Roller Skating Class

I was delighted to learn that the skating class isn't a one time class, as I thought it was. It is actually an on-going class that is set up like a drop in class; everybody does the same things, but the more advanced students do it at a higher level. 

 The instructor covered a whole lot of things. They learned two ways to properly stop, shoot the duck, leg lifts, forward scissors, backward scissors...

We will try to have the kids take the class about twice a month.

Marie-Anne

English Second Language Class

The weekly English Second Language Class is growing. The family from Mexico came back and brought other relatives.

Alex played games with the older child, (the son of another volunteer). One of the little ones kept taking their chess pieces, so they went to another room to play in peace.

Sabrina and I had our hands full with the younger kids. I brought more Imaginext toys than I did last week and they still fought over them.

During the fellowship, everyone raved about Alex's Chocolate Chip Cookies. Every single one was eaten.

Marie-Anne

Ronald McDonald House- Cookie Crew

Alex and I made Snickerdoodles at the Ronald McDonald House.  We both made Caring Cards while cookies baked. Alex also washed dishes and cleaned the floor.

Alex and I went by ourselves this time. I really had a good time joking around and spending time with just him.

Marie-Anne

Homeschool Group- Family Field Day

Today was a wonderful day for our Family Field Day. I am not sure what they were playing in the picture above, but there was a whole lot of laughter.

Tug of War was a great hit. The kids wanted to do it multiple times.

Dodge ball was also a hit. The kids really enjoyed it. (We own the balls so I encouraged Alex and Sabrina to bring them to regular park days as well.)

We played popcorn with the giant parachute. Each team had different colored bean bags, the last one on the parachute wins. Alex and Sabrina were quite pleased that our family won the first round.

Several families had left by the time they got the capture the flag stuff out. They modified it into flag tag.

We had a wonderful time. The kids shared their exploits over in great detail in the car.

Marie-Anne

Coloring Book Drive - Update

Alex and Sabrina have collected about 100 coloring books for the children in the local hospitals. They have just expanded their coloring book drive to include Open Edge, Modern Dentistry, and Trader Joe's. Alex has also contacted several other businesses; some have said no and others told him to contact their corporate office.

The Ronald McDonald House said that we can tag along when they make their lunch deliveries and give the coloring books to the children ourselves. I thought we would have to just drop them off at the nurses' station.

Marie-Anne

English Second Language Class

We had a new family, from Mexico,  join us for the free English Second Language Class. Frank and Christine worked one on one with the students. Alex didn't have any older kids to entertain so he observed the class to learn how to be an assistant teacher.

Sabrina played really well with the younger kids. She kept the younger three occupied almost by herself. Next time we will bring more Imaginext. (I haven't met a kid yet who didn't like those toys.)

Alex made a little buddy.

Marie-Anne

Homeschool Group- Field Trip to Berry Plastics

We took a tour of Berry Plastics' Henderson factory. They make all kinds of food containers, ice cream tubs, salsa containers, lids...  (Don't you just love our new style?)

The kids are touching different types and colors of plastic.

It was a very interesting tour and I am very glad that we have the opportunity to learn with our friends.

Marie-Anne

Fellowship

We had some very good friends over for dinner on Saturday night. Frank grilled hot dogs and Brats. Alex and Sabrina made cookies. I found out that Frank likes baked macaroni, when our guests brought some. (How long have we been married?)  We had a great time.

On Sunday we were one of several families invited over to another friends' home for lunch. We meant to bring half of the cookies, but forgot them at home. Despite that we had a wonderful afternoon.

Marie-Anne

Preparing for a 5K- Wetlands Park

Alex has completed his swimming goal for the Physical Development portion of the Congressional Award. The Ronald McDonald House has an annual 5K in April. That gives us over 6 months to prepare to enter as a family. On Saturday, we went on a long walk at the Wetlands Park.

We love the Wetlands Park. It is a nice break from the city, though part of it is in the city. We saw rabbits, turtles, damsel flies, water birds, a hawk, and a road runner.

Marie-Anne

Ronald McDonald House- Cookie Crew

We made oatmeal cookies for the Ronald McDonald House. Both kids have developed better baking skills through this volunteer work. I simply give Alex the recipe and provide the ingredients. Sabrina occasionally needs me to double check her measurements, but she mostly does it on her own now.

We all made Caring Cards while the cookies were in the oven. I made my first origami finger puppets; one was a pirate, which inspired Alex to create Star Wars characters dressed as pirates.

Alex washed the dishes while Sabrina cleaned the floors and I cleaned the counters.

Marie-Anne

Congressional Award- Personal Development

Some books he has read.

For his Personal Development, Alex has chosen to read nonfiction books, develop a vocabulary list, and write a book report on each one.

Some books that are on his list. 

We have asked family members and friends to suggest books for Alex to read. He will cover quite a variety of topics and view points. 

Marie-Anne

Caring Cards- Origami Finger Puppets

Alex has made dozens of origami finger puppets for the children at the Ronald McDonald House.

Marie-Anne

Swimming

Alex has achieved his swimming goals for the Congressional Award! Our membership at the pool ended yesterday. We decided not to renew it for now.

Marie-Anne

Homeschool Group- Co-op

Frank took the day off so that he could teach the Chapel Time at co-op. Many parents told me what a great job he did- and I agree.

Sabrina did a portrait of her friend in art class.

Alex and his buddy had a rousing game of Foosball after classes were done. 

Marie-Anne

Ladies' Fellowship

Sabrina was quite thrilled to go to her first two ladies' fellowships in one week. The first was a game night at a friends'. She was the youngest there and enjoyed it immensely. 

The second was a baby shower. Sabrina made the casserole that the lady running it asked us to make. I am not sure if she added too much sour cream or if the recipe called for too much sour cream, but all I could taste was sour cream.

Sabrina was the first one to volunteer for the game. She had to hold a baby doll, talk on a phone and hang up laundry while being timed.

Sabrina also volunteered to help with several games and to collect the trash while the Mom opened gifts.

Marie-Anne

English Second Language Class

The English Second Language Class is going well. There were three participants tonight from three different countries; as well as three different continents.

Alex made Snickerdoodles and Sabrina made Peanut butter Cookies for the fellowship afterward.

Marie-Anne

Sabrina's Paintings

Sabrina has decided to sell some paintings for $5 each and donate half the money to charity. She is donating $1.25 to the Ronald McDonald House and $1.25 to buy coloring books for the kids in a hospital. She has completed over 20 paintings. She has sold two so far and has a couple of others on order.

She was going to sell them at a small craft fair, but it got cancelled. We are going to put some on E-Bay. If you have suggestions of how to sell them or if you are interested in buying one let us know.

Marie-Anne