I feel the need to update our blog which is fast becoming a "monthly" affair; like a magazine subscription. Needless to say life with 5 has been busy. I will do my best to catch up with our past month of learning & life.
Grab a coffee, fix your lunch... this could be a long one!
First off curriculum choices. Looks like I'm doing better, but still make the wrong choice now and again. I've taken out some for Sarah and been tweaking her schedule a bit, but other than that, the two older ones are smooth sailing. YES!
Last month we were "getting school done" in preparation for our next family adventure. Our annual October-Arizona trip was fast approaching (not fast enough for some!) and so kids were working hard to get it done in order to have some solid time off.
{insert photos of children at the table working through bookwork & lessons}
I agree, not too exciting.
We did manage some fun stuff that were picture worthy!
Life lessons with Dad:
Taking off broken sideboards and installing new ones in order to sell our truck.
Anything involving tools or the garage (Matthew's favorite "room" in the entire house) and Matthew is right in there with the big boys!
We have got FABULOUS babysitters {*wink*} and were able to leave all FIVE children and go out to celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary. We have been together for over 21 years now. It's amazing to think that more of my life has been with David than without... and I wouldn't want it any other way.
♥
Puzzle time with big sister.
Sarah has been doing The Prairie Primer this year and we have been loving it!
She learns so much differently than the other two so it's been a challenge for me to figure out how to teach her. I think we may have stumbled upon something great.
In one of her life lessons, she was given the task to make butter. She was extremely excited!
We got all our ingredients together.
Then she began to grate the carrot (which gives the butter its yellow appearance).
Then the shaking began; what a workout! Everyone got involved in this as it took about 15 minutes of shaking to get butter to form. We also switched from the container to a ziplock bag (Megan's brilliant recommendation!) and that helped speed up the process.
The butter began to form....
....and then some rinsing & draining....
TA-DA!
She thought it was quite a lot of work for 1/2 a pound of butter. It tasted delicious and we enjoyed it on some homemade bread later on that afternoon.
Moving onto Science (still within her Prairie Primer). We were learning how trees draw water from deep beneath the ground, acting like a natural pump. Trees use a method called osmosis to force water upwards. We connected straws and sucked up water at different heights to understand the effort it takes to get the water up!
Heavy duty operator in the works? Who needed a planter box of carrots anyway!? :)
Before long the days turned into weeks and our time for departure had [finally] arrived.
We loaded up our crew.... and away we went! WOOHOO.
Our first stop was at the farm. One of our favorite places to visit!
It was extra special this time as not only was it harvest time, but Grandma & Grandpa Gray were there too.
Matthew's new word this day... combine!
Joshua was pretty excited to get to drive the combine [all by himself] and harvest a few rows.
Megan's turn next! A little bigger than what she's used to driving :)
Sarah decided to pass on this adventure. She prefers visiting all the animals and exploring the land.
Grandma showing & teaching Sarah about Canola.
Matthew cannot get enough of the animals. Often even as we are pulling into the driveway he is asking about the cows and the horses.
Our visit at the farm was much too short. As we pulled out we were wishing we had stayed an extra day or so, however our next stop was Vernon and we only had one day to see Uncle Ben... so we loaded back up in the afternoon and drove into the wee hours of the morning.
I think we got to Vernon about 3:30am.
*YAWN!*
Vernon was filled with cousins, golfing, parks and beach.... oh, and evening games of Canasta!
The learning continues.... air pressure :)
Skipping in the park with Grandma, Aunt Esther & the cousins.
Where there is water, there is beach. Where there is sand, there is Matthew!
Cousins reunited. Such a wonderful thing!
The yearly merry-go-round photo :)
During morning coffee Matthew feels the need for his own "special drink". Megan makes him a warm, frothy milk with a splash of vanilla :)
Mmm. Mmmm. Good.
Our precious Levi is growing rapidly.
10weeks and 15 pounds of chubby goodness!
It doesn't take too long until Megan is craving to be creative in the kitchen.
A flourless cupcake (think souffle) topped with ice cream & chocolate sauce.
Oh, and yes... it was delicious.
Sibling love.
Cooling off
♥
By the end of our stay, both Bentley and Matthew were tired :)
Playing in the sunshine all day, everyday can be exhausting!
:)
Another evening of gathering our things, loading up the Suburban & trailer, and getting ready for a few days on the road.
To Be Continued.....
OK. You get to drive the COMBINE!!!! wowsers. sign me up!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you get to spend time with family along the way. I think Sarah's Prairie Primer sounds like alot of fun.
Levi is just sweet baby goodness, awe.