A Fun Writing Assignment

Amos provided a great opportunity to give Bryce something different to write about. Bryce is in love with his cousin and wants to learn how to care for him and help babysit.  So, when he stayed with us last week, Bryce had a lesson in changing a diaper. Then he had to write a paragraph about the process of changing Amos.

Bryce starting to change his first diaper.

Changing Amos is hard. I was only able to undo the diaper. That's when he broke into crying chaos! He and his diaper were poopifried. Matthew calmed him down with the song on his bib when you gave him to us.

Amos was a good sport and was only upset because he was having his diaper changed. Bryce did a good job trying but didn't think the full load was fair on his first diaper change.

Matthew also had fun with the camera and snapped this picture of Amos.

We all love Amos's smiles

September Camping

In mid September, we spent a weekend camping with the Kspekas and Fausts. It was almost like we had no kids as the kids play so well together. But, then they also like to eat and be entertained from time to time. 

Thursday night before we headed out, Derek and I took the boys out to gather pine cones for a craft project.

On Saturday morning, we hiked to a craft activity for the kids. Going under the hi-way and playing on the concrete going up to the bridge. 

 Well what we thought was one craft activity ended up being a craft buffet. The kids had a blast as they were able to make as many things as they wanted and none of them were thrilled to leave. 

Matthew, Caroline and Caleb were the Sesame Street gang for the weekend.

Sunday morning was the return of a wonderful camping breakfast of the unhealthiest variety.

DONUTS

They were enjoyed by all and Bryce loved being able to help making them.

The weather was beautiful and the weekend was relaxing.

Micah 6:8

To act justly and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with our God.

Learning to act justly is tough for a kid. Why do I need to be fair? Why do I have to share?

Compassion comes easily for some and hard for others.

Walking humbly is just plain tough.

I hope to teach the boys how to do all this yet I struggle too.  

Spending the day with their cousin is a good start. They have to learn to share their time with Amos. They have to learn to respect Amos' space and what he is saying, without saying words. 

Matthew is enthralled with Amos.

All 3 boys and Lucy want to play and love on Amos.

The smiley star of the day.

In the afternoon, the boys had their first soap carving lesson. 

They carved hearts to help illustrate our bible verse for the day.

First Day of Kindergarten, Second and Fourth Grade

Today, we began our new school year.

Three boys all school aged, it should prove to be a fun and interesting year.

Matthew - Kindergarten

Micah - Second Grade

Bryce - Fourth Grade

All the boys working on their copy work. It is fun to see how their writing changes through the year and over the years. 

At the end of our day, I asked each boy to pick out the book they would be most upset about not being able to complete this year. (I tried asking what they were excited for and received the answer of free time:)

Matthew picked his math book because now he is doing math like his big brothers.

Micah picked Beast Academy because it is fun math and the book is a comic book.

Bryce picked Creative Writer because for him the entire day should be about creative writing.

I am excited to see how the boys grow through their school work this year. 

Crystal Cave

To end our summer break, we spent the day at Crystal Cave.

The formations in the cave were amazing to look at. We enjoyed watching a few bats fly around the cave, although it is early for bats to begin their hibernation. A few have figured out the cave is a good place to sleep in cool air while it is warm outside. 

After the cave tour, the kids panned for gems. The loved finding the different gems and figuring out what they were. Then spent most of the afternoon looking at a playing with their new found gems.  

Summer has come to a close.
Next week, we start our new school year.

Minnesota State Fair

Minnesota State Fair a chance to spend the day as a family with thousands of other people.  

 The boys earned their tickets by participating in the library's summer reading program. After reading for 20 hours, they each earn their State Fair Ticket. 

Little Hands Farm

Matthew really enjoyed all the activities.

Building at Home Depot

Bryce made a toolbox, Micah made a Helicopter and Matthew made a Sailboat.

Food, hats and dancing all just part of the State Fair experience.

Landscape Drawing at St. Croix Bluffs

Art = a subject that brings great joy

Hiking = A chance to observe God's wonderful creation

We went hiking at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park and observed God's wonderful creation. The kids had a fun time drawing landscapes with oil pastels.

First we drew up on the bluff. 

Then we headed down to the beach. Bryce found a great perch to draw on the beach.

Opening Ceremonies

The Olympics provide great learning and fun for kids of all ages. To kick off the Olympics the kids carried the torch around the track and participated in various track and field events. 

Carrying the torch with Pride.

Standing Long Jump

Running Long Jump

40m dash

Water Balloon Hurdles

 Water Balloon target practice.

Camps

After coming home from Scout Camp we headed into 3 weeks of camp for various kids. Matthew kicked things off with 3 days of Vacation Bible School at St. Luke's. The following week Bryce headed to Covenant Pines Bible Camp for the week and Micah to Vacation Bible School. It was a very quiet week as I only had Matthew for 5 hours each day and strange for Bryce not to be here all week. This week, we wrapped up our big summer camps with Micah attending SkyHawk Football Camp.

Bryce heading to Covenant Pines

 Bryce's cabin crew on the first day of camp.

Crazy child swinging into the lake.

 Micah showing of his newly learned passing, catching and defensive skills.

Teamwork and respect were important topics at Football camp.

Kiwanis Scout Camp

Our annual trip to Kiwanis Scout Camp has come and gone. The boys had fun in all of the different activities throughout the day. Favorites include the pool, archery, and the obstacle course.

Micah was excited for archery before we ever got to camp planning to visit the archery range during free time. He worked hard and shot many arrows. In the end, his hard work paid off and he earned his Marksman patch. To earn Marksman, he had to have all 5 arrows on the target with 3 in red or better. His goal is to earn Sharpshooter or Expert next year. 

This year, Bryce as a Webelos, was finally able to climb the climbing tower. This was a fun way for him to close out his time at Kiwanis. 

As a Wolf, Micah was able to be part of the Honor Guard for closing flag on Sunday afternoon. He had the very important job of folding the American Flag. He got a little stuck, but Lumberjack helped him out. He carried the flag with pride and did a great job. 

Matthew spent the weekend with Nana and PopPop. He loved playing in the pool and popping bubbles and the picnic at church on Sunday. 

Next year brings the first of many transitions in scouting to come. Bryce will head off to Navajo Camp at Tomahawk Scout Reservation and spend our Kiwanis weekend with Nana and PopPop. While, Matthew will be joining Micah at Kiwanis as a Tiger Scout. The boys are growing all to fast.

Lake Elmo with the Faust Family

It is great to have Jim and Reagan living in Minnesota. This morning Reagan and I took the kids to Lake Elmo to go swimming. The kids were very excited to be going swimming.

Reagan sitting with 4 out of 6 kids. 

Hippos are favorite toys.

Caleb liked the boat.

We had fun splashing, digging and of course swimming. 

A Day with Amos

We had the privilege of watching Amos for the day while his mom and dad celebrated their second wedding anniversary. The boys were very excited to get to spend the day with their newest cousin. 

Amos hanging out with Aunt Karen and Uncle Derek.

Bryce feeding Amos. He was very proud to be able to help babysit.

Matthew peaking at Amos napping on the couch and proudly holding him. 

Micah also loves his cousin but is still unsure because he is so little. He loves to show him pictures and watch from a distance.

Cabin Weekend

Relaxing, what summer is all about. 

We spent the weekend at the cabin with Grandma and Grandpa. On Friday, the boys spent the day building sand castles all over the the fire pit ring and the camera never came out. The rest of the weekend Bryce and Micah spent as much as they could playing foosball.

Matthew's activity of choice was playing Battle Ship.

Matthew also helped Grandpa assemble his new grill. 

Reading the directions to Grandpa.

Here is the part you asked for Grandpa.

"Grandpa, we can't skip the step. I think this goes here," says Matthew.

Working to get the screw tight.

The boys went swimming and Micah picked up a slug. Grandpa took it off and put the slug on a fishing hook as bait. Matthew held the pole and the bobber went under. With Grandpa's help he pulled up a Large Mouth Bass. 

On Sunday, Grandpa wanted to cut down a tree before it fell on the garage. Yet, it needed to be pulled away from the garage. So boys on the job to pull the tree over so Grandpa could safely cut it down.