Winter fun

The kiddos are taking a science class at Blandford nature center. This week they learned about what different animal tracks look like in the snow. So, as our own lesson we made different animal
prints out of cookies and frosting!

This is Avery dancing. During halftime at Jackson's basketball games they play music really loud and Avery enjoys dancing to it. It has become a little tradition for her.

Also here she is painting. One of her most favorite things to do. And yes, I am a mean mom. I make her take her shirt off if she wants to paint. I have scrubbed paint out of one too many shirts!

Once a month we get together with other homeschool families for a gym day at Church. During this time the kiddos run around, do crafts, play legos and eat yummy treats.

Our little Aves and her buddy Ty. We had the Dejong family over for dinner and Avery requested that we set up this table for her and Ty! So adorable!

Aves being silly!

Jackson and Jaideyn playing one of their favorite games.

Aves with all her stawberry shortcake business that she got for Christmas. This was money well spent. She can sit for at least and hour setting all this up and playing with it. She has an amazing imagination!

Christmas

Merry Christmas with the Koster family!

MERRY CHRISTMAS with the Brink family!

Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We were blessed again this year with way too many gifts!

Fun times

We finally have snow! Enough to build a snowman even. This was all Avery talked about for weeks. We would get a bit of snow here and there, but never enough to build a snowman. Finally we woke up and looked out the window and there was a ton of snow. Aves didn't remember ever building a snowman, so this was all new to her. So, first thing in the morning we bundled up and headed outside to play in the snow and make Aves dreams come true~a snowman was made.

Avery is a bit accident prone. She is always falling, tripping or bonking into something. And each time she does one of these she cries and screams as if someone just chopped off her arm. And there is no consoling her. She doesn't want you to talk to her or look at her "owie" she just wants to scream and cry and be held. So, that's what we do. At a sale I found these little "boo boo bunnies" and thought they would be perfect for Aves and hopefully it would take her mind off the hurt so she wouldn't scream as much. So, I explained how they work to her and told her we would keep it in the freezer and next time she had a "owie" we would get it and it would help her feel better.

Well, guess what? It worked like a charm. The minute she got hurt she would start crying and head right to the freezer. I would give the bunny to her and she would be so interested in it that she would forget to scream. Thank you God for little blessings!

Jackson sledding on his new snowmobile sled that he got for Christmas from Uncle Chad.

Our little dancing princess.

Dad and Jackson doing a little reading.

Jaide and Avery putting together the world puzzle for their geography lesson.

Enjoying the birds at Grandma Greats.

A day of hanging out with Grandma Great. We enjoyed lunch, a walk, watching the birds and finally a treat from Grandma.

The neighbors house in under construction and each day we see something new. This day it was a big digger. Thank you neighbors for providing hours of entertainment for the kids and hours of quiet time for mom!

Happy Birthday Jackson

Happy Happy Birthday Bubba! Wow, I can't believe that you are 8 already. You have had a lot of changes in your life this year and I am so proud of how you rolled with it and made it work. You have learned so much and have matured a ton. You are still loving playing with legos, but other than that your interests have changes from playing with toys to big boy stuff. You would prefer to help Dad on a project, build something for mom or shoot your gun. It scares me how fast you are growing up, but I thank God for you most days~ just kidding! I thank God for you every day and thank him for the amazing blessing you are to our family. Your love for your Dad, Mom and sisters is awesome. You are a good son and brother! I am very proud of you!

Celebrating birthdays with the Koster family!

Eating your birthday dessert at Logans.

And of course the birthday "yeee~haw!"

Celebrating your birthday with your classmates from Byron Christian.

Again we were hoping for lots of snow for your birthday party, but God had other plans. All still had fun sledding and being boys outside!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUBBA! I love you so very much!