Fun day

Today was a fun day. We went to Savers then to Toys R Us. Sabrina ran right to a Disney princess display and grabbed a toy shouting, “MINE!” It was the first time she even noticed the Disney princesses. After we got done there we went to Barnes and Nobles so the kids could play with the Thomas train and I read to them.



Finally we went to the mall’s play area. Sabrina sneaked up to a lady and stole a handful of her popcorn. As we were leaving a young man came in and I said, “Could you be a gentleman and get the door for us?” He ran back to hold the door for me, but I was talking to Alex.

Marie-Anne

Lake Mead

We went to Lake Mead with Kelly today. I’m a bit sad that it will probably be our last time to go in a long time. The water is so low that Alex who ran ahead got stuck up to his knees in mud. Thankfully I was with Kelly who risked getting stuck to save him while I was holding Sabrina back.







We walked to where some swimmers were and let the kids play in the muddy water.



After they played we fed the sea gulls.

I have had a lot of fun times at Lake Mead. I’m sad that it has changed so much since my last visit in June.

Marie-Anne

One naked and one in the nest

Sabrina woke up in the middle of the night very very hyper. As I stumbled around her room looking for her bottle I noticed something wasn’t quite right about Alex. I paused for a moment to think when I realized his covers were missing. I found them on Sabrina’s bed, looking like a giant bird nest. The little thief kicked her own covers off and took her brother’s.

Marie-Anne

New friends

Yesterday we met a lady and her two kids at McDonalds. We hit it off and so did our kids. Today we met them, and her husband, at a nearby park. Their boy is a year younger than Alex and their daughter is a year older than Sabrina. We all enjoyed it and hope to have many more play dates. I am picking them up for church tomorrow morning.

Marie-Anne

Wetlands Park Play ground

For family day we went to the Wetlands Park Play ground. It was hot, but we all really enjoyed it and plan to go back soon. We didn’t go to the nature preserve part because of construction, but hopefully they’ll be done soon.

Marie-Anne

Sabrina's H-E-Buddy shirt

Sabrina got her H-E-Buddy shirt and certificate. Now she has a shirt just like her big brother.

Marie-Anne

Bedtime Excuse

Many kids give excuses to stay up later, but Alex’s is one of a kind, “I need some more fiber. I need some fruit Loops. I have some waste in my throat.“

Marie-Anne

Dollhouse

Sabrina loves the dollhouse I bought her for $5 at the thrift store. She has a couple of Madame Alexander dolls from McDonald happy meals that are the perfect size for her dollhouse. (If you get extras you she’d love them.)

Marie-Anne

Labor Day at Lake Mead

We spent Labor Day at Lake Mead with our friends Gus, Lulu and their kids Jr and Josielyn. We had a picnic. The kids played scatch,



played in the mud with shovels and pails,





flew kites,


and rode in the wagon.

Marie-Anne

Springs Preserve

We took advantage of Bank of America’s Museums on Us Program to go to Springs Preserve. We all love this museum!





Alex brought a bag of nature things to exchange. He chose a magnolia cone (?) and saved the rest of his points for our next trip.





The flash flood, sand pit, and erosion exhibit continue to be the favorites. Alex also really enjoyed the computer games.

Marie-Anne

Praying Mantis

Apparently our praying mantis died and was eaten by the crickets. When we looked in his cage this morning he was gone and there was no possible way he escaped. Alex said, “He didn’t die. He escaped to find a female.” Frank asked him why. “To help the female lay eggs and be eaten by her”, was his reply.

(We caught two more to replace that one.)

Lego Power Miners Fire Blaster

Alex received the 67 piece Lego Power Miners Fire Blaster set as his kindergarten graduation present. It took him no time to put it together.

Marie-Anne

Kindergarten Graduation

Alex has graduated kindergarten and is now a first grader. We had a ceremony for him and took him to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate. Afterwards we had cupcakes and played in the courtyard. It was a wonderful day.







He has been doing a combination of kindergarten and first grade for a while. If Alex was going to public school he’d be starting kindergarten. One thing I love about homeschool is that we can go at his pace.

Marie-Anne

HEB Buddy Summer Reading Club

Alex received his certificate, t-shirt, bookmark, pencil, and sticker for reading 10 books for the HEB Buddy Summer Reading Club. This promotion is going on until October 1 and it doesn’t matter if you live in an area with no HEB. Parents can read to children too young to read, so I’ll get this for Sabrina too.

http://www.hebuddy.com/content/pdf/readingclub.pdf

Marie-Anne

Pahranagat National wildlife refuge

We also stopped at Pahranagat National wildlife refuge on the way back. It is so beautiful and peaceful. Sabrina kept yelling, “Water! Water!” We hiked around and really enjoyed the scenery.





I’d love to go back for a picnic and a much longer stay.

Marie-Anne

Humboldt National Forest

On the way home from Idaho we stopped at Humboldt National Forest. It is very pretty. We did a short hike and took lots of pictures. We had a long way to go so we didn’t stay long, but it was fun.








Marie-Anne

Grandma Donna’s funeral

We went to Idaho this week for Grandma Donna’s funeral. I am so very glad we visited her last month! She will be greatly missed. Frank’s parents, sisters, nieces, uncles, aunts, and cousins were all there. I also met some family members I’d never met before. We had a good time visiting with family.

Marie-Anne

Ethel M Chocolate Factory tour

Today we went to Ethel M for a tour and a walk through the cactus garden with my friend Kelly and her daughter Hannah. Afterwards we stopped at Learning is Fun. The kids played with the train set while we browsed.

We ended our field trip at McDonalds. Sabrina amazed us by climbing all the way to the top of the play place. I didn’t think she could because of the way this one was set up.

Marie-Anne

Sock Game

I bought a three pack of colorful socks for Sabrina to help her learn matching. She loves them! When I first put the ones in the picture on her she walked around for about five minutes staring at her feet the entire time.

She’ll wear a pair for about two minutes then want me to take them off. She chooses her next pair. I have all six socks in a pile and she chooses. So far she has chosen the right match every time. I’ll have to go back to Dollar Tree and get another set.

Marie-Anne

Student of the Month

Alex’s hard work paid off- he got student of the month at church. He was so excited that he was literally on the edge of his seat and asking the teacher if he got it while she was passing out awards.

Marie-Anne