Our Week in Photos #9

Our weeks are leaning towards change as school looms near but that doesn't mean we aren't still having fun!

I posted about this earlier this week.  On Saturday we were able to take the boys to a Ninja Warrior Competion.  It was kind of cool to see in real life what we watch sometimes on tv. (As a side note, on Monday night we watched it on TV and saw a few of the contestants that we saw on Saturday - it was kinda cool)

Sunday night turned out to be a perfect night for a bonfire. We headed over to Nana's camper for a very relaxing evening. 

 We found this toad in the firewood. 

 Enjoyed a variety of smore's - We used Reeses Peanut Butt cups and Fudge Striped Cookies along with the traditional variety too! 

Besides collecting fireflies and doing some charades, we also got to kick back and watch some of the meteor shower.  All of us saw quite a few - it was a really cool thing! 

Monday brought a little birthday fun.  The munchkin turned 7 on Sunday so we took time to celebrate. 

We went to our favorite park - it's a big wooden park with lots and lots of shade.  The kids usually find new friends to play with while we are there.  We also had a fun picnic before we headed home.  We also stopped for Ice Cream at Mooville and then the munchkin got to open his gifts when we got home.  

Tuesday brought a visit from a new friend.  A mom found me on the Connections Acadamy Website (actually, a grandma HA) and wanted to meet up as she homeschools her grandson and this is their first year in Connections.  I didn't take any photos of this meet and greet since that might have seem weird HA!  While the boys all played, I helped walk Jean through the basics of the school stuff so hopefully she won't be quite so overwhelmed.

Wednesday was a swimming day:-)  We haven't had a lot of great days for swimming the past few weeks due to rain and cooler temps but today was perfection.  88 degrees; slightly humid; and the pool was like bath water HA! We swam in the afternoon and then went back and swam again after dinner.

We also ate dinner at Wendy's.  Now, I don't usually emphasis where we eat but tonight it was a fundraiser to raise money for the Local Community Vacation Bible School so it seemed like a perfect reason to eat there!  The boys group leader was there at the same time as we were so that was kind of fun for them too. 

Thursday was a rainy day so we stayed home except for one little appointment.

What do those photos mean?  We've started our journey of orthodontist visits!  Both boys had their first visit and exam so we could start a plan which is . . .wait 6 months.  They both need some work done but both have some lose baby teeth to come out.  So they go back in February to check progress and we will go from there.

Friday the boys new friend came over for a visit and we just hung out at home until dinner time when we got to meet Nana for pizza!

Weekly Menu

We are finally back to some regular meal planning.  Well, kinda :-)

Friday - Tacos.  Simple.  That's all. 

Saturday - The boys are going with my mom to her house to attend VBS at her church (Yep, more VBS - it's such a great thing for kids!).  My plan right now is to meet Darryl in town for dinner! 

Sunday - Darryl has a concert and then our plan is to do some things for our anniversary.  I think we are going to head to South Haven, one of our favorite spots for the days.   

Monday - I have no idea HA!  Darryl has to have some dental work done so depending on how he feels afterwords, maybe we'll take off for the rest of the afternoon. 

Tuesday - Darryl's back to work but I'm not :-)  Yes, I took an extra day off without kids.  I don't have a lot of plans other than I don't plan on cooking! 

Wednesday - Everyone is back home!  I'm not sure on Dinner.  Darryl will have practice so usually my mom and the kids and I eat together somewhere. 

Thursday - I'm really hoping to do either chicken or pork chops on the grill with some good sides but my husband is still struggling with some dental issues so I'm not sure yet if he will be ready to eat grilled meat yet so . . we will see!!

Reading through this next weeks menu . . .there are a lot of unknowns HA!  No matter what I can guarantee we will eat! 

Our 2017-2018 School Goals

Each year, before our homeschool year begins, I like to think about a few goals I want to work towards with the boys.

Even though our curriculum is predetermined and they have certain things they have to get through, I have specific goals I want to reach with them by the end of the year.

Joshua -
1) Learn to write in cursive fluently.  We started this last year but I really, totally dropped the ball.  I planned on working on it this summer but, well, that didn't happen.  So we will do this.  I may even order a true homeschool curriculum workbook if I don't feel like is regular book is enough (And yes, they teach cursive in his school)

2) Finish is AWANA book.  Last year we got behind so this year I plan on counting all of his sections and dividing them by the weeks to make sure that we get it done AND get it done early.  He can do it!

3) Read.  Every day if possible.  As much as I love to read, you would think I'd make my kids read alot but I don't.  It's like pulling teeth!  BUT, I'm putting our reading goal sheet back into play for them to earn rewards based on the number of books read.

4) Start piano lessons.  We've waited until third grade to start lessons to make sure he could read well enough to understand his lessons.  So first, I need to find a good teacher and then the lessons will start.

5) Turn in his lesson work on time - there are often journals and extra work that has to be done and I am always late!  I want to get that stuff done on time this year.

Nathan -
1) Refine his printing and work on holding the pencil correctly.  I also want to make sure that we start and finish the cursive handwriting that begins this year.

2) Finish his AWANA book twice.  He did this last year and started the next book so I don't see it being a problem.  He is a quick memorizer which is a great thing!

3) Read.  Every day if possible.  As much as I love to read, you would think I'd make my kids read alot but I don't.  It's like pulling teeth!  BUT, I'm putting our reading goal sheet back into play for them to earn rewards based on the number of books read.

4) Turn in his lesson work on time.  (Just like Josh!)

** I do not plan on starting Nate in piano lessons this year - but it isn't out of the question. I want to start Josh first and then go from there.

The Boys Room

One of the "big ticket items" on my goals this month was to finally get the boys room picked up again.  Their room had a double whammy because 1) When we painted the living room in May, I slid all kinds of things into their room to get them out of the way.  Then, I never found new homes for them as we put the living room back together 2) Because it was already crowded stuff got thrown everywhere because we couldn't get to anything!  Well, we spent all of last week cleaning their room, moving Legos to the new Lego Room in the basement and sorting every single thing in the room.  It's a huge improvement and I'm hopeful (not really HA) that because they helped sort things and find homes for things that it will stay cleaner.

Here's some before photos:

And now, the after:

 Look at all that floor space! 

 The goal is to keep a walking path to the closet - it isn't always easy.  And, if you look closely you can see a friend in the closet. 

 Itty, Bitty, Whitty Kitty HA! 

The boys love being able to play video games again and Nate loves being able to get to his power rangers too! 

Now, for a little extra bonus in this post we also cleaned out the playroom recently and this was the "After":

 The truck closet.  We lined up every single truck in the living room and I made them pick their top 5 favorites first.  They were so afraid that was all they would get but, in the end they actually kept every single truck because they "love them all" HA! 

 My scrapbooks will be moving out of this closet as soon as I can purchase the shelf I want for them.  That will offer a little more storage in the playroom too. 

 Isn't that pretty??? AND it still looks like this three weeks later! 

 This unattractive huge industrial shelf that I bought for my basement is the perfect shelf for this room because it houses the big bins of toys so nicely.  And yes, they have pulled bins and baskets off of it to play with stuff and have put them back.  That also proves it is a great storage solution! 

The game shelf!  So neat and easy to use! 

Itty Bitty Kitty Witty

 We love our Itty Bitty Kitty Witty (aka Harley). 

 He's really loving being the only pet right now.  He has his own toys and even has "his" chair that he loves to sleep in. 

 He's kind of annoyed that I'm using the flash. 

 He's now trying to get away from the flash. 

Something has caught his attention.  Harley really is an amazing cat.  He loves to have his ears scratched and belly rubbed.  He loves it when the kids (Josh especially) carries him around, lays on him, or "hugs" him.  How do I know? Because he just lays down and takes it HA!  He brings a lot of joy to our home and we are so thankful to have him as part of our family! 

Ninja Warrior Competition

We had the fun opportunity on Saturday to take the boys to a Ninja Warrior Competition in Grand Rapids.  We've watched the show on TV frequently and the boys are always amazed at what some of the contestants can do (Shoot, so am I!) so we knew they would enjoy it for a bit.  The added bonus is that a family friend was competing in it as well so we were excited to cheer for someone we actually knew!

 This is Dan.  We were excited to see him compete.  Now, lets keep this real.  The competition start time was 5:00.  At 5:20 they started introducing all 71 competitors.  By 5:40 my kids were already bored and ready to leave. The first Ninja started at 6:00.  Someone needs to manage the time a little better :-) 

 This was the first guy to complete the course.  Everyone else crashed and burned early :-) 

 Time to watch Dan compete.  He had told me last week that he wasn't expecting much because he hadn't been training.  Well, he ran that course like a . . .Ninja ;-) 

We left after Dan competed since, by that time, we had been there for over three hours (For real!) and the kids were quickly losing any interest at all.  But, we believe that by that point he was 5th or 6th.  

Sunday Song - He Always Wins

Traveling home from Grand Rapids yesterday, I heard this song and just really loved the message.


As long as I'm able, let the work of my hands
Bring glory to Jesus, on Him I stand
Struggles try to snare me, sin plans defeat
But there is nothing stronger than the Rock beneath

[Chorus]
Over any trial, over any sin
My God in Heaven, He always wins
He is over life, He is over death
His love is eternal, it never ends

[Post-Chorus]
Oh-ooh, oh-oh-ooh
Oh-ooh, oh-oh-ooh

[Verse 2]
Like a tree by the waters, my roots run deep
And I thirst for nothing but His love for me
His mercy is endless, His promise is true
I will not be left wanting, when it's Him I choose

[Chorus]
Over any trial, over any sin
My God in Heaven, He always wins
He is over life, He is over death
His love is eternal, it never ends