Art Class at the Library

I will never be able to full express how amazing our local library is. They really strive to serve the people in our community. They recently offered to host a class for the homeschool community called the Young Artist Club. The group meets once a week for art class instruction. The best part is there is no cost, and it is led by an instructor.

This was our first week attending, but we are adding it to our weekly curriculum schedule. We learned about the author Eric Carle and the different way he composes his illustrations. Then, the kids got to busy coming up with their own illustrations inspired by Eric Carle. There were some amazing creations made by the end of the class. We enjoyed having great friends come along with us too. Friends always make things more fun.

Peter at BYU seeing Peter

Earlier this week we were finally able to go to BYU and see the Marionette show we signed up for last fall. It was a darling production and the marionette's were amazing! They did a show during the morning hours for a homeschool group we belong too and we were lucky enough to get tickets before the show sold out. It was especially neat because this group was preforming Peter and the Wolf for the first time in the USA.

 The only poster I could find on campus was the show they are doing for the Sound of Music..but, you get the idea. Since Luke was gone to Disneyland it was just me, Peter, and Woody in attendance. After the show we walked over the the Wilkinson center and ate lunch from Chick Fil A. It was so much fun!

Slowly learning

Teaching Peter how to read has been the biggest struggle for me. We have been using this particular textbook for the past 1.5 years. It is good, but he has been slower to catch on that I had hoped. Anyway, early last year I put a post it note on Chapter 15 which said he could buy a Lego set when we got there.

 Today, we finally made it thru Chapter 15. We read 8 pages because he was so excited to go to the toy store. He had a budget of $30 and we were able to do some price matching plus use a coupon. He was excited to see that we were able to get 4 Lego Ninjago Fliers. He has loved having them. I just hope my hanging pictures survive these whirling Lego dudes.

5 year old adventure

When our first son was born the hubby told me he would be taking him to Disneyland when he turned 5 years old. I thought he was crazy. Who makes that a priority just after their first child is born. Plus, at that point I knew there was no way we would be able to afford it when the time came. Well, two years ago he took our oldest, and today he left on the trip with our youngest.

Luke was thrilled a few weeks ago when we took him to pick out a suitcase for the trip. We had a difficult time finding a suitcase that didn't feel cheap. Finally went to Kohl's and had many options to choose from. Luke knew the exact one that he wanted right away. He has had it packed with numerous things over the past few weeks, but yesterday afternoon we packed it for real.

While it is difficult to be away for the kid and hubby, it was a bonding experience for Peter, and I have no doubt it will be a bonding experience for Luke too. I am thankful that financially we've been able to make these trips a priority. We really are so blessed. I hope they take some great pictures and have a delightful time.

Peter 1st Eye Appointment

I knew this day was going to arrive at some point. Today it happened. We took Peter in for his very first eye appointment. We were lucky enough to go and see Dr Scott Yeates at the Excel Eye Center in Orem. Peter's Dr. recommended him for his fantastic bedside manner. Thankfully, Dr. Yeates did not disappoint.

Peter has pretty good eyesight for which I am thankful. However, his one eye seems to drop down a little bit every now and again when he looks at things. So, Peter gets glasses. Dr. hopes they will help correct this dropping eye problem. I really hope he is right.

 When we got home I let Peter pick the pair he wanted and these are the ones he really wanted. He is at the age right now where it is vital to let him make his own decision about things. I'm just trying to keep my mouth clamped tight. Hopefully, they won't be too bad when they arrive.

We also ended our adventure with lunch at the location of his choice. Poor chap was not feeling that great from the dilation drops they put in his eyes. But, he was still pretty happy to eat a Cheeseburger Kids Meal at Wendy's. I am glad when it doesn't take too much to make this kid a happy boy.

LEO at BYU

This morning the boys and I had a chance to attend an amazing theater production at BYU's Pardoe Theater. We went to LEO - a one man solo performance that was thrilling, physically complex, and intellectually deep. My boys haven't laughed that hard in a very long time.

After the show we had a fantastic discussion about how the show was produced and why the actor was doing what he did. We also shared our favorite parts. Peter thought the video animation they used to bring chalk drawings to life was pretty fantastic. Luke thought it was funny whenever the actor would fall over and bump his nose. I was blown away by all the handstands, headstands, and dangling from the edge of the scenery. Quite honestly, I wouldn't mind peeking at this guys abs because he was using them the entire show.

I feel so lucky that we are able to attend great events like this. These trips get us out of the house, doing something unique, that expands our intellectual knowledge.

Homeschool Fun

Last Monday we met up with our Homeschool Adventure Club and explored the winter habitat by the Utah Lake. We met at the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (somewhere I had never been before) and explored the stream and nearby marshy areas.

The day was absolutely freezing. The temperature was 23 degrees. I dressed the boys in good snow pants and boots, but I should have made them put on better gloves and more pairs of socks. We started out happy and having a blast.

 We even got to see where a beaver chewed down a tree, the beaver dam, and this little nest carefully attached to a small tree that was only 2 or 3 feet high.

Then the cold really started to get the better of us and we had lots of complaining and not moving moments. Thankfully all the other kids were having the same problems so we weren't ever left behind.

Luke was a champ though. I'm sure he was cold, but he didn't even mind. He even reached both hands into the freezing river and didn't even seem to notice that his gloves were sopping wet. This kid is one tough cookie.

By the end Peter was beyond upset and inconsoluble. He wouldn't even stand up to get this picture (a requirement of every club event we attend).  He was pretty much upset with me the entire rest of the day. I am such a mean Mom.

Fun times with friends

For as long as I can remember I have loved doing crafts and baking. Most of the time I have some project I am either thinking about/or working on. I met this amazing friend almost 3 years ago. She is the nanny for a little boy in our ward. We have become such good friends, and over time I've discovered that she loves to do crafts just as much as I do.

The days we get together to do a project together are my favorite days out of the entire year. We have painted together, baked together, colored together, laughed, and grieved together. Great friends really are a gift from a loving Heavenly Father. He knew I needed this gal in my life.

On this particular day we decided to make chocolate dipped Oreos into penguins. She also had some left over white chocolate from a Christmas project, so we ended up making polar bears too. My favorite animal is a polar bear, so I was thrilled that they turned out so adorable. If you want to try your own hand at making these, click here to be directed to the recipe/instructions.

Legos, legos, everywhere

Earlier this week while getting out of the shower I noticed these Legos spread all over the closet floor. After first getting super annoyed about them being there, I took a mental step back and thought about the fact that my boys are growing up so fast. Just a few short years ago they didn't even own any Legos - not the Legos are threatening to overtake our home.

Over the past week, I've frequently thought about how quickly the boys will leave the nest to create lives of their own. In small moments I am trying to hold on to these kids for just a little bit longer. I have once again made it a priority to "talk" with Luke when putting him to bed. Basically I just sit and listen while he talks to me all about his favorite video games (Lego Marvel Super Heroes). I have also once again started telling Peter made up Toy Story stories before putting him to bed.  I'm also trying harder to be more patient with the kids which isn't always an easy thing to do.

However, I do realize that someday I am going to miss reaching for clothes and seeing Super Heroes watching me. 

Christmas homeschool party

We were able to get together with three other families in the month of December for a holiday party. We painted pine cones, ate a midday breakfast meal together, and did a gift exchange. It was chaotic fun with about 20 children there. I love when we get the chance to get together with other families and play.

Simply Beautiful

I was able to do a session at the Payson temple during the month of December. They had this statue out front and I loved it so much. I hope someday I can get a smaller version of it to display with my other holiday decorations.

Pleasant Grove Santa Visit

Every year we attend the Pleasant Grove Fire Department's Santa visit. This year was an exceptional year (as it always is). This year the doughnuts were super fancy and very delicious. The boys really enjoyed seeing Santa. They were thrilled with the Rescue Bots that he gave to them. We were also especially blessed by a kind stranger who donated stuffed animals to the fire station. Peter and Luke both ended up receiving a super soft puppy dog. It was a pretty great day. We love Grandpa Thomas for making sure this event happens every year.

Christmas blessings

Santa really showered us with fantastic presents this year. We had a marvelous holiday season with lots of time to relax and just enjoy each other. Shopping was completely finished the first week of the month, and we were done with school by the 17th. This year I really simplified and didn't feel pressure to make/do/be if I didn't feel up to it. The low stress really made a difference this year and I'm so glad about that.