Merry Christmas Concert

The Christmas concert postponed because of the ice storm was rescheduled for this last Sunday.

It was easy to get back in the spirit once the music started.

 

However, you can see how A started to lose his laser focus during the second performance. 

 

What he lost in focus he seemed to find in attitude. Yeesh!

 

I snapped this picture before E took the stage. 

He did a fabulous job. It was very entertaining.

 

What?

Stay upstairs and get your homework done I said.

Don't worry about us we'll go for a swim I said.

You'll get some quiet and a chance to focus I said.

 

And yet soon after going down to the pool ..... look who showed up!

 

Ear plugs are in and the track is set. It's time for the Monster Truck Sho-o-o-o-o-o-owwww!

 

So fun. So loud. 

 

They were definitely into it. 

Good thing M took the opportunity earlier in the day, you know ... while we were swimming, to get some homework done.

Crawford Lake

One of the great homeschool moms that we have met since moving had planned an outing to CrawfordLake for a group of us.
The first part of the day was spent learning/exploring an Iroquoian 15th century village. The second part involved snowshoes.




Here the boys are working on a craft before starting a big outdoor portion of the morning.
 
 The longhouses were big! Bigger than I anticipated. It was easy to see how these would have been a warm and welcoming place to be in the winter months.

 
The leader taught us how to play a First Nations winter game. It involved sliding sticks as 'snakes' across the winter snow to see whose would go the farthest.

They had a good old-fashioned brown bag lunch and then were taught some more by the facilitator.

 

 A little how-to on putting on the snow shoes and we were off!

Although it was a little chilly here today we didn't feel it in the cover of the trees.
And putting all that energy into hiking with snowshoes on helped us stay warm too. 

 

Group Shot

I forgot earlier this week to add E's Tuesday dinner info.

Tacos. Very yummy.

Variety

We play a lot of board games in this house. And this week we spiced it up with a few friends.

We started to play and next thing we knew ... three hours had gone by.

There was Connect4, CatanJr, BalancingClown, SpotIt, Battleship, SkipBo and GuessWho.

 

You know how sometimes you just get tired of your own recipes? Or maybe that's just me.

Anyway, a good friend of mine has kindly offered to let me poach her monthly menu.

The boys took turns last night bashing the chicken to prep it for Parmesan Chicken.

Not only are we adding to our meal repertoire, and yes there's actually a list that we keep of meals that we make, but we have eaten dinner at home for the last nine nights straight.



 

And we're still doing school. Not that it needs mentioning because we're always doing school.

Fractions are my favourite math subject and A is doing them now.

As with all subjects in this house it always goes back to the LEGO.

For example, what fraction of the mini-figs are girls? What fraction have head accessories? 

 

Rule 322:SubsectionB

Sometimes you have to get them where it hurts.
New house rule: If you want us to pay the tax on things you purchase with your allowance you have to figure out how much the tax will be ... without using a calculator.
Here they are working feverishly in Chapters.


I thought they were so funny the other night. We were playing Catan and they all had their bottles in hand.

Sleep Tight

I can explain!

At night I read to the kids before bed. Currently we're reading Tuck Everlasting.

And sometimes .... I fall asleep ..... which A likes.

But dear hubby comes and wakes me up so I can go to sleep comfortably in my own bed ...

which A doesn't like. So he left this note out for M the other night.

MRs Independence

MrB had a lot of school work to get done after the fun of Christmas break.

And seeing as how I act as head editor/cheerleader and food provider I came back to help.

Which left the little misters in the other city until Monday.

After they were done their business they jumped on a big 'ol bus and rode to the big city.

 

Glad they're back. After those first 96 hours I really started to miss them.

Technical Difficulties

For some reason I am unable to upload pictures. Can't figure it out. Working on it.
Any ideas?

These Are NOT Reasons Why I Homeschool

Just  the record, the following are not reasons while I homeschool.

1. To keep them away from undesirable children.

2. To indoctrinate them with all of my personal beliefs.

3. To stop them from learning any bad words or information about s&x.

4. Because I can't think of anything else to do with my days and/or need them home to do chores.

5. Because I'm a crazy control freak and/or have trouble 'letting go' of the kids.

6. Because I think the public school system has nothing to offer and/or is an instrument of government control.

Just so everyone knows.

Onto the New Year

This is how the Barefoots travel light.

Good thing everyone is good travelers.

 

And since we had willing babysitters .... we were able to go out for dinner.

 

And we had good company of friend and family.

 

And when all the boys woke up this a.m. they were happy to see their cousins were still there.