Date Moment

Frank and I recently started a new thing- a date moment. About once a week we go play a board game and talk in the back yard. We have a kid snap a few pictures during the middle of the game, but other than that they aren't allowed to interrupt. It's a nice way to spend some time together without having to go somewhere or spend money. 

I also started going with him sometimes when he drops Sabrina off at Seedling Theatre. Alex stays home to get some alone time. 

Marie-Anne

Preparing for a 5K

Our next 5K is next month. We have been going to the park for me to walk and everyone else to run several times a week. Sabrina has decided to run this one.

Marie-Anne

Homeschool Club- Volunteering at Three Square

We joined our homeschool club at Three Square to box lunches for needy kids and seniors. We had never been there before. That is one of the things I like about the homeschool groups- we are introduced to new things that we would not have experienced otherwise. Both Alex and Sabrina enjoyed working at Three Square, which is a food bank. Alex decided to add it to his Congressional Award work for volunteering. 

Marie-Anne

Ronald McDonald House- Cookie Crew

We have been volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House for over a year. We are the Cookie Crew almost every month. I put Sabrina's in the oven and take them out, prepare the labels, bag the cookies, and wipe the counters. 

Alex completely bakes his own cookies and he normally does the dishes. 

Sabrina mixes her cookies and normally mops the floor. 

Sabrina wanted me to include this picture. She was trying to fix the bent whisk when batter splattered all over her face.

Marie-Anne

Nursery

Sabrina continues to love it when we have nursery at church. She wants to be a babysitter when she is older. She also wants to teach the younger kids' Sunday School Class.

Wetlands Park

We went to Wetlands Park, while Alex was at the Youth Rally. We visited the Nature Center and then walked the trails. We had a great time.

Marie-Anne 

Teen Event in Prescott, Arizona

Alex went on a day trip with other youth from church to Prescott. He had a great time. They had a Youth Rally and a concert with other area churches.

Marie-Anne

Homeschool Group- Chess Club

The monthly Chess Club, hosted by my friend, Tami, is always a whole lot of fun! The kids have to play Chess, then they are free to play other games.

The moms play Phase 10. We all look forward to it.

Marie-Anne

Sabrina's sleepover

Sabrina had a very fun sleepover at her friend's house.

Marie-Anne

Gavel Club

Alex has been a member of Toastmaster's Gavel Club, (speech club) for several years. This is Sabrina's first year to be in the club.

Alex was voted as Sgt. at Arms. His role includes calling the meeting to order; banging the gavel, and setting up before and tearing down after meetings. His is well on his way to earning the Competent Leadership Award, possibly by the end of the school year. He is also Sabrina's mentor.

Sabrina was uncontested for Vice President of Membership. She is just starting in the club, but has already done her first speech, gave an education minute on Epilepsy, gave the Word of the Day- Spry and helps the President as needed. 

Marie-Anne

Frank's B-Day

Frank is a wonderful husband and Dad! We showered him with gifts to celebrate him. Getting him donut themed gifts has become a running joke in our family. Several years ago he said that his favorite food group is donuts. So I got him a donut themed game. Sabrina got him a donut mug. He also got cash, a book, a picture... And we went out to eat. 

Marie-Anne

Sunday School

Once again I am teaching the younger kids' Sunday School class. I teach for three months, then trade off with two other teachers.

Marie-Anne 

Springs Preserve- Butterfly Garden

We visited the Butterfly Garden at Springs Preserve. We had planned on using our POGO passes, but I didn't check and Saturday is the only day you cannot use them. Thankfully we were still able to visit the gardens and the Butterfly Garden, (but not the museums).

Sabrina was thrilled when a butterfly decided to land on her!

Afterwards we walked the garden paths.

I noticed a moth acting very strangely. It took a few moments to realize it was caught in a spider web. We watched the Black Widow hunt her prey. It was a new experience and quite fascinating. (Sabrina now knows what Charlotte is doing when she wraps up the fly in her play.)

Marie-Anne

Carly's First B-day

Our family was invited to a birthday party for a friend's baby.

Alex, Frank, and Ricky enjoyed the cornhole game, especially Alex. I had fun playing it with our hosts' son.

Sabrina mostly played on the trampoline and in the bouncy house.

Marie-Anne

Charlize's B-day Party

Sabrina was invited to a new friend's b-day party. The theme of the party was similar to "Clue" it was the Case of the Missing Pinata. The kids had a great time.

Marie-Anne

Congressional Award- Physical Fitness

The weather has been great. We have started running or walking through our new neighborhood and at a local park. There is a 5K in November that Frank and the kids are preparing for.  Sabrina wants to run it this time. I plan on walking it. All of us have been going out together to prepare.

Marie-Anne

Hospitality

We invited friends over twice in the same weekend. On Friday night we grilled for Jesus and Audra. I was surprised that their little man liked the trampoline.

We invited Ricky and Star for lunch on Sunday. I made chicken salsa because it is good and I cook it in the crockpot. The girls had fun on the trampoline. They boys had Nerf battles.

Marie-Anne

Seedling Theatre- Charlotte's Web

Sabrina did not get the part of Fern. She is Wilber! Yes, she has one of the leading roles. She has already memorized most of her lines. The play is in the middle of November.

Marie-Anne

Homeschool Group- Co-op

This school year is going well. We have found a balance between school and fun stuff that is really working for us.

Marie-Anne