Chowchilla Fair 2011

Well we got really busy this year and entered quite a few items in the fair! The kids were overjoyed to find out what they won. Elyse got BEST OF SHOW for her apron, Chandler and Caeden got first place on their Ferris Wheel models and display, and Ava got first place on the little water bottle holder she knitted. Then Chandler got 2nd place on his barn watercolor painting and Elyse got 3rd on her still life photo. Here are some pictures!

 Awww he reminded us of our Jack



And last but not least, a little taste of Chowchilla Fair SOUNDS!!!!!!

St Patrick's Day Irish Toy Making!

What a perfect opportunity to use this awesome kit my brother and sister in law bought Caeden in Ireland for Christmas! Gabe and Nichol had a wonderful trip and brought back some really neat souvenirs, including this metal toy casting kit that we have been looking forward to using for awhile now. Figured no better day than St. Paddy's to do it! Enjoy....

All our supplies all set out...

 Melting the metal....

 Tapping the mold...

 Ahhhhh....hopes are high!

 Voila!

A beautiful toy soldier!

 Setting the mold up again...

 A whole set!

 Painting the masterpieces...

Mighty in battle!!!

Spring on Brentwood

Well I know Spring is not here to stay just yet....we still have several weeks of rain and wind which I will enjoy and not complain about. However, I couldn't help but to take a few moments to capture a few glimpses of what spring is hiding behind the March winds and April showers!

The Science Loving Family!

Here at Discovery Tree Learning Centre, science is a highlight that absolutely cannot be missed. Not for one day. Sometimes we do science even on weekends! Of course I don't mind a bit! (not really haha)
I wanted to share with other homeschool moms this great vendor called Science Academy for Kids. I love their kits because everything is pre-packaged and ready to go and comes with a handy instruction and lab booklet. We recently finished the"Rocks and Minerals" kit and thoroughly enjoyed it. They have an internet linked learning program as well as online quizzes and tests which makes it really fun and thorough.
These photos are of Caeden and Ava experimenting with "sedimentary layers" and fossils.

Happy New Year! It's Wintertime!

I love winter. It isn't exactly my favorite season, however, I love seasons period so I DO enjoy winter while it lasts. I try not to be one of those types of people who is always yearning for what they don't have-such as a particular type of weather. I dislike reading updates about how "stinkin'" cold it is, or how HOT it is or, bemoaning the fact that spring has not yet sprung. Enjoy the moment people! This is the day that the LORD hath made, rejoice and be GLAD in it! Yes, it IS cold, and yes, I do love spring and fall better than the other seasons. However, I am thankful to have life and breath in my body to be able to experience what I have today.
So with that being said, I LOVE WINTER! I love fires in the fireplace, I love playing games indoors when it's too cold to go outside. I love having hot chocolate and coffee, I love cooking comforting meals for my sweet family, I love reading to my kids for school, I love knowing that spring IS coming, but you see that also means summer is approaching and that idea I am not quite as fond of. BUT I STILL LOVE SEASONS!
Okay I am off my little bandwagon for the moment, here are a few photos of a fun-filled winter morning.