A Snowy Day

This is not a hill. It is a snow pile from clearing the driveway. Yep, we have lots of snow.

Poor Emanuel always ended up on the bottom. He didn't mind too much, though.

A close-up of their sled loading technique.

They stayed outside for hours sledding down that "hill". They also asked for bedtime at 6pm. Big day.

Even Grandma Pat gave it a try. I'm sure she went back to sled some more after we left.

Isabel and I gave it a try too. We learned that Isabel does not like snow... or sledding. Maybe next year.

Thanks, Grandpa Bob for taking all these great pictures!

Trains!

On Friday, we took a field trip to the Durham Museum with some friends from one of our homeschool groups. The Durham Museum was once Union Station, one of the busiest train stations in the country. After it closed its doors to passengers, it reopened them to visitors wanting to see a bit of Omaha's history.
Of course I forgot my camera, but I managed to get a few cute (if fuzzy) pictures on my phone. The "conductor" who led the boys and their friends through the museum was amazing! He made it so interesting for them. He finally had to leave, but I agree with one of the other mothers who opined that the kids could have happily followed him around for another hour. So here's to Mr. Johnson for making a great field trip even better!

 

There were many speaking statues throughout the old lobby who told us about the station and life in the 1930s and '40s.

 

The kids posing in front of a UP engine. Mr. Johnson said this engine brought people to the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition in 1898. (At least I think that's what he said- Isabel kept running off right at the good parts!)

 "Riding" in a streetcar.

 

Finally, enjoying some old fashioned stick candy at the "original" soda fountain, where passengers could stop for a snack.

Happy Valentine's Day!

For us, it was more like Valentine's Week, but we had lots of fun!

 

I, er... I mean the boys, made their Valentine boxes. Emanuel wanted Spiderman and Ben wanted a monster truck. I think they turned out pretty well. Then it was off to the party with the Omaha Area Homeschoolers.  

 

Everyone had lots of fun eating too many sweet things, passing out valentines and playing games. Both boys made new friends and can't wait for next year's party!

Emanuel also had a party with his Preschool Storytime class at the library on Thursday. He was feeling so generous after that party that he gladly gave his cookie to Ben. On Sunday the boys made valentines and brownies for their abuelos. We had a great Valentine's Day 2010! Hope you did too.

Emanuel's Quote of the Day

"Mom, don't look now, but we are surrounded by talking pickles. Are you strong enough to take them down?"

A New Year

Wondering what we've been up to? Here's a hint: snow. It has been snowing and snowing and snowing. While the adults may be getting a bit tired of it, the kids are SO happy!

This picture was taken mid-December, when there wasn't much snow yet!

A new "semester" has started here at our little homeschool. Ben is making such great progress! He can count to 100, and also write and recognize numbers up to 100. This week we've started on addition. He's got the concept down so it's just a matter of memorizing the facts and playing fun addition games. We like games.
In reading Ben has learned the sounds of all the vowels and consenants and we are moving on to blends like ss, ll, and ck. He's excited that he'll be able to read more words- stories made up entirely of 3 letter words aren't very exciting. We've been playing a fun game in which I write subjects on one set of index cards and predicates on another set, then he mixes and matches them to make silly sentences to read. We all have fun with that one!
Handwriting is definitely his least favorite subject, but he's awesome at it. He's also very good at drawing which I think has something to do with his perfect handwriting.
In religion we've been alternately doing the Who Am I Kindergarten workbook (and the preschool one for Emanuel) and reading out of their children's Bible and saints books. Both boys really enjoy the St. Joseph Picture Books.
These are the subjects we do every day (Mon-Thurs). I am still working on a more regular schedule for science and history/geography. Luckily we have plenty of time for that!

Isabel has been busy terrorizing Ben while he tries to get his work done. She loves to climb on the table and knock all his supplies to the ground. Nothing makes her laugh harder than her brothers' reactions to her destruction. She's lucky they love her so much and are always kind and gentle with her no matter what she does. Her second favortie thing to do is play in the pantry. Who needs block when you have cans to stack, right?!
Tax season has started but I am working one day a week preparing returns. I enjoy it because it's a great way to get out and interact with adults for a few hours each week, but it still leaves plenty of time for family.  
Tito is still busy selling cars in spite of all the snow. We found out that he has never played in the snow before, so the boys have been lobbying to remedy that. Hopefully, they'll be successful in getting him outside and there will be pictures coming soon!
We're all looking forward to 2010. I'm sure it will be a great year. Happy New Year! 

Merry Christmas!

I am NOT ready for this...

She's only 15 months old. I hope this was just a one time thing. I'm not ready for her to be in a bed!

More Pictures from our Budding Photographer

I may be partial, but I always enjoy Ben's photographs. Whether it's one of his many self-portraits or other random things, I love seeing our life from his point of view. He's quite good at landscapes as well. The last few days he's been on another photography streak, clicking away at himself and his siblings in a series of lovely portraits.  

 

 

Pioneers and Gingerbread

On Fridays our local Catholic homeschool group gets together for playdates, field trips, or service projects. This Friday was a field trip Friday, which we spent at the Mormon Trail Center Winter Quarters learning about pioneers and their journey west.
A pioneer tour would not be authentic without the proper attire, so everyone began at the dress up trunk where they chose their outfits.

Although the displays focused specifically on the Mormons' journey from Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah with their winter stay and the hardships faced at Winter Quarters (in what is now North Omaha, NE) much of what they went through was faced by all pioneers. The children were able to see a covered wagon and experience making choices about what to bring and what to leave behind. They learned about the weather conditions (and the MUD!) the travelers had to endure. Some of the earlier Mormon pioneers used handcarts which they pushed and pulled themselves, across all those thousands of miles. Emanuel had a chance to help pull one (and I didn't get a picture- grrr!). The children also got to fit themselves into the tiny replica log cabin that an entire family would live in all winter. We thought we  were crowded in our small apartment, but really it is quite luxurious compared to that cabin!

Emanuel loading a wagon with supplies.

After the pioneer tour, we went to the lower level of the Mormon Trail Center to see their gingerbread house display. Wow! There were so many great gingerbread houses. The kids all did a scavenger hunt through the houses, looking for certain houses on their list. Emanuel posed for me in front of his favorite gingerbread creation... a ship!

Photo of the Day