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.

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.

Cooking Breakfast Over the Fire

Saturday morning was a beautiful time to sit around the fire. Derek decided we would enjoy breakfast outside. He cooked the bacon and mixed up the bannock. The boys found sticks and were ready to cook their bannock. 

After much patience and fighting of smoke, the bannock was done. While it cooled the boys enjoyed a few pieces of bacon, then devoured their bannock.

It was fun to watch the boys learning how to cook over a fire, a favorite past time of their Dad.

Magic Tree House: Passport to Adventure Tour

Micah and Matthew both love to read the Magic Tree House Books. They are great books to get kids reading chapter books and to learn about many different places of the world and different times in history.

Time for a Magic Tree House Adventure!

The boys are ready to go. In amazement at the huge bus. Especially that Jack is riding the Pteranodon from the book Dinosaur Before Dark, which he had started reading in the morning. 

Enthralled! Matthew sat, watched and laughed as Jack and Annie sang and shared. Micah was actively engaged in all that he could. Clapping and yelling. Both boys are becoming Magic Tree House Reading Ambassadors.

New Reading Ambassadors meeting Jack and Annie. All the books we had with us are stamped by Jack and Annie. Matthew is now more excited, if that is possible, to read all the Magic Tree House books. Micah is ready to see if he can find any that he hasn't read.

First Day of Our School Year

On August 15,2011 we started our new school year. Although, we do some school year round I try to make a point of doing something different on the first day of a new year. Now, the boys are "officially" in their new grades.  It is also a time for us to get back into a full day of school, as during the summer we typically drop down to one or two subjects a day to allow us more time to be outside.

This year, we ate lunch outside and took pictures after doing our work.  The boys have also asked for a weekly assignment sheet, so they know what is expected of them each day. This will take some more organization on my part but if it cuts down on the arguements about what needs to be done each day it will be worth it.

Bryce our new third grader.

Micah our new first grader.

Matthew our new Preschooler.

Kiwanis Cub Scout Camp Weekend

Derek, Bryce, Micah and I attended Cub Scout Camp this weekend. It was hot, exhausting and more fun then can really be described. The boys were busy from the time we arrived until it was time for closing flag.

After completing our swim test - a great way to start a warm weekend:) The boys meet some new friends and played some basketball.

Saturday was jam packed with activies. Micah loved riding the ponies and being able to go to the archery range. He loved these so much that, he visited both of these stations during free time also. Archery was an interesting station for him. He started out very timid and scared to pull the arrow back, by the end of his time on Sunday he was working on his aim and hitting the target 90% or the time. I am proud of his hard work and persistence in trying new things. 

Bryce loved hanging out with five of his friends from his crazy den. The boys learn many different things but I think the biggest thing was they earned their whittling chips. They also had a blast going through the personal fitness obstacle course, especially the zip line.

Bryce enjoyed shooting BB guns, whittling and being responsible for carrying the den flag.

Micah was able to be part of the color guard at closing flag.

Matthew had fun spending time with Uncle Mikey and Aunt Jessica. He enjoyed going to see Cars 2 and the beach. He loved being the center of attention all weekend long.

Happy 6th Birthday Micah

Mario Man is 6 years old. Micah is in love with Mario and Legos.  Now if we could combine these to things I don't think we would be able to get him off the ceiling. He loved to be able to celebrate his birthday with all of his family.  He loves all of his presents.  His joy is contagious. Happy 6th Birthday Micah, this will be a great year.

First Day of School

On July 26, 2010  the boys started thier school year.

Bryce is now a second grader.

From 2010-07-26 First Day of the School Year

Micah is a Kindergartner.

From 2010-07-26 First Day of the School Year

Matthew is a Pre-schooler.

From 2010-07-26 First Day of the School Year

Our first day of school was all done outside. The boys thought it was great to be able to work at their own train table. The highlight of the day was Art. (Guess I need to make sure to do art more often.)  Matthew was so excited to use glue. The boys really enjoyed making picures out of construction paper and then having thier pictures taken. I loved how they were willing to work hard even with the distratiions of being outside.

Spending time with Great- Grandma

Today, we went to the Mall of America with Great-Grandma, Grandma, and Grandpa. All three boys enjoyed being able to talk with all three grandparents. Here is a picture of the boys with Great-Grandma.

Happy 5th Birthday Micah!

Today, we celebrated Micah's 5th Birthday. He wanted to play Candyland and have spagetti for dinner. Such simple things to make his day. The rest of the day was spent playing outside and at homeschool gym. 

A Proud Reader

About two weeks ago, Micah started reading The Beginner's Bible to me. He is so very proud of himself that he can read the bible. At the end of each story, I ask a question or two, he bounces as he proudly answers from what he just read. Learning to read has been a huge thing for him as he feels like the big guy that he is. I am very proud of my newest reader.