Homeschooling

My days have changed up since I no longer need to think about work. So now all that brain space I was preoccupying with work schedules and work stuff is now being used on how to improve our homeschooling experience.

First change up is more games. Learning needs to be fun. If it's not fun (at least for the younger ones) they are not going to want to learn. So thanks to some homeschool families recommendations I ordered this game- Scramble States. 

The story is about how states wanted to move to a different part of the US and after giving it a try they wanted to go back where they originally were. So the game ask players to find the states who have wildflowers at their state flowers. Or which states are west of Missouri. Not really based on the story but it's really fun.

They play this game almost once a day. Sometimes more than once. They tell me all the time how fun it is. Me- I love how it's educational. They have been learning geography, state flowers, capitals, state nick names, and team work. 

With weather permitting we've been taking walks or rides to the duck park near us. Some days I've noticed that we just need a change of scenery or everyone gets on eachothers nerves. So first thing in the morning we go for our walk/ride. Days when it's raining or snowing I can tell the difference in peoples attitudes so I try my best to keep things low key that day. 

We've had more time for art. I love art! I love everything about it. So it's my goal to teach my kids to develop their art skills or at least to appreciate the work of other artist. So there's so much more projects and pictures hanging up around our house. Here's Ducati with fairy picture. I admit for some time I thought she traced pictures out of books but then while I was helping a bigger kid on the couch I looked over and seen Ducati drawing the fairy free hand. I was so happy with her and her patience. I had to capture this moment forever so she's showing me her drawing and the fairy she was drawing. 

And our newest game is Hedbanz Act Up!
This is so much fun and no one even suspects me that the reason why I purchased this was for the reading. HAHAHA! Each person has a headband on their head with a card which they can't see. The other players act out what the card says and if the person guesses right they are one step closer to winning. It's been so much fun and I've noticed Lily and Ducati improve their reading.

It's been so much fun seeing the love of learning grow and glow in each one of my kids. Homeschooling them has it's moments of difficulty but it's so worth it.

Easter

Easter was a wonderful day. 

In the morning we went to our old neighborhoods Easter Egg Hunt. We've done this hunt for years now and it's part of our family tradition. It was so nice to see friends that we haven't seen in close to 2 years catch up and act like time hasn't past by. Our kids were shy at first, worried that their old friends might not remember them. And surely some didn't remember them. But that's ok. It gave them a chance to restart a new relationship. So within minutes shy kids were chasing each other on the playground. And I was way too busy chatting with friends to take photos so one day when my grown kids ask me about this activity they are just going to have to use their imaginations. 

After the hunt was over Mike and Mason went to do some work together. These two guys should start their own business :)
While the boys did that I went home and worked on some errands. 

When they returned we went out to dinner at our kids favorites place, McDonald's,  and seen Batman Vs Superman. It was such a disappointing movie! But I won't get into that. We were happy to spend quality time together as a family.

But the following day we attended church then went home to celebrate Easter with our traditional adults/kids egg hunt. 

                                                        (sacrament selfies)

Several years ago my visiting teacher at the time shared this tradition her family had. I loved it so much I adopted it into my family's traditions. Our kids filled eggs for Mike and I with our favorite candies. PB M&M's for him and Swedish fish for me. While they went outside to hide them we started filling up their eggs. 

Within minutes our kids were back inside yelling, "You'll never find my eggs!" Mike and I went outside with our baskets and found all our eggs within a few minutes. Now it's time to munch on our candies while we continued to fill up their eggs.

When we were ready I had everyone sit in the bathroom (only room without a window) so they don't peek and take a mental picture of where we hid the eggs. While Mike started the egg hiding I got the prizes ready. 

This year instead of the prize basket that we did last year I just put everyone's Easter prizes on their beds.

 Lily's prizes. Unicorn pillow pet, Frozen stationary, playdoh, and cookies.

 Cati's prize. Seal pillow pet, cookies, play doh, and Frozen stationary.

 Mason. All this boy wants now a days is snacks that he doesn't need to share. So we gave him exactly that.

I can't find the photo I took of Hailey's. I must of deleted it then forgot to retake it. But we gave her the Frozen stationary, playdoh, cookies, and a make-your-own jewelry kit.  

( I know their gifts seem random. No bunnies or candy eggs. I got everything on super sale or free. So they know their gifts will be whatever my couponing finds were recently. But no one complained since they loved their gifts)

After I set up everything on people's beds I went outside to help with the egg hiding. 

But from the looks of it Mike got it under control.

Then came the 10 second heads start for Cati. 

 Then came Lily, Hailey, and Mason. Each 10 seconds apart.

Mike and I now stood back and watched our kids run wild.

Within minutes of Ducati filled her bucket up and started using one of my plants. So I quickly grabbed my basket and traded her. 

Then everyone was giving up. So Mike started his guided tour showing kiddos where he hid the eggs. So everyone followed him.

Then the opening of eggs. The prize eggs each said, "Go to your bed!" Which confused people thinking they were trouble but when they went to their bed and found their prizes. They loved them! 

Lily loved her pillow pet!

Cati loved her pillow pet!

And Mike liked Cati's pillow pet.

As for our tradition of dates our kids look forward seeing what they won.

Mason-Movie Date.

Hailey-Dinner Date again.

Cati- Boondocks

Lily- her choice. So this means it'll be whatever she's feeling like doing at the time. 

But soon after all the excitement faded from the egg hunt it was time for a small nap, playing with the prizes, and preparing for dinner. 

I cooked a french dinner so we could finish up our lesson of France. Funny thing to know our kids are not fans of french food.

 But besides the eggs, candy, and toys we talked about our Saviors Resurrection. We usually will do resurrection eggs but this year when I opened the eggs they were all empty so we just talked instead. We talked about how Jesus came back to life today. How Mary went to the tomb to find it empty. But what touched our hearts most were talking about the promise Heavenly Father gave not only  Jesus but all his children; that we will all be resurrected again. So that the loved ones that once passed before us we will meet again- the ancestors we are learning about doing genealogy; the babies I miscarried; grandparents our kids never met; and maybe dinosaurs according to Ducati- we will see,  be with, and share our lives with these people again. All we need to do is have faith (John 3:16) and wait. We know our Savior rose today. We know that he sacrificed himself to help each one of us get back into heaven. Easter is such a special day for us all. Happy Easter for we know He Has Risen!

Crystal Hot Springs

We should have tried harder to attend the temple dedication....

But when Mike wakes up cheering,"let's go swimming", choices get hard to make. 

The weather outside was still a little chilly but that doesn't stop us. Haha! 

We went to Crystal Hot Springs in Honeyville, Utah. 

A place with several hot spring heated pools and of course our kids only wanted to play in the cold water pool. 

Whatever! 

Mike didn't think he'd get sunburned in a semi cloudy day. I told him better :)

Anyways our kids must have played for 2 hours straight. Mike and I were hungry so I stepped out to the pools parking lot where there was fire wood burned pizzas place. 

Mike commented to me that we should have brought food to the pool. 

I'm sorry; I read reviews and the sites said to not bring outside food. But as we walked around the pool area people were bringing in coolers and bags of food. My bad! Next time we'll stop at Target since each pizza cost $10! But honestly the pizzas were worth it! Freshly made with fresh ingredients, hand tossed crust, and the wood fire taste. I'll pay $10 for another one! 

But soon afterwards we left the hot springs. The crowds are ridiculous! Like one pool was elbow to elbow filled with people. Why stand in a pool? 

Plus I'm not a fan of pools. One of my kids always gets too close to drowning that I'm just on constant red alert that I can never calm down. 

But it was nice up get out and experience a new part of Utah. 

Ps. If anyone is reading this be warned! The crowds are horrible. Like adults are playing football right next to babies in floaties tubes. Couples are making out right next to kids! I had mike cannonball right next to then to help cool them down. And the women's locker room is tiny. Toilets, showers, changing stalls, sink, 4 shelves so there's stuff everywhere. And ladies are just walking around naked from the showers to the hanging stalls. Really! I had checked before I let my kids enter and then I had them change in the corner. 

So we can say we've been here but we'll never go back. 

Utah Children's Theatre

Lily and I went on a Mommy Daughter Date last night. It has been nice to be able to go on dates again with my kids. I have 3 more dates lined up which I'm really excited to go on.

However for Lily and I went to the Uth Childten's Theatre in Salt Lake City. I seen some tickets on KSL that were for their last weekend of the show World War 2. I was skeptical going to a play about WW2 but since it's at UCT I figured it would be kid appropriate. 

When we got there we noticed the soda shop next door. So we went in to enjoy an old fashion soda. The ladies were dresses with 50's style hair and pearl necklaces which Lily thought was so cool. Lily ordered herself a Cherry Blossom soda. I ordered a Shirley Temple soda. And Lily was soon eyeing the crazy expensive pastries. $2.50 for 1 macaroon! I spent close to the same amount for our two tickets. Next time I'll be skipping the soda shoppe. 

Since we were at the theater early we got to play around for a little bit. 

Lily told me how the set reminded her of Captain America. :)

Anyways the play was amazing.

The 3 actors portrayed different heros who played important roles in helping claim victory during WW2. Roles as small as dancing the jitter bug in a fall out shelter to keep keep morale high to the service who faught to Rosie Rivot to President Roosevelt to Anne Frank. 

Lily whispered in my ear who she knew about Anne since I've read book to her about Anne. (It's sinking in!) 

After the show we went back to the soda shoppe... I'm a sucker.... and got another Shirley Temple. After a few sips from her Cherry Blosom she couldn't drink it anymore. So I took a sip and it tastes like soap. Yuck! 

But Lily tells me that she had so much fun. That she learned about WW2 but she had more fun being with me. :) (heart melting moment) And she asked to go to meet plays with me. 

I'm happy to have spent some 1-on-1 time with the girl. She's my gem.

I Quit!

I was so excited to return back to work. I had it all planned out. Meals and lessons were planned out. Medical bills were on a payment plan. Naps were ready to be taken. Then I go back to only come to terms that I needed to quit. 

My back hurt too much. I would have pushed through it and kept going but I know that wouldn't be good for me OR my family. 

So while I be a full time stay at home mommy Mike is going side jobs to take care of my medical bills. And me... I'm playing referee to my munchkins. 

But I'm not complaining. I adore my kids. They are my friends, teachers, students, motivators, competitors, partners in crime. 

I'm glad that I can give 100% of my attention to them. ( or at least try to give them) 

So I don't make an income. I'm in it for the outcome. And if I need to I'll use my brain and say a prayer cuz getting money is one of the easiest things to do. 

Movie Grille

We went to see Star Wars Force Awakens..... Again!  Mike and I sneaked off one evening and seen it on date night. But we never had the heart to tell Lily and Cati since they wanted to see it with us. So we just never said anything and went to Movie Grille. 

We've never been there but since there was a Groupon-What the hay!

This theatre is amazing! Soft recliner seating with attached tables on each seat. A menu with yummy food instead of junk. So we indulged and got ourself dinner :) 

Our girls loved the movie! After the movie Lily tells us that she knew she'd be a Jedi one day. 

Anyways before we left Mike wanted to check out the pool table. Back in his day Daddy had game!

Our girls drew pretty flowers on the huge chalk wall. 

But soon our girls wanted to learn Dads hobby so he taught them. 

(Lily being a Jedi)

It was a pleasant evening to a very busy week.