There are no coincidences (graphic content)

On Sunday the kids found a dying pigeon at church. At the time I wished they hadn’t found it because some of the kids were very upset. Looking back it was a good thing because we got to discuss death with Alex and explain that death is part of nature.

Today we drove by an accident before the rescue workers arrived. We all saw a dead man lying crumpled in the middle of the road, in a pool of his own blood. He was thrown from his motorcycle which was tangled up in a fence along the road. The local news, we checked later, said that the cyclist hit a truck at high speed, smashed into a utility pole, was thrown from his bike and was declared dead at the scene.

Alex asked some questions, but because we had already discussed death a few days ago he wasn’t upset. Frank was able to tell Alex about how after we die we stand before God and if we are Christians we go to Heaven. It’s a lesson which I think will stick with him.

Please be careful while driving this weekend- that was the fourth accident I saw today.

Marie-Anne

Playdate for Alex

Alex had a whole lot of fun today with his buddy Jacob. Jacob and Alex spent all morning together having fun and destroying Alex’s room, which they cleaned. All three kids dressed up as firefighters. They were too cute!



Marie-Anne

Clark County Heritage Museum

After Ethel M Chocolate Factory we went to Clark County Heritage Museum. We went inside first, but Alex flew through there so we didn’t really get to look. Outside we saw numerous rabbits and a good number of lizards.



We all enjoyed the houses that are set up for different time periods.





Alex’s favorite was the printing press which he said was Dr. (Ben) Franklin’s printing press. (He loves the Liberty’s Kids DVDs.) It has been a fun and tiring day.



Marie-Anne

Ethel M Chocolate Factory

Today the kids and I went with my friend Audra to Ethel M Chocolate Factory for a tour. It was our first time going there during the day, but it seems we picked a very slow day to go. There wasn’t much work going on. We did get free samples though!

Then we went to walk the cactus gardens. We enjoyed it. We saw lizards, a roadrunner, a rabbit, and various other birds. Alex found a coin that looks like it might be from China on one of the rocks beside the path.

Marie-Anne

Nature is as close as your own backyard

Lately I have been trying to get the kids out in nature more and more. I grew up in the country and was always in the woods. My kids are city kids so I have to try a little harder to help them develop a love of nature. That said there is plenty of nature even in the city, you just have to look for it. It is well worth the time and effort to do so.





These pictures were taken in the courtyard of our apartment complex.
Marie-Anne

Summer Reading Programs

It’s that time of year again- time for the Summer Reading Programs. The following all have Summer Reading Programs, but their requirements are different so check their websites for more information. Barnes and Nobles, Borders, Pizza Hut Book It Program (also accepts homeschoolers, but act fast because the deadline for next school year is coming up), ½ Price Books, and Scholastic all have Summer Reading Programs.

We have participated in the library’s summer reading program for several years. It is well worth checking with your local library because my kids have gotten free tickets to the local children’s museum for the past two years, as well as, other free prizes.

If you know of other Summer Reading Programs please leave a comment.

Marie-Anne

Wetlands Park- again

Today the kids and I met up with some friends, Charles, Audra, and Kelly at the Wetlands Park. We brought the wagon, Alex’s nature kit, his binoculars, and plenty of water and off we went. The kids took turns walking and riding.





I warned everyone that the article I read about hiking with kids said to enjoy the journey not just try to make it to the destination. It was very true! Alex had us stop so he could look at things more times than I can count, but that’s why I take him.





We didn’t see many animals this time because it was hot, but we still had a great time.

Marie-Anne

Jaycee Park

For family night we went to Jaycee Park. This is a nice park that’s been on my list for a while. I wanted to take the kids to the water play part, but we didn’t this time. (We will soon!) Both kids absolutely loved the playground. They had so much fun!





If you haven’t yet I highly encourage you to take my park challenge. Go to as many parks in your area as you can. We always have fun.

Marie-Anne

Butterfly art

We used left over craft foam from another project to make these adorable butterflies. I cut the foam into tiny pieces and let the kids glue them onto butterfly coloring sheets. Of course, I added the glue for Sabrina.







Marie-Anne

Thrift Store finds

Today I got a Geo Safari World and two books I Can Draw Sea Creatures and 365 Science Projects & Activities for under $10! Out of curiosity I looked these things up on Amazon and they would be $58. I am quite pleased with my deal.

Marie-Anne

A skill I’d rather her not learn

Last night we had a two-year-old who was throwing a tantrum at church. I put him in the play pen so he wouldn’t hurt himself. He climbed right out even with a cast on his leg. Apparently Sabrina was watching. Today she climbed out twice although she had never tried it before.

Marie-Anne

Always let your conscience be your guide

Alex asked for an audio book. I told him we had Tom Sawyer from the library. He replied, “That kid’s kinda bad.” I got him Adventures in Odyssey instead.

Marie-Anne

Great Homeschool finds

At Dollar Tree I found 4 Story Starter packs. They ask a question and have room for a creative story and a drawing. Each pack has 50 story starters. (If any of you who homeschool want me to pick some up for your kids leave a comment.) I also got a History Mystery game. At the thrift store I got three Reader’s Digest Liberty Kids DVD’s. I just got them today and Alex has watched them repeatedly.

Marie-Anne

Maslow Park

Today a church member bought us a picnic lunch. We went to Maslow Park. The park had a nice covered playground with many slides. Sabrina and Alex really enjoyed themselves. The park also had a water part, but it was windy and we didn’t have towels or a change of clothes. We’ll have to check out that part later.





Marie-Anne

Conference April 2010

Monday:



We made it! Wow! Everything is so GREEN! Not only that, but there are so many shades of green. I am just drinking it in with my eyes. It is so good to see friends we haven’t seen in a very long time.

Tuesday:





I babysat today. After the morning service I walked with Alex and Sabrina around the ponds behind the hotel. It is so pretty back there. We saw a turtle, earthworms, snakes, frogs, and birds. Alex didn’t believe me that I saw a snake until I showed him one. Later we walked again with Frank.

Alex and I found seed pods that look like they have one wing. We tossed them and watched them spin. I explained why they are designed that way. Alex also had a lot of fun with an earthworm- something he hasn’t seen in Vegas. The nature is so different from Nevada and Washington. I love it!

For lunch we met friends at the Junction then we walked over to the (small) Bass Pro Shop to look at the alligator.

Wednesday:

The morning service was a hilarious skit. I told the sister sitting beside me that I hadn’t laughed that much in my life.

For lunch we were invited to a big BBQ. Alex loved the playground and the kids to play with. Sabrina was not so thrilled to be kept with Mommy after I realized the playground was for older kids.



Later Alex and I walked around the ponds again. Frank held Alex up to see the bird nest on top of our air conditioner. Alex is absolutely fascinated with earthworms. He spent a long time just watching and holding an earthworm.

Thursday:

The last day of Conference. It always goes by so fast. It has been a tremendous blessing.

Friday:

We stopped at a play ground in a very small town, but still bigger than Bentley! Then we went to Mark Twain Caves. We toured the cave featured in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. It was Alex’s first time being in a cave. We really enjoyed it, except Sabrina. She wanted to get out of the stroller and run. She also fell asleep before the end of the tour.




After the tour we drove to Lover’s Leap, (I think every cliff uses this story). It was an absolutely beautiful view of the Mississippi River. After a few minutes we drove to the lighthouse for a photo-op. People weren’t allowed inside. I would have loved to stay longer, but we heard thunder.

After driving to St. Louis we walked the mall next to our hotel. The kids got to play in the play area.

Saturday:



After breakfast we went to the St. Louis Zoo. (It’s free, but many attractions cost money. We stuck to the free part.) Our favorite part was the gorilla that “attacked” Alex. It repeatedly ran and jumped hitting the glass where Alex was standing. Frank pointed out a sign that said to neither look directly at the gorilla nor to make loud noise, which, of course, Alex was.



After it got hot we went to the Science Center which is also free and near the zoo. We spent about an hour there. The kids played with Legos and building stuff.



(Tip: When you have a one-year-old who’s the size of a three-year-old pay for her to have her own seat on the plane.)

Marie-Anne