Alex’s read-a-thon for charity

I read on a blog about a kid doing a read-a-thon with the donations going to charity. I thought it was a great idea so Alex is doing it too. We chose Voice of the Martyrs for our charity. They are a non-profit that helps Christians in countries where there is heavy persecution. http://www.persecution.com/

Alex will continue reading until he has read 62 books (filling the sheet of paper). Every cent donated will be sent to Voice of the Martyrs. If you would like to sponsor him please leave a comment or e-mail me.

Marie-Anne

Shadow Rock Park with Frank’s parents

We went to Shadow Rock Park this morning so the grown-ups could watch the air show while the kids played.







I brought the Easy Score Kick Croquet game that Alex got for his b-day. The kids were excited about it, but they didn’t understand how to play. Alex kept picking up the ball and carrying it to the next goal. Though they didn't play with it long this time, I'm sure we will have lots of fun with this game in the future.





After they played for a little bit they ran off to the play ground. Alex wasn't in the mood for pictures, can't you tell?

Marie-Anne

Alex’s 6th b-day

I can hardly believe that Alex is 6! I am so glad that his grandparents got to be with him today.



We used some of Alex’s b-day money to take him to Pump It Up on his b-day. We spent most of the morning there and both kids had so much fun especially on the giant slide.

Marie-Anne

Alex’s 6th B-day Party

Last night we had Alex’s 6th b-day party after Bible study. He had a lot of fun.



We had a puppet show in children’s church.



We also played musical chairs.



Then we played Duck, Duck, Goose.



After bible study we had cake and punch.



Alex got some gifts. Alex thinks it was the best party he's ever had.

Marie-Anne

Old Mormon Fort

Yesterday we went with Frank’s parents to the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort, which is a state park. It is the first permanent structure in the valley. The adults enjoyed learning the history and the kids enjoyed the creek.









Marie-Anne

Hollywood Park with Jacob

We have been taking advantage of the cooler weather to get in as many park days and outdoor activities as we can.



Today Jacob had a half day of school so we were able to take just the two of them to the playground. It has been a while since Jacob was able to go with us and Alex was quite happy to have time with his best friend.



The boys had a great time rolling down a small hill.



As we were leaving I noticed the grass near the parking lot was filled with dandelions. We couldn’t resist.

Marie-Anne

Red Rock Meadow with Lulu

Today wasn’t the best day to go to Red Rock Meadow- it was cold and even sprinkled. We went anyway. It was Lulu and Jr.’s first time.



We walked part way around the boardwalk enjoying the beautiful yellow leaves.



We saw a rainbow.









Then we hit the trail! Afterwards we enjoyed a picnic before heading home. Even though it was cold we all enjoyed it.

Marie-Anne

Park Scare

Saturday Sabrina went with Tamie and me to MLK Park to invite people to church. Of course we had to stop and let her play at the play ground for a few minutes.

We noticed a woman with a couple of dogs talking to a kid with a dog. She told him that she had a leash for him. Tamie and I exchanged looks, but didn’t say anything. She then told the boy that she only lived a few blocks away. We stopped them to invite them to church and also so she knew we saw them together. He hesitated when his dog wandered off, but he left the park with her! She told him the dog would be there when he got back.

As they left we were very concerned and we both felt that she was a stranger to the boy. We quickly went to the car so we could follow them. It took a few minutes and we lost track of them. Tamie was getting out to ask a man if he’d seen them when the boy came out of a neighborhood carrying a leash and a bowl of dog food.

We breathed a big sigh of relief. Then Tamie called the boy over. Again he hesitated, but came to our car, (remember we are strangers to him as well). She told him we were worried about him and warned him about going off with people he didn’t know.

Please tell your kids that strangers can seem very nice. They shouldn’t go with anyone they don’t know. It doesn’t matter if it’s a man or a woman.

Marie-Anne

Sabrina’s 2nd Birthday

Sabrina is two years old! She’s growing so so fast.





I took the kids to a park that we haven’t been to in a while.

Later we met some friends at McDonalds. All the kids had a blast at the play place.(I didn't get any good pics.)

Sabrina got a lot of gifts. She got two baby dolls, dress up clothes, a Strawberry Shortcake coloring book, a game, a stuffed hearse (her way of saying horse), glitter bracelets, counting bears, a bottle for her dolls, a couple of puzzles, and she has more on the way! (We have a big family.) Thankfully several relatives are sending money so we’ll use it for homeschool stuff or trips to museums and the zoo.

Marie-Anne

Sabrina’s 2nd Birthday Party

My baby turns 2 tomorrow! We had her party tonight after church.



The birthday girl wearing a costume from Aunt Sandy.



Sabrina’s beautiful (and yummy) birthday cake.



Is this Sabrina’s third or fourth cup of punch? (Rainbow sherbet and sprite)



She loves her two talking babies! We gave her one and a friend gave her one.

Marie-Anne

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