Art

One subject that Brandon specifically asked me to teach him this year homeschooling was art. We're starting with a sculpture kit.

He started with a cog at the bottom with two wires bent into the basic shape then stuck in the cog. He filled the cog with foil to finish making the basic shape then covered it with the clay.

He then started adding clay where he needed for the facial features and taking clay away where needed.

Here is his finished product. Very good for his first try. He was so excited for this project that he did 4 lessons worth of art all this afternoon.

School

When Brandon was little, we would pass the time in the car by me giving him three words and he would have to make up a story using those words. Now, I'm making that into some of his writing assignments. Here is his first short story using the words; purple, duck and tennis shoes.

Homeschooling is going great so far. I feel like we've both gotten into a good groove.

First day of school

Ethan and Brandon on the first day of 1st grade and 4th grade.

Ethan in front of his school on his first day.

Brandon in front of his school on his first day. Yes, that is the front of our house. This year we are homeschooling Brandon. We're both very excited and after the first day, so far so good!

Ethan's favorite animal

The one thing that Ethan wanted to see was a Jaguar.

As you can see, he was pretty excited! It even made it into our bedtime prayer, along with the stingrays and pizza for dinner tonight.

Petting the Stingrays

One of the favorite parts of going to the zoo today was getting to pet the stingrays. If you held your hand down flat in the water they would come right up to you. The only thing to watch for was accidentally touching the tail or the edges of the 'wings' then they would splash you. Sometimes they'd just splash. Poor Ethan got a face full of salt water more than once.

Brandon's Huge Exciting Amazing Day

This morning Brandon was baptized at the lake behind Columbia Christian Church by his Daddy. We are so proud of his decision. It is one that he's has thought about for a very long time.

Horse Show

On the last day of each horseback riding session they have a "Horse Show" Where they get to show off what they can do. they use the reins to guide the horse, do a two point going over the 'jump' and trot. Everyone gets a ribbon at the end. Ethan's was for Best Trotting!!! This was his third session total, and the first this year. He really has learned a lot and done a great job.

Zoo trip

We had a fun time at the zoo but need to go back, there just wasn't time to see it all, or enough camera battery to take pictures of it all so I can scrapbook it. ;o) Ethan was able to walk more of it than we expected, but having the wheelchair along was helpful when he was wearing out and getting tired. We ended up using the chair a lot more at the end because one of Ethan's braces actually broke and was starting to hurt his leg. That is tough plastic so I was very surprised it happened. They should be able to order another under warranty but right now it's duct taped together so it won't pinch him until we can get the replacement. Ethan wanted to see the jaguars but he was asleep at that point and they weren't out. They both loved dragging Mommy to see the snakes. Ick!

Ethan's 7th Birthday

Gotta love trick candles.

Brandon's 9th Birthday

Fun fun fun

Mommy's first ride!!!

Brandon's first ride on Papa's motorcycle. He loved it and couldn't wait to go again.

Ethan's first ride.

Brandon

Ethan.

Birthday Dinner at Chevy's

MU Quest science camp

Brandon had a lot of fun at MU Quest science camp. They learned all about magnets. The last day we got to go and see them show their project that they designed.

Riding 7-9

It was carnival day at horseback riding. Ethan did a good job hitting the target with the bean bags.

Leaning forward over the 'jump'

Talking with his favorite sidewalker Kathryn. He thinks she's pretty and plotted the whole way home how to capture her and make her his queen.

Hamming it up for the camera. Usually he is concentrating so hard that he won't smile. This week he must've relaxed a little, he gave me a huge grin every time he passed by.

Pet Show

Brandon is visiting his grandparents for the Hopkins Picnic. Today was the pet show. Grandma helped him catch some baby toads and he won a first prize ribbon for smallest critters and three tickets for rides. I hope someone got a picture for me. Tonight is arm band night, he is very excited to go ride all the rides.

I'm praying for these three super cool kids, their two older sisters, Mama and Papa. Papa is leaving today for his year deployment. This picture was taken the day of Ethan's surgery, my friend and her kiddos came to keep us company while we waited through surgery.

Thank you Doug for your service to our country, and Mary and family for sharing your husband and father with all of us.

My friends blog

Even though we are not adopting right now, a friend of mine is. She is fundraising for their next adoption. She is raffling off a cute little girls handmade to fit outfit, and auctioning a Lia Sophie necklace and a Mary Kay compact. Even though I currently have the high bid on the necklace, I would love to see her raise more money. ;o)

http://adoptfund.blogspot.com/

Head on over and see if there is something you would be interested in.

Lisa

Fireworks

Fireworks fun, and physical therapy all wrapped into one.

Waiting for our turn.

Hmmm, what should we light next.

Teamwork

Practicing his rich and famous paparazzi move.

Riding 7-2

Katherine was Ethan's favorite side walker last year. He talked about her all winter and even has her picture on his bulletin board. She came over to see him today and he was either too shy to talk to her or concentrating too hard on his riding. Of course, as soon as he was off his horse he asked about her and wanted to see her. He talked the whole way home about how she was his "old friend from a long ago galaxy."

Riding

This was from last week, I just realized I'd forgotten to post it before I put up some pictures from this week. Ethan had to lean over to see why Warrior stopped.