Homeschool Field Trips

Homeschooling isn't for everyone - but it certainly has some wonderful advantages.  For example, two field trips in one month with no "budget cuts" to worry about!  We recently visited the KTVB Channel 7 studio and the Botanical Gardens in Boise.  (We also had a wonderful farm day with the Rhoms back in the fall, a Thanksgiving feast and a Valentine's Day party at Bounce this year.  Not too shabby.) 

My "little brother" has been working for Channel 7 for ten years now.  (I'm not sure how that's possible, since he's still only in Jr. High in my mind.  Anyway...)  He took some time to show us around his workplace and to introduce us to some celebrities such as Larry Gebbert and Carolyn Holly.    We started the tour outside at the big satellite dishes and the live report vans.

 Then we moved inside and saw the main studio, weather center, kitchen set, and news desks.

Chuck showed us the script for the noon report and we made sure that none of the kiddos went back to shuffle through the papers.  Yes!  Even with teleprompters, scripts are still printed for each show.

The green screen was probably the biggest hit as each kid got to try their hand at pointing in the right direction.

 Sierra was wearing a green shirt that day, so her body completely disappeared!

Then it was into the master control room where the directors and producers work their magic.  This is the hole where Chuck spends most of his hours.  It looks very intimidating to me.  All the kids found America's Funniest Home Videos on one of the screens and were completely distracted.

May is also a perfect time for a botany lesson here in Idaho.  Everything is beginning to bloom!  Our family is studying earth science this year, but a trip to the Botanical Gardens was a great way to review what we learned at the end of last year.

(Why do I see many more such bus rides in the future for these two?!) 

 Do not disturb! Pollination in progress.

 

After each child planted their own flowers they also got a daffodil to dissect.

Nothing left but the pistil!

I love that we get to hang our with this great group of homeschool nerds kids!

McCall Weekend

For my mom's 60th birthday, we followed her up to McCall.  She was speaking at a ladies' retreat for Susie's church at Camp Pinewood, so we decided to make a mini family vacation of it.  The girls spent hours in the hotel pool.  I crashed a seminar.  We ate at the Pancake House for the first time.  Everyone found treasures at McCall Drug.  And we all enjoyed strolling all over town!  It was an all-round perfect weekend.

  (This is most often what I get when I ask Valerie to smile for me.  Isn't she lovely?)

 The bear sculpture was quite a hit!  Not only did the girls have to pose in similar fashion, but then they proceeded to pick all of the bears' noses.  I wonder who taught them to do that?  Probably Marc!

 /

Acting classy, as usual.  You can tell who the real ham of the family is.

Jail Break!

Marc always saves up his "personal days" off from work for this time of year so that we can do something fun for my birthday.  This year I suggested that we visit the Old State Penitentiary.  At first he was a little skeptical of my idea - but we all had a fun time exploring this part of Idaho's (not so ancient!) history.  The jail was shut down in 1973 after the prisoners rioted and burned several buildings.  That's really not that long ago, eh?  It felt like we had gone way back in time when we were inside the walls.  The grounds are nicely kept and although it's kind of a morbid place, there are lots of interesting stories to read about.  I highly recommend a visit - whether it's your birthday or not!

 Ally was in character all day - she wouldn't smile for pictures.

 Most common crime for women?  Forging checks - and shopping sprees. Hmmmm.

 Inside maximum security.

 Can you even imagine?

 The yard.

Let's Get this Party Started!

It's May - that means that birthday season is upon us!  We'll start with our newly minted four year old: Valerie Joy.

She is still in love with Diego and his pet jaguar.

We had a little party at Fuller Park with some family and friends.

Happy Val - our WILD CAT!

Life with Ally - Never a Dull Moment!

She is definitely the middle child...and she marches to the beat of her own drum.

Last night, she (finally!) lost her first tooth.  It hadn't been out of her mouth for more than 30 seconds when it decided to "jump" out of her hand and down the sink drain, never to be seen again.  Typical.

 

She's the one who invents all the creative play in our house.  This is a Narnia sword battle with basket helmets and giant strawberry shields.  Typical.

This is what she does when she's supposed to be working on spelling.  Typical.

 

She doesn't sit still for one second...not even to pose for a cute picture with her best-bud cousin.   Climbing up the railings....typical.

 

 

She makes this mama laugh with her crazies...and I love her for it!

Marc's First Sermon

The last several months have been full of anticipation (of both the good and bad variety) which culminated last Sunday evening in the preaching of Marc's very first sermon!  He chose Colossians 3:1-4 as his text of Scripture and did a fantastic job of both explaining and applying the words of Paul regarding setting our mind on heavenly things.  As I listened to him, I was so thankful to God for using his mouth to speak such truths.

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ³ For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

My parents are in Brazil for a good chunk of this month, so several deacons are filling in for Dad on the preaching schedule.  As we were driving to church that evening there was a freak hail and lightning storm.  Marc cringed and looked at me.  "Maybe God is trying to tell us something.  I don't think that I should be preaching tonight."  I replied, "Or else Satan is trying to keep you from saying what you have planned to say."

If you are interested, you can listen to it here...just click on "A Heavenly Mindset."