Better Than "How It's Made!"

We have been going on a lot of field trips lately! The kids have been having so much fun! Last Thursday I took them to the GE (General Electric) plant. We sat for about 45 minutes in a room and listened to how they make light bulbs. We were able to see each part of the light bulb before it gets put together. Some of the parts we were able to touch. After the lecture we put on safety goggles and ear plugs. We then took a tour of the plant and saw light bulbs being put together! It was very cool! My kids faces were priceless when we walked onto the factory floor......jaws dropped and eyes big! This particular GE plant produces over 1million light bubls a day! We had so much fun and it was way better than watching How It's Made on the Discovery channel!
Linz

The Wizard of Oz

Last night we took the kids to a high school to see The Wizard of Oz. Baby Water Bug was scared of the costumes but the rest of the kids loved it. I was so impressed with the teens -- they did it all on their own. They did not have any teachers or adults of any kind helping them. Everything was run by the students and they did a fantastic job! I am so glad we had the opportunity to go!
Linz

Warm Weather Is Here!

We have been waiting all winter to have nice weather where we can go out and play without freezing to death! The wind here can be really strong and it was hard for the kids to play outside longer than a half an hour. We have had over a week of mild weather, between 55-73 degrees! We love it! WE have finally turned off the heat and opened the windows! Everything is so green and we are about to cut the grass for the first time this year. I love spring!
Linz

Great Saturday!

We miss our friends back home very much! Friday night we had friends call to say that they would be in the DC area. We made plans to meet them at the Washington DC Temple Saturday afternoon. It's a two hour drive for us, so we packed a few snacks and headed out the door around 11:00 am. We only brought the two girls and the two littlest boys since they only have girls. We went to This Is The Place Bookstore first and then headed over to the temple visitors center.

I watched their two youngest girls while they (the parents) went into the temple. our friends, the Potters, have a 2mo. baby girl, an 8yr girl and a 14 yr girl. In the visitors center, we watched a movie and looked at a picture display of President Gordon B. Hinkley. It was so beautiful to see his life and work all over the walls. When their parents came out of the temple we walked over to the fountain to take pictures. The little boys were so cute!

While we were at the temple we saw a family that had moved away a few months ago and a couple that goes to our church (where we live now). Every time we go to the temple we see people (mostly that we knew a long time ago) we know! I love it!

Later we went out to eat with the Potters and then said goodbye (but not for too long--we will be visiting them next month). We had such a lovely day!

Linz

Piano Lessons

Ladybug, Stink Bug and Lightning Bug started piano lessons last Monday. This is Ladybug's second year and the other bug's first time. They all are enjoying it! In the picture you can see Stink Bug helping Lightning Bug with a problem she was having. :)

Linz

More Pictures From Our Weekend With Friends!

News Staion Field Trip

Last week I took the children to a news station to meet the meteorologist. She gave a tour of the news room and explained what all the buttons do and showed the kids the lights (bright). She talked about how she gets her weather information and talked about all the symbols that we see on the weather maps. The kids got to go in front of the green screen and be on camera. The kids did such a good job listening...I was so proud! It was a great field trip!
Linz

Baptism

Saturday our Lightning Bug chose to be baptized and become an official member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! We are so proud of her for making this decision! She is such a sweet daughter and a loving sister.



Friends and family drove five hours to be here for her. We had such a good time with them! Lightning Bug received her first set of scriptures, a pocket hymn book, a journal, earrings and a picture of Christ. Ladybug played I Am A Child of God on the piano. June Bug and his friend from back home played I Am A Child of God together on the guitar. June Bug's friend played a beautiful song, on the piano, while daddy and daughter got dressed. Also our friend, Sara, played the piano for us to sing to. Everyone helped to make the day perfect!



When I was in the room helping my daughter change out of her wet clothes I suddenly got sad. I realized that she is my last girl. When our last two kids get baptized they will change with their dad. When I walked out into the hall and saw my hubby waiting for us I cried. He just kissed me (and half laughed) and said honey we will have more! I smiled at that but I am not guaranteed a girl!:)



I am so grateful to our friends and family that helped out with the baptism. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband that loves our family and the Lord. It was a beautiful day!

Linz

Missing Teeth

On Wednesday I tool Jitter Bug to the dentist to get two of his teeth pulled. He had two cavities that were in between his teeth, they either needed a root canal or be pulled. We chose the easier option-pull them! From the time he walked into the dentist office to checkout it only took twenty minutes. He only had minor swelling and he wasn't in any pain. He was back to eating regular food by supper! He was a brave boy!
Linz

Giant Field Trip!

Today I took the kids on a field trip to Giant. We took a tour to every department in the store and talked about the different food groups. We sampled food and got to touch a lobster. At the end of the tour our guide gave each kid a bag of healthy snacks, which mine devoured on the way home. The kids had a good time and met some new kids!
Linz

Bug Hunting!

Yesterday was a beautiful day! The kids enjoyed playing outside in the yard, riding on toys and looking for bugs! It has been hard keeping long pants and shoes (we are barefoot kind of people) on the kids this winter.........we are used to very mild winters. We are very excited for spring!

Linz

Sink or Float Lesson

Our science topic for this month is "Sink or Float." Today we watched a video on brainpop.com then they split into groups to do an experiment. I gave them a sink or float record sheet then asked them to sort out the items, I had gathered, onto wax paper that said sink on one and float on the other. After they recorded all the items on the paper they tested each item in the water. If it sank they recorded it and why then they did the same if it floated. It was a fun activity and we always love watching the Brain Pop videos. I have a few more experiments planned for the next few weeks so keep an eye out for those.
Linz

Happy Easter!

GO!

I had to laugh today at little Water Bug! He was running around the house saying, "GO!!" Talk about baby imitating Mommy! I feel like I am always saying "GO!" When we are getting our teeth brushed-GO!, when we are sharpening our pencils-GO!, when we are getting into the car-GO!, as we are walking into the store/church (anywhere)-GO!, when we are going to bed-GO! Don't I say "go" a lot! It's not like I am yelling go or that I say it sharply I'm simply just saying "go." When we are brushing teeth there are a lot of teeth to be brushed and if we don't hurry I'll loose someone, when one needs to sharpen their pencil all of a sudden everyone wants to and it interrupts school, there is always a line of kids waiting to get into the car through the one door and again I'll loose somebody to the yard or basketball hoop! Not to mention there are seven kids to get from here and there and someone always forgets something once we are in the car and now we are running late and I'm saying "GO" again to get into church or wherever we are going. And bedtime do I have to explain myself there?! So, maybe I do need to stop saying "go" so much if now the baby says it. ;) I love my life and I love my sweet children!
Linz

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Last week we celebrated Dad's birthday! He started the day off with a trip to the dentist! Weeee what fun! He returned home to eat waffles and then it was off to work. I sent him to work with a few yummy treats ........ homemade caramel corn and cookies. My sister and his mom surprised him at work with gifts! When he arrived home we sang happy birthday and then we were off to cub/boy scouts. While I was with the cubs and he was with the boy scouts, Lady Bug and the others decorated a room where we were going to open presents. He did not know that we had brought his gifts to the church and he was very surprised by all the decorations! After we put the kids to bed he and I ate supper that we had picked up on the way home. Later that week we were able to leave the kids with his mom and go to the movies. The last time we had seen a movie (w/o kids) was last August (and before that May of 2006) !! We enjoyed ourselves very much!

I am so grateful for my husband! He works so hard for our family and is always there when we need him! He is a great dad, my biggest fan and my best friend! Happy Birthday!

Linz

Jitter Bug Is 7!

Happy Birthday Jitter Bug! Jitter Bug turned 7 this week! He requested cinnamon rolls for breakfast and spaghetti for supper. We went and saw Horton Hears a Who with some friends. After the movie we surprised him by telling him that his friend was coming home with us for his first ever sleep-over! Jitter Bug was very excited! My mom had called and invited us to go eat pizza and bowling so Jitter Bug was surprised once again! We ended the day with sleeping bags in front of the tv to watch Enchanted (great movie). He had a very fun busy day!

Linz

DC Field Trip Pictures

Big Kids Only!

Last Friday I took the older three kids to Washington DC. We hopped on the metro at 9:40 and arrived at our stop at 10:20. I was very nervous to get on the metro without my husband -- I had never done it before by myself. June Bug was great! When we went to the machines to purchase our ticket I stood there starring at the directions, stops and cost to ride (why do we have to figure out how much we want on our ticket why can't you just put in where you want to go and then it just spits it out?). While I was looking, June Bug says, "Mom it's easy!" He the proceeded to tell me how much we want and how to use the machine! Just like his Dad I thought! He was so smart and he has only been on the metro one time since he was 5 years old! My hubby met us and we enjoyed the train ride together. It was nice being with just the big kids. We didn't have to worry about kids staying in their seats or running around. It was nice giving the big kids some attention and going on a field trip that was just for them.

When we arrived in DC we walked straight to the Library of Congress where we were meeting a homeschool group from Maryland. We took the tour instead of walking around on our own. I highly recommend the tour because they explain what all the symbols mean and give you so much history and information on the building. After the Library of Congress we walked to the Supreme Courthouse. We had lunch and then said goodbye to Dad because he had to get back to work. I loved that he made time to come with us! The kids and I then got in line with our homeschool group to hear a lecture given in the actual court room. Again great lecture! The room was beautiful! After the lecture was done we visited the gift shop and then headed back to the metro.

The weather was perfect. DC was blooming and beautiful. My kids were wonderful. It was a great day!
Linz

Gymnastics Studio

Today I took the kids to a gymnastics studio, called Style Gymnastics, that a Maryland homeschool group had set up. We had a blast! There were a lot more kids and many that are June Bug's age. In fact June bug already knew one from the homeschool conference we went to last year! Wow! It made me so happy that he found someone that he likes and shares the same interests!
The studio was set up so that the toddler area was separate (but connected) to the larger equipment. The toddler area had a moon bounce, rope swings, a trampoline, balls, soft ramps and climbing shapes. For the older kids there was a larger trampoline, a tumble tramp, balance beams, bars and so much more. My younger two played in the toddler are and also wondered all over the gym playing with their older siblings. It was so nice to see all the kids playing with their younger brothers and sisters and not one complained that little kids were in there way or taking too long on the equipment. I just love that aspect of homeschooling -- the kids always play and include everyone! The staff was so friendly and easy going. I can't wait to go there again!

Linz

Valentines Party

Since we have moved it has been hard to find a group that is close to us. There are two are groups but both are over an hour away. I took the kids to a Valentine party with a homeschool group that is near my hubby's work The kids had a great time and I enjoyed meeting the moms. They exchanged valentines, ate treats and played games. After the party we went to dad's work and had a picnic lunch...in the car ;)! It was great seeing him in the middle of the day! The day ended with pink waffles and take out from the Olive Garden (just for mom and dad)!

Linz