I've been absent, I know. I'm sorry...

...but i had to interrupt this bloggy hiatus for Kacie's "singing". Because I love it. 

 

she's got a real future.

just what I would expect to find in my flowers...

...Barbie. Tied up to the stake.

After standard interrogations

we learn she's in isolation, awaiting trial.

yup.

I dunno.

It's best not to ask questions.

savethewords.org

We are now the proud owners of the word:

FOPPOTEE

{a small minded person}

a favorite website for us word lovers:

savethewords.org

Dress up like you're 100, for the 100th day of school.

Andy is all or nothing.

He moaned when he walked out the door.

And complained he had a hernia.

Dani made him a hearing aid out of modeling clay.

Andy chose not to listen to me all day, just to stay in character.

He said he was sorry, he had his aid turned down.

Unplugged.

We unplugged everything.

The announcement went well:

{We're re-doing our living room, hence the naked-ness of the room.

Just so you're not wondering why we're living in a bare brown box.}

It's an experiment. A Social Study on Exploration. Conan and I noticed things felt off with our kids; they were too connected with technology and not enough with each other. They were missing things as they really are. Their actions and interactions had one end result...screens. Creativity was lacking and authentic leisure was obsolete. So we unplugged.

Back to literature, music, arts, sports, imagination, developing skills and talents...exploring.

Once they get the work done, they can choose to explore whatever they want, as long as it's safe, affordable, and within the confines of gospel teachings. We will help them explore whatever they want. Explore a good story, history, a person. Explore drawing, glue, clay, woodwork. Explore the ocean, space, Africa. Explore our neighborhood, the dirt, the dishwasher, cooking, golf, instruments, massage therapy...Whatever! They seemed pretty excited once we presented it that way.

We asked them each what their hypothesis's on the experiment are...mostly they said they were going to die. But slowly they've started to talk about being better friends, having quieter moments, and more fun. Sigh.

Conan and I are hoping that by disconnecting they will re-connect with what's real and important. With each other, with us, with themselves, and most importantly with their Father in Heaven. That life saving relationship comes in the still moments when they can think, feel and listen. we need more of those.

So far so good. It's only been two days with just a couple minor meltdowns from Mickey Mouse detox, but we've already noticed a difference.

In the last two days we've gone to the gym, made green chips, made playdough, went to the park, played with playdough, made more playdough, cleaned up the playdough, made cookies, played Blockus, vacuumed dried playdough, explored the woods, made plans to build a dog house (for the dog we don't have), had piano lessons, dance parties; and they've played ninja, who can throw the ball against the wall the hardest, super hero doctors, and I think there was some cowboy mermaids in there too.

Homemade Playdough:

It's now memorized.

2 cups flour

2 cups water

1 cup salt

2 Tbsp oil

1 Tbsp cream of tartar

Stir in a big pot over low heat for around 10 minutes, until it pulls away from sides of pan and isn't sticky anymore. Let it cool and add food coloring. If it's sticky when you take it out of the pan, nuke it for 20 seconds and the moisture will absorb.

I've scoured homeschool websites and kid's crafts ideas to keep the little kids busy, but I'd love suggestions and ideas, if you've got any. It's a new way of thinking and planning and executing for me, not just the kids. It's kind of exhausting, but the way it should be.

Kacie says, "Mom, is the compooter plugged up?"

"Yes, honey, it's unplugged."

"Is the Wii plugged up?"

"Yes, sweetheart, so is the Wii."

"Is the music plugged up?"

"No, we can listen to all the music we want."

"Okay. Let's dance to Super Mario."

Life is good.

i love it when I find great pictures on my camera.

at dinner...

Mom: I officially give everyone permission

NOT to eat the mushy green beans.

Jake: Sweet.

Dad: They're not that bad.

It's like eating slugs.

Slugs are yummy.

Dani: gross.

Andy: Mom, it's like those chicken poop beans.

Mom: Uh, you mean chickpeas, Andy.

Andy: {pause} yup.

good one.

the Great Canadian Andy Dance

I know, I haven't blogged.

I'm still trying to edit and sort my 836 pictures and videos from our trip, and get used to making school lunches again. ugh.

So in the mean time, here's Andy and his sweet moves at the Great Canadian Barn Dance in Hill Springs, Alberta.

be inspired.

happy end of summer.

egg.

We walked down the road to see the neighbors chickens.

All the kids got to keep a souvenir egg,

which they were real excited about.

Some more so than others.

After we'd been home for about negative 2 minutes

Andy walks up to me with a little smile on his face.

He says, "Mom, I found a nice comfy pillow

and I sat on my egg. But it didn't hatch."

no. no it didn't.

this is my sister.

she's crazy.

padded.

We picked up Andy from school and went to Hobby Lobby.

I overheard Joey whisper to Andy

that he had on 10 underwears.

huh?

So I checked him out, unbelieving,

and sure enough, he was padded.

Oh, the mysteries of the 4 year old thought process.

I dunno.

he calls himself the SugarPlum.

Dani asked him if he was the tooth fairy or something.

He says quite irritated, "trrrry Sugar Plum, Dani. geesh. tooth fairy.

you think I'm an idiot?"

And I guess SugarPlum's go around fixing things.

Not to be confused with the Tinker fairy.

Oh no. He's a SugarPlum.

He takes his job very seriously.

she crochets.

i'm thankful for wrestlemania.

Hogwarts.

They arrived Friday night. Filch greeted them at the bottom of the hill with lantern in hand and croaked "I'm here for the First Years!"

The kids giggled and followed Grandma up the driveway, into the magic of Hogwarts.

They were welcomed to a feast of Pumpkin Pasties, Treacle Tarts, Butter Beer and Pumpkin Juice, among other wonderful wizarding treats and trifles.

Then they were sorted. {there was a walkie talkie in the Sorting Hat, and Seth had the other in the bathroom.} Jake was first, in Ravenclaw. He was content. Then Andy in Hufflepuff. He was happpy. Joey and Kacie in Slytherin. Appropriate. And Dani in Gryffindor. She was elated.

Off to the House Dormitories for the night.

The details were everywhere. Thank you, Cassy. I wish I were there.











Moaning Myrtle {ipod in the medicine cabinet}:

Hogwarts Day 2. Classes.

Slytherin won the House Cup because meanie Snape was entirely unfair with the point system. Giving Slytherin 50 points for Kacie going in the potty. Hardly fair. Hooray for Kacie, but hardly fair.



Defense Against the Dark Arts {mentos in coke}:


Divination with Professor Trelawny. Mirror of Worromot.
{My sister Corrie is an exceptionally hilarious person. She is so so great.}

And of course, Trick or Treating. The End.

And of course, Halloween wouldn't be complete without sharing the Child Family costumes of the year. This year came from Jonny's obsession with all things "Man in Black".





I love you, Cassy. Thank you.