School and Such

One of the things I love most about being out of college is spending time with these four kids...

School and all!

Milk & Cookies

Aren't Christmas cookies just scrumptious?

And baking them with 4 enthusiastic helpers is a blast!!

Though the boys tired of our Christmas baking, the girls were in it for the long haul...

Mixing the icing and cutting out the shapes.

Noah's patented, "Is this going on your blog?" face. :P

And I can say with all honesty, that these cookies were delicious!

Hanging w/Atticus

Cell phones are always a treat

Poor Atti, I've confused him...

My Prison Uniform

So, I wore this to the Berry's, and I had an interesting conversation with Jude about it. Apparently, stripes are for convicts and robbers. Tee hee hee. I'm feeling gangsta.

Of Cap Guns and HiHo Cherry-O!

While at the Berry's this week, I learned all about cap guns. Who knew that they don't actually shoot anything? Just a little burning smell, after the gun powder ignites. Hmm. In the long run, I think these kids may teach me more than I teach them.

The cap guns

The chamber holding the caps...

While the older kids did their independent reading, Eva, Jude, and I played HiHo Cherry-O! It's a fun, kids game. Hopefully, we'll get to play it again soon...

And in other news, we worked on our geography... And I told the kids my trick for when I had to memorize which states were which... I think Maine looks like a dog, New Hampshire looks like a queen, and Massachusetts looks like a gun. :O)

Jules Verne and Beautiful Weather

Have you ever read Around the World in Eighty Days? To my own chagrin, I never have. But, working with the Berry kids has given me some opportunity to delve into its riches. I sense another book being added to my pile...

And, after school is done, what is better than enjoying God's creation?

Playing with Lava

Remember that game you played as a child? You know the one. The floor was lava, and you had to jump from pillow to pillow, couch to chair, stool to table? Don't touch the floor! Or you'll die. Yep, that one. I got to see it again at the kiddos' house the other day... I've missed that game. :)

Let's Bake a Cake

Happy Birthday, Noah! Baking your birthday cake was loads of fun. :)

And the batter did taste good!

Homecoming Parade

Jim and Cindy were kind enough to let their children come with Daniel and me to walk in the Homecoming Parade. West Virginians for Life has a group every year, and the kids (and I!) were excited to participate.

The Theme? "What if I hadn't been born?"

After waiting for the parade to start (and the kids listening to my instruction -- you aren't allowed to throw candy anymore...) we marched down the street. Smiling and walking all the way.

Back row: Noah and Daniel Front Row: Evangelia, Jude, and Maggie

 

But, we did take some time for pictures! It was "a prime blogging opportunity."

Me and the kids

We saw many friends... and missed several more.

Make a silly face

Next year, I'll have to bring more candy... we ran out before we completed the route...

And another!

After the parade, the kids wanted to take a photo with Bob, Penny, and Rufus.
I LOVE taking pictures with Bob, Penny, and Rufus!!

The kids with my favorite statue

And the funnier the poses, the better. *grins*

Noah wanted Bob's gun

Can't wait 'til next year. :)

It's all about Maine, ya know

Noah and Maggie continue to teach me how it works being a homeschool teacher. I LOVE it! Their enthusiasm and patience are very much appreciated. 

Geography has never been my strong suit. But, with some maps... I can teach it too! :)

Maggie looks through the 50 states cookbook

"Noah, show me where Maine is."

So, what is the Great Portland fire?

Of course, the kids had some fun too. :)

And I found a new, favorite book. Abigail Adams. What fun.

Just what is a Palisade?

After some schedule rearranging, Cindy and I made a plan to me to visit and work with her kids on History. Though nervous (and excited), I set off praying that my time with the kids would be a blessing to them, a blessing to Cindy, and (selfishly) a blessing to myself.

And the day went beautifully! History was a blast. The lunch conversation was delightful, and the games were fun (at least for me ;).

Noah, Maggie, and I discussed colonial etiquette: "Do not invite yourself to someone's house. Do not give your advice unless asked for, then be brief." Did grammar: Their, There, or They're... And read books.

Evangelia, Jude, and I played the "PEG"gy Back game. Which is now my favorite game.

All of us played Star Wars. But, perhaps not the tradition version. There was discussion of whether Dooku's name was Darwin. :P

And I learned that pretzels are brain food. :)



Vocab for next week:
Palisade - a fence of pales or stakes set firmly in the ground, as for enclosure or defense.
Trencher - a rectangular or circular flat piece of wood on which meat, or other food, is served or carved.
BBLS - DOES stand for barrels.

And what was that other word? Hopefully, the kids will remember.

I apologize for the poor picture quality. I forgot my camera. :(

Camp: Why are we here?

Of course, the ultimate goal of camp is to glorify God. To this end, the theme of this year's camp was "Serving Others in a Self-Serve World."

With the youngest kids...

Mr. W guided them in...

memorizing scripture, singing songs, and playing games.

Jonathan taught some of the Missions lessons.


With the older kids...

Mr. I and his son talked about their mission trip to Haiti...

Mitch spoke about the chaplaincy and being a soldier


The kids had discussion groups...


And Mr. H delivered messages about needing Christ in our lives (and being able to serve God) before we have the ability to serve others...

The need to worship, honor our parents, and treat each other respectfully.

And I don't have any pictures of Bob's or Ken's sessions. :(
But, it was a wonderful week filled with the word preached. :)