Back From Camp!

June Bug is back from camp and had tons of fun! He got poison ivy the first night he was there (the first for our family), he said it didn't bother him too much and that the clinic put cream on it three times a day. He loved loved LOVED the food! June Bug had several jobs which included; being a waiter at the mess hall, cleaned up campsite every morning before inspection, worked at the traiding post stringing dog tags and served supper one night. June Bug shot rifles, did some archery, he worked on salesmanship and competed against other groups who were trying to sell a product (astronaut ice cream) --they lost by one, during his free time everyday he shot rifles, stayed up late every night talking, saw a snake about to bite a counselor, ate lots of ice cream, and just had tons of fun. I'm sure he did more - every day he renembers something new. We missed him very much!

Linz

p.s. He now wants a gun for Christmas!

Chicken Broth

Today my Mom taught me and June bug how to make chicken broth. First we put wax paper on the counter and put the chicken on it. Then we washed the celery and cut the bottom off and cut it in half and put it in the pot. After that we put onions and garlic in then we put carrots in. Then we put thyme leaves,basil leaves,bay leaves and sea salt in. Then after that we put the chicken in the pot and filled the pot with water until the water completly covered the chicken. We cooked the chicken for three hours and we knew it was ready when the chicken started to fall off the bone. Then we put parsley in. We cooked it for ten minutes. When it was done we took the chicken out of the pot into a seprate bowl. Then we strained the broth so none of the vegtables would go in(the broth smelled really good). We filled the sink with water and put the bowl of broth in the sink then we put ice cubes around the bowl to cool the broth. After the broth cooled we measured it to two cups and poured it into containers and put them into the freezer. Then we started to pull all the chicken off of the bone(I found the wish bone) and put it in bags. We tasted the chicken which was really good!!! We got eight cups of chicken and twenty cups of broth. I had tons of fun!!!

Ladybug

Off To Camp

This has been a hard couple days for me because we sent our oldest son off to Boy Scout Camp for a week. We dropped him off on Saturday with friends, who were driving the scouts there, around 2:00 and he won't be back until late Friday night. I miss him so much! So do the kids--just a few minutes ago the kids were looking out their bedroom window watching fireworks a street over and Lightning Bug said, "I wish June Bug was here!" I had not even thought about him since supper (wondering if he was getting enough to eat) and I was quick brought back to reality that he was missing this nice family moment with all seven of us on one bed looking out the window. I asked my husband Saturday night what time do they let the boys call home and he told me that they don't call home! WHAT! I asked how will we know that he's okay and my sweet husband just said he'll be okay. He signed up to do a lot of merit badges: small boating, woodcarving, archery, archaeology, wilderness survival and space exploration. I am sure he's having lots of fun! This is the first time he has been away from home--I am hanging in there! I will share his whole week when he comes home! Happy 4th of July!

Linz

The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

My Mother in Law came to stay with us on Friday then she went back to stay with my sister in law for the next week. We decided we would take her out to supper before we dropped her off. The kids did well and everyone had a god time. On the way home (after we dropped Grandma off) Wheel Bug wanted to read a book-in the dark. I gave him the book and we chuckled in the front seat at the site of this big book opened up and blocking his whole body. As we got close to home Daddy and I started to talk to him. When we did not get a response we peeked over the book to find him fast asleep! We had a good laugh! What a good boy!

Linz

Ladybug is 9!

Ladybug turned 9 yesterday! We had friends over to "party" and have cake. I am still not feeling great since my kidney stones, so we could not go to the movies and see Cars like she wanted to (we'll go Saturday). Ladybug had lots of fun! She wanted her own cake so that she could put her face in it. Next time if one of my kids wants to do that I will put cool whip on top instead of frosting (Ladybug had a reaction to the frosting around her eyes and we had to give her Benadryl).

Linz

Medieval Times

Saturday we took the kids to see the Society for Creative Anachronism demonstrate Medieval ways. We made a sword, a hat, a book and a leather necklace. We learned how to bow and how to hold a sword. We watched them fight and use their bows and arrows. It was a lot of fun and it was good to see and touch everything. We are learning about this time period in history so this was the perfect time to do this! After we left we took the kids over to a game store so that the boys could compete in a Super Smash Brothers competition. They did great and it was fun to watch!

Linz

Kidney Stones--Again?!

Yes-I got them again! This time it was my right side. Hubby took me to the hospital Sunday 1:00 am and I was released 9:oo pm. What a day! My parents drove in to see me and to help with the kids. My sister-in-law helped and so did one of our good friends. Hopefully I'm done with kidney stones! The good news is that the baby is doing great-- 1lb. 9oz so far!!

Linz

Swimming With Friends

Today I took the kids to the Outer Banks to go visit friends that were vacationing there. We got there at noon and stayed til 5:30. June Bug kept us all happy in the car with a trivia game. I thought the kids would be soooo happy to play at the beach with our good friends but all they wanted to do was swim in the pool. So thats what we did the whole time (except the hour and a half we spent at the ocean). They really had a good time swimming. Lightning Bug has been practicing swimming at our pool but today it really clicked! That is all she did--swim! She was fun to watch. All I heard when we were swimming was "MOM, watch MEEE!" I got dizzy spinning around so much to watch all my children all over the pool-I loved it! After we got home Wheel Bug helped me unload all the shells, he and the kids had collected, into our flower bed (we have a collection going on--2yrs now). The kids showered and were in bed by 9:30. I am so thankful that I can be with my children everyday and for all those "look at meeees!" I hope they never stop saying that!!!

Linz

The Family Under The Bridge

Today we were back at the library for another activity! Ladybug, Stink Bug and Lightning Bug belong to a Homeschool Book Club and today was the end of the year party. June Bug helped out and came up with a few games. Each game was based on a book that they have read throughout the year. June Bug made a game for the Family Under The Bridge by Natalie Carlson. He made sock puppets, for each of the characters, and put them over bowling pins. The kids had to knock down the family under the bridge. I was told by the book club leader that the bowling game was a big hit at the party. I was (always) proud of him! Thursday we are heading to the Outer Banks to go visit friends-FUN!

Linz

More Fire Safety Pictures

Fire Safety

Tuesday we went on a field trip to the Fire Training Center. We went with 17 other kids, which we split into groups-under9 and over9. They (the younger- group which are 5-7yrs except Wheel Bug who is 2) watched a video on fire safety, that Jitter Bug has been reciting since ("Get Out And Stay Out"). They learned that if there is smoke that they should crawl to get out of the house. They practiced this by crawling under a blanket/smoke. They talked with a fireman and watched him put on his equipment. At one point the instuctor asked the kids to name something that was hot and Wheel Bug yelled out right away, "Sand, sand is hot!" They practiced Stop, Drop and Roll. Jitter Bug went first and needed assistance. Wheel Bug went next and needed NO help--he was so cute and made us laugh! They went outside and saw a firetruck. They learned about the equipment it carries and then they got to get in the truck (Wheel Bug went first-I was not suprised). The older kids sat in a class room (with no hands on activities) for two hours. At the end they took a test, June Bug and Ladybug did not get one wrong--way to go! When they were done we met the older group to see a Monster Firetruck. We were there for two hours and they all did so well--even Wheel Bug!

After we were done at the training center we went home for lunch and much needed rest then it was off to the library. The three older kids took a class called, When I Was A Roman Soldier. They each got a Roman Soldier name, made catapults and received a real Roman coin over 1500 years old. Thats all I could get out of them--they were in there for 2 hours so I know they did more :)! We left the library at 4:00 and headed to the pool. Dad met us there and we stayed til 7:00 when the pool closed. We ate supper at MC (the kids each got a coupon for a free meal for signing up for the summer reading program at the library). We got home at 8:15. The kids went right to sleep when their heads hit their pillows (so did mine)!! It was a great day!

Linz

Origami

Monday was a very busy, productive day. Hubby got his Father's Day breakfast (we had friends stay over the weekend so we waited til Mon. to do it), we (actually it was me who made it-I couldn't get the kids out of bed!) made him blueberry muffins. He went off to work at 8:30 and our day took off fom there. We had a little friend stay with us for the day (Lightning Bug was sooo happy). The three older kids started their math and did their activity on the calendar. I read to Wheel Bug and did puzzles with him to keep him out of the other kids way. He gave me a puzzle and told me to do that one and he would do another one. At one point he looked at me and said "Mom, you are doing a good job!" I loved that! I thought we must be doing this whole parenting thing right if he can take time to compliment mom on her puzzle skills! We have been setting a good example by complimenting/cheering on each other and the kids. While the kids all worked and some played I got laundry done, cleaned up from making muffins, started the first part of supper, looked over school papers and more! After lunch we went to the library for an activity that the three older kids were doing called Science with Origami. They made a frog, shot cool airplanes at targets all over the room (some up in the air) and othe cool stuff. They had a great time! I read to Lightning and Jitter Bug while wheel Bug slept. When we came home June Bug and Ladybug made a pound cake while I prepared supper. At some point during the day the kids were outside playing and found two baby bird eggs that have fallen out of it's nest (so sad). Ladybug is researching to find out what type of egg it is. Daddy came home around 6pm and then we ate. After supper the kids played outside til 9pm. We had such a great day!

Out Popped A Tree Frog!

Hubby and I were opening the umbrella outside, so the kids could have shade while playing at the table, when out popped a tree frog! No one screamed (usually Ladybug and I do), they all wanted to touch and see the frog! Everyone (except June Bug who was saying it's just a frog--okay I said touch him, he said NO!) wetted their hands and all the kids touched him. Everyone laughed at how he felt when they touched him. The frog was so calm! Daddy scooped up the frog in the kids bug net and put him in the tree. Everyone cheered as he hopped onto the branch! I love that they find such joy in a tree frog!

Linz

Gardening

My wonderful husband built me a great vegetable garden--something I've always wanted! It has been raining for the last week and a half almost constantly, so after 2 full days of sun we started planting. The kids all helped and loved it (especially the girls)! We planted tomatoes, dill, broom corn, carrots, brussel sprouts (our favorite!), onoins and lavender. The kids are already talking about what we can plant next year! Linz

Monday

After having such a busy weekend with family visiting, we did really well getting back into our routine. The kids got their chores done and were sitting at the table by 9:30. Lightning and Jitter Bug got to work on their summer calendar while the other three worked on math. When Stink Bug finished his math he read a book all about sharks and then wrote a paragraph about what he read. Ladybug did her math then read a Franny K Stein book and wrote about it. Wheel Bug saw Lightning Bug working on flash cards with me he wanted to do some as well--Dad and him worked on them after she was done (see picture). Ladybug and June Bug worked on the states and capitols flash cards. We have a basket full of small challenging puzzles, church story books, fact cards, flash cards and lace up cards to keep the kids busy when they finish their work and waiting for Mom to get to them. There is a picture below of Jitter Bug keeping busy. We got a ton of reading done and then played some. It was a great day for school! We will be workig til 10am this entire month, then next month we will be working til the second week of July and then we will take a few weeks off. In August we will do light work the first week then take off the rest of the month. Well, I'm off to go play with Wheel Bug outside.

Linz

June Bug's Birthday

Yesterday was June Bug's 12th birthday! We had a full day! We picked up a friend of his at 11:00 am and went to the pool then at 3:00 we left the pool and went to ride the Go Karts! This is only June Bug's second time riding them (the first time was more than a year ago) amd he loved it! After dropping his friend back at his house we took Ladybug to her last soccer practice. When practice was over we went to a great pizza shop for her team party. After she received her trophy we left to go home to have cake, ice cream and gifts. June Bug got a hermit crab (and more) from Mom and Dad---something he has wanted for a long time. He went to bed with 12 birthday spanks and a small pinch (he grows to fast already--grin)! He is a great son I am so glad he's ours!

Linz

See that picture of Dad? He could not stop laughing at the littlt kids racing!

Our Night Visitor

Soccer Practice

Lightning Bug sitting pretty watching Stink Bug practice.

Thankful For Friends

Saturday morning I woke up at 6:30 with a sharp pain on my left side. I didn't call the doctor til almost 7:30 (I thought that it would go away-it didn't it got worse), and the doctor told me to go to the hospital. Most of my friends were out of town at a homeschool conference so I called my sister in law. She was so sweet to help. She called many people in our church to find someone to help. I had to call for an ambulance because the pain was so severe and I could not walk. When the ambulance arrived my sister in law did as well. She watched them until someone else could (she was to be out of town that day with her family). I was so worried that something was wrong with baby but relieved to find out that the baby was fine. After many tests they discovered I had Kidney Stones! Just what I need!!! A few hours after I had been there a friend of mine showed up at the hospital to sit with me! My sister in law had called her to see if she would pick me up, when I was discharged, and take me home. My sweet friend said she would come right then so I would not have to be alone. When she arrived at my room she told me that so many people love me and I was so touched! My husband showed up right when I was released and my friend went home. Later after we came home my sister in law called and said she would be bringing supper over on Monday for us. When hy hubby got off the phone with her, it rang again. This time it was another gal from church saying that she would be bringing supper on Sunday evening! I am so thankful that my husband moved us here and for the friends that I have made!

Linz

Girls Night

While the big boys and Dad went camping us girls (and Wheel Bug) had fun! We talked about the life cycle of a butterfly, made a caterpillar, made a butterfly using a coffee filter, ate popcorn, ate marshmallows, ate homade pizza and watched Marry Poppins. The girls were exhausted by 9:00 but did not go to bed til 10:00. It was a great night and my hubby called around 11:00 to say he was going to sleep and that the younger boys went to sleep long before him (they must have been super tired!). Saturday the boys and Dad painted a Retirement Homes Activity Room--they came home with lots of paint on them!

Linz