Christmas Day

We had a great Christmas Day. 

Christmas Eve

Christmas with Todd's family

Pokagon State Park

Todd and I took the kids to Pokagon State Park today to toboggan with Landin's scout pack.  They had fun going down the hill, and I had fun taking pictures of them. 

Festival of Gingerbread

The kids made Gingerbread projects with some friends from Fellowship Gym Class.  They entered their projects into the Festival of Gingerbread at the History Center.  Landin made the Polar Express train going up the mountain, Amelia made a carousel, and Riley made One Summit Square.  Amelia's group won the Presidential Award.  We were told it was for creativity.

Sleeping Beauty Ballet

New American Youth Ballet did two performances of Sleeping Beauty today.  They let the Children's Division audition, and Amelia got the part of a wedding guest.  Amelia started coughing last Sunday.  Thursday she had a fever.  Friday she had no fever and went to dress rehearsal.  This morning she was coughing but had no fever.  We gave her cough medicine and breathing treatments and she was able to perform.  She was a very elegant wedding guest!  Right before she went to bed she told me she felt really cold.  She ended up with a 102 fever again!  She is really upset that she has to miss church tomorrow and 2 parties, but she is happy she was able to perform.  She had her camera and took some pics backstage.  I took a few, too!

Mohawk!

Todd gave Riley a mohawk for the Homeschool National Tourney. His team came in 4th place this year.

State Homeschool Varsity Soccer Champions

I have a very excited son today. He plays soccer on the JV homeschool team. He also subs when needed on the varsity team. Yesterday Riley and I went to Indy with the varsity team for the State Homeschool Championship Tourney. The team played 3 games, the final game started at 7PM last night and ended with a shootout. Riley's team won, and he was thrilled to be a part of the tourney. We ended our day at Culver's with the team before heading home. Next Friday and Saturday our team is hosting a National Homeschool Tourney at Kreager Park.

Duck Farm

Wednesday we went on a field trip to the Culver Duck Farm. We had fun and learned quite a bit about ducks. They got to hold ducks that had recently hatched. The kids took their cameras to use, and I enjoyed seeing the field trip through "their eyes" by seeing what they took pictures of. Here are just a few.

So handsome!

Check out his smile! He got his braces off and he is very excited about it!

First day of school

Well, we started our 2009-2010 school year today. I have to admit that I was NOT ready to get started. I know, however, that if I would have to start sometime soon. I feel like summer just went too fast this year. It was not a great day. Believe it or not, Landin and Amelia did great and were very excited. Riley was NOT happy to start. We usually do something fun on our first day of school, but we are waiting until tomorrow to go to the zoo with my cousin, Lisa and her kids.

There was a bright spot in the day. Amelia asked me if she could please make lunch, and Riley made dinner. That helped me out quite a bit. The kids then made a plan to make one meal a week that they plan. I thought that was a great idea.

Take me out to the ballgame

We just finished another baseball/softball season. I love to watch my kids play, have fun, and learn. Sometimes they get on teams that win, sometimes they lose. I try to use those experiences to teach them lessons and to show good sportsmanship. I have always tried to tell them that umpires, referees, officials have a very hard job to do, and no matter what call they make, the kids have to respect that and not argue. The kids always want to play and are always disappointed when the season is over. I have to admit that I am disappointed too.

Amelia and Landin finished last week and had fun night at the park last Friday night. Amelia won the trophy for fastest girl base runner. She was very excited about that. Landin didn't win a trophy, but he won a pair of batting gloves. That made him happy, too. Next year they won't have fun night because they will have tournament games instead.

Riley's team was undefeated this year. He had a great year and grew as a player. He played second base, short stop, and pitched once. He got a homerun a couple weeks ago and was very excited. He loved his team and his coaches. They won the tournament this year and ended up winning a trophy for that and one for being season champs.

Next week Riley starts team conditioning every evening for the Fort Wayne Fusion JV soccer team. He is excited to work with some new kids this year, and I am excited to have the kids move on to their next sport!