Bows and arrows

Our friends invited us to dinner and then we had a good time shooting arrows in their beautiful back yard. They too are homeschoolers and now that we know that both dads are left hand shooters with a bow they are preparing to go hunting together this fall. That pushed Stetson to go through hunter safety as Spencer want him to go with them hunting. All of the other kids enjoyed trying out shooting for their  first time. You can see a stream in the back yard and it claimed a few of the arrows. The kids really liked the four-wheeler too!!! Oh, the adventures that each week brings! 

Back inside the kids enjoyed a little show and tell as they played the piano and tried to decide who was the best at it. They also enjoyed a game of hide and go seek to end the night. 

 

A Horse of Course - That's a pony you phony!!!

Bristol has been really into horses lately and while Hailey was taking her piano lessons Bristol convinces our friends to let her ride their pony. Ezra and Hailey also benefited but it was Bristol who suggested the idea. Bristol also wanted me to bring home a lot of books from the Library and so we found several on horses and caring for them to their uses and varieties. 

She is now asking if we can buy a horse of our own and how much that would cost. We really do not have a place for a horse but I am glad that she is thinking all these things over. 

School work is getting done this week, with a lot of reminding!!!

 

Story Time

 The Jungle Book Story and a large bed made out of all of the house pillows and our 6 banana chairs, plus lots of blankets. This creation was designed by the 3 girls and was enjoyed for several days as many read and snuggled in.  The kids claimed that it was the most comfy of beds and that I must try it out. This is where my husband found us and took the above pictures. 

I am so thankful that all of these kids just love stories and reading or being read to.  

I hope that there will be many more days of reading together like this!!!

School has been a little tricky as the kids just want to play constantly and be out in the sunny backyard. Evelyn did finish up her writing book this week and is looking forward to finishing her other textbooks.  

Exercise

It is really hard to get good photo's of an entire family exercising!

The other day Stetson was home for some reason in the morning and Spencer and he got talking about who has the stronger legs now. Well that turned into a lets see show and tell downstairs and I then got these two pictures. The first one Stetson is squatting Hailey and Bristol. I believe that Ezra was trying to get on but couldn't. The second one Evelyn is being piggy backed. 

Spencer loves to exercise with the kids and typically gets a good work out with them at least once  a week. The kids are often his weights. We play lots of upbeat music and have a good time. 

All school is being attended to! 

 

Sledding

Its hard to believe that just a few short days ago there was plenty of snow every where. 

The kids were so excited to go sledding after a particular snow storm. 

We were not able to take Evelyn and Stetson. 

Evelyn went to dance and Stetson was away with a friend skiing in Brianhead for the week. 

The rest of the kids ha a blast and were very frozen by the end. 

Ironically while we were at our favorite sledding park, alone. Not common. When our friends from Mendon showed up and all were able to sled and enjoy the snow together. 

We love random meetings with our fun homeschool friends.  

With all your learning do a lot of play!!!

 

Dance Party

 

It is hard to record a dance part in photo but it was attempted. 

We are a big fans of good music and often love to start dancing. 

Even Silas can groove and can't help moving when he hears a tune. 

As you can see in these photos all are in their PJ's. This was a dance party before bed. 

We are busy with lots of classes on Wednesday, more school on the other weekdays and playing together or working together on the weekend. There is always so many options each week. 

We try to keep things simple but there is always good things to do each week. 

 

Bowling

We had a fun time going bowling with our homeschool field trip group.  It just happened to be on Hailey's birthday so we got to see lots of friends and her dad even met us to join in the family fun. It was great to have the whole family together playing and having fun together. 

School is going great. Kids really like listening to books. We listen to "Harry Potter" in the car coming and going and are listening to "Wing Feather" series here and there at home. There are also lots of books from the library and out own, games and nicer weather.  

 

Evelyn's Story

 My Evelyn is getting rather creative in her writing. 

This is not her only script and she loves to write as well as draw. 

We all think her very talented!

Hailey and Bristol both enjoy drawing and writing as well and are getting very talented for their age. 

Ezra and Silas will always want to draw if there sisters are and I am sure in time will gain great skills. 

I hope that they all will take after their father and develop great talent in drawing. 

Mine is only moderate. I am sure that with practice and desire anyone can improve. 

Stetson generally only draws rockets but those are also very creative. 

Catan

 We received the game "Catan" for Christmas and it has been a big hit especially with the 3 oldest. 

It say's that it is for 10 or older but it has been easy for Hailey to learn how to play. 

Bristol also wants to play and is learning but it is harder since she is still struggling with reading. 

Spencer has played this game with the kids more than any other than I have seen. 

We are hoping to acquire the extension pack as it will accommodate all of us being able to play. 

I think that they would all really like playing "Ticket to Ride" as it has similar strategy and fun but we are yet to pull it out. Maybe soon!

Hair Cut

 Okay, so this has taken us months of talking to get Stetson to let me cut his hair. 

He has a friend that has his hair down past his shoulders and another one who is growing it out. 

Stetson thought he wanted to grow it out but got tired of it being in his face so this is the transformation.  Evelyn say's "he kind of looks hot now." I think he looks more respectable and I know it is easier to keep clean although he does have nice hair. 

Evelyn has voiced a desire to learn how to cut hair so I told her next time I cut Ezra's hair I would let her do it. He has the easiest hair to cut. 

I learned how to cut hair when I was just a little older than Evelyn on my fathers thick full hear of hair. 

I remember that the first hair cut took 3 hours.