the late 1800's. Children did not go to school 180 days a year, their school was scheduled around farming seasons. Female teachers were unwed, once they married they could no longer teach. Children usually carried their lunch to school in a pail, they ate apples, block of cheese, a biscuit from the morning breakfast (my kids liked this lunch). Cody and Ryan learned about the dunce cap. Nolan read a few McGuffy Readers and Dick and Jane books while we were there. Logan drew rabbit pictures on all the chalkboards.

The kids are pretending to be bears running up the hill?!?!?

Cody caught a catfish...he caught the only fish! We were not sure what to expect on our first trip with the camper, but after two nights we really wanted nothing more than to stay longer. We are more than thrilled to take the camper on trips in the future. The campground was so quiet and peaceful. A perfect weekend...

The Wig

I thought it would be fun to purchase a wig (I was shopping for Halloween items with the kids and found a cheap one). The wig has been so much fun. All 5 of us, and the dog had to have our photo made with the wig. (Eat your heart out Amy!)

Amy's Wedding

I had a blast spending this past weekend with my best friend Amy and her two children. The first night we survived a tropical storm, but woke Friday morning to sunshine and warm weather. We spent all day with our children by the pool and at the beach. Friday night Amy married Scott and took off to the Caribbean. Steve came in on Friday and joined the family, we hung out with Amy's family the rest of the weekend. It was so relaxing. The sweetest jester was when Steve and I were taking photos of Amy and Scott on the beach and Nolan ran up to Amy and myself and said, "look what I wrote in the sand from Scott to Amy". This is what Nolan said (I love Amee) I almost cried, what a sweet boy Nolan can be!

Amy's family loves wigs. We found the mullet wig while picking up some essentials at a store. It was a hit and everyone got alot of stares!!!

Day 3, 4, and 5

We packed in many various activities during our trip. There is one particular activity I enjoyed personally over all others. Hiking with my parents. My dad is 67, mom is 59, they are not in the best shape. We asked if they would like to try a short hike (3 miles- some elevation change- not much) They both agreed. We headed out to Laurel Falls Trail. I knew a waterfall would motivate them. Not only did they hike to the top but my mom ran half of the way back down the trail! After the hike we had lunch and walked all afternoon through Gatlinburg. Now my dad talks about going hiking again, he is hooked!

We also enjoyed go-cart racing, exploring The Forbidden Caverns (650ft underground), hot tub, grilling, and the family photo op. Kudos to Mom and Dad, they did it all!Mom and Logan racing go-carts. Logan was a wild woman!Forbidden Caverns-

Day 2- The Forest

To begin our day we wandered around Cherokee

(mostly hoping that the kids would see a real Cherokee Indian). Next we headed into the park. Today is a very special day for me because I get to go to Elkmont. I have been researching the people and history of Elkmont for a few years. This ghost town is very fascinating to me. The last time I visited here I was told that the houses were scheduled to be demolished so I was very eager to get there and see what had been left. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that nothing had been demolished and the Park Service is restoring 19 homes. I was able to capture images of the homes still left standing. Everything was very overgrown which was disappointing. Steve took the kids to the creek for me while I traveled the road, by myself. I was fine at first but then I began thinking of the bears, this area has very aggressive bear activity. So I began singing one of Creedance Clearwater Revival songs "The Midnight Special", out loud. I have been told once while hiking the AT that if you are alone to sing out loud so the bears would hear you coming and keep away from you. My singing kept the bears and all other people away!

We left Elkmont and headed toward Gatlinburg to find our cabin. I get so giddy when I am in The Smokies. I just love this place.