Happy 5th B-day Alex!

This morning we gave Alex a few of his presents: 2 Rescue Heroes and an Imaginext T-Rex. After dropping Frank off at work we met Grumps (who has asked for a load through Las Vegas since we moved here). I told Alex that his best b-day gift was his surprise visit from Grumps. We went to Wal-Mart and Grumps bought Alex 4 Bionicles. At McDonald’s Grumps’ driving partner, Kit gave Alex enough money to buy another Bionicle. One happy little boy is playing with the Bionicles. All of that and it is barely noon, he’ll get the rest of his gifts after Frank gets home and we’re having a party for him after Bible Study!

This afternoon Alex got $20 from Mamaw in the mail; he bought a big Bionicle, a jump rope and some homeschool stuff. When we got home from picking Frank up Alex opened the rest of his gifts: 3 Bible Story DVD’s from Papa, 3 Star Wars books from Aunt Sandy, and 2 nice shirts, a wonderful set of Bob Books and a Brain Quest K Workbook that he can hardly wait to do the mazes in from Nana and Papa Rendla.

After Bible Study we had a party for Alex. We had a cake that Alex helped make and icing that Alex picked out. Alex got a singing card, a hot wheels car, a couple of G.I. Joes, and $20. Alex and I made a deal after he bought the big Bionicle that if he got any more money it would be for homeschool stuff, (I think he got enough toys, don't you?).



“It was a good day, even I got Bionicles, a lot of Bionicles today. That was a good day,” Alex.

Update: With the money Alex has gotten for his b-day I got him some workbooks, a 1st Grade Vocabulary Puzzles Computer Game, a Sid the Science Kid DVD, and 4 Waterford Early Math and Science DVD's.

Marie-Anne

Happy first b-day, Sabrina!

Thursday was Sabrina’s first b-day. It was a great day for the little princess, she got lots of books, several My Little Ponies, a Little People set, a cute outfit, a wonderful homemade card that will go in her scrapbook, and some hats for dress-up. (She has more gifts on the way.) Of course she had just as much fun, if not more, playing with the packaging the Little People came in. She wore a beautiful purple and cream princess dress, (We’ll have her pictures taken in it soon.)



After Bible Study we had a cake and Sabrina had a huge cupcake to herself. At first she was being ladylike a barely getting any icing on her fingers. That didn’t last long and she soon looked like a clown. She ended up with cake in her hair, all over her arms, and just about everywhere except her legs because she was in a high chair.

Marie-Anne

October's Reading List

Alex’s List:
Picture books:

Bible:
Be Glad
God’s Son
Good Mud
Heat the Meat
Long Live the King
Moses and Miriam
Rebecca’s Wedding
The Birth of Christ
The Missing Boy
The People Come
Watch Me Go
Who Loves Hagar?,
Biography:
A Lion Bite
Biscuit:
Biscuit and the Bunny
Biscuit Gives a Gift
Blue’s Clues:
Green Puppy Goes to The Dentist
It’s Friendship Day
Nursery Rhyme Treasury
Clifford:
Clifford and the Bath
Clifford and the Big Ship
Clifford and the Big Storm
Clifford Goes to Washington
Clifford Keeps Cool
Clifford Sleeps over
Clifford’s Trick
Fizz
Get the Nuts
Quick Clifford
T-Bone Tells the Truth
The Big Itch
The Vet’s Visit
Corner Kids:
Summer Fun
Curious George:
And the Dump Truck
Feeds the Animals
Plants a Tree
Takes a Train
Visits the Library
Diego:
A Humpback Whale Tale
Disney Bunnies:
Thumper’s Scary Night
Dora:
Dora Climbs Star Mountain
Dora Saves the Mermaid Kingdom
Franklin:
Franklin and the Stopwatch
Franklin and the Thunderstorm
Franklin Goes to the Hospital
Franklin in the Dark
Franklin Plays the Game
Franklin’s Class Trip
Franklin’s New Friend
Franklin’s Secret Club
Franklin Wants a Pet
I spy :
A Scary Monster
Little Critter:
Christmas for Miss Kitty
Helping Mom
Just a Snowy Day
Just a Toy
Magic School Bus:
The Wild Leaf Ride
Messy Bessey:
Garden
School Desk
Robin Hill School:
The Counting Race
The First Day of School
Sesame Street:
The Fix-it Shop
You Wouldn’t Want to…:
Be a Pirate’s Prisoner
Be a Roman Soldier
Be at the Boston Tea Party
Work on the Railroad
Other:
All Wrapped Up
Generous Me
If You’re Happy and You Know It (Jungle Edition)
I Love Cats
It’s All About Me!
Leaf Man
Monster Trucks
Moondance
The Three Snow Bears


Sabrina’s List:

Babyeyelike:
Discover Letters
Lots of Spots
Bible:
Be Glad
God’s Son
Good Mud
Go Fish
Hide the Baby
Watch Me Go
We Need Water
Biscuit:
Biscuit and the Bunny
Biscuit Gives a Gift
Clifford:
A Kiss for Cleo
Cleo and the Box
Clifford and the Bath
Clifford and the Big Ship
Clifford is Too Big
Clifford’s Trick
Fizz
Get the Nuts
Quick Clifford
T-Bone Tells the Truth
The Big Itch
The Big Leaf Pile
The Happy Dogs
The Runaway Rabbit
The Small Red Puppy
The Vet’s Visit
Tummy Trouble
Corner Kids:
Summer Fun
Diego:
Diego and the Dinosaurs
Messy Bessey:
Garden
School Desk
My Little Pony:
Minty Monkeys Around
Ponies on Ice
Robin Hill School:
Snow Day
The Counting Race
The First Day of School
Spot:
Spot Can Count
Other:
All Wrapped Up
Generous Me
I Love Cats
Pirates

Marie-Anne

Mamaw’s 90th b-day!

Last Monday the kids and I flew to Louisiana to visit and for Mamaw’s 90th b-day.
The trip there was horrible- Sabrina threw up on me on the plane after the kind lady at check-in checked my bags with my clothes. Right after I changed her and sat back down her diaper leaked. Then we had a three-hour delay at Houston. Thankfully the rest of the vacation more than made up for that.



The kids got lots and lots of attention from aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and their great-grandmother. They played with their cousin and fought over her toys. Alex watched cartoons and played in Nana and Grumps’ huge yard.




We went to the TREEHOUSE Children’s Museum twice, to the Alexandria Zoo, and to a Harvest Festival at a friend’s church.

Alex was having a blast digging in Mom’s yard. When he came in she noticed his eye looked funny. Then one side of his face swelled and his face and neck were itching. Thankfully she had Benadryl. We had no way of knowing what caused his allergic reaction. She has plants everywhere and we saw lots of different kinds of bugs and spiders the day before. My mom and I took him to the ER. As we were going his whole face swelled even more and he had bumps al over his face and neck. It was scary- we were worried about his airflow, but it didn’t come to that. By the time we got there the Benadryl started to kick in and the swelling started to go down. Since we had no clue what caused it or if he’d have another episode we took him. I have NEVER been in and out of the ER like that! (He’s perfectly fine now.)



On Saturday we had Mamaw’s 90th b-day party. When I first got to the church nobody was there. I was shocked, but then people started trickling in and we had a good crowd. Sabrina spent most of the time with Aunt Jessica in the nursery. Alex spent half his time there and half outside with a bunch of cousins. Mamaw’s best friend from school came and so did a Pastor who used to be at her church. She had a wonderful time.

After the party we went straight to the airport and the trip home was real good.

Marie-Anne

Outdoor Hour Challenge # 3

Yesterday we did the third challenge at Hollywood Recreation Center’s park. While we ate lunch we watched a stinkbug climbing a fence. After we ate we walked outside the playground. I asked Alex what he heard, “the birds going tweet-tweet-tweet and the leaves blowing.” Then I asked him what he felt, “the sun and the wind.”

We did a tree rubbing, a rock rubbing, and a leaf rubbing. I was going to have him draw something he saw, but he was too impatient to play with the other kids at the playground. We stayed at the playground for several hours. Alex baked me a “salt and pepper cake” made of sand before we left.

Marie-Anne

Homeschool Firsts

In homeschool we had several firsts today. This morning, on his own, Alex pointed out several states on the map so later I printed off a blank map and had him find and color seven states. I found a website with some really nice worksheets. I printed several picture Sudoku puzzles and several measuring with a ruler worksheets. Alex did his first Sudoku puzzle today and he got it right the first time! Alex also did one of the measuring worksheets and got it right the first time.

http://www.education.com/worksheets/

Marie-Anne

Children’s Museum of Phoenix

On Monday we took the kids to the Children’s Museum of Phoenix. They are remodeling and there wasn’t much on the first floor. The kids loved the tricycle and Frank pushed Sabrina on a ride for little ones.

When we went upstairs there was an awesome play area for 3 and under. We got kicked out for bringing Alex with us, what were we supposed to do with him? We went as a family, but we couldn’t stay together if Sabrina was going to get to play. You would think that a children’s museum would realize parents have kids of varying ages and would have a place where the older kids could be supervised while the babies play. I guess what really bugged me was the worker’s attitude. She was plain rude.

We then went to the next section, which was a grocery store and a restaurant. I was glad that these areas had a tiny corner for babies. Alex played for a while then he moved on to the next section; the sound room. Sabrina was in the baby section surrounded by toys, but she kept trying to take the puzzle pieces that an older toddler had.

Next was a “forest” of swimming pool noodles hanging from the ceiling. Then came a cactus with spiders that jumped out. Then we moved on the reading corner.

Alex’s favorite part was the car ramp. They had made cars from PCV pipe and roller skate wheels and the kids got to roll them down a racetrack. Alex stayed for quite a while so I had Frank take Sabrina back to the baby section with instructions to take pictures. Of course I wanted to watch her play and explore, but I didn’t want to see the rude worker again. Finally I dragged Alex away from the cars and let him serve me ice cream at the ice cream stand, (I plan to make some of these foam comes and get some balls to go with them). Then we met back up with Frank and left.

Except for the rude employee we all had a good time.

Marie-Anne

Nature is Everywhere

Last night I finished reading Take a City Nature Walk by Jane Kirkland. It had some good ideas about getting in the habit of noticing nature wherever you are. Today we got a chance to put it into practice while walking on the sidewalk of a very busy road. I noticed a dandelion with a bee on it and pointed it out to Alex. We stopped to observe the bee going from flower to flower and we discussed pollination.

Marie-Anne

Sabrina’s New Skill

Sabrina has a new skill: for the first time ever she is able to get on her rocking horse all by herself! She spent quite a bit of time getting on and off this morning. She is quite happy and excited by her achievement.



She still needs work on getting off though. I’m not sure how many times she fell off, but when you fall off a horse you got to get right back on, right?

Marie-Anne

A Change in Weather

A change in weather means a change in lifestyle. Since it cooled off and we are having wonderful weather we have been outside a whole lot more. We’ve been to the park three times since the first and we’ve been for walks almost every day. Alex just spent two hours outside playing with the neighborhood kids. It was the first time I’ve seen that many kids out there. I just checked the 10 day forecast and it’s going to be in the 80’s every day! I am so glad and so excited about the drastic change in weather! (Can you tell?)

Marie-Anne

Happy birthday to my wonderful husband!

Today is my wonderful husband’s birthday. How can we show him just how much we love him? Well, last night I gathered as many pictures with him in them as I could. I decorated all the doors in the hallway and put some in frames around the house. I typed up a love note and placed it by one of the pictures. I labeled the hall as memory lane. Then I added streamers and some over the hill banners, (even though he’s not THAT old). The laundry room door is decorated in an Over the Hill poster surrounded by pictures. I told Alex it was a Papa museum and Alex asked if we could have an Alex museum for his b-day next month, maybe it will become a tradition.

Step two of my plan was a secret, but he figured it out. I e-mailed and called the leaders of our church and told them it was his birthday. So Frank got calls from Rev. and Sis. Kekel, Rev. Ashmore, Rev. Wright, Rev. Johnson, Pastor Davis, Rev. Malone, Rev. Olsen, and of course from our family. He was surprised by all the calls, but he figured that I had something to do with it after the 11th call.

Of course no b-day party is complete without birthday cake so we had some, (after being on sugar busters for so long it was too much sugar, but Alex and Sabrina will enjoy the rest). I also found some over-sized party hats at the dollar store and bought 4.

For Frank's birthday he is giving men and women in our community the chance to come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Frank and a man from church are out inviting people to church where they can learn how to have a relationship with God.

Frank said that it has been the best birthday he’s had since becoming an adult. We love you, honey!

Marie-Anne

Alexander Villas Park

Yesterday we went to Alexander Villas Park. We went there for a church potluck when we first got here, but we didn’t use the playground. I went with Tammy and her two boys. The playground has the normal layout of two playgrounds and swings, but it sits on a hill overlooking the ballpark. It was so nice! The bathrooms were covered in graffiti and there were a few homeless people hanging around the fence, so I won’t go by myself.

We met at 9:30 and left at 1:30 and didn’t even realize we’d been there that long! Time flew by. Every one got along great and had a wonderful time. The weather was perfect and almost all the kids there were about Alex’s age. It was a great way to spend the entire morning.

Marie-Anne

Outdoor Hour Challenge # 2

Today our walk was around our apartment complex. Our apartments are landscaped with different types of trees and artificial (to this area) grass. I told Alex to be quiet and listen as we walked. It was hard for him to keep quiet, but he did pretty well for a four-year-old. Here are our lists of what we heard:

1 word for something you heard:
Alex: tweet-tweet
Me: chirping

2 words for something you saw:
Alex: baby pinecone
Me: buzzing bee

3 words for something you felt:
Alex: soft/hard trees

Although not part of the challenge I made note of things we observed. We observed a bee, a cat, a pretty purple flower, doves, and someone planted what looked like a cantaloupe so we searched the vine for more.

Sabrina observed a rock, grass, and a leaf that she tried to eat. After that I held her hand and let her wander around. Can’t have the baby eating the nature.

Since we took the first Challenge last week we have tried to be outside almost every day. Alex even left the playground to walk among the trees at the park on his own! I am sop glad that we are doing this.

Marie-Anne

Growing up

I asked, “Alex, why do you keep growing?”
“Because of my birthday and God.”

Marie-Anne

Lied Discovery Children’s Museum

Today we used Bank of America’s Museums on Us program to go to the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum. We’ve been here before. The kids had a great time. Frank and I enjoyed ourselves too. Alex was all over the place I let Frank keep up with him while I let Sabrina have fun in the baby section.





One thing I didn’t like was at the craft center they had me make Alex’s craft so that made it my craft, didn’t it? All he got to do was pick out the leaves and what color glitter I used. Upstairs is another craft section for ages 6 and up, but Alex has always been able to use it before. Today although no other kids were in there we were told Alex is too young. Is there an age limit on learning? After we got home I e-mailed them about it. We did pay the same amount for him as the older kids. Other than that we had a good time.

Marie-Anne

Kids' B-day and Christmas Ideas

I wasn't going to post this yet, but I've already had a request for this information so...

I know some people who have really great homeschool stuff by asking for what they want for b-days and Christmas. Of course you don’t have to get any of these, but if you are wondering what to get here are some suggestions:

Alex: You Wouldn’t Want to be… books, Anything Sid the Science Kid, leap frog DVD’s, Educational computer games, Magic School bus DVD’s, art supplies, play dough, Kumon workbooks, membership to zoo, educational kid magazines like National Geographic for kids, Zootles, or Your Big Backyard, size 7 clothes, duplo size mega blocks, Space or Pirates (has ship) Imaginext, ant farm…

Sabrina: (everything still goes straight to the mouth) board books, magazine subscriptions for baby magazines like Wild Animal Baby, Zoobies, or Babybug, size 18 months clothes, kid music (she loves to dance), Little People toys (has Noah’s Ark), Leap Frog toys, bath toys, sorter toys, stacking rings,…

Marie-Anne

Nellis Meadows Park

Today for Family Day we went to Nellis Meadows Park. We had the playground to ourselves. Alex went straight to the climbing wall and Sabrina was thrilled with the baby swings. This park is mostly a ballpark. The playground was covered in graffiti, but it was still nice. Frank gave Alex a lesson in climbing the wall with 3 points of contact and then a lesson on getting on the swings by himself.



Sabrina mostly was in the baby swing. She did enjoy going down the slide several times also.



An interesting thing to note is that after a while Alex left the playground and walked among the trees. He was doing his own nature walk. This is something he’s never done, leaving the playground before it is time to go. After he walked for a few minutes I joined him. We had a pleasant walk and pointed things out to each other about the trees.



After a little bit he went back to the playground. Alex was quite proud of himself for being able to climb the rock wall all by himself. He told us every time that he made it up. It was a great family day.

Marie-Anne

The Outdoor Hour Challenge # 1

I had read about this a while back and thought it is over 100 degrees no way are we going to be spending an hour outside! However I was intrigued by the idea. According to the 10 day forecast it will be in the 80’s! We haven’t seen 80’s in a long long time! It is time to put this wonderful idea into action.

Today was our first Green Hour. Our nature walk was at some apartments where Frank and I were inviting people to church. Why apartments, you ask. It is because we live in a city in the desert. The landscaping included trees and grass. And the last time we were there there was a huge bees nest, but it had been taken down. (I wish I’d have had the camera with me when it was there.)

I told Alex that he was a “Nature Investigator” and that he had to tell me two things he sees that he wants to learn more about. Here is the official transcript of my exclusive interview with Alex:

Me: “What was your favorite part of the nature walk?’
Alex: “The ants and the feathers.”
Me: “What else did you see?”
Alex: “Nothing else.”
Me: “That’s all you saw the whole time we were there?”
Alex: “And the leaf.”

As I said we live in a city in the desert so we will have many different nature experiences from the desert to parks to mountains to the lake and, yes, even apartment landscaping- nature is everywhere.

Marie-Anne

September's Reading List

Alex’s List:
Picture books:

Alice In Bibleland:
Psalms and Proverbs
The Story of Ruth and Naomi
Bible:
Courage David and Goliath/Courage Dustin Learns to be Brave
Daniel in the Lions’ Den
Esther
Five Loaves and Two Fish
God Gave Her Oil
God Gave Him Life
Hide the Baby
Jonah and the Whale
Joseph Loved God
Moses Obeyed
Noah’s Ark
Samuel Obeyed
The Story of Abraham
Two Parables: The Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son
Biscuit:
Biscuit’s Show and Share Day
Biography:
Benjamin Franklin
Christopher Columbus
Clara Barton
Johnny Appleseed
Paul Revere
Rosa Parks
Blue’s Clues:
Blue’s Big Birthday
Blue’s Checkup
Hello Spring
Hooray for Polka Dots
My Visit With Periwinkle
Sprinkle’s First Haircut
Bob the Builder:
Bob’s Mixed-up Messages
Clifford:
The Big Leaf Pile
The Runaway Rabbit
Tummy Trouble
Diego:
Diego and Papi to the Rescue
Diego and the Baby Sea Turtles
Diego and the Dinosaurs
Diego’s Artic Rescue
Diego Saves a Butterfly
Diego Saves the Sloth
Diego Saves the Tree Frogs
Diego’s Springtime Fiesta
Diego’s Wolf Pup Rescue
Go, Baby Jaguar!
The Great Roadrunner Race
The Rainforest Race
Disney:
Cars (Sept)
Finding Nemo
Good Morning Thumper
Thumper’s Autumn Adventure
Thumper’s Fluffy Tail
Dora the Explorer:
Dora and the Baby Crab
Dora Around the World
Dora Celebrates Earth Day!
Dora Had a Little Lamb
Dora Helps Diego
Dora in the Deep Sea
Dora Loves Boots
Dora’s First Trip
Dora’s Perfect Pumpkin
I Love my Abuela!
Fancy Nancy:
Pajama Day
The Show Must Go On
Guess Who:
Changes
Dives
Grabs
Runs
Spins
I Spy:
A Candy Cane
A Dinosaur’s Eye
Little Critter:
Camping Out
This is My Town
Magic School Bus:
Gets Ants in Its Pants
Gets Crabby
Gets Programmed
In A Pickle
Inside a Hurricane
Inside Ralphie
In the Rain Forest
Kicks up a Storm
Takes a Dive
Ups and Downs
My First Little House Books:
A Little House Birthday
A Little Prairie House
County Fair
Robin Hill School:
Class Mom
Picking Apples
Sesame Street:
A Visit to the Sesame Street Aquarium
Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?
Circus of Opposites
Elmo Says Achoo!
I Can Do It!
Star Wars:
Anakin iun Action
R2-D2 and Friends
Watch out for Jabba the Hutt!
Story Bible Series:
# 19 King David
#24 Enemies all Around
# 25 Jeremiah and the Great Disaster
#26 King Nebuchadnezzar’s Golden Statue
# 27 Daniel in the Lion’s Den
# 31 A Baby Called John
# 33 When Jesus was Young
# 35 Jesus the Teacher
# 40 The Story of the Two Brothers
# 52 Paul the Prisoner
Thomas the Tank Engine:
Break-Van/The Deputation
Edward’s Day Out/Edward and Gordon
Gordon’s Trouble With Mud
Stuck in the Mud
Tenders and Turntables/Trouble in the Shed
Thomas Goes Fishing/Thomas, Terence, and the Snow
You Wouldn’t Want to:
Be a Medieval Knight
Be on the Mayflower
Other:
Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday
Farley Follows His Nose
Follow Me Mittens
No More Bullies
Other NF:
A Plymouth Partnership: Pilgrims and Native Americans
Pilgrims in America
Plymouth: Surviving the First Winter
The Mayflower
The Pilgrims Before the Mayflower

Chapter Books:

Magic Tree House:
# 20 Dingoes at Dinnertime
Magic Tree House Research Guide:
Pilgrims
Tsunamis
Sabrina’s List:

Board books and simple Picture books:

Biscuit:
Biscuit’s Show and Share Day
Blue’s Clues:
Hello Spring
Hooray for Polka Dots
My Visit With Periwinkle
Care Bears:
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Journey to Joke-a-lot
Corner Kids:
A Flag For All
Unsinklable!
Dear Dragon:
A Friend for Dear Dragon
Dear Dragon’s A is for Apple
Happy Birthday, Dear Dragon
I Did It, Dear Dragon
I Love You, Dear Dragon
I Need You, Dear Dragon
It’s Circus Time, Dear Dragon
It’s St. Patrick’s Day, Dear Dragon
Play, Play, Play, Dear Dragon
Touchdown! Dear Dragon
Diego:
Diego Saves a Butterfly
Diego Saves the Tree Frogs
Go, Baby Jaguar!
The Great Roadrunner Race
Disney:
Cars (Sept)
Finding Nemo
DisneyBunnies:
Good Morning Thumper
Thumper’s Autumn Adventure
Thumper’s Fluffy Tail
Dora the Explorer:
Dora and the Baby Crab
Dora Around the World
Dora in the Deep Sea
Dora’s Perfect Pumpkin
Fancy Nancy:
Boy From Paris
Pajama Day
Guess Who:
Changes
Dives
Grabs
Runs
Spins

My Friends Tigger and Pooh:
Count on us!
My Little Pony
Belle of the Ball
Cheerilee’s Flower Garden
Learns to Count
Pinkie Pie Throw’s a Party
Star Song Sings and Dances
Toola-Roola Paints a Picture
Tutus and Toe Shoes
Very Lucky Ponies
Winter Festival
Rainbow Brite:
Mixed-up Colors
Sandra Boynton:
Barnyard Dance
Sesame Street:
Elmo Says Achoo!
Happy Mother’s Day!
I Can Do It!
Say the Magic Word, Please
Thomas:
Gordon’s Trouble With Mud
James the Red Engine
Other:
Follow Me Mittens
Other NF:
Pilgrims in America

Sunset Park

After the Barnyard Buddy tour we went to Sunset Park. It is a real nice park near where Frank works. It has a rope jungle gym, a rock wall, swings, and slides. There are lots of trees and plenty of shade near the picnic areas. We’ve been there a few times, but not since taking the Park Challenge.



The kids took off for the playground as soon as we got there. They spent most of their time climbing the “rock” wall and the ropes. Alex was able to climb the wall with me telling him where to put his feet, but he was too scared to come down. I had to coax him partway down then reach up and get him.



A school was taking a field trip there so I waited until the kids left then Sabrina and I used the swings. After a little bit I put Sabrina back into her stroller and Kathleen and I enjoyed the swings while the boys climbed the rock wall.

Marie-Anne