1st day of school!

Today, August 29, was our first day of school!

Ella (4) started pre-school, while Nathan (6) started first grade.  We were pretty laid back today, much to the kids' disappointment. I needed a day to judge how much time things will take (since a couple of interruptions on any given day are a given)....verdict: I think it will take more time than I thought!  But, still doing actual school will be about 2-2 1/2 hours of our morning.

For Ella I bought a pre-school book of worksheets at Barnes & Nobles.  These will mainly be things to keep her busy while I work with Nathan (and she likes to do them).  She'll also be doing some Saxon Math K, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, Letters of the week, hands-on science experiments, a story of the week, and of course play time and nature study. We'll also be looking at classic paintings and poetry as a whole "class".

This year Nathan is doing Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory by Heart of Dakota.  I'm excited as it goes through American History (one of Nathan's interests) while applying writing, Bible study, science, and social studies.  I also purchased their reading program to do with Nathan this year.  It is for second and third grade, but I want to encourage Nathan's love of reading, and he's easily reading at this level (and you can choose whatever books you want to use with the curriculum).  He is also finishing up Saxon Math 1.  He did most of the first half of the book last school year.

As for my other pupils, Addie did great today.  My goal is to set up stations for her to work at when she gets bored.  Today she kept herself occupied making a bead necklace.  I plan to also set out blocks, the chalkboard, puzzles, coloring books, etc.

Evelyn did take a nap during school, though I need to try to convince her to sleep for two hours instead of one:)

Finally, here are some token first day of school pictures!

4 months.

Evelyn is already four months old! 

It has been fun these last couple of weeks as she has started to coo and laugh more, fall into a good routine during the day, and even regularly sleep during the night.  She has brought such a joy and completeness to our family, I can't imagine life without her here. 

Though life is not all sunshine and roses, I count my blessings everyday!

At her four month check-up, Evelyn was 24 1/4 inches long & 14 lbs 3 oz., which were 40th and 60th percentiles...so a little bit of a chunkster.:)

  Obviously all kids are different, but I did a little research just for fun.  At four months, Addie was 24 1/2 inches & 13 lbs 7.5 oz (50th percentile), Ella was 24 inches & 15 lbs 0.5 oz. (85th percentile), and Nathan was 26 inches & 16 lbs 4.5 oz (90th & 75th percentile).  So we have had 13, 14, 15, and 16 pound 4-month babies...all beautiful and all healthy!

 Evelyn Jane Lucille

four months old.

Black Hills Trip 2012.

 Number 51 on the Summer Fun List was to take a trip to the Black Hills (which was easy to add to the list since I knew we were doing it anyways:)

We went again with my parents, sisters and their families.  Total it was 9 adults (one husband couldn't make it) and 10 kids ages 6 and under!

Here are a few highlights from the trip:

Bear Country!

 If you haven't been, Bear Country involves riding in your car through an area with bears, elk, mountain goats, etc.  Overall the kids enjoyed it, though Addie got mad at me once for breaking the rules and rolling down my window.

There is also a zoo like area at the end with baby bears and other forest animals.  This was nice because then we could walk around some.

 Evie did a good job of sleeping most of the time while we were in the car watching bears.  I did have to feed her once she woke up, so I can say now that I've fed a baby in a moving car!  (in case you're worried we were moving at a slow crawl in a line of other cars inside the park).

 Another memory of Bear Country:  changing a poop explosion in the van.  Oh the joys of traveling with babies!

 Though the whole group went to Bear Country, each family split up the next day and chose what they wanted to do.  Since it seems like the "thing to do" in the Black Hills and Nathan is somewhat interested in presidents, we went to Mt. Rushmore.

We had a really good time (though it may not seem this way from the first photo).

 For Sunday brunch we ate at a restaurant in Lead that used to be a roundhouse for trains.  The kids thought it was neat-though it was definitely more of a "practice your manners" place than a "let's play" place.

 And of course we had lots of fun just hanging out at the cabin we rented.  Here is a view from the loft looking at the main floor.  

Papa grilling steaks.  Looks like there's a little flamage.

Silly Time!

There was so much talk about smores, but never enough time before the kids' bed time to actually make them.  So, on the last night we decided to roast marshmallows on the grill and save ourselves the time of making a fire (in the indoor fireplace...outdoor fires were prohibited because of the dry weather).

The kids didn't mind, and it worked!

Addie may have chosen and extra-large mallow!

And of course you gotta work out!  Matt thought he would be cool and sneak a pic:)

It was another busy, crazy, fun weekend in the Black Hills. 

Here's what the gang looks like this year!

&

The Thompson crew with Nana and Papa. 

(Addie was being a stinker, but I know I have pictures of myself as a kid doing the same thing!)

Finally, it's not a road trip to the Black Hills without a stop at Wall Drug.  We ate lunch there on the way back and of course picked up some doughnuts.  There's a great backyard area for the kids to play before they get back in the car again!

6.

So, it's been over a month, but Nathan has turned 6!    Once again we went to the Black Hills over his birthday.  This time, we drove out there on his actual birthday...which he decided was okay because his birthday was 25 hours instead of 24!

His six-year-old interests include reading, playing outside, playing Leapster, almost any movie he's allowed to watch, Star Wars (which he is not allowed to watch), and other things.

We decided cupcakes would be easiest for the party since we had to travel...but with sprinkles of course.

The Birthday Boy!

(who put a tattoo on his face)

 Nathan is a very sweet boy, full of energy and always talking.  He still remains our "passionate" child, who can fill a room with his laughter (or with his fits of rage).

Nathan, You are perfectly and wonderfully made-and We love you!

Sweet Evelyn: 3 months

Evelyn is 3 months old now and weighing in at about 12 pounds.  It's hard to believe that she has already doubled her size!

She's become quite the little sweetheart, always smiling and cooing at me, especially when I change her diaper:)  I wanted to capture her sweetness, but as soon as I pull out the big scary camera she stops the show. 

These are my attempts:

I took this last photo to try to show her big bright blues...and can you see why I call her "Bubbles"!?

Nerds.