Friday, June 26, 2009

More Earrings!

I don't know if the reason she finally gave in was because her 3 sisters have pierced ears or not, but Maggie finally did it! She was nervous and worried about the pain. (The girl cries about everything but didn't even budge with wart removals or shots). She walked into Claire's. Then she walked back out. And then back in. Up into the chair she went with eyes squeezed close and fists in tight little balls. And then it was over. No tears or screams. Not even a flinch.

Maggie has joined the pierced ear club. She chose her August birthstone and is as happy as a clam. (Whatever that means...)









Monday, June 22, 2009

Reward Trip

Micah went on 3 different trains.



Caleb is driving this car.

Carlie got a chance to drive too. (She did rear end Caleb!)


The Mild Thing







Could she be any more excited?




Each year we try to do something fun to mark the end of another successful year of homeschooling. We all deserve it. (Especially me!) This year we decided to tackle Valleyfair. It was a fun day with weather a little on the cool side. That suited us just fine as we didn't need to fight people for a shady spot or constantly stand in line for a cool drink (which turns into standing in line at the bathroom).
Even a fun day turned into a learning day for our family. Here are a few things we learned.
1. Caleb's face turns a pasty shade of white when he goes on a roller coaster.
2. The train in the kid area goes out of the protective view out of the parents.
3. Micah doesn't mind being out of my eyesight, all alone on the train.
4. The rest of the family is not too happy when Micah is out of our eyesight, by himself.
5. The "responsible person" who needs to accompany the smaller kids on rides has to do the same rides over and over again. And that person was me, as I am the only adult who can handle the spinning.
6. The Scrambler is not as much fun the third time.
7. I don't like spinning as much as I used to.
8. People should use the bathroom before going on a roller coaster for the first time. You know who you are.
9. Ellie is fearless and will go on any ride...if she is tall enough.
10. Glory is even more fearless and went on rides that only Ellie would try.
11. Ice cream at Valleyfair costs as much as a meal at McDonald's for the whole family.
12. When you have six kids it is always a smart idea to have extra people along to help. (Thank you, Mom and Dad, for coming with at the last minute.)
13. Don't ever count on tired kids falling asleep on the drive home. (Glory and Micah talked and laughed the whole way.)

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Caleb's 10th Birthday

Okay. This post has been sitting, waiting to be published since Caleb's birthday. I haven't been able to do what I want with the pics on blogger for some reason, but here they are!

Caleb celebrated his tenth birthday with a campout with his closest buds. (These buds happen to be his cousins, too!)

Jordan, Cody, Jamison (in the back), Curtis and Caleb



Can I just say that boy parties are SO MUCH EASIER than girl parties?? No leaving anybody out or complaining or whining. (Okay, okay...there were a few tears out of the little guys, but they didn't last long.)







Play Time




He just can't get enough of his trucks, cars, planes and trains!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Brace Face!


Braces are on! Let the fun begin.
No gum. No corn on the cob. No sticky things. No crunchy things. Brushing, flossing, rinsing...over and over again.
But it will all be worth it.
2 years from now.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Taylor's Falls Day Trip




















Catch-Up

Summer vacation is in full-swing at our house and has already been over-the-top busy!

*Finished school a couple of weeks ago. Carlie and Caleb will complete their standardized tests today.

*The garden is in and growing. Herbs and flowers are planted. Now we just need some rain.

*The new septic/drain field will be finished up today. (Pictures later...what a mess our yard is!)

*Caleb turned 10!

*Did a Mother's Day trip to Taylor's Falls. So much fun. And it was great not to have to try to push Micah in a stroller.

*Spring cleaning. And cleaning. And cleaning.

*I have been sorting through homeschool stuff. And sorting. And sorting.

*Ordering curriculum for next year. (It is a vicious cycle that never ends!)


There you have it. A very short summary of what has been shakin' around here.