Fun Days, Inventions and Dissections

Back into the swing of things, just a couple pictures of what the kids have been up to this past month. School registration is here again and I having to register for summer activities makes me a bit crazy seeing 7th, 6th, 4th and 1st grade....the social aspect, friends and guiding kids through life and the stressors this world puts out there makes potty training sound tolerable some days!
James is plugging away at Kindergarten...a lot easier than last year and I am thinking first grade is going to be a bit of a stretch.  Thankfully he is reading which is really all I care about for K5!  His class was off  to the zoo, much to the mom's dismay in Jan.  Turned out to be awesome!!  We had the place to ourselves, so much more relaxing keeping track of the kids.

James class also celebrated the 100th day of school-filled with lots of counting and silly activies surrounding the number 100.  I don't think James got into it too much.
The next day was the 101st day of school-Dalmatian day...what else can they think of!!  Anyway, we went with it, borrowed stuff from a friend and joined the madness.  Again, I think James was a bit over it.  Wish he wasn't the youngest but I think he is ready to move on from all the silly parties.

He was not wearing his ears...told me only girls wore headbands but when he saw other kids with them he actually wore them most of the day.  Or actually didn't lose them.
He is Brayden's constant buddy, even when games get rough or he ends up having to watch x-box game instead of participating.  He is all smiles when Brayden has friends over because I think he seriously thinks they are there for him.  The other night he was out playing capture the flag with a bunch of six graders-just one of the boys!

Andrea was on to the invention Convention.  She was not that into it...but Becca was.  I love that Becca is up for new ideas.  Andrea is a concrete thinker and really saw no need to come up with something new.  Anyway, we came up with a book holder for her bed-which isn't new, since we could find it online( a problem when it comes to applying for your patent!)  But Ron added a light countdown timer which made it new and inventive!!  She did a great job and managed to pull it together-thankfully with the help of Ron.

She said she was suprised how many high schoolers stopped by and asked her about her invention.  I love that about Metro, that the older kids can be such a great motivator.

Becca was on to Shark Dissection.  She was pretty excited-more curious I think but had a good time.  I was hoping to be able to stop in as I was working at school but sadly missed as we were so busy.  She gets a new teacher-sub (actually a close friend) for the next couple months as her teacher is having a baby this week.

Yes...I am officially not just volunteering or subbing and school( although I made more subbing!!)  Three days a week I am working in the Health Station at Metro.  The days a very busy and I and trying to remember and figure out data bases and excel all over.  Not sure where this will lead if any where but for some reason this is where God has me.  I think my kids are shocked that I give kids baindaids!

Brayden is still playing some basketball.  They seem to be coming along and have started to win a few games which I think has helped in their confidence.

The weekend was a record breaker for weather...high of 85.  After working in the yard the kids though cooling down was needed.  The water turned out to be WAY colder than they thought!

I love these kids but parenting has not been easy and I am afraid will continue to be tough.  I think my backbone is bending lately-never say never.  Brayden is always pushing and dealing with attitudes and desires of the heart that are so worldly can be a challenge, New phones, New x-box games...always something he wants or needs to do. (so frustrating and exhausting to teach children the true values of this world when they are bombarded by nothing else).  It is true about leading a horse to water but you can't force them to drink!!  Some personalities are just harder than others.   Be of this world but not in it. Just praying to keep loving my kids as they move into these harder years.


This is whats fun for them.  No school, No work, No responsibilities and lot so fun and playtime with friends.  Acually this is pretty fun for me too!!