Samuel survived the weekend, albeit a bit cold. Great experience and new friendships made. Hannah had her eye appointment this afternoon and everything looked just fine. The Dr. was sure it's a language thing and not a problem with vision. This morning we got in the Sub., everything loaded and ready to go. Except, that is for the Sub. Dead battery, I'm assuming. However, we still have another vehicle and we piled into it, making it in just enough time to get everything done I needed to do before school started. On a happy growing note, a lot of our seeds have started sprouting! I'm glad we started this early, inside.

Samuel now has a warm blanket, a heavier coat, hat, and mittens. I forgot the long underwear, but at least he'll be warmer. I don't envy those boys, but I know they're having a great time. Have at it!

Spring is definitely in the air around here. Things are greening up, including the weeds, sadly, and our red bud is blooming. We found some garlic cloves sprouting when we were going to make hummus. What is there to do but plant them! From there, it was only a small step to hitting Walmart for some sees and peat pots, which we've never done. I do believe this is the earliest we've started doing any gardening, so I'm hopeful THIS year will be the best yet. We bought green onion, peas, beefsteak tomatoes, broccoli, and cucumbers. We also kept some seeds from 2 kinds of apples and planted them as well. So far, it's just some condensation on the lid, but I'm looking forward to seeing some sprouts. Interestingly, we found a watermelon plant coming up from last year's seed while we were weeding this week. Sadly, I found it AFTER I pulled it. I quickly tucked it back in, so I'm hopeful it may survive.

We also took advantage of the weather to meet the Urbans at the park for a play date. What fun to get out of the house and enjoy some fresh air with friends. I think we need to do that much more often!

Samuel went off to his first Boy Scout camping trip yesterday. He was excited, and I was not sure what to think. First time he was on his own- no parents are needed because the boys are on their way to becoming responsible men and have the opportunity to practice it more each time they go out. Of course, the scout leaders are there, and some parents do go for the fun of it. When I got up this morning and saw 44 degrees, my first thought was about whether he'd packed well enough to be warm. I do believe he has enough layers to be just fine. (I think I started packing winter things away too soon.)

A few weeks ago, we had Hannah evaluated for school. Next Tuesday morning is the parent meeting with all the therapists, counselor, and nurse. It's kind of funny to think about the meeting, because H has already gone beyond what she was doing when I first spoke with the Speech Pathologist. One thing we need to take care of is an eye appointment. When we first visited the Dr, we weren't really able to assess her vision in the office, but it appeared not to be a problem. However, when we had some follow up with the school nurse, her far vision testing was really all over the place. She could identify the shapes close up, but when it was far away, she was touching shapes some shapes appropriately and some not even close to what she should have touched. Monday we'll get that taken care of. Amazing to think they can tell without verbal responses what some one's vision is!

For all these months when we'd put her in class at church, we put her with Caleb. She knows him, they play together all the time, and it was more her developmental level. Her vocab is increasing and she's done really well in the 3's. This Sunday, I'm going to try her in the 4's to see how she does. She's not rowdy at all, follows instructions, and likes to be with other kids, so I think she'll be fine. (It'll be interesting to see what Caleb does.) It's amazing to think she'll be 6 in 6 weeks!

Last night was a fun Mothers' Night Out with our CC group. So nice to get out without having an errand to do and just enjoy being an adult! It may be I'm the only one who feels like that, but I'm quite comfortable admitting I need it and need to do it more. I'm glad we have a great community that does things like this and helps keep in mind what our goals of home educating are and that none of us is Super Woman, but God's leading us and helping us along our path. It's going to be good when we look back and see what He's done and where He's brought us.

Off to enjoy our Saturday. Have a great weekend!

It's official- Samuel is a Boy Scout! Tonight was his Arrow of Light ceremony, where he crosses from being a Cub Scout to another leg of the journey to manhood. That was a tearful thougth for me. How can this be happening? He's only 11! One of his accomplishments was earning all 20 merit badges during his time as a Webelo, which is pretty rare. It was down to the wire, but we got it done! He looks so serious in all his pictures...When the ceremony began, the Scouts were each called out and 4 "warrior" were sent to "bring me this brave." (My camera was acting up when S was taken.)They were stripped of all their Cub Scout symbols and asked if they accepted the challenge of the arrow. Some of the boys were a good 6 inches shorter than S, and appeared a bit intimidated! When they accepted, they got some face paint.They had to say they had done their best when holding this arrow, representing their past, and pledge to do their best in the future- holding the peace pipe.Still very serious standing in front of the Chief.Then they took a walk over a bridge, saying good bye to their former Cub Masters first, and stepping over to their new Scout Master. Then the received their new Scout neckerchief and shoulder thingies. Samuel was so pleased! It was the best, longest smile I've seen on him in a long time.Saying the Scout Oath with some of his new Troop's members and leaders.In the words of Larry the Cucumber- "I laughed. I cried. It moved me, Bob."
We're off to the races with a campout this weekend! Let the fun begin!

It's not even 8 pm and all is quiet! I'm looking forward to watching Chopped All Stars and cutting things out for my class tomorrow. The kids had a fun weekend with the grandparents- Samuel went with his cousin and Grandpa to the hunting land and did boy things I'm sure he would never do if I was there, and I'm so glad he can. The younger 3 went to Grandma's house to hang out and get spoiled for a few days. I went to a friends house and spent 2 nights having fun, relaxing, talking homeschool, going along for the ride with what their family was doing. It was fun for all the Wrights!
A couple of things I got from being their were: homeschool ideas, what a family of 6 looks like to an observer, and allowing the grace of God get you through daily challenges. They come to everyone, and the bigger the family, the more. But God's grace! (I like those 1st 2 words- but God. What would/ could life be like- but God in His infinite love and mercy...) Probably noone else in the whole world could relate, but there are times I forget to lean on Him and trust Him to be. Be what? My everything. And the cool thing is, He's not ticked at me when I do. In fact, I'm sure He's up there saying, "Delahne, I love you! You can trust me to carry it for you, to give you the wisdom you need, etc." Good reminders of that throughout the weekend.
It was great to see the kids again, to be home, to look forward to walking this week out with my eyes in the right direction.

Caleb and Hannah were racing across the living room while I was getting some work done this morning. "Come on, Cheese Pasta!" C called to H.

Yesterday, out of nowhere, Samuel sat down and started playing piano. He took lessons for a few months in 2nd grade, and I taught them a bit when we first started homeschooling, but nothing beyond that. He played and played last night. Then this morning, he and C started playing again. So much fun to hear them actually making music!

Our little lizzards are doing well, but we need to hurry to the pet store for some more crickets.

On Monday while I was teaching my class, I happened to look down into the gym and saw C & H's class down there playing. We've been working really hard to help H gain balance and not shuffle when she is standing. Behold, she help a basketball, bent her knees, and threw the ball WITHOUT MOVING HER FEET! That is huge! I was so excited to see that. When I told her PT on Tuesday, she told me how much strength she's gained.

The sun is shining, and I've got some rose bushes to plant. Have a great week!

Last week, my computer crashed! So sad not be able to be online. Good news is- it's better than ever thanks to one of my friends! AND I can put pictures on here! So....

Doesn't he look so cute and sweet? So happy to be in our new room? Well, this happy little guy has gotten a new whiff in the air lately and has taken off every chance he can get through our little wobbly gate to run around. Well, Thursday he got out and we didn't realize it until too late. We went around the neighborhood, with no signs of him anywhere. Friday, we walked around the neighborhood, and talked to neighbors who might have seen him. Yes, some had- and the animal control people. By the time we got back, it was closed, so I left a message. We had just made a tag for him, but it fell off before he left and hadn't been found yet. This morning we got a call that they had our little boy. Would you believe he ran off twice as soon as I set him down! We made good efforts to fix it, but weren't very effective. I got some help this afternoon, so now we're sure the back yard is safe. Now, we have to remember to shut the door going to our school room if the garage door is open, so he can't go out that way. Looking forward to spring scents to leave the air.

This is our future school room! We're ready to go...Here it is! We still have some things to do, but this is a good start.

We like to take walks together when it's nice out. Hannah actually likes to walk, and can walk pretty far. I always take the stroller for when she gets tired. It's pretty cool how she's doing lately. She hated me touching her feet, but has had such a shift in the last feet. She is able to joke with me and stay distracted while I stretch them, instead of panicking because I've looked at them. She really enjoys playing out in the school room- we have a play kitchen out there, and she and Caleb have had fun playing with play dough. She brings us food to eat- globs of dough that are delicious! Her balance and coordination are really coming along a lot. Such a pretty picture of Sammy.

Hannah really likes tattoos, and especially the kitty ones from her sister rewarding her for doing what she says.

Back in the beginning of February, we had snow! Hannah was mixed about it, but here are some pictures of their fun. Samuel and Caleb enjoyed sparring with their gear. Sadly, we've had to decide what to cut out of our busy schedule, and karate was the thing that first popped up. So, sparring will have to be done at home right now. (What a bummer that I had to go buy that all important piece of protection for boys!)

Our little memorial to the late Frenzy. However, our 2 new lizards are doing beautifully, and have so much energy that they have gotten out of the little holes in the top of their habitat and taken a tour of the living room! No worries, they are in their proper homes now. I'm a bit shocked to say I have worms in my house, voluntarily! Evidently, they need crickets and worms to complete their diet, nicely dusted with calcium so they can be digested. I'd put a picture of them on here, but they don't say still very long.

Before we totally cleared the drift, we got to take a picture. Caleb likes that hat a lot, and wears it even when it's really warm out. He is a little puppy who is sooo cute! I've been searching for some organizational things for our rooms and just around the house. Yesterday, I employed my drill and put somethings together that I think will be really helpful. Unfortunately, there is chaos when you organize, but we are coming out of it surely.

That's about all there is to tell. We're doing well and looking forward to the rest of the weekend.

Have a great one!