A Bit of This a Bit of That

Our friend Jeremy stopped by to visit and had dinner with us on his way back from a wedding. This was the first time he met Dominic. We had a lovely evening and a few wonderful conversations that sparked Dear Hubby and I to now become hooked on Battle Star Galactica the TV series. We are still watching the series and anxiously awaiting its conclusion.

R's Birthday fell on Thanksgiving this year, which made celebrating it even easier since we were getting together with family that day anyway. She felt like she had a huge party and feast in her honor, yet I had little to no work to "pull it off". She even chose a very simple cake for me to make. Her tastes are obviously more grown up now because she wanted me to make her a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and Heath Toffee between the layers and on top. Surprisingly she didn't want a cute character cake or even a colorful "Happy Birthday", just this cake with an orange 4 on it. That was easy!

For the first time, we went to see the town square be lit up in preparation for Christmas. We let the kids turn in their Pizza Hut Book-it certificates for free pizza and then went to eat our pizza at the festivities. Live music and a reading of the "Night Before Christmas" were performed before the arrival of Santa. We counted down from 10 to 1 and then Santa threw the switch for the lights. The kids were amazed to see the lights all in the trees and on the lamp posts. We even bought a figurine for our nativity scene at a local tourist gift shop devoted solely to Christmas items.

The three oldest kids were in the play "Annie" at the local high school. M was Tessie, the whiner and most annoying orphan, C was Molly, the youngest Hannigan orphan, and T was Whacky, a marionette puppet and tourist. It was a lot of work for all of us, but the kids enjoyed themselves tremendously.

Latest Happenings

So much has been happening and I haven't been able to keep up. One reason is that our computer is still not cooperating with our camera. I am having a very difficult time transferring our pictures to our computer, which in turn, makes it very hard to update this blog. For those waiting on pins and needles to see what we've been up to lately (Joe!), I apologize.

In chronological order, here is what has happened lately...

We celebrated Dear Hubby's 38th birthday and Father's Day. His favorite color is orange, so we made him a very bright orange, chocolate layered cake with 38 hearts all over it. As a combo birthday and Father's Day gift, we bought him a fire pit so that he can burn up all those assorted limb that he keep falling down. It also make a good way to roast marshmallows with the kids. We've already spent a couple of nights out by the fire pit, as if it were a campfire. It also came in very handy when about two days later a very large limb was knocked down in thunder storm. We have since been burning it bit by bit.

Again this year the three oldest kids participated in a two week long theatre workshop. They performed the play "Aladdin". Though they all had rather small parts this time, they really enjoyed themselves. How could you not love this play? The movie was so good that you just couldn't go wrong! I especially loved listening to the kids practice the songs at home and while we drove everywhere in the car. We listened to them so much that by the time the performance rolled around, even the two little girls had the songs memorized.
Grandpa came for another visit and gave M her birthday gifts. She was so happy to receive a CD player and a copy of Tangled. She loves them both so much. It has been really cute how she tells the other kids that they are going to be having music class and so they should go to her room to listen on her boom-box. One day shortly after receiving the CD player, they all decided to spend three hours straight singing and dancing to their kid music. It was a nice break for me, as well. I finally had to call them down for supper and they were all so disappointed that I had broken up their dance party!

I took the kids blueberry picking for the first time. I remember doing this as a kid with my mom and thought it was about time I let my kids experience it for themselves. They all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Especially E who only sat in the stroller and ate whatever anyone would give him. He was in seventh heaven.

On Friday of that week, we had planned on going swimming at a local state park, but happened to be early and decided to check out the nature center. I am so glad we did. We walked up just as a Pond Life demonstration and activity was beginning. The Naturalist on duty invited us to join them and the kids had a blast learning about the pond life cycle, exploring life around their pond, and even making their own pond life viewer out of a coffee can. We later went swimming with their Aunt Olivia and Nana, but I think the highlight of the day was that science activity!

Field Trip to Children's Play

A nearby "dinner theatre" performs plays based on children's literature. We've been attending these school field trips for several years now. Since we aren't allowed to take pictures during the performances, I don't think I've ever posted much about them. We try to attend at least two every school year and sometimes more. The kids love to see how a book can come to life on stage. The plays also incorporate a lot of songs and dance numbers. This has been a great way to include the performing arts into our curriculum and have fun, too. The most recent performance was base on the book, Alexander Who is Not (I Mean It, Do You Hear Me?) Going to Move. The play was entitled "Alexander Who is Not, Not, Not, Not, Not, Not, going to Move".

Some of the other books we've seen brought to life include Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, Winnie the Pooh ,and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

The kids did very well this time waiting patiently with some of their friends. These pictures were taken before the show started. You can see the theatre in the round behind M.

Hello, Dolly!

M has a small part as a chorus member and town's person in the local theatre production of "Hello, Dolly!". She is really becoming quite the little actress. I think this is her 8th play now. M said that her two most favorite places in the world are at the library and at the theatre! I'd say she is enjoying herself.

I surprised M on opening night with a baquet of "roses" that I made. I can't really afford to buy a dozen fresh roses, so I made these out of tissue paper. At least this kind will also last much longer than fresh ones. M was very surprised and extremely happy when I gave them to her after the show! I guess that was a ringing endorsement that she appreciated all the effort that went into making them.

Willy Wonka Play

This year the children's theatre workshop performed Willy Wonka Kids. T landed the role of Charlie Bucket, M was Violet Beauregarde, and C was Grandma Georgina and an Oompa Loompa. They had a great time, sang their little hearts out, and delivered their lines loud and clear. I couldn't be prouder. I am so glad that they were able to be apart of such a wonderful experience to practice their public speaking skills. Whoever says homeschool kids are shy, quiet and unsocialized, haven't met my kids.

Thanksgiving Craft and Opening Night

To reinforce our history lesson on the Pilgrims and Indians, we made the standard Pilgrim and Indian hats. I know, this is definitely not politically correct anymore, but the kids had a blast running around pretending to be Indians. They especially loved pretending to hunt deer with their imaginary bow and arrows. When we attended Mass Thanksgiving morning, Father gave an excellent homily about the history of the first Thanksgiving and the earlier Catholic Thanksgivings. It was an excellent homily that reminded us all of the importance of the Eucharist and that we need to not only be thankful for things, but be thankful to people. He concluded by stating that we especially need to be thankful to God, and therefore should avoid saying "Happy Turkey Day", but instead insist on saying, "Happy Thanksgiving".

Last night was opening night for the play Nuncrackers. M played the little girl named Maria. I know I am a little bias, but she was fantastic and the show was hilarious.

Cross Country, Science Club, Crafts, and a Play

Last night was the kids' official last practice and wrap-up awards ceremony. We gathered to watch the team do a final "meet" where they got to race their fellow team mates. I was really proud of both of the kids. They did a great job and gave it their best effort! Our oldest came in second and beat all the boys! Woo, whooa! Way to go! Our oldest son was able to beat quite a few kids older than him. I was beaming with delight as they both crossed the finish line. Here they are with their medals and award certificates. "M" received the courage award for getting past her pre-race gitters and stage fright. "T" got the award for finishing strong. Even if he wasn't one of the first to finish, he really kicked it in at the end of the race and tried not to let anyone pass him.

The older two kids attended their third science club meeting today. Last month's theme was botany and we explored the roots of plants and the vascular system at our last meeting. So, today the kids presented their science projects on botany. "M" decided to do her project on the vascular system of monocots and dicots and "T" decided to do his on how seeds travel. Here are some of the pictures that they included in their project reports. They did a great job!

This month's lesson was on astronomy and we took a closer look at the moon. The kids did a hands-on experiment that helped them to better understand why the surface of the moon looks the way it does. The experiment involved dropping a rock into a container of white sand that had a layer of cinnamon on top. We dropped the rock from different heighths and then measured the diameter, depth, and length of the splash rays. Everyone seemed to enjoy the process and learned more about how objects from outerspace can alter the landscape of the moon.

Today, my oldest daughter also attended a library "art" project class. She, along with some friends, made "haunted" gingerbread houses using lots of candy and chocolate graham crackers. It looks good enough to eat!

Another noteworthy event, "M" has landed a part in the local theatre's Christmas play again this year. She has rehearsal tonight and finds out which role she will be performing. The play is called "Nuncrackers: a Christmas Musical". Not totally sure what the play will be about, but I know there is lots of music and singing, which is right up her alley.

The Kids' Play--- A Year with Frog and Toad

Madelyn and Theodore took part again this year in the local children's theatre workshop. The play was "A Year with Frog and Toad". Madelyn landed the role as "Frog" and Theodore the role of "Snail 1".

This play was a lot different from last year's play. This year it was a two week long workshop instead of just one. They also didn't do costumes. Instead, each child received a T-shirt with their character's name on the back. The scenery was a little more involved this year. I think that is because they had more older kids and behind the scenes help. Another difference was that we had a first time director. I think he underestimated how long it takes for young kids to understand the choreography and scene blocking.

I was very impressed at how well it all came together. All their hard work payed off. They practiced their lines day and night, and we sang along with the CD every chance we were in the van. I think we all have the songs from the play stuck in our heads, especially the one called "Eating Cookies".

Overall, a very great experience in public speaking, theatre, characterization, drama, musicals, and socialization. Yes, the over emphasized word, socialization. I am sure they will be begging to do next year's summer children's theatre workshop.