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!