Homeschool Art

I am not a natural artist. I used to think I was terrible at it. I have taken some art classes and realize I am pretty decent if I have someone teach me. Usually for me art is messy (Em with paints), tedious (coloring with Ash), and/or frustrating [I'm doing something fun and have to stop because A) kids need something or B) kids tell me I am doing it wrong]. I do have occasion to draw during church to keep kids quiet and it's good. But because art is messy I tend to steer clear of it. As a homeschool teacher, I never really went back after spring break. I'm still on it. Thus pushing me towards creative homeschooling. Tuesday May 24th it's time- art morning with kidlets in the kitchen.

Part one was painting- girls had tempra paints and boy had very watery watercolors. They first painted egg shells (scrambled eggs for breakfast and then rinsed the shells). Then we moved onto egg cartons. Ash painted hers purple, Ems multi-colored. Then we mixed paint into sand to change the color. That proved the trickiest task. Emily made a dark, dark green and Ash had 3 colors- orange, yellow and purple.

Part two we made egg cartons into monsters. We glued on pipe cleaners and poms-poms.

The egg shells we were going to use to crush and then glue on paper as texture. Instead they sat around until Aaron destroyed them. We thought about putting them as fertilizer for flowers. I was unsure if the paint would be a bad idea for the plants, so opted not to.

The sand we let dry and then poured glue on paper and sprinkled the sand on. When we tipped the paper to get the excess sand off, the glue shapes changed but they turned out cute.

It's too bad I threw all the finished projects away before I took pictures. When I'm ready to throw their projects away, it's because I am really ready to my counter space back.

Dressing Up

If I don't have a future diva, I will be very surprised.

Here she has on the lovely purple cowgirl hat purchased while shopping with Aunt Amy, a new blue shirt with her pink shirt underneath, white swimmy jacket on the top, gold beads, white sunglasses that belonged to Carlie, khaki pants, with her new pink ruffly skirt from her birthday and a pink polka dot skirt on the top of that.

Finishing her outfit later was a light blue dog cape, and a green flower purse.

Preschool Graduation

Ashley finished her last day of preschool on Friday May 13th. Her teacher was Beth Peterson, who lives across the street from us. Beth taught the preschool class in a back room at the Buddy Bin daycare. Two neighbor kids, Brooke Lee and David Zobell also attended the same class and it was a carpool dream come true.

Preschool went for 3 days a week and there were 11-12 kids in the class. Each week they they learned about a new letter of the alphabet. They would practice writing it, learn the sign for it, have a show-and-tell object, and also color on a large cut-out letter and glue something on it (B- buttons, K-keys, Q- q-tips, W-wheat, etc) which we have all hung up in the homeschool room. Beth's main focus was to love kids and laugh with the 'wonderment' of learning. Ashley would come home come excited to share what she did. Beth is a great lady and a fun teacher and we were glad we got to have this preschool experience for Ashley.

For graduation the kids sang several fun songs and then put on a play of the 3 big, bad wolves and the 8 little pigs. Bryan, Aaron and I got to come watch her perform. Aaron really wanted to sit in the chairs and be a big boy too.

Cali trip in May

California trip commenced as we left our house Tuesday afternoon May 3rd; car packed and kids' loaded. First stop was a nice campground 20 miles west of Zions National Park in southern Utah. We had a good first day of driving (=no rain, minimal crying) and made it to the campground early enough to set up, check out the local caterpillar scene (it was intense), make a fire and cook smores. For the first time in his life Aaron slept well while camping. I am giving all thanks to Bryan's good ideas to get a noise maker and use his propane heater. I was skeptical of both but it worked out good. Wed morning we hiked for a couple hours in Zions, came back for swimming in the campground pool and were on the road again at 3pm headed to Grandma Judy's house in Los Angeles area.

Thursday was our beach day. We had a chill morning hanging out with Grandma and got to Sunset Beach around 12ish. We stayed a couple hours and had a great time. The wind was a little chilly but the sun was warm. Family activities included: lots of sunscreen, Aaron throwing sand all over the blanket, Ash crying because sand got on her legs mixed with sunscreen, Emily and Bry heading to the ocean to try it out for a while, Ashley crying from a lady bug on her shoulder, Aaron trying the water and deciding it was a little too cold, surfer watching, Ash and Em sea shell collecting, Bry and Em building a huge sand castle, me passing out snacks and hunting for shells with girls, Aaron deciding he loved the 4 ladybugs we found so he and I let them crawl around our arms, burying Bryan in the sand, and Aaron laying out full body on the sand for warmth.

Friday the 6th we said hello to lots of family and people arriving for the wedding weekend fun. Bryan and I enjoyed a run on flat roads and balmy weather. My mom drove in.

Saturday my uncles Bill and Jason and Bryan took a long intense bike ride. Some injuries sustained. 2:30 p.m. was my cousin Aaron Cassaro's wedding to Kelly. The couple and ceremony were both lovely. The reception dinner and party afterwards was a fun night with Bry and my fam. The kids enjoyed playing with their second cousins the Muldunes.

Sunday was church and Mother's Day. I got to sleep in, Bry bought me beautiful roses and made a yummy breakfast, picture frames and cards from my girls, and I got chocolate. Dinner that night was 30+ family members from my mom's side eating a really nice BBQ dinner together. Fun to see everyone and get to chat.

Monday was Disneyland with us, my mom, and Amy, Bill, Tiffany and Hannah Foster.

We started off the day with Emily tap dancing with Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter. Followed by a chat with Mary Poppins and Bert. Ash wasn't so sure.

Where all your dreams come true. Notice Emily's big smile in all the pics. The weather was kind of chilly in the morning and evening, but warmed up nicely during the day.

All of us cuties. We spent most of the day all together.

Hannah, Tiffany, Ashley and Emily all got their faces painted and were very lovely.

Aaron and Holly spent a lot of time together so the rest of the gang could do some bigger rides. The little rascal with tons of energy and fun followed by his adoring Grammy. Thanks mom!

We had a great Disney day. We didn't lose anyone- hooray! Pouting was done by Emily after Space Mountain b/c it was too scary and by Ashley who didn't know she was too short for Indiana Jones until she got to the front of the line. Some favorite rides were: Small World, Buzz Light Year, Space Mountain (which was Ashley's first big roller coaster ever and she did great), Tikki Room, Dumbo Elephants, Winnie the Pooh and Indiana Jones Adventure. We all finished the night by grabbing some pizza.

We left California on Tuesday afternoon and stayed in Las Vegas. We went swimming that night and all had fun going between the hot tub and warmish pool. I tripped on the escalators and hurt my ankle. Wednesday morning Bry, Aaron and Ems took another turn in the pool while Ash cartooned and I packed. We got home safely Wednesday night around 8 p.m.

Driving Home

Yesterday on our way home from our trip to Cali Aaron was hungry. I took a few bites of a pear and then handed it to him. It kept him happy and busy for a while (also very messy). I later hear "eyeballs." He had eaten down to the seeds in the middle and had found the pears' eyeballs. Made me smile.

Ashley is 5

My baby girl turned 5 on Wednesday, March 30th. The day started off with breakfast in bed of waffles with regular syrup and pink milk.

After that it was off to preschool where she got to bring marshmallow treats and wear a purple crown.

For lunch I made her Dora chicken noodle soup. And then she got changed into her blue sparkly dress for her party. We got ready for the party by setting the table with her princess tablecloth, plates, cups and napkins. Her purple cupcakes were store-bought with Tangled princess ring for a top.

I went to volunteer at Emily's school while she watched a movie. The friend birthday party was to start at 4:30 when Emily got home from piano lessons.

For her party we played a hide-and-seek game called Sardines. Emily is showing Aaron her hurt knee from Sardines.

Then we played Duck, Duck Goose. Aaron decided he really liked touching heads and saying 'duck' so the game was mostly laughing at Aaron.

From left to right: Emily, Sarah, Ashley, Maddie, Jeni, Aaron, Cami, and Brookie. Five friends since she was five. Then we did the limbo, opened presents, and ate cupcakes and ice cream cones. Then the kids got to work coloring on our cardboard house; which they loved.

The party was a success- kids went home happy and we'd only had outbursts of tears by Emily and Cami. Ashley felt celebrated and yet it wasn't too much in one day.

The birthday fun continued by going to the swimming pool later that week, packages, phone calls, and a whole other party with the Fosters.

Easter Weekend

FRIDAY

2ish- Brothers' Hanks arrive

3-4:30 pm- I dropped off Emily at gymnastics and then went shopping b/c I didn't want to be with the brothers.  I found I liked shopping.  I went to Michaels & Deseret Book and was mostly successful.  

4:30-7 pm Bryan makes carne asada and homemade flour tortillas for dinner.    

7 pm- Girls got picked up by Aunt Amy for a sleepover.  Date night plus Aaron begins.  I deliver PUD statements and talk to neighbors for a while.  Brothers leave.

9pm- I put Aaron to bed.  I am tired from an early run and I am feeling sick with a cold.  We abort our grand plans to play games, opting for bed with books. 

SATURDAY

8 am- Sleeping-in.  :-)  Bryan got Aaron breakfast then rejoins me in bed for lounging and reading.  I stayed in bed until 9.  All morning we took turns helping Aaron and reading.  Garrett calls to say he's coming.  Amy took the girls shopping at DI and yard sales which they all love.  Bryan goes for 5 1/2 mile run.  

11:30ish- Garrett arrives.  I make french toast.  Bryan gets online for cooking tutorials and starts prep work for a better round of carne asada with tortillas.  Bryan and Garrett see who's the man by trying to outdo each other in P90X Ab Ripper.  Turns out both can handle a good ab ripping as long as they are grunting hard.   

3:30pm- Garrett needs Bryan's car from the brothers to get a friend who's visiting from Mexico.  Bryan working hard on yummy dinner.  

4 pm- I drive to get the girls from Amy's.  After loaded in the car, Ashley conks out (typical).  During the drive home Emily falls asleep which tells me Tiffany wasn't exaggerating when she said they were awake until midnight watching movies (Em never naps).  Garrett brings Darian Cruz (18 & friend from ESL teaching). 

6 pm- Brothers leave.  Bryan tags me in making dinner.  It turned out better than before- hooray for Bryan's perseverance.  Garrett and Darian make cookies teaching Emily to speak Spanish.  We hard boil and dye eggs; including one that looked like Mexico's flag.  I try to wake up Ashley from nap and she doesn't. She ended up sleeping 4:30 pm to 7:30 am = 15 hours!   Bryan bathes Em and Aaron.  

9 pm- Em tipped the blue easter dye cup on herself and the floor.  Bath round two.  Eat yummy cookies.  Bed for Em and Aaron.  Bryan reading.  Gar and Darian dance the cumbia and I take a turn too.  Fun Latin music dancing!  

10:30 pm- I get ready for Easter morning.  Garrett takes friend home. 

SUNDAY

7:30 am- Our family's first visit from the Easter Bunny.  Emily's friend told her she just had to believe.  They were surprised with a basket by their beds- candy, picture of Christ, notepads, pencil, art project.  Aaron got a basket of matchbox cars and trains- happy boy all day.  Also found 6 eggs in the front yard from a neighbor Easter Bunny.  

9-12  Church. We were all looking good.  Nice service.  Bryan came with for the first hour.    

2 pm- Bryan, the brothers and Em went to a park to play Captain Hook (Emily) vs. Peter Pan with Lost Boys.  I make dinner and Gar and Ash dye Easter eggs.  Brothers leave.  

4 pm-  Easter dinner: ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, deviled eggs, french bread, chewies dessert.  

5 pm- Garrett leaves.  Talk on the phone to family.  Hang out outside.  Clean up house with girls.  Bryan does all the dishes.  Wrestle-mania Bry and kids.  

8pm- Bedtime snack, stories, teeth.  Read story about the empty Easter egg representing Christ's tomb.  More talks with family.  Homeschool prep should be starting, but it's not.