Chrismas shopping

This year we stole a friend's idea and took our boys shopping for eachother at the dollar store. When we shop at other stores, they are really limited on what they buy. The usually want to buy $500 power tools or $5,000 flat screen T.V.'s. This year every suggestion was perfect. The gifts were totally thier ideas. Neil and I split them up and took them one at a time. It was great to spend alone time with them. We had to drag one boy along (I won't mention names:). Once we got on the road though, we had great conversations about dreams. He also had great questions about life like, "What would happen if you drove through the car wash backwards?" I gave him my normal answer of "I'll let you know after I go home and google it." Can't wait to see all that they picked out Christmas morning.

Magical

We went to the Magical Forest to see Santa Clause. They had a little train, a slide, and a merry-go-round. There is a "forest" to walk through that is wonderfully decorated. It was awesome. The best part was that the boys got to set on Santa's lap. Erik took it very seriously. Afterwards he said, "I was not shy of him." Thank you Grandma for coming with us.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

We usually use our artificial tree for Christmas, but this year we decided to get a real one. The boys were real excited. I had to get a picture of the tree on top of the car. It was just like the movies. Can't wait for Christmas.

Crazy Nights

We could get rid of two beds in our house and the boys wouldn't even notice. They insist on sleeping together. They are like little puppies. We found Seth laying on top of Erik one night while at a hotel. Don't worry, we moved him after the pic.

I'm not sure how Seth ever learned in school without his turtle, ninja, home depot apron, super cape, roller skating, baseball gloves, survivor buff, etc. costume. He assures me everyone needs baseball gloves and rollerskates to do school in. One benefit of homeschooling.

Help!!

What would a Dad do without the help of some MEN and a Superhero??

F is for.......Fish and Frogs!

Erik's letter of the week was F. He had a great time fishing and playing with frogs. It sounds like a wonderful week for a BOY!

Pigs

Seth had to make a clay pig for art. He did a great job. Erik had to make one too of course.

Letter A with popsicle sticks. Playing cookie matching with Grandma.

Erik School

One of the hardest parts of homeschooling, is keeping Erik entertained. I try to have projects ready to go for him. We also do a letter a week. His favorite is hammering golf tees into styrofoam. He also likes to do matching activities.

Happy Halloween!!!

We went to the trunk-or-treat at our church for Halloween this year. The boys came up with their own costumes from stuff we already had. I love that! That is how we did it growing up. They did a great job. Erik decided on his own too. He did change his mind 5 minutes before leave time, but with the help of all his brothers, we pulled his costume off. Thanks boys!!! We came home exhausted and full of sugar.

Counting Lesson

How does a Dad teach his little man how to count? He collects big, fat, yucky, tomato worms and then lines them up to count. Cute right? Well, afterwards, they did science experiments on how to destroy them. !?!?!

The primary colors are 1, 2, 3......

Seth had to paint a color wheel for art. His lesson was on primary colors. Thanks to a song he learned in primary, he already knew what they were.

Erik's Special Day

Erik turned three today. He was soooo ready for his birthday. He wanted a Cars birthday. He had a few friends and a loooot of cousins over. We painted with car wheels, raced an obstacle course, and threw car bean bags into a tire. He got lots of loot and had a great day. Most people say they can't believe their baby is growing up that fast. I say, are you sure he's only three? Love you my little man. (Sorry, I have no idea how to turn that picture. I'll have to call my blog CEO)

A day at the lake.

We went out to Lake Mead for the day. It is September and almost hot enough to swim. The boys found a lot of snails and crawdads and all kind of yucky stuff. Afterwards we drove out to see the new bridge at Hoover Dam. We have been doing a ton of science projects lately. Most have involved plants. It looks like a greenhouse here!