Fancy Sandwich Party

I love how with children, you can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. Take yesterday's lunch, for example. I didn't want to make anything for lunch that was gonna be too much work, but I knew that the kids were getting tired of Peanut Butter and Jelly. So, I made PBJ, Peanut Butter and Butter, Bologna, and Tuna sandwiches, cut them into triangles, arranged them each on their own plate, and put them on the kitchen table, at varying heights.

Then, I called them all in and told them that we were having "fancy sandwiches" for lunch. They were so excited. Hehehe. So funny.

The New School Room

I'm sure you all know this, but we're temporarily in a Rental here in Ohio. It's a pretty small house, but TONS bigger than the Scout Cabin, so I can't complain. Anyway, it has a living room, and a smaller room off of the living room (maybe like a sitting room) that opens up to the kitchen, the stairs, and a small bedroom. Not much space, and a main thorough way in the house. That's where the school room was set up. Let me tell you, it was sure crowded. 1 table set up as a desk with stuff stacked way up high. 2 other smaller desks for 2 other kids. A microwave cart as a printer holder. 2 bookshelves side by side for supplies. And, we still had to walk through it, as it was our main "hallway".

So, one Saturday when Brent was busy working, I decided to rearrange the house. For anyone who knows me, I do this quite often. Funny, because it's so not in my personality type to like change. But hey, we all have our quirks. Anyway, I decided to move Jacob and Thomas upstairs with the other kids, and turn their room into a school room. The best part of it is, I can put up a baby gate, and keep Jimmy and Joe (mostly Jimmy) out! We moved a small love seat and bookshelf into the old school area, and have a nice sitting area.

It really works quite well this way. Now I just have to figure out a way to get all 5 kids to go to sleep in the same room at night....







.

The Saddest Face EVER!

Poor Jacob. He hasn't been feeling right for a while now. One would think, from looking at this pic, that he was disappointed in his trophy. That couldn't be farther from the truth. Thursday and Friday of last week, he was sick. Puking in the toilet, can't stand up 'cause your head's swimming, fever and chills' sick. But, he was better on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. I guess he was complaining of a sore throat, but it's cold season.

So Wednesday night rolls around, and we go to Church scouts (yes, there is a distinction). He starts feeling sick again. I know that Jacob is sick when his energy level drops to zero, he's cold (that's a big red flag, right there!), and all the color drains out of his face. He just kind of hung out on the side of our meeting, not having enough energy to participate.

This is him getting his trophy from the Pinewood Derby. They were a week late, but better late than never! Anyway, he didn't have a very fun meeting, with him being sick and all. Poor Jacob.

We found out that Maylee Brower had Strep Throat, and I started to wonder if maybe that's what my kids had. I say kids, because that same day, Emeline started to get sick. She started to complain about a sore throat, and started getting chills, and loss of energy. Great. 2 sick kids.

Luckily, Brent was home for the evening, and needed to prepare for his conference the next day. So I left Emeline home with him to relax, and we went to Scouts. If I had known that Jacob was going to be sick too, I'd have left him home with Dad and Eme. Oh well. Who knew?

So, today, I called and made an appointment for the kids at the doctor. The heater guys were here in the AM, and our appointment was at 2:30. Jackson is 45 mintues away, so it was a bit of a drive. We cleaned and tried to make the house presentable for the heater guys (I'm sure they didn't care, but I sure did), did a few hours of school, and headed out to the doctor.

After hearing the symptoms and examining the kids, he said that it sounded like a virus, and not strep, but that he'd go ahead and do the culture anyway. Good thing he did, cause they both tested positive. A mother's instincts are hardly ever wrong.

Then, off to Wal-mart we went. Jacob was so sick by this point, that he just wanted to sit on the bench at the pharmacy. Unfortunately, they said that there was 100 other prescriptions to be filled before mine. Crazy! So, we wandered around Wal-mart for an hour, finding lots of "necessities". Actually, we didn't do bad considering the amount of time we had there.

Then, on home, and quite relaxing time. With 2 sick kids, I decided to let them watch some TV before bed. We'll finish up school on Saturday. I love the flexibility of homeschool!

So, here's to my poor Jacob, and his saddest (and sickest) face ever. We love you, Jacob!

My New WordArt Site

For those of you who were getting tired of all the WordArt, relief is in sight! Or would that be site? I made a new website for my WordArt, and will leave you all in peace here. I have a few new pics of the kids to put on, but I need to download them first. Homeschooling really does take a lot of time, did you know? Hehehe.

Anyway, check it out, and tell me what you think!

Jimmy, Then and Now

So I saw this idea on someone else's site, and LOVED it. So, I had to borrow the idea. Isn't it cute!!!!

For Mom

Families are forever is such a great "quote", I couldn't help but use it :) My mom requested the one about Christ, and who can say no to their mom? Certainly not me! So, here it is, Mom! Hope you like it :)

Blast from the Past

Look how little these kids were! Spring time in Chicagoland! Notice the MUD! We used to get so mad that the utility trucks who would drive in "our" vacant lot next door, and mess up "our" mud. Didn't they realize how messy it makes "our" vacant lot look? The nerve!

Here's Eme and Joe discovering the joy of mud and dirt!

Valentines Day Words and Friendship Quote

OK, Mom, I promise that I'll get some real pictures for you on here tonight. We have Scouts, and I promise that I'll take some real pictures for you then. For now, here's 3 more word arts. One is for Valentine's Day, one is I Am A Child of God, and the last is a nice quote on friendship. Enjoy!

Benjamin Franklin Quote

Today in Jacob's history class, we were studying Benjamin Franklin. This was a quote from the book. I thought it was really good, so I decided to Word Art it. Hope you enjoy. Click below to download.! :)

The Six B's

Here's another word art, this time, the 6's B's from President Hinckley. I just love these. Don't you? Just click on the image below to download.

Neat Quotes

Thought I'd share a few neat quotes that I found and made into word art with you all. Don't know how many of you Digiscrap, but it's really quite a bit of fun. Anyway, enjoy.

Click on the image to download the file.

Tenacious J by Lauren Reid.
WordArt by ME!

This layout was done by Steph, and it's super cute! I love how the little guy is in black and white at the bottom. Great effect! Fantastic job!!!

An Afternoon At Home

What a lovely afternoon at home. Who says you have to go "out" to have fun?

Joseph Guild

So sweet!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Happy Birthday, Mom! I'm sure glad that you're my mom. But you're so much more than just that to me. I'm glad that we're such good friends, and we truly enjoy each others company. We like to talk on the phone together, even if we're not saying anything. Even if I'm just listening to you work, or you're just listening to me talk to the kids.

I like that we laugh at the same things, and that we get each others funny sense of humor. I like that you were home when I was little. I like that you always went out of your way to help me out when I was in school. Like bringing forgotten items to school, or driving me around places, or staying up late to help me with homework.

I like that you came and helped out when I had my babies. I like that you like to take us places, and have lots of fun. You really do like to have a good time. You're not a boring mom. You most definitely not!

I like how you are not afraid to share you testimony with anyone (and I really do mean anyone!). I like how you've started listening to Glenn Beck, and are so interested in politics right now. That's so good for you!

I like how you send the kids and I interesting things in the mail. You've always done that! Even at college, I can remember getting a box with the most random stuff in it from you. Life is always a surprise!

I like that you love your grandkids, and let them talk to you (or listen to you) on the phone. That's real love!

Thanks so much for being my Mom, and for most importantly, being my friend!

I love you, Mom

Happy Birthday

Eme and Jimmy

Aren't they adorable?

Pack 30 Pinewood Derby

Here's a few photos from our Pack Pinewood Derby. It was a lot of fun, considerening the amount of space we had to work with. Lots of bodies in a tiny room. Togetherness, right?

Thomas pulled off a win in the Wolf den, bringing home a trophy. Jacob got 2nd place in the Webelos, and Mom got a 2nd place in the open class - adult. Emeline got 1st place in the open class - youth, and Joe got 3rd place in the open class - youth.

Well done to everyone! The cars looked fabulous!

The Amazing Spiderman

Thank you so much, Grandma Lyn, for sending new undies to the kids! They were all so excited to try them on, and show them off. But, only Jim and Joe got pictures taken. Pictures of spiderman undies on little kids is cool. Pictures of undies on big kids is just inappropriate!

Jim from October, 2007

Isn't he just the cutest thing ever!

See the Resemblance?

He already thinks he knows what he wants to be for Halloween this year!

For those of you out there who don't follow Harry Potter, this is Mad-Eye Moody, the auror. But surely all of you knew that :) Doesn't everyone love Harry Potter?

OHVA Winter Days

What a fun time we had at the library today! This was one of the many "face to face" opportunities our school has to offer. Anyone in OHVA in the Chillicothe area was invited to come and participate in a fun get-together at the library. The kids played relay games, listened to stories, ate a snack, decorated cards for soldiers, made foam bead necklaces, played board games, and just had fun!

We were glad that our friends from church, the Tyres and the Stalcups were there! It's so nice having church friends be our school friends! Kids, moms, and babies all enjoyed themselves!!!