Beginning of our summer vacation

Sunday, May 24-Ram did not have Bible Study so we could leave right away after church. We left before 1pm. There was some rain and we saw some rainbows on our drive. We only made necessary stops-once for gas, once for supper, and breaks for the boys when necessary. We arrived at our hotel in Bozeman about 10pm.

May 25-Today was Lamb 2's birthday so we attempted to make it a little more fun day although we had lots of driving to do. We let the Lambs play games on the iPad and get their own drinks at Starbucks. There was over a one hour wait at Cracker Barrel in Billings, probably due to the Memorial Day holiday so we did not eat lunch there. We did eat supper at Cracker Barrel in Bismarck. We were unable to connect with our friends that live in Bismarck, I had not notified them early enough. Lamb 3 fell asleep in the afternoon and when we crossed the border into North Dakota he needed a change of clothes. It seemed like we were driving forever, but we arrived at our hotel in Fargo about midnight.

May 26-Even though we had a late night before, I made everyone get up and we left the hotel about 9am. The Lambs wanted to play on the playground in Ortonville, MN. They miss merry-go-rounds like this one.

We then went to our friend's house for haircuts. Here is one final picture before my haircut.

All 5 of us had haircuts, with Ewe shedding 12 inches for Wigs for Kids. We stayed for a little lunch with our friends. Then we went for chiropractor adjustments for all 5 of us with our favorite chiropractor.
We drove past our old home and were shocked that almost all the trees are gone except for one volunteer that we let begin when we first moved there. That tree seems huge now. It is sad that the parsonage was sold.
The old tri-parish that Ram served has been recombined and is now served by two pastors each serving three churches, but not the same combination that Ram served. We are thankful that all three small churches are still open and being served by wonderful pastors. The old tri-parish hosted a potluck for us at the middle church that evening. We were able to see everyone at once and tell them about ID. Some of our former members are now in heaven and the others are a little older, but we loved seeing everyone.
Then we stopped by to see one family that was not able to attend the potluck and stayed way too late talking to them. We arrived late that night at one of the pastor's homes to spend the night. It was wonderful to catch up with them a little bit that night and at breakfast.

To be continued...

*I'm finding I took very few pictures, I was too caught up in talking to people. I'm trying to recreate our trip a month later so we have the memories written down here.

Home Again

We just spent almost a month in Indiana helping my parents downsize from a 4 bedroom, two level, huge yard home. They don't know when or where they are moving, but we helped them pack up what they want to keep and get rid of what they don't. I am excited for them having less stuff in an easier to care for home.

While we were there Lamb 1 and 2 attended a basketball camp-it doesn't get much better than going to basketball camp in Indiana. We were able to see several friends on the drive out there and the drive back. A few friends and family came to visit us while we were there too.

We arrived home just in time for VBS this week at our church. When I get control of the laundry and unpacking all the treasures we brought home from my parents, I have lots of pictures and things to blog about that happened during last month.

We feel as if we are just beginning our summer vacation-we haven't signed up for swim lessons or summer reading program at the library yet.

Happy Birthday, Lamb 2!

Lamb 2,

I remember well when you were born the nurses that had to work Memorial Day weekend loved holding you and spoiling you in the nursery. This year your birthday is on Memorial Day. I'm sorry that you thought that meant our pool was opening today. Our neighborhood decided to open the pool one week later and then stay open one week after Labor Day. You will be glad after Labor Day even though you had to wait now.

I am so glad your birthday is finally here. Now I can say that my boys are 7, 9, 11 instead of saying almost 9 when people ask me how old you are. I know it is difficult to be the last boy's birthday and that even Papa's birthday is before yours. You weren't very patient, but we made it to today.

We are so proud of the progress you made at age 8 in vision therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Nine is going to be great for you as you are starting to take off in your reading! We love you.

Mama and Papa

A great day to be homeschooled!

About a month ago I stumbled upon a blog that talked about a free program to get a Hot Wheels classroom kit. I had never read this blog before. I followed the links and signed up for a kit, commenting that we were a homeschool and I wasn't sure if we qualified. I honestly forgot about it and didn't have a confirmation number.

Lamb 1 and 3 are working hard to finish their math books so we can take summer vacation. Lamb 1 has been doing two lessons a day. Yesterday during the second lesson a huge package arrived. Once the Lambs read the outside of the box it was a mad dash to finish math so we could open the box. They quickly picked up a few things in the living room to make room and we opened the box.

The box was heavy for Lamb 1 to hold for a photo.
(Yes, I still have Easter decorations up. Sigh. Ascension Day came quickly for us this year.)

Mama, hurry and take the photo so we can open this!

Eventually the whole downstairs had track set up!

Soon they invited the three neighbor boys that are homeschooled over to join them.

I am still surprised that we received a full classroom kit. We gladly shared with the neighbor boys so it was like we are a classroom of 6. I heard great science questions and then experiments the whole time they played. It was a wonderful break for me as they were happily entertained for a couple of hours while I did the dishes and other housework without interruptions. They are excited to set this up outside this summer, they have plans to go down the whole sidewalk and invite all the neighbor kids to join them.

Soon they even set up track in the upstairs hallway.

After a couple of hours of Hot Wheels then they got out the duct tape and made Minecraft costumes and swords. Our Lambs were very popular because they have so much duct tape thanks to Aunt Hannah's gifts for their recent birthdays. Soon the public school kids were home from school and joined them. At one time there were about a dozen kids on my patio creating stuff out of construction paper and duct tape.

(Note to Mom and Dad: Notice our tree that we got from the power company and the new house built behind us in this photo. Lamb 3 is on our picnic table so you have a point of reference.)

How the Lambs push the right button for Ewe

Ewe: "Lambs, come upstairs and help me please."
Lamb 2: "We will Mama. May I please finish reading this book to Lamb 3?"
Ewe: "Of course. Finish your book and then come upstairs."

Lamb 2 was such a late reader that I can't express how happy this conversation made me yesterday. My Lambs may get lots of extra privileges like staying up late if Lamb 2 continues this!

Lamb 3's surprise

At the first track meets this year, Lamb 3 ran the 50m and did not participate in any more events. He was content to play with small toys he brought while his brothers ran many events.
The final track meet it is spread over two days and they do give ribbons for placing in the top finishers for each event. Lamb 3 said he would also run the 100m for this track meet.
Ram was not able to attend the whole second day with us and met us there later. Lamb 3 decided on the way to the meet that he would not only run the 100m, but he would also run the 200m to surprise Ram.
About halfway through the running events on day 2 of the track meet it started pouring rain. We all ran up to shelter in one of the buildings, waited about half an hour, and then finished the meet while it was sprinkling, but not pouring. My Lambs put on raincoats when it started pouring. The coach said we really needed to finish the track meet when it was scheduled, it would be impossible to reschedule both for all the families involved and the time we could get the track.
By this time Ram had joined us. When it came time for the 200m, I didn't think Lamb 3 was going to participate with the rain. He decided he was still going to run it. For each event they run, the parents fill out a sticker with their age, full name, and event and put it on the child's shirt. After each event they remove the stickers from the shirts and attach them to a sheet with the official time. Ram was surprised that Lamb 3 was going to run the 200m and thought we needed to fill out a sticker since he was doing another event.
At this point, Lamb 3 unzipped his rain coat and showed Ram that he already had a sticker on his shirt. He got such a big smile to be surprising Ram by running 3 events over 2 days.
With the rain, none of my Lambs ran real well on the second day of the track meet. They didn't finish getting ribbons ready to give out when we left. Any more ribbons will be mailed. But we think all three Lambs might have gotten a ribbon for the 200m because so few people were left to participate after the rain. We are hoping that if he gets a ribbon for the 200m, it will encourage Lamb 3 to try more events next year. Now we impatiently wait for the ribbons to come in the mail...

End of Year Events

Piano Recital for Lamb 1 and 2
Last Sunday School before summer break
Final Track Meet Day 1
Final Track Meet Day 2
Last Cub Scouts for Lamb 1 before summer break
Church Preschool Graduation
Last Confirmation Class for Ram to teach before confirmation
Lamb 1 finish math book
Lamb 3 finish first 1/2 of math book

When all these events are completed, then I will declare that summer vacation is officially here for our family! I will attempt to update this list as we complete more.