The Boxcar Children

Last night Alex came to me and told me that he could read The Boxcar Children books. So I had him read the first page to me and sure enough he read it quite well. He then got the first book in the series and read two chapters before going to bed. This morning he spent a lot of time reading and then not long after lunch he finished the book. He is my Kindergartner with whom I have not really spent much time school wise. My older two books read this series the summer between first grade and second grade. After he finished reading the book, he came and told me about some of the things he had read in the book. It is exciting to see a child move into chapter books. Welcome to the world of reading! Today I found a post that relates to this post but is said in oh so much better a way than I have done. Take some time to read this post. It is "Goodbye Dr. Seuss."

Triplets

I took this picture yesterday morning before we went to church. These three mallard ducks were visiting our backyard. They were right up near our patio but by the time I got my camera and my husband opened the door, they decided to head back down to the creek.

A Poem by Samuel

Thank You Edison
By: Samuel Reuben

Thank you Edison
For making the light bulb bright;
Thank you Edison
For doing what was right.

One must not be outdone by big brother, so here is a poem written by Samuel after Curtis wrote his poem. Curtis' poem was an assignment for English but Samuel's was pure voluntary.

A Sound Poem by Curtis

The Thunderstorm
By: Curtis Stephen

The rain poured down.
Boom! Crash! The thunder roared.
The lightning flashed.
Pitter, patter went the rain
upon the windowpane.
The wind whistled through the trees.
Ting! Ping! The hail hit against the pail.

Curtis was ecstatic yesterday when we had a thunderstorm that included hail. He got his poem and read it to us during the storm.

Indiana State History

We would love to spend some time this summer learning more about Indiana. Neither my husband or I are from Indiana so we don't know a whole lot about the state's history. I am looking for living book ideas for my soon to be third and fourth graders and suggestions of historical places to visit to reinforce some of what we will have read about. If you would like to share some suggestions with us, please do so by leaving your ideas in the comment box. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Happy Birthday, Samuel!

Samuel waiting for his cake

The Cake!

Samuel with his fisherman cake.

Julissa thinks it is her birthday!


Eight years ago today, Samuel came rushing into the world. He came so fast his face was bruised. While still in the delivery room he drank a half ounce of formula. His sugar was low and he needed food. He still seems to have that problem on occasion. His younger brother was sleeping through the night before he was. He would get up in the night to drink a cup of milk and then go right back to sleep. Two months after he was born we packed up and moved several hours north. We are still there today. He has basically known no other house than this one. He is my child who loves to read books of the wild west, indians, cowboys, etc. It is hard to believe eight years have gone by since his birth.

More Birthday Pictures

Jeff and Samuel with his new desk.

Samuel standing in front of his desk.

Samuel holding the pencil holder Curtis made for him.

My Baby Boy Lost His First Tooth!

Alex lost his first tooth today. What a bitter-sweet moment.
My youngest boy is growing up.

A Bible Quiz

You know the Bible 100%!

Wow! You are awesome! You are a true Biblical scholar, not just a hearer but a personal reader! The books, the characters, the events, the verses - you know it all! You are fantastic!

Ultimate Bible Quiz
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I'm Enjoying the Chimes!

On Saturday, my husband hung the wind chime (my Valentine's Day gift) outside the front door under the eaves. I can hear its beautiful sound while I sit here and post. I am really enjoying it.

Squirt Gun Fun!

It was warm enough out today that the boys decided it would be a great time to have a squirt gun fight. They enjoyed themselves running through the woods squirting each other.

Hanging Flower Baskets

It was a beautiful day. It felt like we went from winter to spring. After going to a few garage sales this morning, I decided to put out a few things myself. I was out off and on for 2 or 3 hours and then closed up shop and headed to Lowe's. While we were there we picked up a couple of hanging flower baskets. They are New Guinea Impatiens.

Neighborhood Garage Sale

This weekend is our neighborhood's biannual yard sale. This morning my five kids and I walked around within our part of the development. I was able to find two very nice jumpers for Briana. It is very hard to find her clothes that are long enough that don't look too old for her. She is very tall for being just four years old. She has been in the 95th percentile for height from the time she was a baby. We also found a few good books and some Legos. The Lego set is not complete but has enough in it to make the boys extremely happy. They have spent most of the afternoon playing with them. They have also spent some time reading some of the books.

Another Sign of Spring

As soon as my husband has some time at home, I am sure this sign of spring will be gone.

My Little Army Girl

Julissa all dressed up in Samuel's army outfit.

Starting Young

Photo taken by Briana (our 4 year old)

Julissa (our 2 year old) studying the dictionary.

Ladies First

Memories through Literature

Not much was accomplished today in the way of checking off our checklists. But many memories were made in the sharing of poetry, the singing together of songs and hymns, and the reading of storybooks. For reviews of good children's literature visit Children's Book Monday at A Path Made Straight.

A Poem We Enjoyed Today

Foreign Lands
By Robert Louis Stevenson

Up into the cherry tree

Who should climb but little me?

I held the trunk with both my hands

And looked abroad in foreign lands.

I saw the next door garden lie,

Adorned with flowers, before my eye,

And many pleasant places more

That I had never seen before.

I saw the dimpling river pass

And be the sky's blue looking-glass;

The dusty roads go up and down

With people tramping in to town.

If I could find a higher tree

Farther and farther I should see,

To where the grown-up river slips

Into the sea among the ships,

To where the roads on either hand

Lead onward into fairy land,

Where all the children dine at five,

And all the playthings come alive.

Handmade by Curtis

Curtis made himself a pencil holder today.

Chocolate Ice Cream

Julissa enjoyed her chocolate ice cream.

Busy with Lessons

It has been a busy few days. The oldest two boys had piano lessons on Friday. While they were at their piano lesson the youngest three and I went shopping at Target for beach towels and swimming goggles. The clerk said that hopefully before too long they would come in handy. So I explained to him that the three boys would be starting swimming lessons on Saturday. He then continued the conversation by saying that it was to be raining and snowing on Saturday. So I had to further explain that they would be swimming indoors. We signed them up for lessons through the YMCA but at a nearby middle school. They all three seemed to really enjoy it and will continue lessons for 6 more Saturdays. So we shall not be going away weekends for awhile.

April Snow Brings May ???

It is snowing today. A pleasant 31 degrees.

Working Hard

Curtis working hard - writing those spelling words.
This is one of his least favorite things to do.

Strolling Down Memory Lane

Our five children on Easter 2005. It's amazing the changes that have taken place in the last two years. Where has time gone?

Imaginext

Imaginext Fire Station

I went to bed last night with a sore throat and woke up not feeling much better so I gave the kids an extra day off school. Yesterday, for Easter the boys got several new Imaginext pieces so today they got the rest of what they own out and have spent the day playing with it.

Easter 2007

Our five children on Easter Sunday afternoon.