And Judith turns 12

Judith turned twelve on Sunday. There was Mommy's Mexican, cake and ice cream and a stop after church for an ICEE. Oh, and presents always presents.

Friday Fun

Friday I had to run a couple of errands so Daddy and the crew took the canoe over to the pond to look for ducks.

Saturday Breakfast

Or Big Breakfast as we call it here constists of bacon, hash browns, biscuits, gravy and eggs cooked to order. Saturday is the only tag team cooking my husband do in the kitchen. Any other time it is all him or all me. I am a one women show today though because the guys are a little tired after a looooong day of moose hunting. Although, I do think my husband will come in soon to cook eggs for us as he is the better egg cooker.
We need a filling breakfast before a day of moose processing.

A Moose, My Son Got His First Moose

Levi got his first moose today! 

This moose measures around 57", the guys were too tired last night to do a proper measurement but needless to say, this is a great size rack 

Today was BLAH!

Edited 9/19/13

The treadmill slept through our appointment, okay, okay I slept through my alarm so no treadmill today. BUT, I am getting to bed sooner so someday the wake up time should get earlier. Don'tcha think? 

Until I looked at these pictures. Clay is our art for the year and Judith made this little clay guy today. He is cute.
I am completely exhausted. Tomorrow I will begin my day with exercise and essential oils. The mood has to change for reals because it's only September and I feel as though it is April.
So, this weekend I reset, plan a little better and spend Monday with my local support group.

Constitution Day

Constitution Day was celebrated by the home school community by reciting the Preamble to the Constitution, the playing of patriotic songs,  and speeches from a student,  a Mom and the Mayor of the City of Fairbanks, and cookies and cupcakes.

Sewing Patches

Frontline Club starts next week. I have ignored Benjamin's patches long enough. I do not enjoy sewing patches on anything. Today I finally figured out how to sew patches on with killing my fingers since my leather thimble is MIA. Sewing from the back like this is actually easy. No more patch attachment anxiety for me.

Preschool Educational Philosophy

I do not hold to the push for early education as do the educational powers that be. Maybe this shows my rebellious nature, maybe I just haven't bought into their ways of thinking. I believe in living and learning in the daily living of life. I took Early Childhood Development in college, I loved that class, I love the toddler and preschool years. These early years are all about learning.
I guess lifestyle is a huge factor in early child development. These wonderful little guys love to be busy. Benjamin and I are reading Eloise Wilkin Golden Book stories at bedtime. These stories are precious. A glimpse at days gone by, when children didn't start school until first grade, *gasp* first grade! 
What I love about these stories, written in the late 1950's, is the showing of daily life. Life skills: getting dressed, daily schedules, household chores, playing, and family relationships. Very interesting when you think about. Mother and children at home, taking care of business, loving, working and playing. There is something so comforting in this scenario for me, maybe because this is similar to how my husband and I choose to live our life.

Anyway, back to early education.
I truly believe in teaching in the moment. It is rather easy to know when a child is ready to learn, they ask questions, all.of.the.time. Answer questions and read books. Really simple. Live life WITH your preschooler and the rest just seems to fall into place.

                 Playing with popsicles sticks

Sorting pattern blocks

Playing after, I think this is a pond

The Eloise Wilkin book

A walk with a Buddy

Painting, let them mix the colors, life will carry on, I promise.

Another living moment, at the library with big sister while she was attending a beading class. They had pony beads for the little guys. Love the look of concentration on his face.

I love this one, Benjamin drew the book shelf. 

Last Week

Last week was a busy week.
Monday-- Birthday party for one of Benjamin's little friends
Dad and Levi came home from moose hunting for the night
Benjamin fell asleep during Bible reading, he was tired

Tuesday-- science class, studied atoms and moelcules, built water molecules
Grocery shopping
Judith had her first swim with the beginner class at swim club

Wednesday-- I crashed, too many late night painting evenings and a cold is coming on

Thursday--piano
Leadership meeting
Home school back to school ice cream social
Swim club

Friday--We stayed home and cleaned and worked around home

Labor Day and Tuesday

The family room walls and most trim had been painted by Sunday evening. Monday, the children and I attended a noon time birthday party and then came home to begin the task of cleaning and putting the family room back together.
There are still a few places to touch up trim wise and doors to paint.
Today was science class and grocery shopping and Judith's first swim team practice.

Finish line for phase one

Phase one of painting is close to completion. My girls have stepped up and been super trooper painting help, they are good preppers and painters. They helped take off outlet covers and nails and screws from the wall and patched nail holes and scratched places on the dry wall. They also painted. We enjoyed watching a series I introduced the girls to to help pass the time. Tonight I had a friend come over and we worked until late getting the final coat on the walls and trim work.
Monday I will inspect and we will begin cleaning and putting the room back together along with some trim touch up. I also have to paint two doors after everyone goes to bed Monday night. The room should be ready for school on Tuesday morning.
I have added random pictures of the weekend.
Benjamin at the paint store, falafel for lunch, various pictures of the process.