The Tomato Show

I know I keep saying how quickly time seems to be flying by, and I know how many posts I have written…in my head.  I thought it would be fun to share why we lose a week of our lives every year in our little part of the world…the Tomato Show.

Yes, tomatoes.  It is a week filled with parades, baking contests, vegetable judging, photo judging, pedal tractor pulls, 5 mile runs, Big Wheel races, tomato tosses, Little Miss Tomato, and even races where grown men and women ride in bathtubs full of…you guessed it, tomato juice.

Our first year here, we attended.  Our second year I entered some rolls in the baking tent, and won a blue ribbon.  Hubby entered the 5 mile run and won his age division.  We were hooked.  Last year we skipped the run, but I entered more baked goods and Sir Wallace won the Big Wheel race while taking second (to his good friend) in the pedal tractor pull.

This year we were there every night, one night until well past bedtime.  And it has taken every night since then to get back into routine, seriously.  Our homeschooling is turning into unschooling more than I ever thought it would, but it works for us.  Of course we have also dealt with a couple of ear infections this week…  In any case, here is my toast to tomatoes and the Tomato Show…and a few pics to share!

Sir MMH Hubby in Mile 1 of the 5 Mile run

The Misses and The Sirs on their float; it won Best Costumed. (The theme this year was Rockin’ and Rollin’ Through The Years.)

Sir Lionheart looking perfectly like himself!  I LOVE this picture.  He won first in the 3/4 year old Big Wheel race.

A hint as to why our kids have an advantage in the Big Wheel races, LOL.  Here is Sir Wallace awaiting the 6 year olds, and yes he was taller by almost a  head than all the others there.  He took first again as well.  His biggest thrill, I think, was his blue ribbon for his chocolate chip cookies.  Alas, no picture…but they were tasty!

And here is what everyone looked like after it was all over.  I am thankful for this week, back on schedule and no extraneous appointments or commitments.  *deep breath*

 

Twin Tots

As you read in my previous post, tackling twin tots has been a challenge.  I thought I would share some pictures of why…

It should not surprise you that two little people like this…

Would take this…

and this…

And turn it into this…

and this…

.

That’s all I have to say.  *smile*

Technorati Tags: Twin Tots,TimeForTwo,Our Adventure,Homeschool

Coming Up For Air

It  has been nearly a week since my last post, oh my.  We have been adjusting to our ever changing and challenging schedule.

School, well it has been adjusted.  As much as I long for a set schedule, after the first week that hope went out the window.  The boys do really well working through their lessons knowing that the day is theirs when they finish.  However, with the twin tots it is just unrealistic.  The new plan, which has been written down nowhere, is to complete Calendar Time, Bible, and one other group activity in the morning.  When we finish with those, it’s free time for the boys and interactive play with the Misses.  Preschool is completed during naptime, and Sir Wallace begins his boxes then as well.  One on one time with Sir Wallace often occurs around 8pm because the rest of the troops are in bed (Sir Lionheart may be reading with Dada.) and he is our night owl.

Here are a few things that we have been doing…

Bugs…and more bugs.  After the caterpillars from our bike ride, we spent the week outside enjoying the wonderful weather ushering in fall.  The bugs were very literally finding us, and the kids loved it.

Our very late garden is finally bearing fruit.  Along with the Aunt Ruby’s (my favorite this year), our Pac Man Broccoli has been abundant and tasty (and a bit smelly!).

Sir Lionheart had a run in with the wheel of his wagon and the concrete as Dada was pulling it.  He now understands that our warnings to not drag his hand on the ground are warranted.

We have continued to enjoy popsicle time after naps, though I’m devising snack plan B as the weather cools.

Due to the Twin Tots, homeschooling has moved upstairs a few days per week.  It will most likely remain this way until we can adapt the other areas in the basement more for them.

I am thankful and blessed for this season in my life, and though the best laid plans change rapidly I know God is in control. 

Technorati Tags: Our Adventure,Our Home,Homeschool

 

Going on a Bug Hunt

We have been rolling with a few themes this week…Intro to Geography (Expedition Earth from Erica at Confessions of a Homeschooler), The Letter L (Raising Rock Stars Preschool from Carisa at 1plus1plus1), and Bugs (Well, from this Mama of four kids who LOVE bugs). Today it was barely 80 degrees and sunny, so we decided to take our Science Saturday outdoors to the bike trail.

Sir Wallace wore his helmet in the truck, so he could hop out, hop on, and go. (Very indicative of his personality).

Sir Lionheart had to step up to the plate today. He has been on two wheels for quite a while now, but he has been riding a really small bike because his feet hit the ground when he sits on it. His big boy bike was a size too big when we bought it (on purpose…if you knew how tall our kids are and how fast they grow you would understand). The last time we rode the trail Sir Lionheart grew weary quickly because he had to do two to three times the pedaling as everyone else due to the size of his wheels. So, today I told him he had to ride the big one if he wanted to go. Whaddya’ know? He hopped on that thing and was lapping the yard in minutes. There is definitely a warm Mama Moment when your little guy grows up just that little bit more and accomplishes something new.

The girls loaded up into the trailer, pulled by Sir MMH Hubby, and I followed.

We stopped and watched butterflies, bees, bugs, and beetles. Unfortunately I’m still dealing with a point and shoot with a shutter speed slower than the feet of my six year old when you tell him it’s time for bed. Thus, no good photos of anything that did not crawl.

We herded up a few caterpillars, all different colors and textures. As we study the difference between moths and butterflies we are eager to see what these caterpillars will turn into… For now, they sit in my canning jars *smile* with twigs, leaves, and holes in the lids in hopes of seeing them build cocoons. And there are two little boys even more excited about bugs.

Technorati Tags: Our Adventure,Mama Moments

To Tot School and Beyond!

So it was not quite that dramatic, but I sure felt like Buzz Lightyear trying to fly after finding out he was a toy.  If  you asked me what my biggest fear was about homeschooling I would say, “Miss Bear and Miss Bug.”  WHAT am I going to do with them? 

All of the blogs I read and websites I find with tons of ideas for tots…but they all lacked one thing: TWIN tots.  Or at least MY twin tots.  It’s just different than one tot.  Or only twin tots.  Really, we’re just one shy of a full house here.  (And no, we’re not looking for one!)  I have been blessed by Mama Jenn’s blog because if she can handle two sets of twins, my oh my, I can handle one!  But it’s still scary…

The plan?  Calendar time together, songs, and send the boys for seat work without help for a bit.  Meanwhile, introduce Tot Boxes to the Misses.  I was pleasantly surprised by their willingness and even excitement to join us for Calendar Time.  Miss Bug clapped during Days of the Week and both Miss Bear and Miss Bug were very willing to add our day and weather to the board.

Calendar Time:  Success.

Next up, Tot Boxes.  I literally wandered the house this morning gathering some last minute supplies to bring my ideas together for the girls’ boxes.  We had pom poms, of which Miss Bear was a big fan.

We had decorative marbles and various scoopers and pourers.  It all started in the box, but soon covered the floor.  However, all were happy, including Sir Lionheart.

I covered the easel with paper and just left crayons for doodling.  Miss Bug kept busy coloring and saying, “M like Mama.”  *smile* 

 

The last box had Melissa and Doug magnetic letters in it with a magnetic white board.  We sang the ABC’s and placed all the magnets on the board.

Tot Boxes:  Success.

When the Tot Boxes lost their appeal, the girls began to wander.  Plan B went into effect: a short show.  In this case, Elmo saved the day.  (Why do they love Elmo so much?)  A baggie of Goldfish and a pillow to sit upon, and I headed in to help the boys with “Mama” boxes.

Diversion:  Success.

After Elmo, the Tots wandered back in and began exploring the boxes again.  It was not long, though, until they were decidedly finished.  The final plan?  A laundry basket with dress up shoes and purses, and finally a cereal bar.  Life was good for these two tots.  And school was a great success today.  Here’s praying for tomorrow!

Technorati Tags: TimeForTwo,Tot School,Our Adventure

First Day of School

It’s here.  At least it was.  The first day of school for all the boys, Sir MMH Hubby included.  I was not brave enough to start Tot School on the same day.  We will add it in tomorrow.  As it is, I would consider today a great success, only one meltdown. 

Our workboxes worked great, and the lessons flew by.  I only wish there truly existed a “Handwriting Without Tears.”  Unfortunately, Sir Wallace despises writing…and I’m coming up empty on ideas right now to change that.  Here are a few pics of our day.

 Sir MMH Hubby all dressed up for his first day with students.

Sir Lionheart ready to jump in at his desk.  (He was lurking outside the door for fifteen minutes while I finished up some last minute details; so happy to see him excited.)

Sir Wallace all smiles as well.  He actually made it out of bed the day after vacation with a smile on his face.  This is a big accomplishment for our Sir Sleepyhead.

 Our calendar board almost complete.  We used it even though I ran out of velcro earlier in the morning.  Thank you Mama Jenn and Carisa for the great calendar board and notebook resources!

They did such a great job working through their lessons…

even with the total meltdown over handwriting.  (Sir Wallace was busy lamenting the letter “a” up in his room.)  We did make it through and live to experience our first day of Tot School tomorrow.  Watch out boys, two almost-two year old tots are on the way!

Technorati Tags: Our Adventure,Homeschool