Fall Festival

Today we had a very fun and successful Fall Festival. A lot of people worked together to pull it off and I’m happy to say that everyone enjoyed it. We had close to 100 people there.





The theme for the costume contest was Noah’s Ark so Alex went as Noah and Sabrina as a ladybug. They both won second place in their category.





We had a clown, jumper, games, cookie decorating and so much more.

Marie-Anne

Learning ASL with Signing Time

For about a month now I have been getting Signing Time DVDs from the library. Alex and Sabrina have been watching it at least once almost every day and both kids are picking it up very quickly. Alex has even been teaching ASL to his friends at church, (kids and grownups alike). Another benefit of homeschooling is that I am learning it right along with them. I highly recommend this series to anyone interested in learning American Sign Language.

Marie-Anne

Lost Tooth

Alex just lost another tooth!

Marie-Anne

Shadow Rock Park with Robert

Today we took Tamie and Robert with us to Shadow Rock Park. The kids had a great time, although we didn’t stay long.

Marie-Anne

More Fun at MLK Park

For family day we spent a fun afternoon at MLK Park. The kids had lots of fun playing with other kids and we got to invite several people to church.

Marie-Anne

Girls’ Day Out

Today I took a friend to a doctor’s appointment on the other side of town. I only took Sabrina and we had a lot of fun while waiting.



We went to the Flamingo Arroyo Trailhead.





Then we went to Winchester Park until I heard thunder and it started sprinkling.



Next we ended up at a really fun McDonalds’ Play Place.



Finally Sabrina ended up like this.

Marie-Anne

MLK Park

The kids and I went to Martin Luther King Park for P.E.









They both ran back and forth from the swings to the slides.



They also had a collision when Alex tried to climb up a slide and Sabrina went down at the same time. There were no serious injuries.

Marie-Anne

Red Rock Meadow

We enjoyed an afternoon of hiking at Red Rock Meadow. It was especially fun since Sabrina was able to hike too. No stroller this time!







First we climbed the rocks about a third of the way up the mountain.







Next we walked the boardwalk. I love going there.

Marie-Anne

Frank's birthday

Frank’s b-day was Thursday. We put up the Papa Museum about a week before; I had about 100 pictures of him taped up in the hall. (It has become a family tradition to have a museum of the b-day person.) We had a “surprise” b-day party, that he found out about, after Bible Study. I called just about everyone I could think of to invite them and we had almost 50 people there. It was a lot of fun.

Marie-Anne

Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival

Today we went back in time to the Age of Chivalry. We had a wonderful time.



Alex’s dreams of becoming a Roman soldier came true.



Alex also became a knight.



Alex got to ride a camel.





Sabrina and Alex both got in a battle for their lives.





Afterwards we stopped at the playground.


Marie-Anne

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