May is the month for ... Field Trips!

May has been a busy month of field trips this year. Last week I went with Noah's class to Tillicum Village. We left the school at 7:15 in the morning, took a 2-hour bus ride to Seattle, and then got on a ferry for an hour ride to Blake Island to visit Tillicum Village. After the visit, we repeated the ferry ride and bus ride and arrived back at school just in time to pick up Ethan and Abby at 3:25. It was a long, but fun day!
Leaving Seattle and the Space Needle behind.

Exploring the "caves" at Tillicum Village.

What a handsome guy ... and he took a normal picture!!!


The delicious salmon meal. This is a picture of Noah's plate before he ate ... unfortunately, it looked very much the same after he ate. Noah is an incredibly good eater, always willing to try new things, but for some reason he just couldn't get himself to try the salmon. Bummer! After the meal there was a performance featuring Native American dances and story telling. Noah and I had some great discussions before and after this field trip comparing other religions to Christianity. We are both very thankful for the saving grace of Jesus!


Then yesterday I went with Ethan's class to Paradise on Mt. Rainier. We were originally scheduled to snowshoe through the snow for about an hour before having lunch and touring the visitor's center. The bus ride up the mountain took a bit longer than originally planned, however, and we ended up just being able to take about an hour long hike in the snow. The snow on the path was pretty packed and the hike was fairly easy, although some places were a bit icy and slick and somehow I did manage to end up on my rear one time :-) Thankfully Ethan and I (and most of the other students) had brought along snow boots (mine borrowed from our good friend Marie. Thanks Marie!!). It was an absolutely gorgeous day with beautiful sunshine the entire time.

The park ranger gave us a great lesson on glaciers.

Here's Ethan and his good buddy Gabriel.

Two of the 3rd grade classes made the trek.

Trading our tennis shoes for snow boots was a good idea!

One of the things I so enjoy about working from home is having the flexible schedule that allows me to go on lots of field trips with the kids. Mark has gone on quite a few this year, too. And if neither of us is able to go, Papa Clyde has made the trek! And Papa and Gramma have graciously offered to help out with field trips next year when the boys are homeschooled. I definitely plan on taking them up on that offer!

sun (behind the clouds)... sailboats (in the distance)... smiles (on the kids faces)...skinned knee (abby fell at the falls)

washington state capital in the background...

the kids love to pose for pictures...

tumwater falls had some serious water coming down... very fun to see...

not bad for a cell phone camera... forgot the real camera at home...

it was a great family day...

Decisions

So, I mentioned in my last post that we have decided to homeschool Noah and Ethan next year. They will be in 4th and 5th grade. Our decision was not based, in any part, on negative feelings toward public schooling. Our kids have all had fantastic public school experiences. Has it been perfect? No. But, all in all, it has worked really well for our family. As I talked about in a previous post, our kids all shared their faith numerous times with school friends, they built some wonderful friendships, and have learned so much. All of this to say, our decision to take a different path with Noah and Ethan is not because of anything bad or difficult that has happened to them in our public school.

However, our "little" public school has grown so much since we first moved to DuPont that, even after a huge addition just a year ago, there is no longer enough room at Chloe Clark Elementary School for 4th and 5th grades. Next year it will be just kindergarten through 3rd grade. So, the plan is to bus 4th and 5th graders to an elementary school in Steilacoom. Due to the length of the bus rides (45 minutes to 1 hour each way depending on where you are on the bus route) and just our decision to not bus our kids, this wasn't an appealing option for us. We talked about driving the boys to school, but I would spend a minimum of two hours in the car each day just driving the kids to and from school. Plus, we have made it a priority to be involved in the kids' school by volunteering weekly and going on all field trips, etc. This would not be difficult, if not impossible, to do with two schools so far apart from each other. And, so, after a lot of talking and praying and talking and praying (we've known about this situation for several months), we finally made the decision that it would be better for our family to keep the boys home - Noah for just one year and Ethan for the next two years. A brand new middle school with 6th - 8th grades will open this next fall just down the street from us. And if the situation hasn't changed by the time Abby reaches 4th grade (there is talk of building another elementary school here in DuPont), we will probably keep her home for those two years also.

We have decided to enroll the boys in Washington Virtual Academies. This is a fantastic program that is run through the public school (fortunately for us, it is actually our current school district that runs the program for the entire state - so I can just run up to their office up the street if I need to!). All of the curriculum is laid out very clearly, and all of the books, workbooks, art supplies, science supplies, everything is provided completely free of charge and delivered to your front door. If you finish a subject early, you can move ahead to the next level. A teacher is assigned to you and you can call with questions any time, as well as submit work for their review. There is also online instruction for the students. I am really excited about this new adventure (although, if I'm honest, also pretty nervous). I will continue to work from home, although I may have to get up a bit earlier in the morning and work again later in the evenings if necessary. Mark is completely on board, too, and will definitely be a huge help to me. Our plan now is for him to do their science curriculum on Mondays when he is off, leaving one less subject for me to be in charge of the rest of the week.

I will certainly do another post again in the fall once we begin and let you know how it's going! In the meantime, I would greatly appreciate your prayers that I will not feel overwhelmed, that God would miraculously multiply my time, and that, most of all, He would be glorified in all that we do.

Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed

The kids all had a fantastic year at Awana this year. They all memorized tons of verses (and, consequently, so did I!) and are learning the many joys of hiding God's Word in their hearts.


Noah finished his second TNT book and so he earned The Excellence Award.


Ethan finished his first TNT book.


Abby finished her 2nd Sparks book and also earned her Review Patch, which means that she did the entire book twice plus an additional seven verses.


Cole completed his first year of Cubbies and his first book.

We are so proud of all of our clubbers!

Mark also received his 1-year pin for serving in TNT this year, and I received mine for serving in Cubbies. We both hope to be able to help out again next year. Mark, Noah and Ethan will again miss the first couple of months due to football practices. I am hoping to be able to manage it as we have recently decided to homeschool Noah and Ethan next year. Long story for another post, but it's been days, weeks, and months filled with prayer and seeking counsel, and struggling to make the best decision for our family. More on that later . . .

you dont want to miss these little golden nuggets...

i am writing this post for a good friend of mine who is leaving for disneyland tomorrow and has never been... i was hoping to point out some "hidden golden nuggets/secrets"... not to say this is the only or even the best... just some... so if you have been there and you know of some cant miss things that he and his wife and two young daughters would enjoy... please comment....

***photo pass*** disneyland employs photographers to take high quality picture of you and your family in the hopes you will buy the pictures from them... they give you a photopass card you can use the entire stay... at both disneyland and california adventure...get the card... first thing as you come in... use it... as often as you can... look for them to take your cant miss shots of the family in the best locations... this is a great opportunity to get high quality pictures of ALL in the party... free to have taken... free to view on line... and they offer you an opportunity to get a dvd with these pictures so you cant print up high quality pictures at COSTCO for really cheap... overall the dvd was a little pricey but if you have them take lots of pictures... its well worth it...



***toon town mickeys house*** a great time for just your kids and mickey at the end of the tour in his house... located in toontown: disneyland... check and see if you early admittance on any of the days you are there... great place to get photo pass pictures taken...
*** disneyland strollers*** they are big and easy to maneuver around... they have a sunshade and are very comfortable to take a little rest in... some storage underneath for diaper bag and/or souvenirs...
***main street electrical parade*** this nighttime parade is so worth staying up a little later than usual... for me it brings back childhood memories of when it use to be on disneylands main street... now it takes place in california adventure... but it has stayed the same for all these years...

***walt disneys: parade of dreams*** is also a great daytime parade and nice break in the afternoon...grab some ice cream or a turkey leg and enjoy... you get to see all the main characters in the parade and is a good opportunity for pictures....


***disneys story time*** aladins oasis... this is a neat, interactive(for the kids... small stage theatre located in dineyland tucked between the tiki room and the jungle boat cruise ride... the first year we saw it noah was chosen to play the roll of jafar... it holds great memories for our family...very fun and in the shade... the acting is good and Worth the time...


*** Aladin musical*** this is a Broadway quality musical done at the hyperion theatre in california adventure... this is a must... the actors and actresses are awesome and the stages/props are top notch... dont miss this one... With dancing genies, soaring carpets and imagination taking flight, this amazing production brings your favorite characters from Disney's Aladdin to the glorious Hyperion Theater.
40-minute show features larger-than-life scenes
Breathtaking sets, amazing stage effects and an action-packed script
Mesmerizing musical dance numbers
Memorable songs from the beloved animated classic
A brand new song written by composer Alan Menken just for "Disney's Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular"
An unforgettable experience your whole family will love



*** disney princess fantasy faire*** a very special time for OUR little princess (abby)


Enter the enchanted world of "happily ever after" where little princesses and knights are invited to a royal gathering. Immersive storytelling, fun crafts, including sparkling crowns to decorate, and regal ceremonies make this a fairytale experience come true.Activities at the royal gathering include:
Disney Princess Storytelling — Join a Disney Princess for a special story where Guests are invited to help tell the tales.
Royal Coronation Ceremony — Learn what it takes to be a true princess or knight with a regal celebration.
Royal Dance — After taking the Royal Oath, Guests are invited to take part in a lively group dance.
Royal Arrivals — Three Disney Princesses make their grand entrance and greet their Guests.
And many more royal celebrations

this is another great photo pass opportunity... they can take great photos for you... and you are also able to take as many as you want/need with your own camera.... you get one-on-one time with three princesses... well worth the wait...


*** the golden horseshoe*** located in disneyland over by big thunder mountain rail road... good food and fun entertainment... lots of seating and family friendly... easy to get out of if the kids disagree... worth checking out...



disneyland

these are just a few... no particular order and by no means exclusive... disneyland is what you make of it... these are just some unique things we have stumbled upon or been told about... you will find your own must do's... you will make your own memories... if youre reading this and know of some other gems... please share them... my friends leave for the magical kingdom tomorrow... we are planning our trip already for next may... and you... who knows when you may end up there... but it is a great place to go, a great place to laugh, a great place be...

parts in purple taken from http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/home/home?name=HomePage

even though i dont know him...

happy birthday to you...

happy birthday to you...

happy birthday dear BONO...

happy birthday to you...

Bob

Meet our latest family member ... Bob.

He is Cole's latest creation and newest friend. See what you can get when you combine a neon pink pencil grip and an army action figure helmet?

Cole insisted on bringing Bob to Awana with us tonight.


But on the way home, Cole was just too tired to care for Bob anymore ... so Mark was happy to help out and let Bob help drive us home.

Special Days for Abby

The last two days have had some pretty fun times for Abby. On Friday, Mark went with Abby's 1st grade class on a field trip. They went to the Puyallup Fairgrounds and learned lots about agriculture and different animals. And, of course, the trip wouldn't be complete without petting some of the cute critters.

Ms. Shover's 1st grade class from Chloe Clark Elementary

Then today Abby and I went to a "Mom and Me" time of fun and fellowship at our church. There were tons of fun crafts for the kids to do. Abby made a kite, cute necklaces (one for her and one for me!), and had fun with stamps making a card (for me, of course!). There was also a great lunch. Abby had a heart-shaped pb&j sandwich, some fruit, and then somehow managed to pile two cookies and a brownie on her plate before I could say, "only 1 cookie!" Smart kid, huh?

Here's Abby and her good friend Mikellie. Miki is moving with her family soon to Iowa, so Abby is cherishing every last moment with Miki.

And, yes, on the picture on the left Abby is picking up Miki. I really have no idea why, but it is something that she does EVERY time they leave each other. It starts with a hug and ends with Abby picking up Miki. Odd, yet sweet.