Mid-term

The kids have been enjoying and working hard at school. I can't believe that it is already February and summer seems fast approaching!

We spent the month of January studying a different "Animal of the Day" each morning. The kids then got to choose an animal to do a more in depth study of. They choose rabbits.

The kids put together their first lap book. It was a great way for them to put together their findings and be able to work fairly independently.

Last week we were able to enjoy meeting a live rabbit. She was very sweet and named Xena.

The kids also enjoyed getting to pick fresh farm eggs and eating them for lunch. I would really love to get some chickens but Sean and I differ on our opinions of them. I go through roughly 18 eggs a week so the thought of fresh eggs each day really excites me. Poor Sean just sees the added work involved.

Last week we were studying water and were able to paint with watercolors while we listened to Handel's water music. I had to hold back my laughter as I noticed Aiden with his eyes closed swaying his head back and forth. He really gets into his classical music!

Caileigh has been working hard at her reading and I often find her with a book sounding out words. She is still working hard at teaching Mikayla her colors and numbers, although I don't know how much progress they are making.

I absolutely love being able to teach my kids at home. It is such a gift to watch them learn new skills and master new understandings. Every day is so different and challenging. My decision to homeschool will definitely be a year by year decision but so far, I am enjoying these moments incredibly!

My new carrier arrived so now I can wear both boys at the same time.

{photo compliment of Aiden}

We're going on over two weeks with these boys being sick. Here they are all bathed and ready for bed. You can tell that they are stuffy and sleepy. In other related news, they are sleeping very well!! They remain unsettled during the first few hours after I put them down but once I go to sleep (around 10 or 11) they have only been waking up once before morning!! Funny enough I have been feeling more exhausted then ever. Don't get me wrong.......I am not complaining!!!

My Dad sent up some molds that you can use to form ice bricks. The kids have been having a blast setting up igloos and snow forts. I'm hoping that we can build a massive one on Sean's day off.

I always find it fascinating when you can watch your kids interact with others and see their personalties emerge. Today we went to a Winter Carnival. When we arrived, the fire department had their fire truck set up with lights flashing and they were allowing kids to climb aboard. I was a little nervous about Mikayla because she has been extremely frightened of fire trucks to the point that she was even having night terrors for awhile. Imagine my surprise when the fire man asks if the kids would like to go on and we turned around to find Mikayla climbing aboard! Caileigh followed after her and it was Aiden who hid behind my leg. The fireman asked if the kids would like to wear the big jacket and again Mikayla was running over to be first in line. We did manage to convince Aiden to stand in front for a picture assuring him that he didn't have to do anything but stand there.

Here are the older two huddled up in line waiting for the bouncy pirate ship.

The kids got to participate in many fun activities, eat popcorn, watch the Hawaiian dancers and in Aiden's words, "This is the best event of the year!!"