February

Can it really be the last week of February?  I'm not even sure where January went.  I also am not sure why I haven't blogged in a few weeks.  I have a bunch of posts to upload, and my plan is to do that this week.  Here's a few random tidbits about what we've been doing and what we've been up to.

• Paul came home for a quick overnight visit a few weeks ago and we had a family birthday party for him.  It was a nice, but quick visit.  I'm so glad he can do that on a semi-regular basis.  He also brough Courtney, his "friend".  It was nice to get a chance to visit with her and get to know her a little bit better.
• Paul Sr. went up to Shorter University last Sunday/Monday for a conference which was held on the campus.  He was able to attend Paul Jr., church on Sunday night and meet alot of Paul's friends and of course, spend some time with Paul and Courtney.  He enjoyed it.  I would have liked to go, but I had school.  Paul arranged his schedule so he could have last Monday off.
• My class of 4,5 and 6 year olds were in rare form last Monday.  I'm not sure what was up, but they were talkative, rowdy and pushing the envelope.  Hmmmm.  Hopefully the break this Monday will cure all that!
• Benjamin turned 5 last Friday.  My baby boy is 5.  He is such an interesting child.  He reminds us so much of his brother Zack in so many areas.  He gave us a great show at his party (pics to come).  He is fun to give gifts too because he is so expressive.
• I made him a quilt after about a year of him asking for one.  I started it Wednesday night after church and had it finished Thursday about 2am.  If I totaled up the time I spent working on it, I say it took me about 4 or 5 hours.  I think it's the quickest quilt I ever made, thanks to the super easy pattern. Pics are coming.  He was excited when he opened it- it made my whole night when he ran over to me and hugged me and told me he loved me for making it.
• I took him, Sam, Emma and his cousin Andy to Chuck E Cheese Friday morning for his birthday.  They had a ball!  We usually only go on birthdays, so it is a special time.  Then we went to Burger King for lunch and they played more there.  I wanted to take them to the park for a picnic but the weather we had made it impossible.
• Sam fell into the corner of a wall at they gym Thursday evening.  I took him to the aftercare where he received 4 staples.  He was not happy!  Strange thing is that about 5 years ago, he did the exact same thing and received 3 staples.
• Anna is becoming a very popular baby sitter.  She has two regular jobs babysitting a week and a third semi-regular job.  She and Ellie just landed a house cleaning job twice a month also with a possibility of another.  I'm glad God is giving my girls opportunities to earn some extra money and to learn such life skills.
• We only have 6 more weeks of Classical conversations than we are done for the year.  It has flown by!  I have really enjoyed this classical model of education- it has propelled our homeschool much further than anything else through the years.  My younger 4 children will be leaps and bounds ahead of where the older 3 were when they graduate high school.
• I've lost 2 more pounds finally.  I was stuck there for a while, but I am so RELIEVED to have broked that long plateau.  My total is 136 down.  Woo-Hoo!!
• Paul was given an opportunity to go back to Brazil this summer, all expenses paid.  He didn't even have to stop and think about that before he said absolutely!  He also gets to travel by canoe down the river to share the Gospel with tribes that "normal" missionaries can't go to.  That just thrills him!  (And, honestly, it makes me more than a bit nervous)
• Emma is about 3/4ths potty trained.  She does very well- most of the time.  We've started leaving the house without diapers on and so far, she has managed to let us know when she needs to use the bathroom.  Even at chuck e cheese and burger king, she let me know when she had to go and she remained dry the entire time!
• That's about it!  Look for lots of pictures in the next few days!

Paul and Courtney

Paul's visit

 Paul came home for a quick visit on Friday evening.  He brought Courtney, and I made him a feast of some of his favorites.  Meatloaf, cheesy potatoes and veggies.  We were all so glad to see him.

 Emma ran right to him and hugged his neck for a good 5 minutes before letting go.  It was so sweet.

 Enjoying dinner.  Not sure what Paul has in his hands!

 These 3 were the only ones who posed for me!

 After dinner, we had the family over to celebrate Paul's birthday which is next week.  Again, I made some of his favorites: cookie cake, ice cream and of course, nutty fagan.

Look at his two little brothers watching to make sure he blew out every candle!

The View from my End of the Table

 Morning school time.  This is what I see from where I sit.  Sam is on my left, Ben is on my right and Emma is directly in front of me.  This way, I know at all times where those two are.  And it is very important to know where Ben and Emma are. at. all. times.

 He LOVES doing school.  He loves coloring and cutting and glueing.  He's working on shapes here.  I was a bit surprised that he knew by name what a hexagon was.  I have no idea where he learned that!

 She loves coloring and cutting and basically anything Ben is doing.  She insists on being included in everything.

 He's past the age of "fun" school and is onto the "real" school.  He's doing a math facts page here and (cough, cough) really enjoying it.

 Love that smile!

It's all serious to him!!  I do enjoy school with these 3.  Usually!