Carmel Apples and Pumpkin Pie

The kids are enjoying carmel apples and pumpkin pie! We read about the life cycle of a pumpkin last Thursday and then made pumpkin pie. Everyone in our house loves pumpkin, we eat pumpkin bread all week (year round). The apples that they are eating are the ones that we picked at the orchard. We like our apples with carmel, chocolate, sprinkles and marshmallows. We usually take out the stick and cut up our apples to eat them (we have a lot of wiggly teeth :)). Next we will be making apple pie!
Linz

Apple Picking

Friday we took the kids apple picking! We had a great time! We picked 12lbs of apples. Every year we go at the wrong time. The first year we went too late, the next year we went too early and this year we went later than last year but earlier than the year before and it was still wrong! I will just have to keep on top of it next year. Ladybug wants Gala, Stink Bug wants Granny Smith and I want those plus Macintosh. We picked Yellow Delicious this year. They are good too so we are happy. Time to make carmel apples --- yummmm!

Linz

Happy Birthday Wheel Bug!

Today Wheel Bug turned 4 years old! Wow! Time sure does fly by quick! He requested cinnamon rolls for breakfast and an ice cream sandwich cake. After lunch we went to Stink Bug's soccer game (he scored a goal and did a happy dance on the field ;)) and Wheel Bug and bro/sis all got slushies. We had plans to go to a local farm to visit the animals but it had rained earlier and the farm was too wet. So, we took the kids bowling. I did not realize how expensive bowling is. :? The kids had a great time! We then went home to enjoy cake and open presents. Wheel Bug got a knight and horse, Lego's, imaginext horse and cart, a rescue helicopter, $20 and a Playmobile Pirate Ship. He loved everyone of his gifts! Thank you to everyone that sent him a card or gift. We are so blessed to have Wheel Bug in our family. He is such a sweet boy! Happy Birthday Wheel Bug!
Linz

Birthday Bash

Last weekend we held a "Birthday Bash" for our fall birthday kids. Wheel Bug, water Bug, Stink Bug and Lightning Bug invited all of their friends (and family) to our house for cake, hot dogs, pinatas and face painting. We split the party into three age (we just let Water Bug crawl around) groups. Stink Bug's group had a Super Smash Brothers tournament -- we had two tvs set up with two game cubes. Lightning Bug's group made erasers out of eraser clay (they bake in the oven then you can use it as an eraser). Wheel Bug's group painted figurines then played pin the tail on the donkey. After each group was finished with their activity they went outside to hit the pinata. We started with the youngest group, and when they finished we brought out another, while the group that just hit jumped on the trampoline, ate hot dogs or got their face painted. This is the first time we have ever had a "Birthday Bash" or 80+ people at our house. It went well and everyone had a great time! We tried to keep the cost under $150 -- from plates to pinatas to food. We were so happy to have all of our friends over to our home before we move!

Linz

Successful Week!

We had a great first week of school! On Monday night someone from my church called and said that they would pick up June Bug for me (at 5:30am) for early morning seminary! WOW! It has been so nice not having to wake the kids at 5:00 am to take June Bug to class.

We have started each day with morning devotional -- song, prayer lesson/story from the scriptures and reciting the Articles of Faith.
Monday - our lesson was on Joseph and Potiphar's Wife and we discussed how we can be obedient
Tuesday - reviewed Monday's lesson and talked about how we can avoid temptation
Wednesday - read out of the Book of Moses and worked on memorizing a verse
Thursday - talked about men around us who are good examples of Fathers/Husbands, for the boys; what qualities do they see in them that they would like to develop, girls; what do they see in them that they would like in a future husband and how boys/men should treat girls/women

Each day we did math, grammar/writing and read. We also did history, geography (Arizona) and science. We played games, typed on the computer, looked up information on the web, went to the library, made bread, brainstormed ideas about projects they would like to do,wrote letters and used white out for the first time (and they thought that was COOL!). I thought we had a very successful week! The tv, game cube and computer play times were limited this week to an hour and half each day -- a very nice change from the summer. The kids have all been to bed on time and asleep on time:). I am looking forward to next week!

Well, I am off to go pack for a weekend at my Mom and Dad's.
Linz

Chasing Big Brother!

This is a picture of June Bug trying to get into our house -- he was being chased by Ladybug, Stink, Lightning, Jitter and Wheel Bug! The kids had me call June Bug downstairs (while they hid) to help me with something. When he entered the family room they all jumped out of their hiding places and threw balls at him. He screamed, AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! I was laughing so hard I could not take pictures. They then chased him all around the outside of the house and across the street. I was looking through the locked back door when he came up to it screaming, "MOM, LET ME IN.......AAAHHHHH!" I did get a picture of that! They made one fatal error -- they forgot to watch Wheel Bug and he left the front door wide open and June Bug came running in, up the stairs and into the bathroom. He remained locked in there for 10 minutes waiting for the kids to go away. I was on the phone with a friend and apologised for the noise. My friend told me no worries that she comes from a family of 11 so she understood! These are some of the moments when I love having seven kids -- when they run around like a pack calling to each other, laughing all together that it is so loud for them to hear me, when they gang up on their brother and work as a team to get him and when they do get him all the high fives I get as they walk by. I love my kids!

Linz

First "Official" Day of School

We officially started today! YAY!! We started at 9:20 (my goal was 9:00) with devotional, math, grammar, history, some practiced cursive writing and then we made bread. Water Bug and Wheel Bug did very good! June Bug is questioning almost every thing I say and comments on what the kids say. Hopefully this will be just a short phase cause I am already tired of it. Any suggestions? Tomorrow we start early morning seminary and I will be waking the kids up at 5:00am to get June Bug to the teacher's house. We will see how the rest of the week goes when they start waking up so early. Here are some pictures of our first day--enjoy!

Linz

Ten Reasons Why I Love To Homeschool!

1. When the school bus drives by my kids are still sleeping peacefully!
2. I get to see the expression on my child's face when he makes a circuit and the light bulb glows in Science class!
3. I get to cuddle in the middle of Math!
4. We get the library to ourselves because everyone is in school!
5. When my child has a bad day, I know why and don't have to try to pry it out of them.
6. Did I mention we get to sleep past the time the bus comes?!
7. We can "do" school in our PJs!
8. The museums are empty because everyone is in school!
9. I can teach my children what I want them to know and what I think is important!
10. Because of the hugs and kisses I get all day long!
11. Because there has never been or ever will be any school shootings at our school!

Oh was that 10.

The list could go on!

My pregnancies were very hard -- bed rest, going into labor early, leaving 4 kids in the hospital because they were premature, vomiting all or most of my pregnancies --all day, dehydration and more! I did not go through all that just to have them leave at 5 years old! I love my kids and no one knows them like I do! I am so grateful that we are able to do school at home. I am thankful for friends and family who support me! We will start our school in a week. We have been packing way too long and are looking forward to school!

Linz

Tubes

We took baby water Bug to the hospital today to get tubes in his ears. He has had on going ear infections for 5 weeks! He can not take any antibiotics because he has had an allergic reaction to all antibiotics so far! The last one was so severe that they told me he can not have any more antibiotics. What does that mean? What happens when he gets strep throat? He will get it too -- my kids always get strep. I had six kids with me that day, at the doctor's office, and had been in the room for an hour and forty minutes. I just wanted them to tell me what we needed to do so that I could take my pep squad home. I didn't ask too many questions, except the same one -- will the side effects to this or that drug be the same as Zithromax? He apparently could not understand me, what with all the cheers and tears going on behind me. The doctor was about to give him an injection of some drug when a nurse walked in and asked the magic question......"He has never had an allergic reaction to any medication before, right. Because......" UH YES!!! I had told the Dr. three times about his reactions. Anyway, the nurse took the medication away quickly (like I was about to grab the needle and stick my child) and said that the same ingredients are in that drug as the ones he had reactions to. We were sent to an ENT the next day and that doctor scheduled him to get tubes in a week. He needed to get tubes because he can't take any antibiotics and even if his ears did clear up on it's own this time he could still get infected again and that will give us time to figure out his allergies. When we move I will talk to another dr about his allergy issue.
We arrived at the hospital at 6:00 am and his surgery was done at 7:45am. We had to give baby a sedative so that I could had him over to the nurse. He was not about to go with someone other than mom. We did not want him to go to the OR screaming and the nurses to hold him down so that they could strap him in and put the gas mask on. I was so sad watching my baby walk away from me with someone else. He did great! All the nurses loved him and wanted to cuddle with him. We are at home now and he is a little bit grumpy but we are glad it's over and he is doing well!
Linz

LOL!!

Check out this description for Pokemon cards selling on ebay! Funny!
Linz

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130144061675&ru=http%3A%252

Taking A Break

Stink Bug and Ladybug take a break from packing to dance!

Water Bug is happy watching them. We packed 15 boxes yesterday and threw away lots of junk/trash. Back to packing!

Linz

Spider

While doing some much needed yard work this weekend, Dad and June Bug found a large spider with a very big web! We really need a spider identification book!!

Linz

She Has Arrived!!!

Ladybug's American Girl doll has arrived! She has been asking for one since last year. She has saved her birthday money and any other money she has earned and payed for it all by herself! Today when the door bell rang, screams of joy rang through the house when she saw the box on the front porch! Thank you to everyone who sent her money for her birthday to use towards her doll!

Linz

ps I just heard her singing Happy Birthday to her doll :)

Swimming With Friends

Friends of ours have moved (it seems like everyone is moving) into a new home with a pool! They are good friends of ours and have been a source of inspiration in our homeschooling. They used to live around the corner and now they have moved 20 minutes away. They are not far away but we used to be able to walk to their house. We went over on Tuesday to go swimming and eat lunch. The kids had a great time! Water Bug is still sick and he slept quite a bit--poor baby. Hope you are keeping cool!

Linz

And Then There Was Four

My hubby went out of town this week and took three kids with him--Lightning, Jitter and Wheel Bug. They went with dad to visit their Grandparents. WOW what a difference three gone makes! It is so quiet here! I can not believe the silence. It was a nice change the first day (especially since Water Bug is sick) but now I am going crazy! I don't miss screaming (happily) kids, I just miss all the talking and laughing which can get really loud! There has not been one argument between the kids I have home now, that's great but they also are not talking to each other they are just doing their own thing. I did bring them together last night and played a game with them. I miss the kids (and hubby) very much but, I am going to take this time to get a lot of packing done.
Linz

Sweet Pictures

Swimming

Today was a great day to swim! Friends of ours are moving to Oregon on Friday so we spent the afternoon swimming at their pool. We had lots of fun! jitter Bug went under water for the first time -- he liked it and did it many times! He also jumped off the edge of the pool by himself! I have been telling him all summer that he can touch the bottom of the pool in the shallow end -- he tried it and was sooo happy that he walked all around! It was a day of firsts for him! Way to go Jitter Bug! After we finished swimming we said goodbye to our friends the Foggs! We will miss them!

Linz

Obx Pictures

OBX

We had a great time this weekend in the Outer Banks! My parents and tons of extended family rented a beach house together and we went to visit. The kids had a blast!!! I love being with my Mom at the beach---we both can sit for hours and hours watching the kids and the ocean! :) It was so great to see cousins, aunts and uncles that I haven't seen in some time. My cousins gave my kids so much attention and truly made my kids feel that they were loved by them. It always makes me so happy when someone shows an interest in my kids! They (my cousins) could have just said "hi" to my kids then gone on their way to do their own thing but they didn't they played and talked with them, hugged and kissed them! I am so lucky to have such a loving family!



All of the kids went into the water this weekend.........a first for our family! Jitter and Wheel Bug played in the water and jumped waves! June, Stink and Lightning Bug went out far, jumped and road the waves in! Ladybug ran, laughed and played in the water. Water Bug truly lives up to his name! We put him down in the sand and he immediately crawled into the ocean!!! We have never had a baby who did that! Every time we moved him out of the water he crawled back! It was so fun to watch!



We had such a great time! Thank you family for having us!

Linz

Paint Party!

We had Ladybug's birthday party this weekend. We took Ladybug and friends to a pottery store. The girls either chose a plate or a figurine to paint. Ladybug painted a Ladybug on a plate. We were not surprised! They all had a great time! Ladybug got a hat, a necklace, beads and a gift card to Claires. We took the boys with us to the party and they got to paint also. They had fun! Wheel Bug loves to paint so he was in heaven!

Linz

He's Back!

June Bug has had a busy month! He went and visited grandparents for a week, stayed with a friend for a week, went to scout camp for a week, went out of town with dad and stayed with a cousin for a week and tonight he is staying over with some friends and going to see Harry Potter! What a month!! When he stayed over at a friends house they worked on the friends Eagle Scout Project. They built a bridge at a state park. He had a lot of fun and got very tan! He had a awesome time at scout camp working on merit badges and swimming! His favorite merit badge was Shot Gun Shooting. He always loves the food at camp -- he says they have tons of food and it's hot! While at his cousins house last week, they rode an ATV, swam, played the WII, rode go-karts, picked black berries and so much more!

We missed him so much and the house was not the same! He needed it! It was a great opportunity for him to stretch his wings. He came back more mature (he has always been very mature for his age) and very easy going. I am glad he had a great time and so excited to have him home!

Linz

Helping Out

June Bug and Dad are out of town this week. The kids have been helping out with June Bug's chores. This morning Stink Bug unloaded the dishwasher without being asked. This was his first time unloading the dishwasher and he did such a good job! He only asked one time where something went -- June Bug asks almost everyday where something goes! :) I opened the cabinet to get something out and this (the above picture) is what I found. I laughed out loud! What a good boy and what a great attempt!
Linz

Ladybug just celebrated her 10th birthday! She started the day with doughnuts followed by seeing Ratatouille. She loved the movie! We ate at IHOP for supper and had chocolate cake. She had a great birthday! Happy Birthday Ladybug!

Linz

On The Road Again!

We always seem to be traveling! We are spending the next two weeks visiting family. June Bug is staying with friends and then they will send him off to scout camp. We are busy going out to eat (which the kids love), visiting friends and family. Next week we will hopefully go to a water park. The kids are staying up late every night--and I am exhausted! We are having lots of fun!
Dad is working the whole time so we are on our own. We love spending time with family and friends. Happy 4th!
Linz

On Her Own!

I was nursing the baby this afternoon when I look over to the kitchen and see Ladybug standing on the counter! I have never seen her do that! I quietly motioned for someone to get me the camera and I took a picture of her. I then called to her, "Ladybug, what are you doing?" She turned very slowly and smiled and said she was getting her lollipop mold and chocolates out and she didn't want to disturb me. She is so funny! She is such a good girl-always helping out and she makes good choices! What a doll! We love her!

We have seen many Ladybugs lately, have you?

Linz

ps Don't look at our kitchen mess!

We're Moving!

That's right! We don't know when but it will be sometime soon. We don't know where yet but it will be soon. We will move out of our house first and then put the house on the market. Dad got a new job and it is out of our area so we will move closer to his work. We are sad, we love the area where we live. We love our homeschool group, our friends, our church family, the slower pace of life, the museums and so much more. I know we will love the area we will be moving to once we get there and there will be a lot to explore. So today was a little sad when we packed our first box. BUT, we are very proud of Daddy and happy for him. He takes good care of us! More on the move later.

Linz

ps notice the little Water Bug helping--he pulled books off the shelf for us ;)

Zoo

I took the kids to the zoo today! It was a perfect day to go--76 degrees with a gentle breeze! The park was not crowded and we did not have to wait at any exhibit for people to move so we could see. Every animal was out and moving around except the tigers and kangaroos. Water Bug did so well! He cried only once, when a goat looked at him in the barnyard exhibit. The kids loved the sloths and squirrel monkeys the best. I was sad that my hubby could not go and experience the sloths and other animals with us but there will be other times. Here is wishing you a 76 degree day with a gentle breeze and well behaved kids!
Linz

Water Bug and Fruit

I have been trying to feed Water Bug since he was 4 months old (when all my other kids ate). He refused so I did not try again until he was 6 months-which he refused again. I strictly nurse my babies (no water, juice, pacifier or bottle ) until they are 8-9 months but I have always gave them food around 4 months. Not my last one -- he wants to nurse and nothing else! That's fine with me, he is such a chunk! I would like him to start trying to eat cereal or fruit so that when we are on the road (and we are always on the road visiting family) he can have a snack in his seat and maybe he'll be happier. Anyway, I found this pacifier looking thing (I can't remember what it's called) that you open and put fruit in and he won't get chunks of food just the juice. Here is a picture of him trying fruit. So cute!

Linz

Making Butter

Today the kids and I made butter! We read a few books on Colonial Days then decided to make butter. We put cream in a jar and shook it for about 10 minutes. We drained the buttermilk and June Bug shaped the butter on a plate. The kids spread it on bread and ate it. Everyone liked it and some ate seconds and thirds! What a great way to learn!
Linz

Happy Bithday June Bug!

June Bug turned 13 yesterday! He spent the day playing his new XBOX (he bought it himself) with his friend, watching his first PG13 movie (Pirates of the Caribbean), he visited friends in the afternoon, opened presents, he did a service project with the youth in our church and then to top it off he put his face in his Oreo Pie! He requested french toast for breakfast, chicken and rice wraps for lunch, Shepherd's pie for supper and Oreo Pie for dessert.
June Bug is a wonderful big brother and a great son! We are so thankful to have him in our family! Happy Birthday June Bug!
Linz

Summer Evening

After supper, yesterday, we went outside to play. The kids played until dark. They jumped rope, blew bubbles, rode bikes/scooters, played baseball and jumped rope. Our jump rope champ was June Bug with 46 jumps! What a lovely evening with the kids! Linz

Experimenting With Plants And Soil

Every summer I produce a calendar of activities for the kids. Each day there would be an activity they would have to do. This summer I decided that we were going to read all summer and play a game together each day. We read everyday regardless but this summer I plan to have them choose a subject and then we are going to read all about it and if an activity presents itself we'll do it!

We started this plan yesterday. It went GREAT! Our reading lasted about an hour and a half. During that time I had a chance to go over some things we had learned throughout the year. We read about plants and soil. When we had finished we thought we might do a couple of experiments. First we took a jar and filled it 1/3 of the way with dirt--Math. We added water to the top then shook it. We then put it on our counter and we are letting it settle for 24hrs. We hope to see what kind of soil we have; heavy, light or a mixture. For our next experiment we took a pan and filled it with dirt, planted some grass seeds and watered it. After a week in the sun we will cover half of the pan with cardboard. We each made a hypothesis of what we thought might happen to the grass under the cardboard. The activities ran smoothly. Each child had a job and felt good about his/her role. There was no arguing (in fact there wasn't any the whole day!) and everyone pitched in to clean up when we were done. I think from start to finish "school" took 1hr 45min! What an awesome way to kick off our summer!

Linz