10th Wedding anniversary

Today is our 10th wedding anniversary! Wow, that's a long time, but it doesn't seem like it's been that long. I am truly blessed to be married to my best friend. Frank is a wonderful husband. I told him that I'd renew his contract for another ten years. He replied that he'd have to ask his wife. I'm sure she'll agree.

Marie-Anne

Hiking at Red Springs

These pictures do not do justice to the beauty of this place. We've been here several times, but I thought the name was Calico Basin, (that's the name of the road, not the area).







We hiked a trail that we've never taken and it took us into an entirely different area. I am so glad we did. We didn't do as much climbing as the kids wanted, (we could have climbed all day and it wouldn't have been enough) but it was a great hike! It was also a wonderful way to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary!







Marie-Anne

Kumon workbooks

For Alex’s third b-day Elexa sent him some Kumon First Steps workbooks. They are wonderful. Now that Sabrina is three she is doing them. There are some that Alex didn’t do and some new ones that came out after he was older. Alex and Sabrina are doing some of those together.

He’s seven and they are for younger kids. True, but they are a good review of some skills he doesn’t use too often and they help solve another problem. Most of Alex’s school is on the computer or independent study. He was jealous that I was spending more time with Sabrina. Most of their school is still done separately, of course, but now I get to spend time with both of them working on the same thing at the same time.

This has worked out beautifully and they actually encourage and help each other. They LOVE doing this and both kids ask to do the workbooks every day, (sometimes more than once).

Marie-Anne

Family hike

Hiking is something that we enjoy as a family. Today we went to Frank's work then hiked to a small mountain. We hiked to the summit as a family! Yes, Sabrina made it the whole way, (with help).

Locks of Love

It's been 11 years since I cut my hair. Needless to say, in that time it grew very very long.



I got it cut this morning and donated about 2 feet of hair to Locks of Love.



I love the new do.

Marie-Anne

Chuck E. Cheese

On Thursday we went to Chuck E Cheese for family night. The kids absolutely love that place. They were both super excited.

Marie-Anne

Volcano

Alex had a lot of fun making his Plaster of Paris volcano, painting it, and making it erupt.



Marie-Anne

Paradise Park

On Saturday we went door to door inviting people to church. Since we were near Paradise Park we let the kids play after we were finished.

Marie-Anne

Springs Preserve

We saved some of the kids' birthday money for a membership at Springs Preserve. This is one of our favorite museums. It is very hands on.



The kids brought in some nature items to exchange. Alex got some wheat that someone laminated and Sabrina chose shells. After exchanging their nature items the kids spent a while playing with legos. They also each got to decorate a lunch bag.



After I dragged them away from the legos we spent most of the afternoon at the play ground. We had never been to the playground before. The kids absolutely loved it. It is a very nice playground with a climbing area that looks like a mammoth skeleton, lots of sand pits, a train, and climbing walls that look like rocks.



After lunch I dragged them away from the playground. We went inside, but didn't stay. We soon found ourselves back outside, but this time we went to the building area and another sand pit. We spent the rest of our time there.

The kids had a lot of fun and Alex wanted to know if we could go back the next day. Nope, but soon.

Marie-Anne

Maslow Park

Thursday was an absolutely beautiful day so I took the kids to Maslow Park after shopping at WalMart. We didn't stay too long because we were also going to Springs Preserve.

Marie-Anne