A love of books!

As we home school together, a lot of our education comes through books. We love reading out loud together, and Justin and I love to snuggle in bed together and read our own books next to each other as well. We've had many a late night reading fests!

This month we are reading together, The Swiss Family Robinson by Wyss, which we LOVE!

Justin is an amazing reader. This month I actually recorded all the books he read (aside from school reading)...

• Follow My Leader / Garfield
• McBroom's Wonderful One-Acre Farm/ Fleishchman
• The Toothpaste Millionaire / Merrill
• The Whipping Boy/ Fleischman
• Lumber Camp Library/
  
• Box Car Children / Warner
• 3rd Grade Detective: Cobweb Confession
• The Story of Benjamin Franklin
• MTH/MM The Night of the New Magicians/ Osborne
• MTH Buffalo before Breakfast/ Osborne
• MTH Tonight on the Titanic / Osborne
• Little House on Rocky Ridge / MacBride
• MSB: Dinosaur Detective
• MSB: Twister Trouble
• MSB: Wild Whale Watch
• BCC: Pizza Mystery/ Warner
• Pippi Longstocking / Lindgren
• Pippi on the Run / Lindgren
• Pippi in the South Seas / Lindgren
• BCC: The Amusement Park Mystery / Warner
• BCC: The Mystery at snowflake Inn / Warner
• MSB: Spins a Web, Out of this World, Shows and Tells, Gets all Dried Up, Meets the Rot Squad, Gets Eaten, Inside Ralphie, Wet all Over, Plants Seeds
  

As you can see, Justin still loves the Boxcar Children Series, Magic School Bus, and Magic Tree House (which he has had for years and re-reads the books all the time). There are 115 books in the Boxcar Children Series and he is well over half to finish reading them all. His favorite book from this bunch is McBroom's Wonderful One-Acre Farm which he has read twice so far this month.

Justin was tested in literacy last month, and his teacher said she's never seen anyone test that high in the 2nd or 3rd Grade before. He does read very fast, but what I really love, is that Justin loves to read and to learn.

Quite honestly, I wish I could have a "Has Read" list as long as his!!!! I'm envious!

Light Science at the Library

Our library has recently started a Home School Science series. I've been so impressed with how educational they are & how fun they are for the kids!!! (Best of all...it's close and free!)

Today the subject was about Light.

The first experiment (which was very cool) was marking coffee filters with magic markers, and then putting the filters in water and watching as the water seperated the colors that actually made up that particular color.
Then the kids made color wheels, using different combinations of colors. They made spinners out of them to see which color dominated the wheel. We found out that when you make a wheel of the primary and secondary colors, WHiTE appears as the dominate color. Very fun!

Max and his Binkie

This photo tells a lot about Max and his relationship with his binkie (pacifier). For about 6 months now, Max is only allowed a binkie when he is in bed for nap or at night. He sleeps with at least 3 of them in his crib, and alternates them like they are flavored suckers.

Whenever things get suspiciously quiet during the day, we know that Max has sneaked into his room and absconded one of his binkies from his crib. Knowing it is against the rules, he usually hides and enjoys a good "suck" until we discover his ploy.

Usually, he goes into his room and shuts the door for a little more privacy and security. Then, as soon as he hears the door handle jiggle, he literally HUCKS his pacifier into the crib, and quickly finds another inconspicuous and innocent employment.

Today, however, Geoff found him in the book box, secreted behind the rocking chair--nice and snug with of course his binkie in hand. This time he was a little too cozy and content (maybe even a little stuck) to even try to pretend he didn't have his binkie!!!

What a guy. I sure hope he doesn't ever get addicted to cigarettes!

What fun at the Park

The Camping Itch

Geoff and Justin have been dying to go camping. It's been so cold, that it's hard for me to imagine such fascinations.

They settled for a camp out in the backyard. This is the second time this week a tent has been set up in our living room or outside.

Geoff told me the other day that he thought it would be cool to have a living room full of camping furniture...so practical and portable. He is the extreme Emergency Preparedness thinker!

In reality, I love it, and especially love that the boys have a dad who loves the outdoors and has so much knowledge and experience with it all. This is a four-MAN tent purchased so he can take his 3 boys camping together.

Surprise, Surprise!

We went to have an ultrasound today, and discovered that we will be having ANOTHER BOY! When we asked Justin beforehand what he thought the baby would be, he said, "A boy of course, we don't know how to have girls!" We couldn't be happier!

However, I think Geoff still believes there is a girl out there waiting for us...somewhere. I think he's secretly making plans for YET another baby. I think I'll be looking into adoption!

A Big Package!

Today, we receive 2 big boxes of AWESOME planters that stack vertically, so for we who rent and lack garden space can still have a decent garden. We are very excited to try them out and have a bit more of a garden this year.

Max & Justin packaged themselves up for return delivery, but weren't able to close the lid completely...so I guess they'll have to stay for now.

Our little 'Secret Garden'

Geoff and helpers have been working so hard to get our back yard in order for gardening. We've got some major space limitations, but are still able to get a little garden in...it's our secret garden, because you'd never know it was there unless you looked very closely!
We've loved our earth boxes, especially with all the moving we've done! They're great when you can't change the landscape to accommodate an in-ground garden.

Here the boys are a few hours after planting seeds in one of the boxes..."Has anything sprouted yet?"
We're looking forward to harvest time.

Sunny picnic

It was AMAZINGLY sunny & bright today. We celebrated with the Scott's with a picnic and lots of fun at Merrill Park. It was SO NICE to spend an afternoon outside in the sunshine.

Mentor Moment with 2Moto

Last year, Geoff had a blast with these 2Moto motorcycle snow machines.

Today, Justin's home school group spent a couple hours at the development center where these machines were invented and processed.

Bill King, one of the engineers, explained what happens when you have an invention that you want to create and sale to other people.

It was very interesting to see the entire process. What a lot of work!!!! Bill took us through the beginning stages of envisioning and plan designs, to actual production.

The kids really loved the experience, and are already coming up with a plethora of inventions of their own!

Dance Festival Practice

Working with the youth in our ward and Silverleaf Ward has been a hoot. Geoff acts as MC and dance instructor for most of the time--He's great with the kids, and so much fun! It's been a lot of work, but I am excited to see the final production. What a blast for these kids!

Hats off to my boys!

Today Justin and Max made and decorated hats for the seasons. I especially love Justin's creative abilities...he loves to create, and often surprises me with wonderful creations like these hats. Justin entertained Max for the morning with this project while I slept. I love my boys!